Seasonal and diurnal changes in water balance of fruits, cones, and leaves of forest trees

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 1407-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Chaney ◽  
T. T. Kozlowski
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Diurnal Changes ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Accurate Indicator

Seasonal variations in actual moisture content (MC), moisture content as percent of dry weight (% MC), and dry weight were determined for fruits of Acer rubrum L., Quercus rubra L., and Prunus serotina Ehrb. at weekly or 2-weekly intervals. On selected dates diurnal variations in MC, % MC, and dry weight of fruits or cones and leaves of Quercus rubra, Prunus serotina, P. virginiana L., and Pinus banksiana Lamb. were determined at 4-hour intervals during the day and night. Percentage moisture content of reproductive tissues and leaves was variously influenced by water uptake or loss, change in dry weight, or both of these. The water balance of different tissues of the same organ varied differently, both seasonally and diurnally, in the same species as well as between species. Percentage moisture content alone is not an accurate indicator of internal water balance of plants and should be interpreted in relation to both water weight and dry weight changes of tissues.

scholarly journals Effect of Propagation Tray Design on Early Stage Root Development of Acer rubrum, Quercus rubra, and Populus tremuloides 1

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darby McGrath ◽  
Jason Henry ◽  
Ryan Munroe ◽  
Erin Agro
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Root Development ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Red Maple

Abstract This experiment investigated the effect of different plug-tray cell designs on root development of red maple (Acer rubrum), red oak (Quercus rubra), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings. In April of 2015, seeds of each species were sown into three plug trays with different substrate volumes and grown for 17 weeks. Two trays had permeable walls for air-pruning, one with vertical ribs and one without. The third tray had impermeable plastic cell walls. Harvested seedlings were analyzed for root dry weight, length, volume, surface area and number of deflected roots. Root length per volume was highest in the impermeable-walled tray for red maple and quaking aspen. The total numbers of deflected root systems were higher for all species in the impermeable-walled tray. Seedlings grown in the air-pruning trays had smaller proportions of deflected root masses. Greater substrate volume did not influence root deflection development. The air-pruning tray without vertical ribs had the lowest total number of root masses with misdirected roots and lower proportions of root masses with misdirected roots for all species. These results indicate that improved root architecture in root-air pruning tray designs is achievable in tree propagation; however, vertical plastic structures in air-pruning trays can still cause root deflections. Index words: Deflected roots, air-pruning, seedling, propagation, plugs, root architecture. Species used in the study: red maple (Acer rubrum L.); red oak (Quercus rubra L.); quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.).

Vegetation variation among mesic successional forest stands in northern lower Michigan

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 1080-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Roberts ◽  
Norman L. Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Pinus Strobus ◽  
Pinus Resinosa ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Soil Variables

Vegetation composition of the shrub–tree and herb layers was sampled in 70 successional aspen (Populus tremuloides and Populus grandidentata) stands of different ages (1–90 years) on a variety of sites in northern lower Michigan. Physical and chemical characteristics of soil profiles were also measured at each site. Three stand groupings were identified based on site conditions and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination of the vegetation. Sandy dry-mesic soils support forests of Acer rubrum, Quercus rubra, Pinus resinosa, and Pinus strobus. On lowland sandy soils with a fluctuating water table, Pinus strobus, Abies balsamea, Viburnum lentago, and Viburnum cassinoides are important. Mesic soils with stratified calcareous layers or clay till substrates support Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Tilia americana, Fraxinus americana, Ostrya virginiana, and Acer pensylvanicum. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to compare DCA scores with soil variables; first-axis DCA scores were correlated with a suite of soil variables and stand age was correlated with second or third DCA axis scores. Separate DCA ordinations of the dry-mesic and mesic groups revealed successional relations on these sites. On dry-mesic sites, Pinus resinosa and Pinus strobus increase in importance with stand age, while Prunus serotina, Prunus virginiana, Prunus pensylvanica, and the aspens decrease. On mesic sites, early successional species include the aspens, Corylus cornuta, Prunus serotina, and Prunus pensylvanica. Fagus grandifolia, Acer pensylvanicum, Quercus rubra, Viburnum acerifolium, Betula papyrifera, Acer rubrum, and Tilia americana are more abundant in mature mesic-site stands. Ordinations of the herb data were remarkably similar to those for trees and shrubs except on dry-mesic sites. Much of the residual variability in vegetation not accounted for by site conditions and stand age is probably related to historical factors such as the nature of disturbance and variations in seed rain.

