Matter-economical roles of evergreen leaves inAucuba japonica,an understory shrub in the warm-temperate region of Japan |
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Authors: | Yasuo Yamamura Makoto Kimura |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University, 310 Mito, Japan;(2) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 192-03 Hachiohji, Japan |
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Abstract: | Seasonal dynamics in nitrogen and phosphorus content were examined for each component organ ofAucuba japonica, an evergreen understory shrub in the warmtemperate region of Japan. Evergreen foliage was the largest pool for each nutrient;
nitrogen and phosphorus were accumulated and stored in autumn and then redistributed in the spring. For individual leaves,
such seasonal accumulations and redistributions were repeated through two or three years and then at leaf fall, an additional
amount was withdrawn. Rapid growth of new shoots and flowers during spring was supported by the massive redistribution of
the nutrients from the old foliage. The redistribution accounted for 85% and 65% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus input
to the new shoots, respectively. Such a high ratio of redistribution resulted in a conservative nutrient economy, and must
be positively related to the photosynthetic production in the ligh-limited environment. |
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Keywords: | Aucuba japonica Evergreen leaves Nitrogen Nutrient economy Phosphorus Shade-tolerant shrub |
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