Seasonal changes in specific leaf weight and leaf anatomy of apple

Abstract

The position of newly expanded shoot leaves in the canopy of apple trees had significant and similar effects on specific leaf weight (SLW), leaf thickness, length of palisade tissue, and number of cell layers in the palisade tissue. Inside canopy leaves had lower SLW, leaf thickness, palisade length, and number of palisade cell layers than middle and outside leaves at each of six sample dates ranging from late May to early October. Outside canopy leaves had the highest values at all sample dates. Differences in SLW, leaf thickness, and palisade length between inside and outside leaves increased as the season progressed, primarily due to a general increasing trend in outside leaves that developed later in the season. Effects of canopy position on spur leaves were not as great as with shoot leaves.

Regression analysis showed SLW to be significantly correlated with leaf thickness and palisade length.