Table 1.

Predicted outcomes of Experimental treatments on the decline of k_max measurements in woody stems, assuming that the mechanism listed in the corresponding column header is operative (see Introduction for further explanations)

Experimental treatment	Non-steady-state flow	Pectin swelling	Bubbles	Active wounding response	Passive wounding effects
Not degassed	o	o	o	o	o
Flask-degassed at 30 kPa	o	o	+	o	o
Degasser at 30 kPa	o	o	+	o	o
Degasser at 3 kPa	o	o	++	o	o
Hydrated at 3 kPa, degasser at 3 kPa	o	o	++	o	o
Ice water	o	+	+	+	o
Ice waterb	o	o	+	+	o
Bark removed before cutting	o	o	o	+	+
KCl, 10 mM	o	++	o	o	o
KCl, 100 mM	o	++	+	o	o
KCl, 300 mM	o	++	++	o	o
CaCl2, 10 mM	o	++	o	o	o
CaCl2, 40 mM	o	++	+	o	o
CaCl2, 100 mM	o	++	++	o	o
MgSO4, 0.5 mM	o	+	o	o	o
MgSO4, 20 mM	o	++	+	o	o
MgSO4, 50 mM	o	++	++	o	o
(NH4)2SO4, 100 mM	o	o	++	o	o
Cu(II)SO4, 0.1 mMb	o	o	o	+	o
Cu(II)SO4, 0.25 mM	o	o	o	+	o
4-HR, 10 mMb	o	o	o	+	o
Hydroquinone, 10 mMb	o	o	o	+	o
Degasser, in- and outflow measured	+a	o	+	o	o

Symbols: o=no alleviation predicted; + =some alleviation predicted; ++ =strong alleviation predicted.

^aExperimental treatment accounts for, but does not alleviate, declines in k_max.

^bTreatment applied during vase rehydration and during measurement.