Production efficiency of Abieslasiocarpa: influence of vertical distribution of leaf area

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1230-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Roberts ◽  
James N. Long

A simple conceptual model is proposed concerning how leaf area efficiency (stemwood growth per unit leaf area) changes with leaf area for trees within a stand. Greater leaf area is generally associated with (i) improved light environment due to greater height and (ii) a lower ratio of photosynthetic to nonphotosynthetic tissue. Greater height and improved light environment result in higher photosynthetic production, which should increase leaf area efficiency. A lower ratio of photosynthetic to nonphotosynthetic tissue suggests that the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis increases, which should decrease leaf area efficiency. In relatively small trees, the influence of increased height (associated with greater leaf area) should more than offset the influence of the increased respiration:photosynthesis ratio; as a result, leaf area efficiency should increase with leaf area. In large trees, further increases in leaf area are associated with minimal increases in height, and leaf area efficiency should decline as the respiration:photosynthesis ratio increases. Predictions from this conceptual model were examined with data from stands of subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.).

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2214-2223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibu Jose ◽  
Andrew R. Gillespie

The significance of canopy nutrients in regulating aboveground production efficiency of mixed-hardwood forest communities (ecological land type phases, ELTPs) was examined along a moisture gradient in southern Indiana, U.S.A. A total of 39 plots were established in six ELTPs in which canopy specific leaf area, canopy nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg on unit leaf area basis and on unit leaf weight basis), light transmittance, aboveground net primary productivity, and production efficiency (on unit leaf area basis, i.e., Earea; and on unit leaf weight basis, i.e., Emass) were quantified. ELTPs exhibited significant differences in canopy specific leaf area and aboveground net primary productivity. Although Earea varied significantly among ELTPs, Emass exhibited no significant differences. Variation in canopy specific leaf area was significantly correlated with ELTP site water balance (R2 = 0.93, p = 0.0083). Along a decreasing moisture gradient, canopy specific leaf area decreased, which resulted in an increase in canopy nutrient content per unit leaf area. Canopy nutrient contents (N, P, and K) in turn exhibited strong positive correlations with Earea (no strong correlations with Emass), which increased along a decreasing moisture gradient. Higher canopy nutrient contents coupled with higher light transmittance through the canopy probably results in a higher canopy photosynthetic efficiency (area basis) in dry ELTPs. This is suggested as one of the reasons for higher Earea in dry ELTPs than in mesic ELTPs.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Falster ◽  
Remko A. Duursma ◽  
Richard G. FitzJohn

AbstractPlant species differ in many functional traits that drive differences in rates of photosynthesis, biomass allocation, and tissue turnover. Yet, it remains unclear how – and even if – such traits influence whole-plant growth, with the simple linear relationships predicted by existing theory often lacking empirical support. Here we present a new theoretical framework for understanding the effect of diverse functional traits on plant growth and shade-tolerance, extending a widely-used theoretical model that links growth rate in seedlings with a single leaf trait to explicitly include influences of size, light environment, and five other prominent traits: seed mass, height at maturation, leaf mass per unit leaf area, leaf nitrogen per unit leaf area, and wood density. Based on biomass production and allocation, this framework explains why the influence of prominent traits on growth rate and shade tolerance often varies with plant size and why the impact of size on growth varies among traits. Considering growth rate in height, we find the influence of: i) leaf mass per unit leaf area is strong in small plants but weakens with size, ii) leaf nitrogen per unit leaf area does not change with size, iii) wood density is present across sizes but is strongest at intermediate sizes, iv) height at maturation strengthens with size, and v) seed mass decreases with size. Moreover, we show how traits moderate plant responses to light environment and also determine shade tolerance, supporting diverse empirical results. By disentangling the effects of plant size, light environment and traits on growth rates, our results provide a solid theoretical foundation for trait ecology and thus provide a platform for understanding growth across diverse species around the world.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Sasaki ◽  
Yuuki Ida ◽  
Sakihito Kitajima ◽  
Tetsu Kawazu ◽  
Takashi Hibino ◽  
...  

Abstract Alteration in the leaf mesophyll anatomy by genetic modification is potentially a promising tool for improving the physiological functions of trees by improving leaf photosynthesis. Homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors are candidates for anatomical alterations of leaves through modification of cell multiplication, differentiation, and expansion. Full-length cDNA encoding a Eucalyptus camaldulensis HD-Zip class II transcription factor (EcHB1) was over-expressed in vivo in the hybrid Eucalyptus GUT5 generated from Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla. Overexpression of EcHB1 induced significant modification in the mesophyll anatomy of Eucalyptus with enhancements in the number of cells and chloroplasts on a leaf-area basis. The leaf-area-based photosynthesis of Eucalyptus was improved in the EcHB1-overexpression lines, which was due to both enhanced CO2 diffusion into chloroplasts and increased photosynthetic biochemical functions through increased number of chloroplasts per unit leaf area. Additionally, overexpression of EcHB1 suppressed defoliation and thus improved the growth of Eucalyptus trees under drought stress, which was a result of reduced water loss from trees due to the reduction in leaf area with no changes in stomatal morphology. These results gave us new insights into the role of the HD-Zip II gene.


