Effects of Light and Nutrients on Leaf Size, CO₂ Exchange, and Anatomy in Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

Abstract

Plants of a single geDotype of wild strawberry, Fragaria virgnuiana Duchesne, were grown with or without fertilizer in high (406 microeinsteins per square meter per second) and low (80 microeinsteins per square meter per second) light. High-light leaves were thicker than low-Ht leaves and had greater development of the mesophyll. Within a ight level, highnutrient leaves were thicker, but the proportions of leaf tissues did not change with nutrient level. Maximum net CO2 exchange rate and leaf size were greatest in high-light, high-nutrient leaves and lowest in high-Ught, low-nutrient leaves. Changes in mesophyli cell volume largely accounted for differences in CO2 exchange rate in low-Ught leaves, but not in highlight leaves.Leaf size in these experiments was apparently determined by nutrient and carbon supply. This may explain the observation that the largest leaves produced by wild strawberries in the field occur in high-light, mesic habitats, rather than in shady habitats.

Analysis of a High-yielding Strawberry (Fragaria ^|^times;ananassa Duch.) Cultivar ^|^lsquo;Benihoppe^|^rsquo; with Focus on Dry Matter Production and Leaf Photosynthetic Rate

“…In wild strawberry (F. virginiana), expanded leaf area was observed under high light intensity (Jurik et al, 1982). As the growing point of strawberry is covered by leaves, leaf position may affect the light interception of new leaves.…”

Xerophytic implications of increased sclerophylly: interactions with water and light in Hakea psilorrhyncha seedlings

“…Such xeromorphic plasticity in response to variations in the availability of light, water and nutrients is well established (e.g. Givnish, 1978;Jurik, Chabot & Chabot, 1982;Field & Mooney, 1983), though their synergistic interactions have rarely been explored. This increase in sclerophylly was associated with a decrease in water potential and RWC at turgor loss point and of osmotic potential at full turgor, and an increase in bulk elastic modulus and overall water-use efficiency, all characteristic of plants adapted to tolerate extreme water stress (Turner, 1986).…”

Phenotypic plasticity in Passiflora suberosa L.(Passifloraceae): induction and reversion of two morphs by variation in light intensity

“…in general, when located in unshaded areas, under high light intensity, leaves show greater toughness and trichome density. moreover, plants under light stress can change nutrient contents in their leaves (mattson, 1980;Jurik et al, 1982), as well as activate secondary metabolite synthesis such as coumarins (berenbaum, 1991) and anthocyanins (skaltsa et al, 1994). anthocyanins are broadly found on angiosperm leaves and flowers, where they act in photoprotection (gould et al, 1995; lee & collins, 2001; lee & gould, 2002; steyn et al, 2002).…”