Vein-to-blade ratio is an allometric indicator of leaf size and plasticity.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

As a leaf expands, its shape dynamically changes. Previously, we documented an allometric relationship between vein and blade area in grapevine leaves. Larger leaves have a smaller ratio of primary and secondary vein area relative to blade area compared to smaller leaves. We sought to use allometry as an indicator of leaf size and plasticity.

Methods

We measured the ratio of vein-to-blade area from the same 208 vines across four growing seasons (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017). Matching leaves by vine and node, we analyzed the correlation between the size and shape of grapevine leaves as repeated measures with climate variables across years.

Results

The proportion of leaf area occupied by vein and blade exponentially decreased and increased, respectively, during l

SUBMITTER: Chitwood DH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8252563 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature