Abstract: To detect the latitudinal variances in seedlings leaf characteristics and biomass allocation patterns, three natural distribution populations of Quercus variabilis were selected from the southern (Anning county, Yunnan province, YN), central (Hefeng county, Hubei province, HB) and north boundary (Zhuanghe county, Liaoning province, LN). The leaf size, chlorophyll content, nitrogen content, light response parameters and the whole plant biomass allocation were measured. The results showed that: leaf length and width, the ratio of leaf length to width, and leaf area of relative high-latitude groups (LN) were greater than these of low-latitude groups (HB and YN). Leaf chlorophyll content and nitrogen content were found to increase with latitude. The high-latitude group (LN) had higher apparent quantum efficiency (α) and dark respiration rate (Rd), while the low-latitude populations (YN) showed higher maximum photosynthetic rate (P_max) and lower light compensation point (LCP). High-latitude group (LN) invested more matter into the aboveground biomass than the HB and the YN groups, which put more photosynthetic production into the roots.

Key words: Quercus variabilis, seedlings, latitude, leaf characteristics, biomass allocation