OLIVE TREE PHYSIOLOGY

Περιγραφή

Abbreviations: 15Acknowledgments 17A short presentation of this book 19Why the olive tree? 191. The olive tree: A stress-tolerant long-lived crop giving the Mediterranean landscape its unique physiognomy 211.1. The olive tree characterizes the unique physiognomy of the Mediterranean landscape 22S 1.1. The olive tree as a symbol 23S 1.2. Olive tree longevity 24S 1.3. Monumental olive trees and the ‘Throuba Naxos’ tree 271.2. Olive tree cultivation is marked by significant variability 281.3. The main domestication event took place in the southern Levant 291.4. The physiology of the olive tree through the concept of functional modules 312. The light-capture module: Suitable optical elements enable efficient photosynthesis in a stressful environment 332.1. The light-capture module of leaves: Optical properties of the epidermal layer 34S 2.1. Olive leaf surface and the application of foliar sprays 352.2. The light-capture module of leaves: Optical properties of the trichome layer 372.3. The light-capture module of leaves: Optical properties of the mesophyll 392.4. The light-capture module of bark: Age and rain dependency 412.5. The light-capture module of fruit 433. The gas-exchange and carbon-metabolism modules 453.1. The gas-exchange module: Targeting water economy 463.1.1. Leaf photosynthesis follows the C3 mode 463.1.2. Bark photosynthesis: High efficiency 463.1.3. Fruit photosynthesis: Utilizing the internal CO2 pool 473.1.4. Floral photosynthesis is very low 473.2. The carbon-metabolism module focuses on oil synthesis 473.2.1. Growth rate is determined by the balance between carbon gain and carbon loss 473.2.2. Stems and roots provide long-term carbon and energy storage 483.2.3. Inflorescences are characterized by high energy and carbon requirements 483.2.4. Fruit metabolism focuses on oil synthesis 49S 3.1. Mannitol characterizes the Oleaceae family members 51