Diurnal differences in the innermost surface of the S2 layer in differentiating tracheids of Cryptomeria japonica corresponding to a light-dark cycle

This paper describes the effect of light on the diurnal change in the innermost surface of developing secondary walls. Cryptomeria japonica D. Don saplings were grown in two growth chambers, in which temperature and relative humidity were kept constant and the lightdark phase of the photoperiod varied. One chamber reproduced the natural lightdark phase, while the other reversed it. Samples of differentiating xylem were collected during the dark period when the tangential strain, used as an index of volumetric changes in differentiating cells, was high, and during the light period when the tangential strain was low. The innermost surface of developing secondary walls in differentiating tracheids was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. In the specimens collected during the dark period, amorphous material was observed and the cell wall surface was immunogoldlabeled with an antiglucomannan antiserum. In the specimens collected during the light period, cellulose microfibrils were clearly evident, and amorphous material and immunogold labeling were rarely observed. These results demonstrate that the diurnal changes in the innermost surface of developing secondary walls correspond to the lightdark cycle over 24 h.