Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability.

ABSTRACT: Water availability is often described as one of the main drivers of phenology of tropical dry forests but experimental studies to identify the cues triggering phenological changes are few. In a greenhouse trial, we exposed seedlings of thirteen origins, seven from West and six from East Africa, respectively, of Adansonia digitata L.(baobab) to a well-watered control treatment and a water withholding treatment in combination with exposure to three different daylengths (11.5, 12.0, and 12.5 hr). Responses were measured in terms of meristematic activity, number of leaves, and height growth followed over 6.5 months. Multi-level mixed-effects statistical models were used to analyze how environmental and inter-population variables affected phenological behavior. Flushing was influenced by

SUBMITTER: Di Lucchio LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6262930 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature