bladabskisjon

Bladabskisjon refers to the process of leaf abscission, which is the shedding of leaves from a plant. This is a natural and often programmed process, typically occurring seasonally. In deciduous plants, bladabskisjon is a response to environmental cues such as shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures, helping the plant conserve water and energy during unfavorable conditions. Evergreen plants also undergo bladabskisjon, but it is a more continuous and less conspicuous process, where older leaves are shed gradually throughout the year.

The mechanism of bladabskisjon involves a specialized layer of cells called the abscission layer, usually located at the base of the petiole (leaf stalk). Hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in the plant hormone auxin and an increase in ethylene, trigger the formation and weakening of this layer. Enzymes are then produced that break down the cell walls within the abscission layer, leading to the detachment of the leaf. Often, a protective layer of corky cells forms on the stem side of the abscission zone before the leaf falls, sealing the wound and preventing water loss or infection.

While environmental factors are primary drivers, other factors can also induce bladabskisjon, including disease, insect damage, drought stress, or mechanical injury. Understanding bladabskisjon is important in agriculture for managing crop yields and in forestry for understanding tree health and forest dynamics.