Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The impact of light quality and quantity on root-to-shoot ratio and root carbon reserves in aspen seedling stock

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

The available evidence suggests that for trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings, a high root-to-shoot ratio (R:S) and high root total non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration are the best predictors of future growth and outplanting success in harsh reclamation environments. To facilitate more consistent production of aspen seedlings with these characteristics requires the identification of the environmental conditions most responsible for directing resources to growth or to reserve storage. During nursery production, aspen seedlings are often sheltered from environmental stressors in greenhouses and exposed to variation in light quality and quantity, compared to outside conditions; the common result is that greenhouse grown seedlings exhibit greater allocation to shoot growth rather than to root structures and reserves. It is currently unclear whether this imbalance in R:S is the result of stronger environmental controls within a greenhouse on factors such as relative humidity, wind and temperature or rather on differences in the quantity and quality of light. In this study, we sought to determine what influence differences in both light quality and quantity, along with sheltering, has on the development of desired characteristics in aspen seedlings. To do so, we grew aspen seedlings in the field under one of six light treatments [unsheltered, full-sun (100 % full-sun); sheltered, full-sun (~90 %): sheltered, shaded (~40 %): sheltered, shaded blue (~40 %); sheltered, shaded red (~40 %); and sheltered, shaded low red/far-red ratio (~40 %)] to identify the combination of sheltering, light quality and quantity with the greatest influence on R:S and root NSC. The largest increase in desired characteristics was a peak in R:S and in root NSC for seedlings grown under unsheltered, full-sun conditions. These results suggest that growing seedlings outside, with pre-exposure to more stressful conditions prior to bud hardening, is the driver for the desired characteristics in species with indeterminate growth strategies such as aspen seedling stock.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Aphalo PJ, Lehto T (1997) Effects of light quality on growth and N accumulation in birch seedlings. Tree Physiol 17:125–132

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aphalo PJ, Lehto T (2001) Effect of lateral far-red light supplementation on the growth and morphology of birch seedlings and its interaction with mineral nutrition. Trees 15:297–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker NR (1991) A possible role for photosystem II in environmental perturbations of photosynthesis. Physiol Plant 81:563–570

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bassman JH, Zwier JC (1991) Gas exchange characteristics of Populus trichocarpa, Populus deltoides and Populus trichocarpa x P. deltoides clones. Tree Physiol 8:145–159

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O, Boardman NK, Anderson JM, Thorne SW, Goodchild DJ, Pyliotis NA (1972) Effect of light intensity during growth on Atriplex patula on the capacity of photosynthetic reactions, chloroplast components and structure. Carnegie Inst Wash Year Book 71:115–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer JN, South DB (1984) A morphological comparison of greenhouse-grown loblolly pine seedlings with seedlings grown outdoors. USDA For Serv Tree Plant Notes 35(3):15–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown RW, Amacher MC (1999) Selecting plant species for ecological restoration: a perspective for land managers. In: Holzworth LK, Brown RW (eds) Comps. 1999. Revegetation with native species: proceedings, 1997 Society for Ecological Restoration annual meeting; 1997 November 12–15; Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Proc. RMRS-P-8. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

  • Calder WJ, Horn KJ, St. Clair SB, Abrams M (2011) Conifer expansion reduces the competitive ability and herbivore defense of aspen by modifying light environment and soil chemistry. Tree Physiol 31(6):582–591

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carabelli M, Possenti M, Sessa G, Ciofli A, Sassi M, Morelli G, Ruberti I (2007) Canopy shade causes a rapid and transient arrest in leaf development through auxin-induced cytokinin oxidase activity. Genes Dev 21:1863–1868

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan SS, Radosevich SR, Grotta AT (2003) Effects of contrasting light and soil moisture availability on the growth and biomass allocation of Douglas-fir and red alder. Can J For Res 33:106–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaves MM, Flexas J, Pinheiro C (2009) Photosynthesis under drought and salt stress: regulation mechanisms from whole plant to cell. Ann Bot 103:551–560

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chow PS, Landhäusser SM (2004) A method for routine measurements of total sugar and starch content in woody plant tissues. Tree Physiol 24:1129–1136

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clapham DH, Ekberg I, Eirksson G, Norell L, Vinc-Prue D (2002) Requirement for far-red light to maintain secondary needle extension growth in northern but not southern populations of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Physiol Plant 114(2):207–212

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colombo SJ (2003) How to improve the quality of broadleaved seedlings produced in tree nurseries. In: Ciccarese L, Lucci S, Mattson A (eds) Comps. 2003. Nursery production and stand establishment of broad-leaves to promote sustainable forest management: proceedings, 2001. APAT; 2001 May 7–10, Rome, Italy

