Leaf morphology and anatomy, water relations, leaf life-span, and gas exchange of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing along the coast near Rome were analysed in the period from May 2000 through December 2001. The year 2001 was characterised by a severe drought period from the beginning of June to the middle of September (13.2 mm total rainfall, 32°C average maximum air temperature). The highest pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψpd = –1.2 ± 0.2 MPa) and relative water content (RWC = 87 ± 4%) of E. arborea compared to the other two species were indicative of a high leaf water potential recovering capacity, allowing a sufficient photosynthetic activity (Pn = 2.9 ± 0.4 μmol m–2s–1) during the severe drought period. On the contrary, R. officinalis showed 93% Pn rate decrease during drought with respect to the maximum rate. Moreover, the large Ψpd variation during the year (from –0.16 to –3.50 MPa) was indicative of a low recovery capacity, which might be related to its narrow root system. From a physiological point of view, E. multiflora had a similar trend to that of R. officinalis with a large Ψpd variation during the year and a low Ψpd value (–2.50 ± 0.3 MPa) during the severe drought period. The correlation analysis carried out on morphological leaf traits for E. arborea, E. multiflora, R. officinalis and, by previous studies, for the other dominant shrub species of the Mediterranean maquis at the research site of Castelporziano (Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., Arbutus unedo L., Cistus incanus L.) indicated that variations in leaf mass per unit leaf area (LMA) were associated with variations in leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf life-span (LL), and leaf thickness (L). Discriminant analysis carried out on net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water relations (Ψ, RWC), LMA, LL and L showed that gs and LL were the most discriminating leaf traits.

Leaf key traits of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis / Gratani, Loretta; Varone, Laura. - In: FLORA. - ISSN 0367-2530. - STAMPA. - 199:1(2004), pp. 58-69. [10.1078/0367-2530-00130]

Leaf key traits of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis

GRATANI, Loretta;VARONE, LAURA
2004

Abstract

Leaf morphology and anatomy, water relations, leaf life-span, and gas exchange of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing along the coast near Rome were analysed in the period from May 2000 through December 2001. The year 2001 was characterised by a severe drought period from the beginning of June to the middle of September (13.2 mm total rainfall, 32°C average maximum air temperature). The highest pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψpd = –1.2 ± 0.2 MPa) and relative water content (RWC = 87 ± 4%) of E. arborea compared to the other two species were indicative of a high leaf water potential recovering capacity, allowing a sufficient photosynthetic activity (Pn = 2.9 ± 0.4 μmol m–2s–1) during the severe drought period. On the contrary, R. officinalis showed 93% Pn rate decrease during drought with respect to the maximum rate. Moreover, the large Ψpd variation during the year (from –0.16 to –3.50 MPa) was indicative of a low recovery capacity, which might be related to its narrow root system. From a physiological point of view, E. multiflora had a similar trend to that of R. officinalis with a large Ψpd variation during the year and a low Ψpd value (–2.50 ± 0.3 MPa) during the severe drought period. The correlation analysis carried out on morphological leaf traits for E. arborea, E. multiflora, R. officinalis and, by previous studies, for the other dominant shrub species of the Mediterranean maquis at the research site of Castelporziano (Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., Arbutus unedo L., Cistus incanus L.) indicated that variations in leaf mass per unit leaf area (LMA) were associated with variations in leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf life-span (LL), and leaf thickness (L). Discriminant analysis carried out on net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water relations (Ψ, RWC), LMA, LL and L showed that gs and LL were the most discriminating leaf traits.
2004
drought stress; leaf anatomy; leaf gas exchange; leaf morphology; leaf water potential; mediterranean shrub species
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Leaf key traits of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis / Gratani, Loretta; Varone, Laura. - In: FLORA. - ISSN 0367-2530. - STAMPA. - 199:1(2004), pp. 58-69. [10.1078/0367-2530-00130]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/365448
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