Abstract
The improvement of the stand yield and economic benefits of Cunninghamialanceolata (Lamb.) Hook, one of the most important plantation trees in China, has always been a concern. An appropriate planting density plays an important role in increasing productivity. To determine the optimum planting density of C. lanceolata, we measured leaf morphology, gas exchange parameters, and photosynthetic pigments in replicate leaves on 4-year-old saplings grown in four canopy positions under a low (D1), medium (D2), and high (D3) planting density (approximately 900, 2505, and 6660 trees·ha−1, respectively). We then ranked trait variations using the coefficient of variation to explore the influence of planting density. Planting density significantly influenced the leaf morphology, gas exchange parameters, and the photosynthetic pigment contents of C. lanceolata. Medium planting density (D2) resulted in a larger leaf area and specific leaf areas, a higher net photosynthesis rate, and higher photosynthetic pigment contents. The responses of leaf gas exchange parameters had the most plastic traits that responded to planting density. An appropriate planting density and leaf position might improve C. lanceolata leaf morphology and physiological attributes, which in turn would facilitate growth.
Highlights
Planting density is the main factor controlled by foresters during the entire process of forest cultivation, and it is the basis for forming specific horizontal stand structures.The selection of planting density is an important technique in plantation management.Planting density has a direct influence on productivity, and determining the appropriate density is the most significant step during plantation
Leaf position significantly affected all traits of leaf morphology, leaf gas exchange parameters, and photosynthetic pigment contents, except for leaf area
Interactions between planting density vs. leaf position were significant among all traits related to leaf morphology or gas exchange parameters, except for intercellular CO2 concentration and the limiting value of stomata
Summary
Planting density is the main factor controlled by foresters during the entire process of forest cultivation, and it is the basis for forming specific horizontal stand structures.The selection of planting density is an important technique in plantation management.Planting density has a direct influence on productivity, and determining the appropriate density is the most significant step during plantation. Planting density is the main factor controlled by foresters during the entire process of forest cultivation, and it is the basis for forming specific horizontal stand structures. The selection of planting density is an important technique in plantation management. To adjust to various environments and be more competitive, plants must tolerate, withstand, and respond to environmental changes through metabolic, developmental, morphological, and physiological adjustments [1,2]. Leaf traits are sensitive to environments that vary across different conditions and include morphological and physiological characteristics; they play key roles in plant adaptation to various growth environments [3]. Different planting densities directly affect the initiation and intensity of resource competition among trees [4]
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