Precommercial Thinning Increases Diameter Growth of Appalachian Hardwood Stump Sprouts

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil I. Lamson
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Poplar ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Stump Sprouts

Abstract In West Virginia crop trees were selected from 7- or 12-year-old yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), basswood (Tilia americana L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stump sprouts. Crop trees were dominant or codominant, well-formed sprouts that originated not more than 6 inches above groundline and did not fork in the lower 17 feet. Four treatments were evaluated: (1) control; (2) thinning; (3) pruning; and (4) thinning plus pruning. Five years after treatment the diameter (d.b.h.) growth of thinned sprouts was 1.5 times greater than that of control sprouts. Pruning did not cause a significant decrease in five-year d.b.h. growth. Height growth was not affected by the treatments. Most of the epicormic branches produced by pruning were dead five years after treatment. Natural pruning was reduced by thinning; the average clear bole length of thinned sprouts was about 2 feet shorter than that of the control sprouts. Survival was nearly 100 percent.

Seasonal and diurnal expansion and contraction of fruits of forest trees

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1033-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Chaney ◽  
T. T. Kozlowski
Keyword(s):  
Vapor Pressure ◽  
Vapor Pressure Deficit ◽  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Forest Trees ◽  
Corylus Cornuta ◽  
Fruit Diameter

Seasonal and diurnal expansion and contraction of growing fruits of Acer rubrum L., Prunus serotina Ehrb., P. pensylvanica L., P. virginiana L., Quercus rubra L., and Corylus cornuta Marsh, var. cornuta were measured with modified Fritts dendrographs during the summers of 1966 and 1967. Throughout much of the summer the fruits exhibited recurrent shrinkage during the day and expansion at night. Fruit diameter fluctuations in 1967 were related to changes in vapor pressure deficit. Expansion of fruits generally occurred when vapor pressure deficit was decreasing or low and contraction resulted when vapor pressure deficit was increasing or high.

Seed morphology and ultrastructure in Citrus garrawayi (Rutaceae) in relation to germinability

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim N. Hamilton ◽  
Sarah E. Ashmore ◽  
Rod A. Drew ◽  
Hugh W. Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Outer Integument ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Seed Morphology ◽  
Embryonic Axis ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Seed Moisture Content ◽  
Immature Seeds

Combinational traits of seed size and seed-coat hardness in Citrus garrawayi (F.M.Bailey) (syn. of Microcitrus garrowayi) were investigated as markers for estimation of seed morphological and physiological maturity. Seed size (length) and coat hardness correlated well with changes in seed coat and embryo morphological development, dry-weight accumulation, decreases in moisture content and a significant increase in germinability. Seed moisture content decreased from 82 ± 1% in immature seeds to 40 ± 1% at seed maturation. The outer integument of immature seeds consisted of thin-walled epidermal fibres from which outgrowths of emerging protrusions were observed. In comparison, mature seed coats were characterised by the thickening of the cell walls of the epidermal fibres from which arose numerous protrusions covered by an extensive mucilage layer. Immature seeds, with incomplete embryo and seed-coat histodiffereniation, had a low mean germination percentage of 4 ± 4%. Premature seeds, with a differentiated embryonic axis, were capable of much higher levels of germination (51 ± 10%) before the attainment of mass maturity. Mature seeds, with the most well differentiated embryonic axis and maximum mean dry weight, had the significantly highest level of germination (88 ± 3%).

scholarly journals Reducing Substrate Moisture Content during Greenhouse Production of Poinsettia Improves Postproduction Quality and Economic Value

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1618-1628
Author(s):  
Yanjun Guo ◽  
Terri Starman ◽  
Charles Hall
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Leaf Number ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Ethylene Concentration ◽  
Substrate Moisture

The objective was to determine the effect of substrate moisture content (SMC) during poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) greenhouse production on plant quality, postproduction longevity, and economic value. Two experiments were conducted, one in 2016 with ‘Freedom Red’ and the other in 2017 with ‘Christmas Eve Red’. Treatments included two SMC levels (20% or 40%) applied in four timing of application combinations. Total production (TP) time was 14 (2016) or 12 (2017) weeks in which vegetative production (VP) occurred from week 33 (2016) or 35 (2017) to week 39 and reproductive production (RP) continued from week 40 to 47. The four timing of application treatments were 40/40 = TP at 40% SMC; 20/40 = VP at 20% + RP at 40%; 40/20 = VP at 40% + RP at 20%; 20/20 = TP at 20% SMC. After simulated shipping in the dark, plants were evaluated in a simulated retail environment with two packaging treatments: no sleeve covering or plastic perforated plant sleeves covering container and plant. At the end of greenhouse production, plants grown in 20% SMC during RP (20/20 and 40/20) had shorter bract internode length, stem length, and smaller growth index (GI), decreased shoot and root dry weight (DW), and bract and leaf surface area compared with those in 40% SMC during RP (40/40 and 20/40). Photosynthetic rate was higher when plants were watered at 40% SMC regardless of production stage compared with those in 20% SMC. Leaf thickness, petiole thickness, total bract and leaf number were unaffected by SMC treatments. Plants in 20% SMC during RP (20/20 or 40/20) had earlier bract coloring despite days to anthesis being the same for all SMC treatments. Compared with 40/40, 40/20, and 20/20 could save 44.2% or 43.6%, respectively, irrigation and fertilizer usage, and 39.1% and 47.8%, respectively, labor time. During postharvest, ethylene concentration was unaffected by packaging method. Sleeved plants, regardless of SMC treatment, received lower light intensity in the middle of the plant canopy, causing plants to have lower total leaf number due to abscission and SPAD reading at the end of postproduction. The 40/40 treatment abscised more bracts during five weeks (in 2016) of postproduction and with no sleeve had higher number of bracts with bract edge burn (BEB). In summary, reducing SMC to 20% during TP or RP reduced water usage during production and produced more compact plants with increased postproduction quality.

