The objective of the present investigation was to examine the extent of variations in single leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) and its relative dependence on stomatal conductance (gs) and the mesophyll capacity to fix carbon in 12 clones of the natural rubber plant. There were significant variations in PN measured at low and saturating photon flux density (PFD); the extent of variation was larger at low than at saturating PFD. The compensation irradiance (CI) and apparent quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (φc) calculated from the PN/PFD response curves showed significant variations among the clones. PN at low irradiance was positively correlated with φc. Thus a clone with large PN at low irradiance, high φc, and low CI may tolerate shade better and thus produce a high tree stand per hectare. A strong positive correlation existed between PN saturated with radiant energy (Psat) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) estimated from the response curves of PN on intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), but gs showed a poor correlation with Psat High CO2 compensation concentration (Γ) led to low CE in Hevea clones. A clone with large Psat, high CE, low gs, and low Γ is the one in which photosynthesis is more dependent on the mesophyll factors than stomata. Such a clone may produce relatively high biomass and maintain high water use efficiency. and K. N. Nataraja, J. Jacob.
The effect of drought stress (DS) on photosynthesis and photosynthesis-related enzyme activities was investigated in F. pringlei (C3), F. floridana (C3-C4), F. brownii (C4-like), and F. trinervia (C4) species. Stomatal closure was observed in all species, probably being the main cause for the decline in photosynthesis in the C3 species under ambient conditions. In vitro ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and stromal fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (sFBP) activities were sufficient to interpret the net photosynthetic rates (PN), but, from the decreases in PN values under high CO2 (C a = 700 µmol mol- 1) it is concluded that a decrease in the in vivo rate of the RuBPCO reaction may be an additional limiting factor under DS in the C3 species. The observed decline in the photosynthesis capacity of the C3-C4 species is suggested to be associated both to in vivo decreases of RuBPCO activity and of the RuBP regeneration rate. The decline of the maximum PN observed in the C4-like species under DS was probably attributed to a decrease in maximum RuBPCO activity and/or to decrease of enzyme substrate (RuBP or PEP) regeneration rates. In the C4 species, the decline of both in vivo photosynthesis and photosynthetic capacity could be due to in vivo inhibition of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) by a twofold increase of the malate concentration observed in mesophyll cell extracts from DS plants. and M. C. Dias, W. Brüggemann.
The effects of 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg(Cd2+) m-3 [Cd(NO3)2×4 H2O] and 0 and 10.0 mg m-3 gibberellin on certain parameters of photosynthesis and growth in soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Pershing) plants were studied. With increasing Cd2+ concentration in the Hoagland nutrient solution, the contents of chlorophyll and CO2 compensation concentration decreased. The addition of 10 mg m-3 gibberellin reduced the negative effects of Cd2+ in shoot and root growth. With increasing of Cd2+ concentration in the culture medium, the dry matter production in both the roots and shoots decreased as shown by the decline in growth rate (PGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and leaf area ratio. The addition of gibberellin caused a partial elimination of the Cd effects on the roots and shoots and the PGR and NAR and it increased leaf area and length of stem. and M. Ghorbanli, S. Hadad Kaveh, M. Farzami Sepehr.
Short-term responses of four carrot (Daucus carota) cultivars: Cascade, Caro Choice (CC), Oranza, and Red Core Chantenay (RCC) to CO2 concentrations (Ca) were studied in a controlled environment. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN), intercellular CO2 (Ci), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (E) were measured at Ca from 50 to 1 050 μmol mol-1. The cultivars responded similarly to Ca and did not differ in all the variables measured. The PN increased with Ca until saturation at 650 μmol mol-1 (Ci= 350-400 μmol mol-1), thereafter PN increased slightly. On average, increasing Ca from 350 to 650 and from 350 to 1 050 μmol mol-1 increased PN by 43 and 52 %, respectively. The PNvs.Ci curves were fitted to a non-rectangular hyperbola model. The cultivars did not differ in the parameters estimated from the model. Carboxylation efficiencies ranged from 68 to 91 μmol m-2 s-1 and maximum PN were 15.50, 13.52, 13.31, and 14.96 μmol m-2 s-1 for Cascade, CC, Oranza, and RCC, respectively. Dark respiration rate varied from 2.80 μmol m-2 s-1 for Oranza to 3.96 μmol m-2 s-1 for Cascade and the CO2 compensation concentration was between 42 and 46 μmol mol-1. The gs and E increased to a peak at Ca= 350 μmol mol-1 and then decreased by 17 and 15 %, respectively when Ca was increased to 650 μmol mol-1. An increase from 350 to 1 050 μmol mol-1 reduced gs and E by 53 and 47 %, respectively. Changes in gs and PN maintained the Ci:Ca ratio. The water use efficiency increased linearly with Ca due to increases in PN in addition to the decline in E at high Ca. Hence CO2 enrichment increases PN and decreases gs, and can improve carrot productivity and water conservation. and S. Kyei-Boahen ... [et al.].