  • Cope KR, Bugbee B (2013) Spectral effects of three types of white light-emitting diodes on plant growth and development: absolute versus relative amounts of blue light. Hortic Sci 48(4):504–509

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coutand C, Dupraz C, Jaouen G, Ploquin S, Adam B (2008) Mechanical stimuli regulate the allocation of biomass in trees: demonstration with young Prunus avium trees. Ann Bot 101:1421–1432

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis AS, Jacobs DF (2005) Quantifying root system quality of nursery seedlings and relationship to outplanting performance. New Forest 30:295–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Castro AV, Oliet JA, Puértolas J, Jacobs DF (2014) Light transmissivity of tube shelters affects root growth and biomass allocation of Quercus ilex L. and Pinus halepensis Mill. Ann For Sci 71:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devine WD, Harrington CA (2008) Influence of four tree shelter types on microclimate and seedling performance of Oregon white oak and western redcedar. Research paper PNW-RP-576. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR, 35 pp

  • Devine WD, Harrington CA, Leonard LP (2007) Post-planting treatments increase growth of Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana Dougl. Ex Hook.) seedlings. Restor Ecol 15(2):212–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin KA (2008) Shade avoidance. New Phytol 179:930–944

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gansert D, Sprick W (1998) Storage and mobilization of nonstructural carbohydrates and biomass development of beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) under different light regimes. Trees 12:247–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Givnish TJ (1988) Adaptation to sun and shade: a whole-plant perspective. Aust J Plant Physiol 15:63–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goins GD, Yorio NC, Sanwo MM, Brown CS (1997) Photomorphogenesis, photosynthesis, and seed yield of wheat plants grown under red-light emitting diodes (LEDs) with and without supplemental blue lighting. J Exp Bot 48(312):1407–1413

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hemming JDC, Lindroth RL (1999) Effects of light and nutrient availability on aspen growth, phytochemistry and insect performance. J Chem Ecol 25:1687–1714

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hiscox JD, Israelstam GF (1979) A method for the extraction of chlorophyll from leaf tissue without maceration. Can J Bot 57(12):1332–1334

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs RJ, Norton DA (1996) Towards a conceptual framework for restoration ecology. Restor Ecol 4:93–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins WG, Huner NPA (2004) Introduction to plant physiology, 3rd edn. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson SD (2009) Plant responses to photoperiod: tansley review. New Phytol 181:517–531

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs DF, Steinbeck K (2001) Tree shelters improve the survival and growth of planted Engelmann spruce seedlings in southwestern Colorado. West J Appl For 16:114–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Johkan M, Shoji K, Goto F, Hashida SN, Yoshihara T (2010) Blue light-emitting diode light irradiation of seedlings improves seedling quality and growth of transplanting in red leaf lettuce. Hortic Sci 45(12):1809–1814

    Google Scholar 

  • King DA (2003) Allocation of above-ground growth is related to light in temperate deciduous saplings. Funct Ecol 17:482–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitajima K (1994) Relative importance of photosynthetic traits and allocation patterns as correlates of seedling shade tolerance of 13 tropical trees. Oecologia 98:419–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landhäusser SM, Lieffers VJ (2001) Photosynthesis and carbon allocation of six boreal tree species grown in the understory and open conditions. Tree Physiol 21:243–250

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landhäusser SM, Pinno BD, Lieffers VJ, Chow PS (2012a) Partitioning of carbon allocation to reserves or growth determines future performance of aspen seedlings. For Ecol Manage 275:43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landhäusser SM, Rodriguez-Alvarez J, Marenholtz EH, Lieffers VJ (2012b) Effect of stock type characteristics on field performance of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) seedlings on boreal reclamation sites. New Forest 43:679–693

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langenheim JH, Osmond CB, Brooks A, Ferrar PJ (1984) Photosynthetic responses to light in seedlings of selected Amazonian and Australian rain forest tree species. Oecologia 63:215–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lian M, Murthy HN, Paek K (2002) Effects of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the in vitro induction and growth of bulblets of Lilium oriental hybrid “Pesaro”. Sci Hortic 94:365–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lieffers VJ, Landhäusser SM, Hogg EH (2001) Is the wide distribution of aspen a result of its stress tolerance? In Shepperd WD, Binkley DL, Bartos D, Stohlgren TJ, Eskew LG (eds) Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: symposium proceedings, June 13–15, 2001, Grand Junction, CO. U.S. Dept. Agric. For. Serv. Rocky Mt. For. Range Exp. Stn. Proc. RMRS-P-18, pp 311–323

