The scaling of leaf area and mass: the cost of light interception increases with leaf size

Background and Aims Corner’s rule states that thicker twigs bear larger leaves. The exact nature of this relationship and why it should occur has been the subject of numerous studies. It is obvious that thicker twigs should support greater total leaf area (Atwig) for hydraulical and mechanical reasons. But it is not obvious why mean leaf size (A-) should scale positively with Atwig. We asked what this scaling relationship is within species and how variable it is across species. We then developed a model to explain why these relationships exist. Methods To minimize potential sources of variability, we compared twig properties from six co-occurring and functionally similar species: Acer grandidentatum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Populus fremontii and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. We modelled the economics of leaf display, weighing the benefit from light absorption against the cost of leaf tissue, to predict the optimal A- :Atwig combinations under different canopy openings. Key Results We observed a common A- by Atwig exponent of 0.6, meaning that A -and leaf number on twigs increased in a specific coordination. Common scaling exponents were not supported for relationships between any other measured twig properties. The model consistently predicted positive A- by Atwig scaling when twigs optimally filled canopy openings. The observed 0·6 exponent was predicted when self-shading decreased with larger canopy opening. Conclusions Our results suggest Corner’s rule may be better understood when recast as positive A- by Atwig scaling. Our model provides a tentative explanation of observed A- by Atwig scaling and suggests different scaling may exist in different environments.

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Impact of an Open Trellis on Canopy Growth, Light Interception, Yield, and Leaf Physiology of Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.468b ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 468b-468

Author(s):

Stephen F. Klauer ◽

J. Scott Cameron ◽

Chuhe Chen

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Light Interception ◽

Rubus Idaeus ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Red Raspberry ◽

Leaf Physiology ◽

Total Dry Weight ◽

Upper Third

After promising results were obtained with an open-style split trellis (two top wires) in its initial year, two new trials were established in 1997 in northwest (Lynden) and southwest (Woodland) Washington. For the split trellis, actual yields were 33% (machine-picked 1/2 season) and 17% (hand-picked) greater, respectively, for the two locations compared to the conventional trellis (one top wire). In Woodland, canes from the split trellis had 33% more berries, 55% more laterals, 69% more leaves, and 25% greater leaf area compared with the conventional trellis. Greatest enhancement of these components was in the upper third of the canopy. Laterals were also shorter in this area of the split canopy, but there was no difference in average total length of lateral/cane between trellis types. Total dry weight/cane was 22% greater in the split trellis, but component partitioning/cane was consistent between the two systems with fruit + laterals (43%) having the greatest above-ground biomass, followed by the stem (30% to 33%) and the leaves (21% to 22%). Measurement of canopy width, circumference, and light interception showed that the split-trellis canopy filled in more quickly, and was larger from preanthesis through postharvest. Light interception near the top of the split canopy was 30% greater 1 month before harvest with 98% interception near the top and middle of that canopy. There was no difference between the trellis types in leaf CO2 assimilation, spectra, or fluorescence through the fruiting season, or in total nitrogen of postharvest primocane leaves.

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Leaf Area Development, Light Interception, and Yield among Switchgrass Populations in a Short‐Season Area

Crop Science ◽

10.2135/cropsci1998.0011183x003800030035x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 827-834 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

I. C. Madakadze ◽

B. E. Coulman ◽

P. Peterson ◽

K. A. Stewart ◽

R. Samson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Light Interception ◽

Short Season ◽

Area Development ◽

Leaf Area Development

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Light interception, leaf area and biomass production as a function of the density of maize plants analyzed using mathematical models

Acta Scientiarum Agronomy ◽

10.4025/actasciagron.v36i4.17892 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 457 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tomás Aquino Portes ◽

Hyrandir Cabral de Melo

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Models ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Light Interception ◽

Maize Plants

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Modeling light interception and distribution in mixed canopy of common cocklebur (Xanthium stramarium) in competition with corn

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582010000300001 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 455-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

F. Vazin ◽

M. Hassanzadeh ◽

A. Madani ◽

M. Nassiri-Mahallati ◽

M. Nasri

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Extinction Coefficient ◽

Distribution Density ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Light Interception ◽

Area Index ◽

Corn Seed ◽

Parabolic Function ◽

Triangular Function ◽

Height Model

The aim of this study was to model light interception and distribution in the mixed canopy of Common cocklebur (Xanthium stramarium) with corn. An experiment was conducted in factorial arrangement on the basis of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in Gonabad in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. The factors used in this experiment include corn density of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 plants per meter of row and density of Common cocklebur of zero, 2, 4, 6 and 8 plants per meter of row. INTERCOM model was used through replacing parabolic function with triangular function of leaf area density. Vertical distribution of the species' leaf area showed that corn has concentrated the most leaf area in layer of 80 to 100 cm while Common cocklebur has concentrated in 35-50 cm of canopy height. Model sensitivity analysis showed that leaf area index, species' height, height where maximum leaf area is seen (hm), and extinction coefficient have influence on light interception rate of any species. In both species, the distribution density of leaf area at the canopy length fit a triangular function, and the height in which maximum leaf area was observed was changed by change in density. There was a correlation between percentage of the radiation absorbed by the weed and percentage of corn seed yield loss (r² = 0.89). Ideal type of corn was determined until the stage of tasseling in competition with weed. This determination indicates that the corn needs more height and leaf area, as well as less extinction coefficient to successfully fight against the weed.

