African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6926

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of leaf area in black wattle throughout its plantation cycle

Alexandre Behling
  • Alexandre Behling
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Carlos Roberto Sanquetta
  • Carlos Roberto Sanquetta
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Ana Paula Dalla Corte
  • Ana Paula Dalla Corte
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Sylvio Pellico Netto
  • Sylvio Pellico Netto
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Braulio Otomar Caron
  • Braulio Otomar Caron
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Augusto Arlindo Simon
  • Augusto Arlindo Simon
  • TANAC S.A., Forestry Department, Torbjorn Weibull Street, Montenegro, Brazil.
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Aurelio Lourenco Rodrigues
  • Aurelio Lourenco Rodrigues
  • Forest Science Department, Federal University of Parana, 900 Lothario Meissner Avenue, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
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Denise Schmidt
  • Denise Schmidt
  • Agronomy Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Linha sete de setembro, BR 386 km 40, Frederico Westphalen, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 05 February 2015
  •  Published: 20 August 2015

Abstract

Leaf area is one of the most important biophysical characteristics of a plant, as it determines how much photosynthetic radiation is intercepted so that the photosynthesis can occur. The presented research aim was to generate numerical indicators of leaf area and to study the behavior of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) throughout a plantation cycle (7 years), relating them with environmental variables. The study was conducted in commercial stands located in agroecological regions with high densities of black wattle plantations in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The leaf area was obtained by measuring leaf biomass and leaf area with an integrator (3000 Canopy Analyser, Li-Cor). Leaf area was found to be strongly related to leaf biomass, and is not influenced by planting site, but rather by stand age. Values ​​of individual leaf area vary depending on stand age and plantation area. The leaf area is related to soil properties and particularly with the phosphorus content. It is also related to meteorological conditions, most notably accumulated solar radiation. The obtained model, which involves global accumulated solar radiation, phosphorus and clay content, adequately explain variations in leaf area.

 

Key words: Global solar radiation, phosphorus, leaf biomass, black wattle, plantation cycle.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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