Leaf structural traits vary with plant size in even-aged stands of Sapindus mukorossi

Chang, Y., Xu, C., Yang, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9940-8273, Zhou, J., Hua, W., Zhang, S., Zhong, Q. and Li, B. (2021) Leaf structural traits vary with plant size in even-aged stands of Sapindus mukorossi. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12. 692484. ISSN 1664-462X doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.692484

Abstract/Summary

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., an important oleaginous woody plant, has garnered increasing research attention owing to its potential as a source of renewable energy (biodiesel). Leaf structural traits are closely related to plant size, and they affect the fruit yield and oil quality. However, plant size factors that predominantly contribute to leaf structural traits remain unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the associations between leaf structural traits and plant size factors in even-aged stands of S. mukorossi. Results showed that leaf length (LL) and leaf area (LA) markedly increased with the increasing diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height (TH), although other leaf structural traits did not show noticeable changes. Difference in slopes also indicated that the degree of effect of plant size factors on leaf structural traits was in the order of TH > DBH. Leaf structural traits showed no systematic variation with crown width (CW). LA was significantly positively correlated with LL, leaf width (LW), LL/LW, and leaf thickness (LT) and was significantly but negatively correlated with leaf tissue density (LTD) and leaf dry mass content (LDMC). Specific leaf area showed a significantly negative correlation with LT, LDMC, and LTD. LTD showed a significantly positive correlation with LDMC, but a negative correlation with LT. The results were critical to understand the variability of leaf structural traits with plant size, can provide a theoretical foundation for further study in the relationship between leaf structural traits and fruit yield, and regulate leaf traits through artificial management measures to promote plant growth and fruit yield.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/99429
Identification Number/DOI	10.3389/fpls.2021.692484
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Publisher	Frontiers
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