Abstract
Background and Aims Leaf longevity is controlled by the light gradient in the canopy and also by the nitrogen (N) sink strength in the plant. Stand density may influence leaf dynamics through its effects on light gradient and on plant growth and reproduction. This study tests the hypothesis that the control by the light gradient is manifested more in the vegetative period, whereas the opposite is true when the plant becomes reproductive and develops a strong N sink.Methods Stands of Xanthium canadense were established at two densities. Emergence, growth and death of every leaf on the main stem and branches, and plant growth and N uptake were determined from germination to full senescence. Mean residence time and dry mass productivity were calculated per leaf number, leaf area, leaf mass and leaf N (collectively termed ‘leaf variables’) in order to analyse leaf dynamics and its effect on plant growth.Key Results Branching and reproductive activities were higher at low than at high density. Overall there was no significant difference in mean residence time of leaf variables between the two stands. However, early leaf cohorts on the main stem had a longer retention time at low density, whereas later cohorts had a longer retention time at high density. Branch leaves emerged earlier and tended to live longer at low than at high density. Leaf efficiencies, defined as carbon export per unit investment of leaf variables, were higher at low density in all leaf variables except for leaf number.Conclusions In the vegetative phase of plant growth, the light gradient strongly controls leaf longevity, whereas later the effects of branching and reproductive activities become stronger and over-rule the effect of light environment. As leaf N supports photosynthesis and also works as an N source for plant development, N use is pivotal in linking leaf dynamics with plant growth and reproduction.
Highlights
Because light is the energy source for photosynthesis and has several photomorphogenetic effects (Lambers et al, 1998; Jones, 2014), it strongly influences the size and form of the plant
Leaf dynamics implies changes in leaf mass and life expectancy determined by the balance between leaf birth and death (Bazzaz and Harper, 1977; Chabot and Hicks, 1982; Kikuzawa, 1983; Harper, 1989; Ackerly and Bazzaz, 1995; Hikosaka, 2005)
We investigate leaf dynamics from germination to full senescence of X. canadense plants grown at two stand densities
Summary
Because light is the energy source for photosynthesis and has several photomorphogenetic effects (Lambers et al, 1998; Jones, 2014), it strongly influences the size and form of the plant. Plants growing in an open habitat typically have a short erect stem and develop many branches, while plants growing in crowded habitats increase height and show less branching (Bazzaz and Harper, 1977; Weiner et al, 1990; Nishimura et al, 2010; Watari et al, 2014) Such changes have been considered adaptive in the sense that the plant would maximize fitness relative to neighbours by capturing light before others use it (Givnish, 1982, 1995; Sakai, 1991; Schieving and Poorter, 1999; Falster and Westoby, 2003; Anten, 2005; Hikosaka and Anten 2012). This study tests the hypothesis that the control by the light gradient is manifested more in the vegetative period, whereas the opposite is true when the plant becomes reproductive and develops a strong N sink
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