1992 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 457 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Wong ◽  
PE Kriedemann ◽  
GD Farquhar

Four eucalypt species were selected to represent two ecologically disparate groups which would be expected to contrast in seedling vigour and in the nature of growth responses to CO2 × nitrogen supply. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa were taken as examples of fast-growing species with a wide distribution, that develop into large trees. By contrast, E. pauciflora and E. pulverulenta become smaller trees, and show a more limited distribution. Seedlings were established in pots (5 L) of a loamy soil and supplied with nutrient solution containing either 1.2 or 6.0 mM NO3- in both ambient (33 Pa) and CO2-enriched (66 Pa) greenhouses. Analysis of growth response to treatments (2 × 2 factorial) was based on destructive harvest of plants sampled on four occasions over 84 days for E. carnaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa, and 100 days for E. pulverulenta and E. pauciflora. A positive CO2 × N interaction on plant dry mass and leaf area was expressed in all species throughout the study period. In E. carnaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa, plant mass was doubled by high N at 33 Pa CO2, compared with a three to four-fold increase at 66 Pa to reach 34g by final harvest. In E. pulverulenta and E. pauciflora, slower growth resulted in about 50% less mass at a given age, but relative increases due to CO2 and N were of a similar order. A distinction can be made between N and CO2 effects on growth processes as follows. When trees were grown on low N, elevated CO2 increased nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) at both leaf and whole plant levels. On high N, leaf NUE was increased in E. camaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa, but decreased in E. pulverulenta and E. pauciflora. Whole plant NUE showed no consistent response to elevated CO2 when plants were supplied high N. Net assimilation rate (NAR) was increased by elevated CO2 in all species on either N treatment. Moreover, high N increased NAR under either CO2 treatment in all species. There was a positive N × CO2 interaction on NAR in E. carnaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa, but not in E. pulverulenta and E. pauciflora. Growth indices for E. carnaldulensis and E. cypellocarpa species, and especially E. carnaldulensis, generally exceeded those for E. pulverulenta and E. pauciflora in terms of NAR, leaf NUE, N-enhancement of CO2 effects on leaf area and biomass, and non-structural carbohydrate content of foliage.


1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Usuda ◽  
MSB Ku ◽  
GE Edwards

Among 10 C4 species having a wide range in photosynthetic activity, the rates of photosynthesis/leaf area under high light were examined and compared with the chlorophyll and soluble protein content and the activities of several photosynthetic enzymes. The species examined were Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Microstegium vimineum, Panicum capillare, Panicum miliaceum, Paspalum dilatatum, Paspalum notatum, Pennisetum purpureum, Setaria lutescens, and Zea mays. The photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area ranged from 10 to 38 �mol CO2 fixed m-2 s-1. Among the 10 species there was a high degree of correlation of rate of photosynthesis/leaf area with soluble protein (r = 0.88), ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (r = 0.88) and pyruvate,PI dikinase (r = 0.94), but a lower correlation of photosynthetic rate/leaf area with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (r = 0.74) and no significant correlation of photosynthetic rate/leaf area with chlorophyll content (r = 0.56). Among eight species of the NADP-malic enzyme C4 subgroup, there was a good correlation of photosynthetic ratelleaf area with NADP-malate dehydrogenase (r = 0.88) and NADP- malic enzyme (r = 0.92). Extractable activities of both the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and the dikinase were generally close to the rate of photosynthesis. When comparing the activity per unit leaf area of one enzyme with another, generally a high degree of correlation was found among the species. The results suggest that a given C4 species tends to maintain a balance in the activities of several photosynthetic enzymes and that there is potential to estimate capacity for C4 photosynthesis under high light through determining activity of certain photosynthetic enzymes.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Niu ◽  
D.S. Rodriguez ◽  
R. Cabrera ◽  
C. McKenney ◽  
W. Mackay

Abstract The water use and crop coefficient of five woody landscape species were determined by growing the shrubs both in 56-liter (15 gal) drainage lysimeters and in above-ground 10-liter containers (#3). Water use per plant, crop coefficient and overall growth parameters differed by species and culture system. Of the five species tested, Buddleia davidii ‘Burgundy’ and Nerium oleander ‘Hardy Pink’ had higher water use per plant in the lysimeters than in the containers. Water use per plant for Abelia grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’, Euonymus japonica and Ilex vomitoria ‘Pride of Houston’ was the same for the two culture systems. Crop coefficient and growth index of A. grandiflora, E. japonica, and I. vomitoria was similar between the two systems. The growth index of B. davidii and N. oleander was much higher in the lysimeters than in the containers. Abelia grandiflora and E. japonica had more growth in the containers than in the lysimeters while I. vomitoria had slightly larger leaf area in the lysimeters than in the containers. The culture system did not affect the water use per unit leaf area of all species. Therefore, our results indicated that by quantifying the leaf area, the plant water use in the two culture systems is exchangeable.


