Analysis of leaf biomass allocation and allometric growth of several common single-leaf and compound-leaf tree species in the Chongqing area

In this study, six compound-leaf and seven single-leaf tree species were used as research materials. We explored the variations in biomass investment ratios between the photosynthetic and support structures in the leaves as well as the allometric growth relationship between the single-leaf and compound-leaf tree species. Results showed that the biomass investment ratio of the support structure of the single-leaf tree species was significantly greater than that of the compound-leaf tree species. No significant correlation was found between the support structure mass ratio of single-leaf tree species and leaf size (represented by leaf area and total leaf dry weight), and their photosynthetic and support structures showed an isometric growth relationship. However, the support structure mass ratio of the compound-leaf tree species increased with the increase in leaf size, and their photosynthetic and support structures showed a significant allometric growth relationship. Furthermore, the growth rate of the support structure was greater than that of the photosynthetic structure. In addition, at the species level, the relationship between the mass ratio of the support structure and leaf size in different species of the same leaf type showed different variation trends.