Linking leaf initiation to the aerial environment: when air temperature is not the whole story

A. Savvides

Research output: Thesisinternal PhD, WU

Abstract

The initiation of new leaves, which takes place at the shoot apical meristem, is essential for plant growth and development. Leaf initiation rate (LIR) is very sensitive to meristem temperature. However, in practice meristem temperature is hardly ever monitored and air temperature is often used instead. It can be questioned whether relating LIR solely to air temperature is valid. This thesis aims at linking LIR to the aerial environment in two main horticultural crops: tomato and cucumber. It was shown that meristem temperature often differs from air temperature, depending on other environmental factors (e.g. radiation, humidity and wind speed) and species-specific traits. LIR was solely influenced by meristem temperature even when it largely deviated from air temperature. In addition, LIR was reduced at low light levels.  Consequently, air temperature is not the whole story when relating leaf initiation to the environment.

 

 

Original languageDutch
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Wageningen University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Marcelis, Leo, Promotor
  • van Ieperen, Wim, Co-promotor
  • Dieleman, Anja, Co-promotor
Award date3 Nov 2014
Place of PublicationWageningen
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789462571136
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2014

Keywords

  • leaves
  • plant development
  • initiation
  • buds
  • leaf meristems
  • light
  • air temperature

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