Different Leaf Construction Strategies in Evergreen and Deciduous Species of Magnoliaceae

Abstract:

In order to reveal the ecophysiological strategies of leaf construction in Magnoliaceae evergreen and deciduous species, the characters related with leaf lifespan and leaf construction cost of six Magnoliaceae species, including three deciduous species, Yulania cylindrical, Y. denudate and Y. jigongshanensis, and three evergreen species, Magnolia grandiflora, Michelia figo and M. shiluensis were compared. The results showed that construction cost per leaf area (CC_area) of deciduous species was significantly lower than that of evergreen species, but their construction cost per leaf dry mass (CC_mass) was similar. Nitrogen and phosphorous concentration (N_mass, P_mass) in leaves of deciduous species were significantly higher than that of evergreen species. Evergreen species had significantly low specific leaf area (SLA) but long leaf lifespan (LLS). There were a negative correlation between CC_area and LLS, whereas other three traits (SLA, N_mass and P_mass) had a positive correlation with LLS. In conclusion, deciduous species adopted the low-cost strategy, with short leaf lifespan and high SLA to obtain more light source and nutrition storage compared to evergreen species. It was revealed the ecophysiological strategy of deciduous species of Magnoliaceae to adapt short growth season and low hydrothermal condition in north subtropics.