Drought alters the canopy architecture and micro-climate of Hevea brasiliensis trees

 In this study a comparison of the canopy architecture and the growth and distribution of roots was made in 10-year-old trees of Hevea brasiliensis grown in a severely drought-prone area on the west coast of India under rainfed and irrigated conditions. LAI and light interception increased significantly in the irrigated compared to the rainfed trees. Girth and height of the tree were 29 and 19% more while width and height of the canopy were 19 and 20% more in the irrigated than rainfed trees. There were 22% more primary branches which had 26% more diameter in the irrigated trees than rainfed trees. The branches were inserted on the main trunk at an angle of 58.36° in the irrigated and 44.22° in rainfed trees. The above changes led to more light penetration which altered the light distribution inside the rainfed trees during summer and inhibited leaf photosynthesis particularly in the top canopy leaves. In the rainfed trees most of the growth occurred during the short favorable season immediately after the monsoon between June and October and no growth or even shrinking of the trunk was seen during summer. In the irrigated trees a higher growth was seen throughout the year and summer had no adverse effect. Although there was some difference in the root distribution pattern, the total root density per unit soil volume did not vary between the irrigated and rainfed trees. Key words  Hevea brasiliensis· Drought · Crown architecture · Micro-climate · Root growth Received: 8 May 1998 / Accepted 8 October 1998