Leaf traits variation during leaf expansion in Quercus ilex L.

The morphological, anatomical and physiological variations of leaf traits were analysed during Quercus ilex L. leaf expansion. The leaf water content (LWC), leaf area relative growth rate (RGRl) and leaf dry mass relative growth rate (RGRm) were the highest (76±2 %, 0.413 cm2 cm–2 d–1, 0.709 mg mg–1 d–1, respectively) at the beginning of the leaf expansion process (7 days after bud break). Leaf expansion lasted 84±2 days when air temperature ranged from 13.3±0.8 to 27.6±0.9 °C. The net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll content per fresh mass (Chl) increased during leaf expansion, having the highest values [12.62±1.64 μmol (CO2) m–2 s–1, 0.090 mol (H2O) m–2 s–1, and 1.03±0.08 mg g–1, respectively] 56 days after bud break. Chl was directly correlated with leaf dry mass (DM) and PN. The thickness of palisade parenchyma contributed to the total leaf thickness (263.1±1.5 μm) by 47 %, spongy layer thickness 38 %, adaxial epidermis and cuticle thickness 9 %, and abaxial epidermis and cuticle thickness 6 %. Variation in leaf size during leaf expansion might be attributed to a combination of cells density and length, and it is confirmed by the significant (p