  • Lin K, Huang M, Huang W, Hsu M, Yang Z, Yang C (2013) The effects of red, blue, and white light emitting diodes on the growth, development, and edible quality of hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata). Sci Hortic 150:86–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Logan KT (1965) Growth of tree seedlings as affected by light intensity. I. White birch, yellow birch, sugar maple and silver maple. Canadian Department of Forestry Publication No. 1121, pp 5–16

  • Lu N, Maruo T, Johkan M, Hohjo M, Tsukagoshi S, Yoshikazu I, Ichimura T, Shinohara Y (2012) Effects of supplemental lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on tomato yield and quality of single truss tomato plants grown at high planting density. Environ Control Biol 50(1):63–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martens LA, Landhäusser SM, Lieffers VJ (2007) First-year growth response of cold-stored, nursery-grown aspen planting stock. New Forest 33:281–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melis A (1999) Photosystem-II damage and repair cycle in chloroplasts: what modulates the rate of photodamage in vivo? Trends Plant Sci 4(4):130–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery R (2004) Relative importance of photosynthetic physiology and biomass allocation for tree seedling growth across a broad light gradient. Tree Physiol 24:155–167

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan DC, Rook DA, Warrington IJ, Turnbull HL (1983) Growth and development of Pinus radiata D. Don: the effect of light quality. Plant Cell Environ 6:691–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Naidu SL, DeLucia EH (1997) Growth, allocation and water relations of shade-grown Quercus rubra L. saplings exposed to a late-season canopy gap. Ann Bot 80:335–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü, Oja V, Kull O (1999) Shape of leaf photosynthetic electron transport versus temperature response curve is not constant along canopy light gradients in temperature deciduous trees. Plant Cell Environ 22:1497–1513

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ögren E, Sjöström M (1990) Estimation of the effect of photoinhibition on the carbon gain in leaves of a willow canopy. Planta 181:560–567

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olle M, Viršilė A (2013) The effects of light-emitting diode lighting on greenhouse plant growth and quality. Agric Food Sci 22:223–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen JE, Juntilla O (2002) Far red end-of-day treatment restores wild type-like plant length in hybrid aspen overexpressing phytochrome A. Physiol Plant 115:448–457

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ort DR, Zhu X, Melis A (2011) Optimizing antenna size to maximize photosynthetic efficiency. Plant Physiol 155(1):79–85

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osier TL, Lindroth RL (2006) Genotype and environment determine allocation to and costs of resistance in quaking aspen. Oecologia 148:293–303

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pardos M, Royo A, Gil L, Pardos JA (2003) Effect of nursery location and outplanting date on field performance of Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex seedlings. Forestry 76(1):67–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierik R, de Wit M (2014) Shade avoidance: phytochrome signalling and other aboveground neighbor detection clues. J Exp Bot 65(11):2815–2824

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pires MMML, Santos HA, Santos DF, Vasconcelos AS, Aragão CA (2013) Yield of muskmelon subjected to different water management with the use of polypropylene. Braz Hortic 31(2):304–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poudel PR, Kataoka I, Mochioka R (2008) Effect of red- and blue-light-emitting diodes on growth and morphogenesis of grapes. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 92:147–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puértolas J, Oliet JA, Jacobs DF, Benito LF, Peñuelas JL (2010) Is light the key factor for success of tube shelters in forest restoration plantings under Mediterranean climates? For Ecol Manag 260:610–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puttonen P (1996) Looking for the “silver bullet”—can one test do it all? New For 13:9–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Core Development Team (2013) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org/

  • Rajapakse NC, Young RE, McMahon MJ, Oi R (1999) Plant height control by photoselective filters: current status and future prospects. Hortic Technol 9:618–624

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie GA (1997) Evidence for red:far red signaling and photomorphogenic growth response in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings. Tree Physiol 17:161–168

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roden JS (2003) Modeling the light interception and carbon gain of individual fluttering aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) leaves. Trees 17:117–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Roden JS, Pearcy RW (1993) Photosynthetic gas exchange response of poplars to steady-state and dynamic light environments. Oecologia 93:208–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runkle ES, Heins RD (2003) Photocontrol of flowering and extension growth in the long-day plant pansy. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 128:479–485

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuolienė G, Sirtautas R, Brazaitytė A, Sakalauskaitė J, Sakalauskienė S, Duchovskis P (2011) The impact of red and blue-light emitting diode illumination on radish physiological indices. Cent Eur J Biol 8(5):821–828

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarala M, Taulavuori E, Karhu J, Savonen EM, Laine K, Kubin E, Taulavuori K (2009) Improved elongation of Scots pine seedlings under blue light depletion is not dependent on resource acquisition. Funct Plant Biol 36:742–751

