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Seasonal and Diurnal Patterns of Carbon Assimilation, Stomatal Conductance and Leaf Water Potential in Eucalyptus tetrodonta Saplings in a Wet-Dry Savanna in Northern Australia

Prior, LD, Eamus, D and Duff, G (1997). Seasonal and Diurnal Patterns of Carbon Assimilation, Stomatal Conductance and Leaf Water Potential in Eucalyptus tetrodonta Saplings in a Wet-Dry Savanna in Northern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany,45(2):241-258.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 98 times in Scopus Article | Citations

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Title Seasonal and Diurnal Patterns of Carbon Assimilation, Stomatal Conductance and Leaf Water Potential in Eucalyptus tetrodonta Saplings in a Wet-Dry Savanna in Northern Australia
Author Prior, LD
Eamus, D
Duff, G
Journal Name Australian Journal of Botany
Publication Date 1997
Volume Number 45
Issue Number 2
ISSN 0067-1924   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-0030909144
Start Page 241
End Page 258
Total Pages 18
Place of Publication Melbourne
Publisher CSIRO Publishing
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Seasonal and diurnal trends in carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential were studied using 1–3 m tall saplings of Eucalyptus tetrodonta (F.Muell.). The study site was in an unburnt savanna near Darwin, where rainfall is strongly seasonal. Mean daily maximum assimilation rates ranged from 14.5 µmol m-2 s-1 in May to 4.8 µmol m-2 s-1 in October. There was a linear relationship between daily maximum assimilation rates and pre-dawn leaf water potential (r = 0.62, n = 508) and a log–log linear relationship between daily maximum stomatal conductance and pre-dawn leaf water potential (r = 0.68, n = 508). Assimilation rates and stomatal conductance were always higher in the morning than in the afternoon, irrespective of season. Stomatal conductance responded more strongly to leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference when pre-dawn leaf water potentials were moderately low (–0.5 to –1.5 MPa) than when they were very low (< –1.5 MPa) or high (> –0.5 MPa). Assimilation decreased sharply when temperature exceeded 35˚C. Seasonal trends in assimilation rate could be attributed primarily to stomatal closure, but diurnal trends could not. High leaf temperatures were a major cause of lower assimilation rates in the afternoon. Approximately 90% of leaves were lost by the end of the dry season, and above-ground growth was very slow. It is hypothesised that E. tetrodonta saplings allocate most photosynthate to root and lignotuber growth in order to tolerate seasonal drought and the high frequency of fire in northern Australian savannas.
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/BT96017   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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