Crecimiento foliar y comportamiento diario de la fotosíntesis en plantas de fique cv Ceniza (Furcraea cabuya Trelease).

The present study was carried out to monitor leaf growth, foliar emission, and the daily photosynthesis behavior of sisal plants cv Ceniza. In a commercial crop, sisal plants were selected and monitored weekly to determine increase in number, length, width, and thickness of the leaves, during a 154 day period. On two occasions during the experimental period, gas exchange rates were also monitored during the light and dark periods. The results allowed determining a phyllochron of 8.65 days. Gas exchange monitoring detected low stomatal conductance rates during the light period. However, starting at 15:30 h, stomatal conductance substantially increased, remaining at maximum levels throughout the dark period, and, subsequently, decreased from 09:30 h, the following light period. A high correlation of stomatal conductance with vapor pressure deficit and leaf temperature was found. Maximum CO2 fixation rates varied between 12.2 and 14.5 µmol m-2 s-1, recorded between 19:19 and 19:26 h. The results corroborate the CAM metabolism of sisal plants cv Ceniza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]