Identifying Plant Physiological and Climatic Drivers in the Woody Shrub Prosopis strombulifera: Effects of Spring Traits on Flower Sprouting and Fruit Production

Prosopis strombulifera is a widely distributed woody species along arid ecosystems in America. The interannual evolution of ecophysiological parameters and their effects on fruit production flower sprouting were studied for three years natural population the Atacama Desert. Xylem water column tension, pressure–volume curves, specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll fluorescence assessed. Flower was assessed different weeks using tagged flowers. To assess production, four small containers placed under twenty-five individuals, allowing estimation total annual individual production. We found considerable variability between individuals. Positive relationships plant parameters, SLA, variables measured spring at during A negative correlation mean minimum temperatures sprouting. These results suggest that strongly affect reproductive status P. strombulifera. also reflect potential this to adapt hyperarid climate by preserving high relative content before