ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 3256
Poster No. = 1526


CANOPY STRUCTURE AND LIGHT INTERCEPTION IN SUN AND SHADE PLANTS OF Myrtus communis L


M.M. Mendes*, M.L. Rodrigues** and L.C. Gazarini* *Universidade de Évora, Portugal**Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Portugal


The canopy architecture and light interception were studied in sun and shade plants of Myrtus communis. Aerial phytomass was lower in the shade plants, increasing from top to bottom of both stands. Most of the leaf mass was concentrated in the upper half of the canopies and most of the photosynthetically inactive components was in the lower half. This suggests a different investment in the production and accumulation of dry matter. The leaf area index (LAI) presented higher values in the superior half of the canopies where most part of incoming radiation was intercepted. In the sun situation the canopy presented an erectophile trend, while in the shade one a more plagiophile aspect was observed. The light extinction coefficient values (k) were significantly higher in the sun plants.


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