Authors: Samuelson, Lisa J.; Stokes, Thomas A.

Source: Forest Science, Volume 52, Number 3, June 2006 , pp. 313-323(11)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Abstract:

The influence of weed control only (W) versus weed control plus irrigation (WI) and weed control plus irrigation and fertigation (WIF) on canopy stomatal conductance (G _S) and transpiration expressed on a ground (E) and leaf area (E _L) basis was examined over 1 year in 5-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) to determine whether increased leaf area index (L) in response to intensive silviculture resulted in regulation of G _S, whole-tree hydraulic conductance per unit sapwood area (G), or the ratio of transpiring leaf area to conducting sapwood area (A _L:A _S) to minimize the gradient in water potential from soil to leaf (ΔΨ). Values of E were as high as 3.9 mm d⁻¹ and increased from a total of 357 mm in the W treatment to 529 and 565 mm in the WI and WIF treatments, respectively. Values of E _L did not vary with treatment and were, on average, 0.8 mm d⁻¹ in summer and 0.4 mm d⁻¹ in winter. Increasing management intensity increased L by as much as 76% and sapwood area up to 68%, but had no influence on ΔΨ, G, G _S, or leaf specific hydraulic conductance. High L values realized by intensive management resulted in regulation of A _L:A _S to maintain ΔΨ with increasing canopy development.

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Keywords: Hydraulic conductance; leaf area to sapwood area ratio; fertilization; irrigation; sap flow

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Thomas A. Stokes, Research Associate, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849—Phone: (334) 844-1073; stoketa@auburn.edu. Lisa J. Samuelson, Professor, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849—Phone: (334) 844-1040; samuelj@auburn.edu., Fax: (334) 844-1084

Publication date: 2006-06-01

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