High abundance of cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli) at the geothermal carbon dioxide spring area in Stavešinci indicates that this species is able to grow under widely varying CO2 concentrations. Living cockspur plants can even be found very close to gas-releasing vents where growth is significantly reduced. Plant height correlated well with CO2 exposure. The δ13C value of the CO2 spring air was -3.9 ‰ and δ13C values of high-, medium-, and low-CO2 plants were -10.14, -10.44, and -11.95 ‰, respectively. Stomatal response directly followed the prevailing CO2 concentrations, with the highest reduction of stomatal conductance in high CO2 concentration grown plants. Analysis of the curves relating net photosynthetic rate to intercellular CO2 concentration (PN-Ci curves) revealed higher CO2 compensation concentration in plants growing at higher CO2 concentration. This indicates adjustment of respiration and photosynthetic carbon assimilation according to the prevailing CO2 concentrations during germination and growth. There was no difference in other photosynthetic parameters measured. and D. Vodnik ... [et al.].
The long-term impact of elevated concentration of CO2 on assimilation activity of sun-exposed (E) versus shaded (S) foliage was investigated in a Norway spruce stand [Picea abies (L.) Karst, age 14 years] after three years of cultivation in two domes with adjustable windows (DAW). One DAW was supplied with ambient air [AC, ca. 350 µmol(CO2) mol-1) and the second with elevated CO2 concentration [EC = AC plus 350 µmol(CO2) mol-1]. The pronounced vertical profile of the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) led to the typical differentiation of the photosynthetic apparatus between the shaded and sun needles. Namely, photon-saturated values of maximal net photosynthetic rate (PNmax) and apparent quantum yield (α) were significantly higher/lower for E-needles as compared with the S-ones. The prolonged exposure to EC was responsible for the apparent assimilatory activity stimulation observed mainly in deeply shaded needles. The degree of this stimulation decreases in the order: S-needles dense part > S-needles sparse part > E-needles dense part > E-needles sparse part. In exposed needles some signals on a manifestation of the acclimation depression of the photosynthetic activity were found. The long-term effect of EC was responsible for the decrease of nitrogen content of needles and for its smoother gradient between E- and S-needles. The obtained results indicate that the E- and S-foliage respond differently to the long-term impact of EC. and M. V. Marek ... [et al.].
The decrease in inorganic phosphate (Pi) content of 10-d-old Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants did not affect rates of photosynthesis (PN) and respiration (RD), leaf growth, and adenylate concentration. Two weeks of phosphate starvation influenced the ATP content and leaf growth more than PN and RD. The ATP concentration in the leaves of 15- and 18-d-old phosphate deficient (-P) plants after a light or dark period was at least half of that in phosphate sufficient (+P, control) plants. Similar differences were found in fresh and dry matter of leaves. However, PN declined to 50 % of control in 18-d-old plants only. Though the RD of -P plants (determined as both CO2 evolution and O2 uptake) did not change, an increased resistance of respiration to KCN and higher inhibition by SHAM (salicylhydroxamic acid) suggested a higher engagement of alternative pathway in respiration and a lower ATP production. The lower demand for ATP connected with inhibition of leaf growth may influence the ATP producing processes and ATP concentration. Thus, the ATP concentration in the leaves depends stronger on Pi content than on PN and RD. and M. Mikulska, J.-L. Bomsel, A. M. Rychter.