Final answer:
Basal leaf zone removal is a horticultural technique that involves removing leaves from the base of a plant and can affect plant yield depending on the timing of removal. Leaf arrangement and blade shape are adaptations that help plants survive, and propagation techniques such as layering allow for vegetative reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Basal leaf zone removal is a horticultural practice that involves the removal of leaves from the base, or bottom, of a plant. This technique is often used to manipulate plant growth or development and may be employed for different reasons, depending on the plant species and the time of year. For example, removing leaves in the basal leaf zone during certain developmental stages can impact the yield of a plant. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that basal leaf removal before the week of 13 July does not affect yield, but after the week of 18 August, during seed formation, it can be particularly damaging. This indicates the critical importance of timing in agricultural practices.
Plants have various leaf arrangements to adapt to their environments. Leaves arranged in whorls can capture sunlight from all directions, enhancing photosynthesis. Leaves in basal rosettes benefit from warmer ground temperatures, and leaves in alternate or opposing pairs are efficient for plants with single, upright stems. The shape of leaf blades, whether simple or compound, also plays a role in the plant's survival, affecting factors like wind resistance and water loss.
In the context of propagation, practices like layering involve bending a stem and covering it with soil, whereas air layering involves wounding a stem and encouraging root growth before transplanting. These methods allow for cloning of the parent plant and are alternative forms of vegetative propagation that can be seen in plants like jasmine and bougainvillea.