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarala M, Taulavuori E, Karhu J, Laine K, Taulavuori K (2011) Growth and pigmentation of various species under blue light depletion. Boreal Environ Res 16:381–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Savvides A, Fanourakis D, Van Ieperen W (2012) Co-ordination of hydraulic and stomatal conductances across light qualities in cucumber leaves. J Exp Bot 63:1135–1143

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schott KM, Pinno BP, Landhäusser SM (2013) Premature shoot growth termination allows nutrient loading of seedlings with an indeterminate growth strategy. New For 44(5):635–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharew H, Hairston-Strang A (2005) A comparison of seedling growth and light transmission among tree shelters. North J Appl For 22(2):102–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Son KH, Oh MM (2013) Leaf shape, growth and antioxidant phenolic compounds of two lettuce cultivars grown under various combinations of blue and red light-emitting diodes. Hortic Sci 48(8):988–995

    Google Scholar 

  • Suding KN (2011) Toward an era of restoration in ecology: successes, failures, and opportunities ahead. Ann Rev Ecol Evolut Syst 42:465–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan J, Amacher GS (2013) Optimal hardwood tree planting and forest reclamation policy on reclaimed surface mine lands in the Appalachian coal region. Resour Policy 38:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taulavuori K, Sarala M, Karhu J, Taulavuori E, Kubin E, Laine K, Poikolainen J, Pesonen E (2005) Elongation of scots pine seedlings under blue light depletion. Silva Fennica 39:131–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taulavuori K, Sarala M, Taulavuori E (2010) Growth responses of trees to arctic light environment. Prog Bot 71:157–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinoco-Ojanguren C, Pearcy RW (1995) A comparison of light quality and quantity effects on the growth and steady-state and dynamic photosynthetic characteristics of three tropical tree species. Funct Ecol 9:222–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valladares F, García-Plazaola JI, Morales F, Niinemets Ü (2012) Photosynthetic responses to radiation. In: Flexas J, Loreto F, Medrano H (eds) Terrestrial photosynthesis in a changing environment. The molecular, physiological and ecological bases of photosynthesis driving its response to the environmental changes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 239–256

  • Villar-Salvador P, Ocaña L, Peñuelas J, Carrasco I (1999) Effect of water stress conditioning on the water relations, root growth capacity, and the nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrate concentration of Pinus halepensis Mill. (Aleppo pine) seedlings. Ann For Sci 56:459–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Gu M, Cui J, Shi K, Zhou T, Yu J (2009) Effects of light quality on CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll-fluorescence quenching, expression of Calvin cycle genes and carbohydrate accumulation in Cucumis sativus. J Photochem Photobiol B 96:30–37

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warrington IJ, Rook DA, Morgan DC, Turnbull HL (1989) The influence of simulated shadelight and daylight on growth, development and photosynthesis of Pinus radiata, Agathis australis and Dacrydium cupressinum. Plant Cell Environ 12(4):343–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West DH, Chappelka AH, Tilt KM, Ponder HG, Williams JD (1999) Effect of tree shelters on survival, growth, and wood quality of 11 tree species commonly planted in the southern United States. J Arboric 25(2):69–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, Lin C (2012) Red light-emitting diode light irradiation improves root and leaf formation in difficult to propagate Protea cynaroides L. plantlets in vitro. HortScience 47(10):1490–1494

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu MC, Hou CY, Jiang CM, Wang YT, Wang CY, Chen HH, Chang HM (2007) A novel approach of LED light radiation improves the antioxidant activity of pea seedlings. Food Chem 101(4):1753–1758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Maruhnich SA, Folta KM (2011) Green light induces shade avoidance symptoms. Plant Physiol 157:1528–1536

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Katherine Chabot, Shanon Hankin and Jake Gaster for their field and laboratory assistance. Further, we wish to acknowledge Cam Stevenson of the Crop Diversification Centre North. Funding was generously provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Environmental Reclamation Research Group (ERRG) of the Canadian Oil Sands Network for Research and Development (CONRAD), with sponsorship form Capital Power, Shell Canada, Suncor Energy Inc. and Syncrude Canada. Lastly, JWGK would like to acknowledge financial and logistic support from the Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) through an NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Renewable Resources, School of Forest Science and Management, University of Alberta, 4-29 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E3, Canada

    J. W. G. Kelly, S. M. Landhäusser & P. S. Chow

  2. Land Reclamation International Graduate School, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    J. W. G. Kelly & S. M. Landhäusser

Authors
  1. J. W. G. Kelly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. M. Landhäusser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. S. Chow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. W. G. Kelly.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kelly, J.W.G., Landhäusser, S.M. & Chow, P.S. The impact of light quality and quantity on root-to-shoot ratio and root carbon reserves in aspen seedling stock. New Forests 46, 527–545 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9473-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9473-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation