The Radiation Environment and Plant Canopies
Leaf Interactions with Incoming Solar Radiation Reflectance Absorbance Transmittance
The amount of reflectance depends on the nature of the leaf surface
Absorbance: Epidermis as focusing lens Absorbance of red and blue Cuticle and phenolic compounds absorb UV
Transmittance Depends on structure and thickness of leaves Red/green shade Red/far red ratio (phytochrome)
Phytochrome has two interconvertible forms: Pr and Pfr
Leaf Area Index (LAI) = Total Leaf Area/Ground Area