Limited impact of irrigation on the phenology of<i>Brachychiton megaphyllus</i>: a deciduous shrub that flowers while leafless during the tropical dry season

Bate, Patricia; Franklin, Donald C.

doi:10.1017/s0266467415000358

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 36 publications

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“…For example, (Elliott, Baker, & Borchert, ) showed that Dipterocarps in dry seasonal forests in Thailand were evergreen on low, moist sites and deciduous on high dry sites. On the other hand, (Bate & Franklin, ) showed that irrigation had no impact on leaf phenology in Brachychiton megaphyllus , a shrub from the northern Australian forests. With its phenology affected by both water availability and daylength, Baobab seems to belong to species that are more sensitive to changes in water availability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability

Lucchio

Fensholt

Markussen

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Water availability is often described as one of the main drivers of phenology of tropical dry forests but experimental studies to identify the cues triggering phenological changes are few. In a greenhouse trial, we exposed seedlings of thirteen origins, seven from West and six from East Africa, respectively, of Adansonia digitata L.(baobab) to a well‐watered control treatment and a water withholding treatment in combination with exposure to three different daylengths (11.5, 12.0, and 12.5 hr). Responses were measured in terms of meristematic activity, number of leaves, and height growth followed over 6.5 months. Multi‐level mixed‐effects statistical models were used to analyze how environmental and inter‐population variables affected phenological behavior. Flushing was influenced by the daylength with the lowest degree of meristematic activity observed in the short daylength treatment. Daylength also influenced the number of leaves through an interaction with the water regime. The water regime influenced all variables through interactions with the origins. Seedlings subjected to water stress had higher meristematic activity, but initially lower numbers of leaves than continuously watered plants. Height growth in continuously watered plants was fastest or at par with water‐stressed plants, depending on the origin. Origins from West Africa tended to have higher meristematic activity and their phenology was found to be less influenced by water withholding than East African origins. There were no signs of significant differences between origins in their response to photoperiod. In conclusion, baobab seedlings show opportunistic behavior, setting leaves when water is available, but larger activity is found when days are long. We discuss the results in terms of triggering factors for baobab phenology and adaptation to specific environmental conditions at the site of origins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability

Lucchio

Fensholt

Markussen

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Population genetics, demographics and implications for conservation of

et al. 2021

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Brachychiton sp. Ormeau (L.H. Bird AQ435851), commonly known as the Ormeau bottle tree, is listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Undescribed and extremely rare, it is known only from several sites within a very small geographic range near Ormeau in south-east Queensland. Using microsatellite markers developed for this study, we found Brachychiton sp. Ormeau to be genetically distinct from several closely related species, confirming unique specific status. We also assessed levels of genetic variation found within B. sp. Ormeau subpopulations to provide recommendations for recovery projects. The species exhibited low levels of variation (He = 0.065); however, no evidence of inbreeding (F = –0.290). We infer that the species’ current restricted range and low genetic diversity is due to a combination of the effects of well documented climate shifts across the Plio-Pleistocene, exacerbated by extensive rates of relatively recent and ongoing human-mediated habitat loss. Our results suggest that, to enhance the long-term viability of B. sp. Ormeau, the most effective recovery strategies include the protection and restoration of the existing remnant habitat, as well as enhancement of local subpopulations and existing isolated plants, with additional plants to increase the genetic diversity.

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Limited impact of irrigation on the phenology ofBrachychiton megaphyllus: a deciduous shrub that flowers while leafless during the tropical dry season

Cited by 2 publications

References 36 publications

Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability

Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability

Population genetics, demographics and implications for conservation of

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