biologia plantarum

International journal on Plant Life established by Bohumil Němec in 1959

Biologia plantarum 51:153-156, 2007 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-007-0029-5

Geophytoelectrical current in trees of a subtropical rainforest in Mexico

L. Yáñez-Espinosa1,*, T. Terrazas1, L. López-Mata1, L. Fucikovsky2
1 Programa en Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Estado de México, México
2 Programa en Fitopatología, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Estado de México, México

The geophytoelectrical current of three evergreen tropical tree species is studied as an indirect measure of their relative water content. Two intermediate shade-tolerant species (Aphananthe monoica and Pleuranthodendron lindenii), distributed in the middle and upper canopy strata, and an understory shade-tolerant species (Psychotria costivenia) were examined. The annual rhythm of geophytoelectrical currents per cm of diameter (DBH) is seasonal, with the highest occurrence in the winter and summer. There is a significant association between maximum temperature, moisture in the environment, and geophytoelectrical current per cm of DBH in the three species, as shown by multiple regression analysis. This finding suggests the existence of various geophytoelectrical current patterns which differs from that reported for temperate species.

Keywords: Aphananthe monoica; evergreen tropical trees; Pleuranthodendron lindenii; Psychotria costivenia; water content
Subjects: Aphananthe monoica; geophytoelectrical current; Pleuranthodendron lindenii; Psychotria costivenia; shade-tolerant species; water stress

Received: February 2, 2005; Accepted: January 15, 2006; Published: March 1, 2007  Show citation

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Yáñez-Espinosa, L., Terrazas, T., López-Mata, L., & Fucikovsky, L. (2007). Geophytoelectrical current in trees of a subtropical rainforest in Mexico. Biologia plantarum, 51(1), 153-156. doi: 10.1007/s10535-007-0029-5
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