Ref ID: 10385
Ref Type: Journal
Authors: Williams, D. R., Potts, B. M., and Smethurst, P. J.
Pub Date: 2004
Journal Name: Australian Journal of Botany
Volume: 52
Issue:
Start Page: 281
End Page: 284
ISBN/ISSN:
Keywords: affected/change/contrast/control/Dean/Display/effect/environment/eucalypt/Eucalyptus/Eucalyptus nitens/fertiliser/flowering/foliage/form/genetic/genetic control/growth/height/heteroblasty/juvenile/leaf/length/nitrogen/nitrogen fertiliser/phase/phase change/phosphorus/phosphorus fertiliser/production/property/Tasmania/tree/Leaves/leaf morphology/morphology/CSIRO/volume
Abstract: Many eucalypts are heteroblastic, exhibiting a distinct change in leaf morphology through their ontogeny. The physiological and chronological age at which the tree switches from the production of juvenile foliage to adult foliage (vegetative phase change) can be under strong genetic control and influenced to some extent by environment. We studied the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser on growth and vegetative phase change in Eucalyptus nitens. Whilst neither fertiliser treatment affected tree height at 3.5 years of age, phosphorus fertiliser significantly reduced the length of the juvenile vegetative phase. In contrast, nitrogen, but not phosphorus, has been shown to promote flowering. These findings support the argument that vegetative and reproductive maturity are genetically and physiologically uncoupled in Eucalyptus.
The full-text link provided is CSIRO Publishing's final PDF of an article published in the Australian Journal of Botany in the volume stated in this citation. The publisher of the Australian Journal of Botany is CSIRO Publishing, http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=65
Notes: Updated by Dean Williams (07/05/2004)
Reprint: Not in File
Program: SPF Genetic Improvement
Project: A1; B1
Deliverable: B1-1.3; B1-1.4
Confidentiality: Public
Availability: Authors
Report: Annual Report 2003/4
Type: Article
Address: Dean.Williams@forestrytas.com.au