IMBIV   05474
INSTITUTO MULTIDISCIPLINARIO DE BIOLOGIA VEGETAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Experimental evidence of an increased leaf production in Prosopis after removal of epiphytes (Tillandsia).
Autor/es:
SORIA, N.; TORRES, C; GALETTO, L.
Revista:
FLORA
Editorial:
ELSEVIER GMBH
Referencias:
Año: 2014 vol. 209 p. 580 - 586
ISSN:
0367-2530
Resumen:
The production of new leaves of some host trees can be affected by the presence of some epiphytic species. The experimental study was planned to evaluate the effects on the mean number of new leaves produced by Prosopis alba considering these factors: site-disturbance, different epiphytes loads, and the tree crown zone. The number of new leaves produced was counted manipulating branches with low and high loads of epiphytes at different crown zones, in ten trees per site. The effect of manual removal of epiphytes on the leaf production of the hosts was analyzed by comparing branch response in short and medium periods of time (i.e., 6 months and 3 years respectively). There were no significant differences when comparing the number of new leaves produced in the sampled trees at sites with different human disturbance intensities. By contrast, significant differences were observed between both epiphytic loads treatments and tree crown zone. Experimental results showed a higher leaf production (>100%) after removal of epiphytes than in branches with high loads of epiphytes. The number of new leaves comparing branches with naturally low and high Tillandsia loads was higher than 1000%. Finally, a higher significant production of new leaves was observed in the bottom crown zones, compared with middle or upper ones. In consequence, Tillandsia species can be considered as "structural parasites" of Prosopis alba. Furthermore, this trend was confirmed considering a longer time-period (3 years) after experimental removal of epiphytes. A significant increase (>100%) was observed when comparing the production of new leaves between different periods after total epiphyte removal. The present experimental study represents a combined approach to better understand the consequences of the studied interaction on the host trees, and it would contribute to outline appropriate control actions for the management and conservation of host tree and epiphytic species of the genus Tillandsia.