Photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE), stomatal conductance (gs), and water potential were measured at two different positions in the tree crown of two emergent tropical tree species (Shorea beccariana Burck, Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. f.). The trees were about 50 m high, in a tropical rain forest in Sarawak, East Malaysia. In both species, gs at the upper crown position at midday was lower than at the lower crown position, even though both positions were exposed to full sunlight; the difference was greater in S. beccariana. Hydraulic limitation occurs in the upper crown position in both species. A midday depression was observed in the photon saturated photosynthetic rate in both species, especially at the upper crown. However, PWUE was markedly higher in the upper crown than the lower crown at midday, even though no morphological adjustment was observed in the leaves; this difference was greater in S. beccariana. and Y. Kitahashi ... [et al.].
The practicality of the portable, non-destructive type nitrogen meter (Agriexpert PPW-3000) was tested on ten forest species. Also investigated was the potential relationship between leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll (Chl) contents and the readings taken with the PPW-3000 and a Chl meter (SPAD-502). There was a significantly positive correlation between the readings of PPW-3000 and N content in the same leaves, whereas the correlation between leaf Chl content and the PPW-3000 values was less positive. Similarly there was a significant positive correlation between actual Chl content and the SPAD-502 readings and the less positive correlation between actual N content and the SPAD-502 readings. Thus using both the PPW-3000 and SPAD-502 enables to determine leaf N and Chl contents simply and non-destructively in the field. and T. Ichie ... [et al.].