Biomass Allocation and Leaf Morphology of Saplings Grown under Various Conditions of Light Availability and Competition Types.

ABSTRACT: Plant growth is almost always limited by light availability and competition. However, plants are generally plastic and can change their morphology and biomass allocation to optimize growth under suboptimal conditions. We set up a controlled pot experiment with three light availability levels (10%, 20%, and 50%) to study the effect of light and competition on the biomass allocation and leaf morphology in monospecific and mixed pots of recently planted European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) saplings using a quantile regression model. Specific leaf area (SLA) showed the strongest reaction and increased with decreasing light availability. Woody aboveground mass fraction (AMF) incr

SUBMITTER: Bebre I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8839049 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature