Publication
Title
Importance of crown architecture for leaf area index of different **Populus** genotypes in a high-density plantation
Author
Abstract
Crown architecture is an important determinant of biomass production and yield of any bio-energy plantation since it determines leaf area display and hence light interception. Four Populus genotypesof different species and hybrids and with contrasting productivity and leaf areawere examined in terms of their branch characteristics in relation to crown architecture during the first and second growing seasons after plantation establishment. The trees were planted at high density (8000 ha−1) on two different former land use types, cropland and pasture. We documented significant differences in branch architecture among the genotypes and for the first year among the former land use types. Land use effects only affected factors not related to canopy closure and wood production, and decreased after the first growing season. This suggested that both former land use types were equally suited for the establishment success of a poplar bio-energy plantation. Tree height and branch dimensionsbranch diameter and branch lengthwere the most important determinants of wood production and maximum leaf area index. Despite the secondary importance of the number of sylleptic branches, these branches contributed significantly to the total leaf area in three out of the four studied genotypes. This indicated that enhanced syllepsis accelerates leaf area development and hence carbon assimilation, especially in the early stages of a high-density plantation with poplar.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Tree physiology. - Victoria
Publication
Victoria : 2012
ISSN
0829-318X
DOI
10.1093/TREEPHYS/TPS083
Volume/pages
32 :10 (2012) , p. 1214-1226
ISI
000310163900004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
System analysis of a bio-energy plantation: full greenhouse gas balance and energy accounting. (POPFULL)
ICOS Flanders: Ecosystem Infrastructure for Integrated Carbon Observing System.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.11.2012
Last edited 09.10.2023
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