Abstract
Euculyptus ovata and E. nitens were analyzed for differences in leaf area (LA), leaf dry weight (LDW), leaf water content (LWC), specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll (chl), carotenoid (car), and protein (pro) content. A factorial design with 2 species, 3 densities (2340, 6490, and 12990 trees/ha), and 2 leaf exposures (sun and shade) was used. Low light appeared to have a greater affect on changes in leaf composition than planting density. Shade leaves of both species had higher LA, SLA, chl/LDW, car/LDW and chl:car and lower chl/LA car/LA, chl a:b and pro/LDW than sun leaves. Increased density resulted in higher SLA, chl:car ratio, and pro/LDW. Photosynthetic pigment accumulation was greater in shade leaves of E. ovata. E. ovata therefore, seems to adapt to shade through adjustment of the photosynthetic apparatus,while E. nitens adapted to low light primarily through increased SLA. SLA increased with greater planting densities and with decreased light intensity. The increase in SLA in shade leaves was greater in E. nitens, accounting for its greater biomass production over all planting densities in a related study.
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