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

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 patte...

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Published inAmerican journal of botany Vol. 93; no. 11; pp. 1577 - 1587
Main Authors Heuret, Patrick, Meredieu, Celine, Coudurier, Thierry, Courdier, Florence, Barthelemy, Daniel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Botanical Soc America 01.11.2006
Botanical Society of America
Subjects
Anatomy and Morphology
annual shoot
Architecture
Botanics
Branches
chronosequence
Chronosequences
Forest stands
growth
Life Sciences
morphology
Ontogeny
phase changes
Pinaceae
Pinus pinaster
Plant growth
Plant morphology
Plants
Tree growth
Trees
Vegetal Biology
CHRONOSEQUENCE
PIN MARITIME
POUSSE ANNUELLE
ONTOGENIE
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Summary: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).
Bibliography:The authors wish to thank B. Lemoine and D. Guyon for their logistic assistance; Mr. Fignac from GROUPAMA who allowed us to work on the Marcheprime maritime pine stand; J. Beauvery, B. Chanson, M. Fournier, F. Lagane, C. Loup, and P. Rossetto for their help in collecting field data; F. Houllier, J. Puntieri, and J. Bachelier for critical and valuable comments on the manuscript; and F. Ramirez and M. Jones for their assistance. This study was conducted as part of the GIP‐ECOFOR program Ecosystème Forestier Landais.
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ISSN:0002-9122
1537-2197
DOI:10.3732/ajb.93.11.1577