There is a paucity of data regarding developmental changes in trees. Measurements of length, width, length/width ratio, perimeter/width and width/height ratios of tranverse sections, projected and total surface areas, dry weight, specific leaf area and the weight of epicuticular waxes per unit leaf area were made on needles sampled from the uppermost whorl of Sitka spruce trees aged 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 38 years. All characteristics, except needle length and the weight of epicuticular waxes, showed asymptotic changes with age that could adequately be described by the Gompertz growth function, and offer potential as indices of physiological age. Asymptotes were reached at different ages (width and the length/width ratio having the slowest rates of change and the perimeter/width ratio, specific leaf area, and the width/height ratio having the fastest) suggesting a predictable sequence of changes. The observed changes in needle morphology are interpreted as a transition from shade to sun leaves.
S U M MARYAdventitious rooting ability is considered a good indicator of juvenility in trees and has often been used to assess explants subjected to treatments to alter developmental stage. However, rooting assessments are not always practical and the callusing of needles in vitro was investigated as an alternative bioassay of physiological age. Shoots were sampled from the uppermost whorl of Sitka spruce trees aged 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 16, 21, 35 and 39 years and from the lowest whorls of 3-and 4-year-old trees. Needles were sampled for measurement of length, width, length/width ratio, projected and total surface areas, dry weight and specific leaf area. For explants of uppermost whorl origin, there were decreases in the rooting ability of cuttings and the callusing response of needles with increasing age of tree. Associated with the loss in callusing ability was an increase in the production of a black exudate. The changes with age for rooting, callusing and exudation could each he adequately described by the Gompertz growth function which showed their rates of change to be similar. The observed changes are closely associated with changes in needle area, weight and specific leaf area. Euclidean distances (using the mean values of selected characteristics for each age class) were computed as a measure of physiological age. Tlie shoots and needles of basal shoots are more juvenile in character than those taken from the uppermost whorls of the same trees.
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