Journal Article |
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Article Title | Tree or shrub: a functional branch analysis of Jatropha curcas L. | Author | Juliana Tjeuw, Rachmat Mulia, Maja Slingerland and Meine van Noordwijk | Year | 2015 | Journal Title | Agroforestry Systems | Pages | 1-16 | Call Number | JA0627-15 | Keywords | Aboveground biomass, Allometry, Belowground biomass, Fractal branching architecture, Proximal root, Stem diameter |
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Abstract: |
Jatropha curcas is an oil-bearing semievergreen
shrub or small tree with potential as a source
of sustainable biofuel, yet information regarding vegetative
and fruit biomass in relation to plant architecture
is lacking. Research conducted in Indonesia used the
tree based functional branch analysis (FBA) model as a
non-destructive method to estimate above and belowground
biomass, and plant architecture. The FBA utility
for shrubs was unknown and required modification. This
research used destructive measurements to validate
modifications to the FBA model that included subcategorisation
of the tapering coefficient for twig,
branch, and wood diameter classes, and addition of a
fruit load parameter in the distal link. The modified FBA
model confirmedjatrophato be a shrub ratherthan atree,
producing variable estimates for aboveground biomass.
This variation was due to morphological plasticity in the
length–diameter relationship of the branches that
diverged from fractal branching architecture. Fruit
biomass variation between replicates was not well
estimated and total proximal root diameter was a poor
predictor of total root biomass, due to the proximal roots
having enlarged water storage structures that do not
follow fractal branching assumptions. Jatropha fruit was
shown to predominate on twigs with a diameter between
0.9 and 1.4 cm. Understanding the correlation between
fruit development and plant architecture will be necessary
for fine-tuning the FBA model for future commercial
breeding and selection. The high degree of
morphological plasticity displayed by jatropha requires
consideration when determining plant biomass. |
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