Date of Award:
5-2016
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Ecology
Committee Chair(s)
Keith A. Mott
Committee
Keith A. Mott
Committee
Brent L. Black
Committee
S. K. Morgan Ernest
Committee
Jennifer R. Reeve
Committee
Ethan P. White
Abstract
In orchard systems, the size of a tree and the physical structure of its canopy influences how the tree gathers resources and uses them to produce fruit. Smaller orchard trees produce a higher proportion of fruit relative to their size. Small trees also produce higher quality fruit than larger trees. These relationships were demonstrated for apples and tart cherries grown in Utah. In physiological ecology, models called allometries have been developed that explain how the size of wild plants is related to growth, architecture, and reproduction. These models were applied to apple and tart cherry orchard systems and revealed consistent patterns in plant architecture among domesticated orchard trees. Allometries were also used to provide insights into how the size of a tree impacts its efficiency in producing fruit. Patterns in plant architecture and reproduction may be broadly consistent across crop plants and may help researchers and growers use fundamental knowledge of plant physiology to develop resource conserving, economically viable, and sustainable cropping systems.
Checksum
d5b7c8ace605890f2024163b9a5530e2
Recommended Citation
Brym, Zachary T., "An Allometric Approach to Evaluate Physiological and Production Efficiencies in Tree Size for Tart Cherry and Apple Orchard Systems" (2016). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 4970.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4970
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