1975 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Rawson ◽  
CL Craven

Changes in stomatal density and size were followed in tobacco and sunflower leaves expanding from 10% of final area (10% Amax) to Amax under different levels of radiation. Lower radiation increased final leaf area, reduced stomatal densities, and increased area per stoma but had little effect on stomatal area per unit leaf area at Amax. In very young leaves (20% Amax) there was a wide range in the sizes of individual stomata, some stomata being close to full size, but by Amax differences were small. The possible relationship between the developmental patterns described and photosynthesis is briefly discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 4034-4038
Author(s):  
Luo Jian Mo ◽  
Wen Bin Li ◽  
Yong Chang Ye ◽  
Yong Wen Zhou ◽  
Song Song Liu ◽  
...  

Transect sampling method was used to measure structural attributes of landscape trees in urban green space of three city parks and one residential greenbelt in Dongguan. Leaf area index (LAI) of the landscape trees in each urban green space was determined using hemispherical photography. Average DBH (diameter at the breast height) and CW(crown width) in Wenhua Square were the largest due to the presence of heritage large trees, while the landscape trees were species diverse in Renmin Park. A comparison of LAI in the green space gave a result in descending order: Renmin Park > Wenhua Square > Jinhuwan greenbelt > Yuanmei Park. The case of Renmin Park indicated that when a green space consisted of various structural attributes, landscape trees in different growth stages tended to have large LAI. Findings of our study suggested that a diversity of trees with potentially different LAI should be selected when planning urban green space.


Weed Science ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Jones ◽  
Robert H. Walker

Greenhouse and growth chamber experiments with potted plants were conducted to determine the effects of interspecific root and canopy interference, light intensity, and soil moisture on water uptake and biomass of soybean, common cocklebur, and sicklepod. Canopy interference and canopy plus root interference of soybean with common cocklebur increased soybean water uptake per plant and per unit leaf area. Root interference with soybean decreased common cocklebur water uptake per plant. Canopy interference of soybean with sicklepod increased soybean water uptake per unit leaf area, while root interference decreased uptake per plant. Combined root and canopy interference with soybean decreased water uptake per plant for sicklepod. Soybean leaf area and shoot weight were reduced by root interference with both weeds. Common cocklebur and sicklepod leaf area and shoot weight were reduced by root and canopy interference with soybeans. Only common cocklebur root weight decreased when canopies interfered and roots did not. The relationship between light intensity and water uptake per unit leaf area was linear in both years with water uptake proportional to light intensity. In 1991 water uptake response to tight was greater for common cocklebur than for sicklepod. The relationship between soil moisture level and water uptake was logarithmic. Common cocklebur water uptake was two times that of soybean or sicklepod at −2 kPa of pressure potential. In 1991 common cocklebur water uptake decreased at a greater rate than soybean or sicklepod in response to pressure potential changes from −2 to −100 kPa.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia Silvera ◽  
John B. Skillman ◽  
J. W. Dalling

We examined the distribution, germination, growth and photosynthetic characteristics of two co-existing morphotypes of the pioneer tree Trema micrantha at the Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM), Panama. Morphotypes differed significantly in distribution and in seed characteristics. A ‘large’-seeded morphotype (endocarp mass=3.83 mg) was associated with treefall gaps in the forest interior, whereas a ‘small’-seeded morphotype (endocarp mass=1.38 mg) was found predominantly on landslides on the margins of Lake Gatun. Seeds of the small-seeded morphotype germinated faster than seeds of the large-seeded morphotype, with seedlings of the small-seeded morphotype showing both a higher Unit Leaf Rate (ULR) and a lower Specific Leaf Area (SLA). Differences in photosynthetic rates reflected differences in SLA; the small-seeded morphotype had a higher rate on a leaf area basis, while the large-seeded morphotype had a higher rate on a leaf mass basis. Although allocation patterns between morphotypes varied in a way consistent with known interspecific differences between ‘sun’ and ‘shade’ plants, relative growth rates (RGR) of the morphotypes were similar across different light conditions suggesting that factors other than light, such as water uptake efficiency, soil nutrient requirements, and perhaps seed dispersal characters may explain the habitat partitioning of morphotypes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document