Growth and water relations of Pinus ponderosa seedlings in competitive regimes with Arctostaphylos patula seedlings.
Abstract
Trials in California with P. ponderosa seedlings planted in hand-thinned plots of A. patula (proportions approx. 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0) suggest that competition with A. patula for soil moisture can reduce P. ponderosa productivity significantly during early site development. Data are presented on soil moisture depletion, PAR, leaf water potential, leaf conductance, and canopy volume.