@article{fdi:010081411,
  title = {{A}pple tree adaptation to shade in agroforestry: an architectural approach},
  author = {{P}itchers, {B}. and {D}o, {F}r{\'e}d{\'e}ric and {P}radal, {C}. and {D}ufour, {L}. and {L}auri, {P}. {E}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{PREMISE} {T}he expression of shade adaptation traits is expected to be stronger in low light and can be detrimental to flowering and yield. {O}ur study focused on the expression of shade adaptation traits of apple trees ({M}alus domestica {B}orkh. '{D}alinette') in an agroforestry system. {METHODS} {T}he architecture of 45 apple trees in their third and fourth year was extensively described and analyzed at the tree scale and compared depending on the light quantity received during the growing season. {F}lower cluster phenology and the relation between leaf area and floral initiation were also investigated. {RESULTS} {T}he number of growing shoots and the leaf area were reduced by shade even if specific leaf area increased with increasing shade. {S}hade did not modify primary growth but did decrease secondary growth, so that apple tree shoots in shade were slender, with a lower taper and reduced number and proportion of flower clusters. {T}he correlation between floral initiation and leaf area was high both in full and moderate light but not for apple trees in low light. {S}hade did not impact the date of bud burst and the early phenological stages of flower clusters, but it reduced the number of days at full bloom. {CONCLUSIONS} {O}ur results suggest that while the architecture of apple trees is modified by a reduction in light intensity, it is not until a reduction of 65% that the capability to produce fruit is impeded. {T}hese results could help optimize the design of apple-tree-based agroforestry systems.},
  keywords = {floral initiation ; floral phenology ; plant architecture ; plurispecific ; agrosystems ; shade ; shoot allometry ; vegetative shoots ; {FRANCE} ; {HERAULT} ; {PRADES} {LE} {LEZ}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}merican {J}ournal of {B}otany},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[12 p.]},
  ISSN = {0002-9122},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1002/ajb2.1652},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081411},
}