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Effects of nitrogen on development and growth of the leaves of vegetables. 3. Appearance and expansion growth of leaves of spinach

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v43i2.580 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 247-260

Author(s):

H. Biemond

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Field Trials ◽

Leaf Expansion ◽

Mature Leaf ◽

Leaf Emergence ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Leaf Appearance ◽

Rate Of Leaf Appearance ◽

Main Factor

In a series of greenhouse and field trials, spinach cv. Trias plants were supplied with different amounts of N fertilizer in various split applications. Rates of leaf emergence and expansion were recorded, as well as final leaf size. The rate of leaf appearance varied between 0.16 and 0.57/day across experiments, but was hardly affected by N treatment. The rate of leaf expansion and mature leaf area increased with leaf number, reaching maximum values at leaf pair 3+4 or 5+6 and decreasing subsequently. Both characteristics were positively correlated with N supply. The duration of expansion was not influenced by N treatments and varied between 15 and 30 days in most experiments. The rate of leaf expansion was the main factor determining mature leaf size. Specific leaf area over all green leaves slowly decreased with time in most experiments and was around 300 cmsuperscript 2/g. As the differences in the number of leaves were small, the differences in total green leaf area per plant resulted from differences in the areas of individual mature leaves.

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A study of growth in swards of timothy and meadow fescue. I. Uninterrupted growth

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600035164 ◽

1958 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 347-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

R. H. M. Langer

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area Index ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Meadow Fescue ◽

Area Index ◽

Relative Growth ◽

Relative Growth Rates ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Total Dry Weight

1. Swards of S. 48 timothy and S. 215 meadow fescue growing alone or together were sampled at intervals of 3 weeks throughout the season. The number and weight of leaves, stems and ears were determined, and leaf area was estimated.2. Despite high rainfall, the total number of tillers in both species declined from the beginning of the experiment until early July, but increased again from then onwards until the original complement had been approximately restored. The number of leaves failed to show a corresponding increase in the autumn because each tiller carried fewer leaves than earlier in the year.3. In the spring total dry weight increased more rapidly in meadow fescue than in timothy which in turn out-yielded meadow fescue later in the season. Both species attained their greatest dry weight soon after ear emergence, a period which was marked by considerable crop growth and relative growth rates.4. Leaf area index reached a maximum before total dry weight had increased to its highest level, but then declined in both species. Meadow fescue differed from timothy by producing a second crop of foliage after the summer with a leaf area index of about 7. This second rise appeared to be due mainly to increased leaf size in contrast to timothy whose leaves became progressively smaller towards the end of the season.5. The differences in growth between the species discussed with reference to their dates of ear emergence which in this experiment differed by about 6 weeks.

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Dwarfism does not modify mean area per leaf and light interception in indeterminate autumn-sown white lupin

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600078515 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 337-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. Harzic ◽

C. Huyghe

Keyword(s):

Lupinus Albus ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Branch Length ◽

Light Interception ◽

White Lupin ◽

Low Light ◽

First Order ◽

Logistic Equations ◽

Wide Range ◽

Number Of Leaves

SUMMARYThe effect of dwarfism on leaf number and size was investigated on six pairs of tall and dwarf nearisogenic lines of indeterminate autumn-sown white lupins (Lupinus albus L.). Dwarfism reduced mainstem height by 41% and first-order branch length by 22%. It also slightly decreased the number of leaves on the mainstem and first-order branches without affecting the time of flowering. Leaf size was not reduced. Logistic equations were used to analyse differences in the patterns of light interception by leaf canopies relative to thermal time from sowing during the growth of seven dwarf lines and three tall cultivars sown on different dates. The genotypes studied had long periods of low light interception during their early growth. No differences were found between most of the equation parameters for dwarf and tall genotypes. Only the proportion of light intercepted at flowering differed and this was explained by differences in flowering time. The dwarf character did not limit the ability of the crop canopies to intercept light. It is concluded that the character can be introduced into a wide range of genetic backgrounds without deleterious effects.

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Temperature and leaf area expansion of sugarcane: integration of controlled-environment, field and model studies

Functional Plant Biology ◽

10.1071/pp98042 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 819 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Michael J. Robertson ◽

Graham D. Bonnett ◽

R. Michael Hughes ◽

Russell C. Muchow ◽

James A. Campbell

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Leaf Senescence ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Growth Conditions ◽

Thermal Time ◽

Leaf Position ◽

Potential Growth ◽

Leaf Stage ◽

Leaf Appearance

Canopy development is an important determinant of crop radiation interception, and in the absence of stress is mainly driven by temperature. The responses to temperature of the component processes of canopy dynamics in sugarcane: leaf appearance, leaf size, tillering, and leaf senescence, were analysed for the commercial Australian cultivar, Q117. Data were derived under optimal growth conditions from controlled environments, and from irrigated field studies in subtropical and tropical locations. Regression of number of fully-expanded leaves in field-grown plants against cumulative thermal time revealed that the thermal time between the appearance of successive leaves increased as a function of leaf number, such that leaf 1 required 86˚Cd and leaf 40 required 160˚Cd. At any moment, on average there were 3.7 leaves still expanding on the stalks. Functions describing leaf appearance gave acceptable prediction of the time course of leaf appearance taken from independent datasets of field-grown plant and ratoon crops. Leaf size increased with leaf position, with the largest leaves observed at approximately leaf 17 and above. Combining functions describing leaf appearance and leaf size as a function of leaf position allowed estimation of leaf area index (LAI) of main stems in plant and ratoon crops in subtropical and tropical environments. Tiller LAI, derived by difference, accounted for 60–90% of total LAI at the 5- leaf stage, declining to 20–50% at the 15-leaf stage. Plant and ratoon crops were similar in terms of the amount and proportion of tiller LAI. Combining data from all field studies indicated under potential growth conditions, leaf senescence was closely related to leaf production. The functions derived in this study give a basis for simulating canopy dynamics under potential growth conditions in sugarcane, though the extent of genotypic variation for the key parameters and their modification by stress remains to be assessed.

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