HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Heuret, P. Articles by Barthélémy, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Heuret, P. Articles by Barthélémy, D. Agricola Articles by Heuret, P. Articles by Barthélémy, D.

Ontogenetic trends in the morphological features of main stem annual shoots of Pinus pinaster (Pinaceae)¹

²Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UMR AMAP, Montpellier, F-34000 France; ³INRA, Unité de recherche Écologie fonctionnelle et Physique de l'Environnement (EPHYSE), 69 route d'Arcachon, Cestas, F-33612 France; and ⁴INRA, Unité de Recherches Forestières Méditerranéennes (URFM), avenue Vivaldi, Avignon, F-84000 France

ABSTRACT

Phase change refers to the transition between juvenile and adult vegetative phases. The study of trees throughout their entire life span requires retrospective analyses and validates the use of a chronosequence by sequencing observations at different and successive stages. The main axis growth pattern of 62 maritime pines (Pinus pinaster) selected in a chronosequence of three stands consisting of 8-, 22-, and 48-yr-old trees was analyzed retrospectively. Comparison of measured features (length, number of axillary products, reproductive organs) at common ages from the three stands supported the validity of using these data to form a continuous chronosequence. Endogenous trends in tree development are revealed free from variability due to annual growth conditions. Two main phases of development corresponding respectively to the juvenile vegetative and adult reproductive stages were identified, and the transition between both occurred in 9-yr-old trees. The relevance of these two phases and more generally the notion of phase changes are discussed in light of observed trends in the values of studied growth and branching parameters that may either show gradual variations (such as length of annual shoot) or a distinctive expression in one or the other phase (such as presence of female cones).

Key Words: annual shoot • chronosequence • growth • morphology • ontogeny • phase changes • Pinaceae • Pinus pinaster

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Mathieu, P. H. Cournede, V. Letort, D. Barthelemy, and P. de Reffye A dynamic model of plant growth with interactions between development and functional mechanisms to study plant structural plasticity related to trophic competition Ann. Bot., June 1, 2009; 103(8): 1173 - 1186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Sellier and T. Fourcaud Crown structure and wood properties: Influence on tree sway and response to high winds Am. J. Botany, May 1, 2009; 96(5): 885 - 896. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-F. Barczi, H. Rey, Y. Caraglio, P. de Reffye, D. Barthelemy, Q. X. Dong, and T. Fourcaud AmapSim: A Structural Whole-plant Simulator Based on Botanical Knowledge and Designed to Host External Functional Models Ann. Bot., May 1, 2008; 101(8): 1125 - 1138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P.-C. Zalamea, P. R. Stevenson, S. Madrinan, P.-M. Aubert, and P. Heuret Growth pattern and age determination for Cecropia sciadophylla (Urticaceae) Am. J. Botany, March 1, 2008; 95(3): 263 - 271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Barthelemy and Y. Caraglio Plant Architecture: A Dynamic, Multilevel and Comprehensive Approach to Plant Form, Structure and Ontogeny Ann. Bot., March 1, 2007; 99(3): 375 - 407. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]