The changes in photosynthetic rates, light environment and foliar nutrient concentrations following thinning were examined in an 8-year-old Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden plantation. The objectives of the study were to: (1) determine the extent to which maximum photosynthetic rates (A max) of E. nitens are affected by stand thinning; (2) relate the spatial pattern of A max within the crown to the changes in light environment caused by thinning; and (3) establish if the responses of A max to thinning are driven by changes in area-based foliar nitrogen (N a) or phosphorus (P a) concentrations. Photosynthetic rates measured under saturating light availability increased throughout the crown after thinning. The greatest increases were observed in the lower and middle crown zones. Photosynthetic rate was positively related to foliar N concentration. Thinning increased N a and P a because of a significant decrease in specific leaf area (SLA) after thinning. Changes in photosynthetic rates, SLA and foliar nutrient distributions with thinning were well correlated with changes in incident solar irradiance throughout the tree crown. © 2005 Heron Publishing.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Forestry sciences
Research Field:	Tree improvement (incl. selection and breeding)
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Environmentally sustainable plant production
Objective Field:	Environmentally sustainable plant production not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Medhurst, J (Dr Jane Medhurst)
UTAS Author:	Beadle, CL (Dr Christopher Beadle)
ID Code:	38628
Year Published:	2005
Web of Science® Times Cited:	52
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-06-28
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