Leaf optical properties influence the red/far-red light ratio (a signal of potential inter-plant interaction) in plant canopies, which could alter inter-plant interactions among species. Differences in leaf optical properties of species comprising a mixed population have significant implications for plant–plant interaction. Leaf optical properties at red (660 nm) and far-red (730 nm) lights for the third true leaf of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) and its two weeds common lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) were compared during plant development. The results showed that optical properties of the third true leaf at 660 and 730 nm changed with plant development in common lamb's-quarters, redroot pigweed, and tomato, and the three species differed in this regard. Red/far-red ratios of reflected (R_ratio) and transmitted (T_ratio) lights also changed with plant development in all species. R_ratio and T_ratio were greater in redroot pigweed compared to common lamb'squarters and tomato. These ratios significantly related with chlorophyll content and leaf mass per area. These differences, usually neglected, could influence growth and intra- and/or inter-species interactions in plant communities comprising these species. These results provide valuable information for understanding eco-physiology and function of vegetation cover and could help in development of effective weed management strategies.

中文翻译：

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番茄、普通羊羔和红根杂草植物发育过程中叶片光学特性的变化

叶片光学特性影响植物冠层中的红光/远红光比（潜在植物间相互作用的信号），这可能会改变物种间的植物间相互作用。包含混合种群的物种叶片光学特性的差异对植物 - 植物相互作用具有重要意义。番茄第三片真叶 ( Solanum lycopersicon L.) 及其两种杂草 ( Chenopodium album L.) 和红根杂草( Amaranthus )在红光 (660 nm) 和远红 (730 nm) 光下的叶片光学特性屈曲肌L.) 在植物发育过程中进行了比较。结果表明，在普通羊羔肉、红根杂草和番茄中，第三真叶在660和730 nm处的光学特性随着植物发育而发生变化，这三个物种在这方面存在差异。反射光（R _ratio）和透射光（T _ratio）的红光/远红光比也随着所有物种的植物发育而变化。R_比和T_比与普通羊羔肉和番茄相比，红根猪草中的含量更高。这些比率与叶绿素含量和单位面积叶片质量显着相关。这些通常被忽视的差异可能会影响包含这些物种的植物群落的生长和物种内和/或物种间相互作用。这些结果为了解植被覆盖的生态生理学和功能提供了有价值的信息，并有助于制定有效的杂草管理策略。