Leaf micro-environment influence the altered foliar phenotype of columnar apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) trees

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Columnar apple trees (CATs) have radically-altered architecture (significantly shorter internodes and lateral branches) when compared to standard apple trees, attributed to a mutation of the Co gene involved in apical dominance. These changes in architecture have been associated with changes in the phenotype of the leaves in the leaf clusters that subtend the fruits of CATs, compared to their standard counterparts. This initial investigation considers standard and columnar trees at different levels of genetic relatedness and records significant increases in leaf area, leaf mass per unit area, chlorophyll content and competitive shading in the fruiting leaf clusters of columnar cultivars. Additionally, significant increases in intercepted light have been shown to be associated with the columnar structure, and carbon fixation is also increased. We propose that leaf micro-environment of columnar cultivars is altered in terms of incident light by their open architecture and this influences the growth and development of the leaves in the fruiting leaf clusters. Interaction with their modified genetic condition produces a foliar phenotype characteristic of CATs.
Translated title of the contributionBlad mikro klima påvirker den specielle løv struktur fenotype af søjle formede æble (Malus x domestica Borkh.) træer
Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Horticulturae
Volume1099
Pages (from-to)835-841
Number of pages7
ISSN0567-7572
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventInternational Symposium on Horticulture in Europe - Anger, France
Duration: 1 Jul 20125 Jul 2012
Conference number: 2

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Horticulture in Europe
Number2
CountryFrance
CityAnger
Period01/07/201205/07/2012

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