Effects of Shading on Shoot Morphology, Wood Production and Structure of Nothofagus procera Seedlings

Four-year-old seedlings of Nothofagus procera were grown outof doors in pots while subjected to two levels of shading (mediumand dense shades) and to full light. Shoot morphological andwood anatomical studies showed that growing N. procera in mediumlight, rather than in full light, can result in fewer leaves,but higher shoot growth, a greater amount of fibres, a widerwood growth increment and thicker fibre walls. Significant positivecorrelations were found between the rate of shoot extensionand the rate of wood production. Conversely, significant negativecorrelations were obtained between fibre lumen diameter andfibre wall thickness. The significance of these findings isdiscussed. Southern beech, Nothofagus procera, shading, shoot morphology, wood production, wood anatomy