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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2002; 4(5): 576-583
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35439
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Leaf Gas Exchange Characteristics in Relation to Leaf Canopy Position of Myrica faya in its Native Environment (Tenerife, Canary Islands)

A. M. González-Rodríguez, D. Morales, M. S. Jiménez
  • Dpto. Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Received: January 30, 2002

Accepted: September 12, 2002

Publication Date:
15 November 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Diurnal courses of gas exchange were measured throughout one year in fully expanded current-year leaves in the uppermost canopy (sun leaves, 18 m above ground) and in the lower canopy (shade leaves, 12 m above ground) of Myrica faya Ait., a dominant component of the Canarian laurel forest in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

M. faya showed large differences between sun and shade leaves in gas exchange characteristics (about 50 % of maximum carbon assimilation rate (Amax) reduction in shade leaves, but this reduction can be higher on specific days) that were modulated by strong light attenuation and high leaf area index (LAI) of the stand. This species presented low Amax, about 10 μmol m-2 s-1, high maximum transpiration (E, 8 mmol m-2 s-1) and stomatal conductance (gs, 750 mmol m-2 s-1) and very low instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE, mean maximum 1.1 mmol mol-1) and A/gs (mean maximum 23.5 μmol mol-1). M. faya responded to high air vapour pressure deficit (VPD), decreasing its gs but maintaining relatively high values of A and E during the studied period. Stomatal response to VPD showed a higher sensitivity than its congeners, M. cerifera, and Laurus azorica, tree species co-occurring in the Canarian laurel forest. In general, all these gas exchange characteristics lead us to consider this species more similar to subtropical plants of humid regions than to species of the Mediterranean region.

Key words

Carbon assimilation rate - evergreen broad-leaf forest - midday depression of photosynthesis - shade leaves - stomatal conductance - sun leaves - water use efficiency

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A. M. González-Rodríguez

Dpto. Biología Vegetal
Facultad de Farmacia
Universidad de La Laguna

38207 La Laguna
Tenerife
Spain

Email: aglerod@ull.es

Section Editor: U. Lüttge

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