Size structure of current-year shoots in mature crowns.
Characteristics of current-year shoot populations were examined for three mature trees of each of three deciduous broad-leaved species. For first-order branches (branches emerging from the vertical trunk) of the trees examined, lengths or diameters of all current-year shoots were measured. Total leaf mass and total current-year stem mass of first-order branches were estimated using an allometric relationship between leaf or stem mass and length or diameter of current-year stems. For each tree, the number of current-year shoots on a first-order branch was proportional to the basal stem cross-sectional area of the branch. On the other hand, first-order branches had shoot populations with size structures similar to each other. As a result, the leaf mass of a first-order branch was proportional to the basal stem cross-sectional area of the branch, being compatible with the pipe-model relationship. All current-year shoot populations had positively skewed size structures. Because small shoots have a larger ratio of leaf mass to stem mass than large shoots, first-order branches had an extremely large ratio of leaf mass to current-year stem mass. This biased mass allocation will reduce costs for current stem production, respiration and future radial growth, and is beneficial to mature trees with a huge accumulation of non- photosynthetic organs. The allometric relationships between leaf mass and basal stem diameter and that between leaf mass and current-year stem mass of first-order branches were each similar across the trees examined. Characteristics of shoot populations tended to offset inter-species diversity of shoot allometry so that branch allometry shows inter-species convergence.
Suzuki
Maki
M
Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Sakyoku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. makizoh@hitohaku.jp
D031002:Acer / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D029662:Betula / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D029963:Quercus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D014197:Trees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*