Effects of Coppicing on Growth Rates, Stomatal Characteristics and Water Relations in Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn

Abstract

Stem elongation, transpiration rate, water potential, diffusive resistance and stomatal characteristics were compared in intact and coppiced (decapitated) seedlings of E. camaldulensis. Stump sprouts from coppiced seedlings showed a threefold increase in the rate of stem elongation, a doubling in transpiration rate per seedling and a 5–8-fold increase in transpiration per unit leaf area compared with intact seedlings. Reversion to more juvenile leaf morphology following decapitation was accompanied by decrease in leaf stomatal resistance. Increased stomatal length and higher stomatal frequency on the lower surface of coppice leaves appears to explain the increased transpiration rate following decapitation compared with intact seedlings.