Effect of pruning on branch production and water relations in widely spaced ponderosa pines |
| |
Authors: | J E Gyenge M E Fernández and T M Schlichter |
| |
Institution: | (1) INTA Estaci?n Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche, P.O. Box 8400, CC 277 San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina;(2) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones cient?ficas y T?cnicas, CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina |
| |
Abstract: | This study dealt with the effects of pruning on branch and leaf area (F
a) production of ponderosa pines growing in silvopastoral systems in Patagonia. We hypothesized that pruning positively influences
the number of branches per whorl and their basal area growth rate, changing F
a production. In addition, we studied some water relations in order to explain potential differences in branch growth rates
between treatments. Two mathematical models were developed to estimate branch and total F
a. The averaged diameter at the third year of pruning was, for high-pruned trees 3.1 and 3.6 cm at the bottom and middle of
the crown, against 4 and 4.4 cm for low-pruned trees. Pruning did not produce changes in the number of branches per whorl
(approximately 7.6 branches per whorl). Water stress may be responsible of this lower branch growth in pruned trees. Water
potential, stomatal conductance and transpiration were lower in high- than in low-pruned trees. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|