title: Changes in rates of photosynthesis and respiration during needle development of loblolly pine.
abstract: Net photosynthetic rates of developing foliage and one-year-old foliage of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were measured under field conditions. In the subsequent year, net photosynthesis and dark respiration rates of current-year and one-year-old foliage were measured under controlled environmental conditions. Loblolly pine foliage grows slowly, reaching its final size 3.5 to 4 months after bud burst. Positive rates of net photosynthesis were recorded when the foliage was 13 and 18% of final length, in the controlled-environment and field study, respectively. However, because of high rates of dark respiration during the initial growth period, a positive diurnal carbon balance did not occur until foliage was about a third of final length (40 days after bud burst). Two months after bud burst, when foliage was about 55% of final length, its photosynthetic capacity exceeded that of one-year-old foliage. The highest rates of net photosynthesis were achieved when foliage was more than 90% fully expanded.
authors.affiliation: Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radoglou
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Teskey