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.