The trade-off between leaf size and number is the basis for plant growth strategies. It is of great significance to study the underlying mechanism of leaf size and number trade-offs for well understanding plant growth strategies. In this study, leaf size was expressed by the dry mass of single leaf, while leafing intensity was expressed by the number of leaves per unit stem volume. We used standardized major axis regression analysis method to examine the trade-off relationship between leaf size and number in Hulunbuir grassland. There was a significant negative isometric-growth trade-off between leaf size and number in Chenqicuogang (typical steppe) and Chenqibayi (meadow steppe). There was a significant negative allometric-growth trade-off between leaf size and number in Xeltala (meadow steppe). The underlying mechanism of the relationship between leaf size and number depended on the leaf and stem biomass allocation mechanism and the changes of the stem tissue density.
叶片大小与数量的权衡关系是植物生长策略的基础,研究叶片大小与数量权衡关系的内在机制对于深刻理解植物生长策略具有重要意义。本研究以单个叶片干重表示叶大小,以单位茎上的叶片数量表示出叶强度,采用标准主轴回归分析方法研究呼伦贝尔草原植物叶片大小与数量的权衡关系以及内在机制。结果表明: 陈旗嵯岗(典型草原)和陈旗八一(草甸草原)叶片大小与出叶强度存在显著的负的等速生长关系,谢尔塔拉(草甸草原)的叶片大小与出叶强度存在显著的负的异速生长权衡关系。叶片大小和数量权衡关系的内在机制取决于叶片与茎生物量的分配机制以及茎组织密度的变化。.
Keywords: biomass allocation; leaf size; leafing intensity; trade-off.