Nitrate availability and shoot area development in small willow (Salix viminalis)

Abstract

Abstract. The effect of nitrate supply upon leaf area development in willow (Salix viminalis) was investigated. Rooted cuttings were grown in culture solution at two different rates of exponentially‐increasing nitrate supply and with free access to other nutrients. During the lag‐phase in attaining stable nutrition, the rate of production of unfolded leaves, in the treatment with poorer N‐supply, decreased. After acclimation to the different N‐availabilities, the rate of dry matter increase per plant nitrogen was constant and the same in both treatments. The ratio of total leaf area to total amount of nitrogen in the plant was slightly higher in the treatment with poorer nitrogen supply. During the exponential (stable) phases of growth, nearly all the increase in total leaf area was attributable to main‐stem leaves; large numbers of leaves on axillary shoots in the treatment with better N‐supply contributed little to the total area. During the stable growth phase, the rate of production of unfolded leaves was the same in both treatments. Higher maximum values of relative rate of increase in area of single leaves were found with a better N‐supply and at higher leaf positions on the main stem. The duration of leaf expansion was not much affected by N‐supply. Final leaf size was greater at higher positions on the main‐stem. Within a treatment (investigated for poorer N‐supply), differences in final leaf size were proportional to differences in numbers of epidermal cells. Final leaf size was greater, at the same node, in the treatment with better N‐supply. Better N‐availability had increased the final size but not the number of epidermal cells. It was concluded that the higher exponential rate of total area increase with a better N‐supply was largely associated with higher rates of expansion in epidermal cells.