Effects of shade, drought and daughter cladodes on the CO₂ uptake by cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica

The effects of shade on the physiology of opuntias have received little attention, notwithstanding that shade regularly occurs in both wild stands and cultivated populations. This research evaluates the effects of shade on the physiology of cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, with and without daughter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of applied biology 2007-10, Vol.151 (2), p.137-144
Main Authors: Pimienta-Barrios, E, Castillo-Cruz, I, Zañudo-Hernández, J, Méndez-Morán, L, Nobel, P.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Crassulacean acid metabolism
drought
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
net CO2 uptake
Opuntia ficus-indica
relative water content
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Summary:The effects of shade on the physiology of opuntias have received little attention, notwithstanding that shade regularly occurs in both wild stands and cultivated populations. This research evaluates the effects of shade on the physiology of cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, with and without daughter cladodes, as they are exposed to progressive drought. The stress caused by shade, drought and daughter cladodes reduced photosynthesis by mother cladodes and was associated with decreases in relative water content, parenchyma thickness and chlorophyll content. Shade exacerbated the physiological drought of mother cladodes imposed by daughter cladodes and by reduced soil water content.
ISSN:0003-4746
1744-7348
DOI:10.1111/j.1744-7348.2007.00160.x