RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 10 No. 2, December 1998, p. 25-28

NOTES ON OIL PALM PRODUCTIVITY. II. AN EMPIRICAL MODEL OF CANOPY PHOTOSYNTHESIS BASED ON RADIATION AND ATMOSPHERIC VAPOUR PRESSURE DEFICIT

HENSON, I E*

ABSTRACT

Using data on daytime CO flux above the canopy determined by eddy correlation, a simple empirical model was devised based on relationships between CO flux and radiation, and CO flux and atmospheric vapour pressure deficit. The model satisfactorily predicted above-canopy flux from measurements of these variables using site-specific regression constants. The limitations and practical implications of the model are discussed.

KEYWORDS:


* Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia,
P.O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.