LEAF SURVIVAL IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL-STRESS, LEAF AND PLANT TRAITS AMONG QUERCUS-LEUCOTRICHOPHORA SEEDLINGS

The leaf survival in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (expressed in t erms of per cent survival of leaves) increased with increasing moistur e and light availability, and decreased with increasing nutrient avail ability. Leaf number (L-number), leaf area L-area, leaf mass L-mass, r elative growth rate (RGR), height growth and dry phytomass of seedling s increased with increasing leaf survival. However, specific leaf area (SLA), net assimilation rate (NAR), and leaf a ea ratio (LAR) decreas ed with increasing leaf survival. L-number was positively related (P < 0.05) to L-area and L-mass, while SLA was negatively related ip < 0.0 5) to L-area, L-mass, RGR, height growth and dry phytomass of seedling . Thus, the leaf survival is one of the several interrelated and mutua lly supporting traits, which can be used as ecological integrator of p lant processes.