Photosynthetic capacity of senescent leaves for a subtropical broadleaf deciduous tree species Liquidambar formosana Hance

Zidong Luo, Huade Guan, Xinping Zhang, Na Liu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Photosynthetic capacity and leaf life span generally determine how much carbon a plant assimilates during the growing season. Leaves of deciduous tree species start senescence in late season, but whether the senescent leaves still retain capacity of carbon assimilation remains a question. In this study, we investigated leaf phenology and photosynthesis of a subtropical broadleaf deciduous tree species Liquidambar formosana Hance in the central southern continental China. The results show that L. formosana has extended leaf senescence (more than 2 months) with a substantial number of red leaves persisting on the tree. Leaf photosynthetic capacity decreases over season, but the senescent red leaves still maintain relatively high photosynthetic capacity at 42%, 66% and 66% of the mature leaves for net photosynthesis rate, apparent quantum yield, and quantum yield at the light compensation point, respectively. These results indicate that L. formosana may still contribute to carbon sink during leaf senescence.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number6323
    Pages (from-to)Art: 6323
    Number of pages9
    JournalScientific Reports
    Volume7
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Photosynthetic capacity of senescent leaves for a subtropical broadleaf deciduous tree species Liquidambar formosana Hance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this