Seed development in Malva parviflora: onset of germinability, dormancy and desiccation tolerance

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pippa J. Michael ◽  
Kathryn J. Steadman ◽  
Julie A. Plummer
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Desiccation Tolerance ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Seed Moisture Content ◽  
Physiological Maturity ◽  
Seed Moisture ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Malva Parviflora

Seed development was examined in Malva parviflora. The first flower opened 51 days after germination; flowers were tagged on the day that they opened and monitored for 33 days. Seeds were collected at 12 stages during this period and used to determine moisture content, germination of fresh seeds and desiccation tolerance (seeds dried to 10% moisture content followed by germination testing). Seed moisture content decreased as seeds developed, whereas fresh (max. 296 mg) and dry weight (max. 212 mg) increased to peak at 12–15 and ~21 days after flowering (DAF), respectively. Therefore, physiological maturity occurred at 21 DAF, when seed moisture content was 16–21%. Seeds were capable of germinating early in development, reaching a maximum of 63% at 9 DAF, but germination declined as development continued, presumably due to the imposition of physiological dormancy. Physical dormancy developed at or after physiological maturity, once seed moisture content declined below 20%. Seeds were able to tolerate desiccation from 18 DAF; desiccation hastened development of physical dormancy and improved germination. These results provide important information regarding M. parviflora seed development, which will ultimately improve weed control techniques aimed at preventing seed set and further additions to the seed bank.

scholarly journals Evaluating On-demand Irrigation Systems for Container-grown Woody Plants Grown in Biochar-amended Pine Bark

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 1891-1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Basiri Jahromi ◽  
Amy Fulcher ◽  
Forbes Walker ◽  
James Altland ◽  
Wesley Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Total Water ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Substrate Moisture ◽  
Silver Dollar ◽  
Conventional Irrigation

Controlling irrigation using timers or manually operated systems is the most common irrigation scheduling method in outdoor container production systems. Improving irrigation efficiency can be achieved by scheduling irrigation based on plant water needs and the appropriate use of sensors rather than relying on periodically adjusting irrigation volume based on perceived water needs. Substrate amendments such as biochar, a carbon (C)-rich by-product of pyrolysis or gasification, can increase the amount of available water and improve irrigation efficiency and plant growth. Previous work examined two on-demand irrigation schedules in controlled indoor (greenhouse) environments. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of these on-demand irrigation schedules and hardwood biochar on water use and biomass gain of container-grown Hydrangea paniculata ‘Silver Dollar’ in a typical outdoor nursery production environment. Eighteen independently controlled irrigation zones were designed to test three irrigation schedules on ‘Silver Dollar’ hydrangea grown in pine bark amended with 0% or 25% hardwood biochar. The three irrigation schedules were conventional irrigation and two on-demand schedules, which were based on substrate physical properties or plant physiology. Conventional irrigation delivered 1.8 cm water in one event each day. The scheduling of substrate-based irrigation was based on the soilless substrate moisture characteristic curve, applying water whenever the substrate water content corresponding to a substrate water potential of –10 kPa was reached. The plant-based irrigation schedule was based on a specific substrate moisture content derived from a previously defined relationship between substrate moisture content and photosynthetic rate, maintaining the volumetric water content (VWC) to support photosynthesis at 90% of the maximum predicted photosynthetic rate. Total water use for the substrate-based irrigation was the same as for the conventional system; the plant-based system used significantly less water. However, plant dry weight was 22% and 15% greater, water use efficiency (WUE) was 40% and 40% greater, and total leachate volume was 25% and 30% less for the substrate-based and plant-based irrigation scheduling systems, respectively, than for conventional irrigation. The 25% biochar amendment rate reduced leachate volume per irrigation event, and leaching fraction, but did not affect total water use or plant dry weight. This research demonstrated that on-demand irrigation scheduling that is plant based or substrate based could be an effective approach to increase WUE for container-grown nursery crops without affecting plant growth negatively.

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