The proportional light absorptance by photosynthetic tissue (α) is used with chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence methods to calculate electron transport rate (ETR). Although a value of α of 0.84 is often used as a standard for calculating ETR, many succulent plant species and species with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) have photosynthetic tissues that vary greatly in color or are highly reflective, and could have values of α that differ from 0.84, thus affecting the calculation of ETR. We measured ETR using Chl fluorescence and α using an integrating sphere in 58 plant species to determine the importance of applying a measured value of α when calculating ETR. Values of α varied from 0.55-0.92 with a mean of 0.82 across species. Differences between ETR values calculated with measured α values ranged from 53% lower to 12% greater than ETR values calculated with a standard α value of 0.84 and were significantly different in 39 out of 58 species. While measurements of ETR using Chl fluorescence represent a rapid and effective assessment of physiological performance, the value of α needs to be considered. Measurements of α, especially on species with light-colored or reflective photosynthetic tissue, will allow more accurate determination of photosynthesis in succulent and CAM species. and J. A. Stemke, L. S. Santiago
In leaves of the mangrove species Avicennia germinans (L.) L. grown in salinities from 0 to 40 ‰, fluorescence, gas exchange, and δ13C analyses were done. Predawn values of Fv/Fm were about 0.75 in all the treatments suggesting that leaves did not suffer chronic photoinhibition. Conversely, midday Fv/Fm values decreased to about 0.55-0.60 which indicated strong down-regulation of photosynthesis in all treatments. Maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was 14.58 ± 0.22 µmol m-2 s-1 at 0 ‰ it decreased by 21 and 37 % in plants at salinities of 10 and 40 ‰, respectively. Stomatal conductance (gs) was profoundly responsive in comparison to Pmax which resulted in a high water use efficiency. This was further confirmed by δ13C values, which increased with salinity. From day 3, after salt was removed from the soil solution, Pmax and gs increased up to 13 and 30 %, respectively. However, the values were still considerably lower than those measured in plants grown without salt addition.
Morphological, anatomical and physiological frond traits of Cheilanthes persica (Bory) Mett. ex Kuhn were studied to analyze its adaptive strategy. Mean frond life span is about 340 d. Mature fronds are characterized by 91 g m-2 areal dry mass (ADM) and 217 g m-2 succulence. The reduction of frond water content in July (dehydration phase) caused a 51 % decrease in frond surface area (SA). Fronds were dry in August (desiccation phase); nevertheless, in September they showed an increased SA (rehydration phase). Chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio, above 3, and the well developed palisade parenchyma (two layers, total thickness of 103.9 µm) are typical for sun leaves. Chl and carotenoid contents and net photosynthetic rate (PN) increased during frond development until the highest values in April-May (maturity phase). When mean air temperature reached 31.3 °C, stomatal conductance (gs) decreased by 34 % and PN by 33 %. The high pigment contents can dissipate the excess of radiant energy, particularly under unfavourable conditions, when PN is low. Rather high PN was found during the rehydration stage. The pronounced decline of mesophyll activity during the declining phase was confirmed by the lowest PN. and L. Gratani, M. F. Crescente, G. Rossi.