The effect of clipping intensity to the allometric relationship of three ligneous species

The effect of different clipping intensity of the current growth (30% and 60%) compared to control (0%) on the allometric relationship of the foliage of a tree Morus alba L. and two legumes shrubs Amorpha fruticosa (L.) and Colutea arborescens (L.) was studied. The clipping conducted at three different periods in the end of May, in the middle of July and in the end of August. The number of leaves, their leaf area (LA) and the weight of leaf (W) were measured as well as the specific leaf weight (SLW) and specific leaf area (SLA) were evaluated. The number of the new leaves of the two legumes was significantly higher than Morus alba. The production of the new leaves of the 60% clipping intensity treatment was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) compared to the 30% clipping to all species. SLA of the clipped plants was significantly higher in comparison to the control SLA. In the contrary, LA and SLW was significantly lower in the two treatments compared to the control. Clipping ontribute to the higher production of new leaves especially in legumes. That fact is very important since number and size of leaves are correlated with the available photosynthetic area as well as with the forage production.