Ecophysiological adaptation of green roof plant Sedum lineare to temperature variation

以屋顶生长的佛甲草为材料,通过光照培养箱进行不同温度条件处理,分别测量了叶片的CO2交换、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数以及植株不同部位的碳同位素比率变化(δ13 C).结果表明:持续高温/低温、较大的昼夜温差和叶表面风力的条件下,佛甲草为适应环境变化,光合会由C3代谢途径转变成景天酸代谢途径(CAM),是兼性CAM植物.短期降温会使叶片光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)发生不可逆失活,光合能力下降;复水后有助于PSⅡ的恢复和重建,而干旱天气会减缓恢复过程;在不利温度环境中生长的佛甲草老叶掉落较多,剩余叶片的叶绿素含量和Fv/Fm值增高,光合能力提高.δ13C测定结果显示,高温使嫩叶气孔导度降低,对成熟叶片气孔导度影响小,佛甲草茎杆虽然含有叶绿素,但没有明显的光合作用.     

不同温度处理对虎耳草叶片气体交换及叶肉结构的影响

在人工气候箱中对盆栽虎耳草进行处理,测定不同温度条件下虎耳草叶片光合特征、叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性、叶肉结构等生理形态指标。结果表明：低温处理后,虎耳草叶片净光合速率、气孔导度下降迅速,叶绿素含量最少,SOD、CAT活性最低,MDA含量最高,栅栏组织排列更紧密,移置正常温度下,光合速率能在短时间内恢复;高温处理的净光合速率下降速度不及低温处理,但叶片海绵组织显著增加,光合速率恢复较慢。     

海拔梯度对巴郎山奇花柳叶片δ13C的影响

2010年在四川卧龙自然保护区选择海拔为2350、2700、3150和3530 m的4个分布地点,研究了巴郎山海拔梯度对奇花柳叶片13C、光合、CO2扩散导度、氮含量、光合氮利用效率( PNUE)和比叶面积(SLA)的影响.结果表明:随着海拔的升高,目标树种叶片氮含量(尤其是单位面积氮含量)及PNUE增加,叶片δ13C值也随之显著增加,且海拔每升高1000 m,δ13C增加1.4‰;CO2扩散导度(气孔导度和叶肉细胞导度)的增加,在一定程度上阻碍了叶片δ13C值随海拔升高,但不足以改变δ13C值随海拔升高的趋势;羧化能力是羧化位点与外界CO2分压比( Pc/Pa),甚至δ13C的限制因子.在海拔2350～2700m,奇花柳光合系统内部氮素分配主要受温度的影响,而2700～3530 m的光照作用可能更大.奇花柳的SLA随海拔无显著变化.     

浑善达克沙地不同光合途径植物叶片气体交换和水势特征(英文)

以生长于浑善达克沙地上的C3植物白榆(Ulmus pumila)、C4植物沙米(Agriophyllum pungens)和CAM植物钝叶瓦松(Orostachys malacophyllus)3种不同光合途径植物为材料,测定了它们生长期叶片的光合气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数和水势,探讨它们对生长环境的生理响应特征.结果表明,白榆和沙米的净光合速率、气孔导度均高于钝叶瓦松,特别是在夏季高温(>40℃)和强光照(>2 100 μmol·m-2·s-1)条件下表现得更加明显.白榆和沙米的光合速率、叶片水势都发生了严重的午休现象,其白天光合速率的降低主要是由于气孔关闭造成的.钝叶瓦松的叶片水势在3种植物中最高,但是白天的光合速率很低;其Fv/Fm值在14:00最低,一天中此时光系统II受伤害最大;CAM物种瓦松的碳固定仅发生在夜间.研究发现,C3植物白榆和C4植物沙米比CAM植物钝叶瓦松对热和高光照有着更强的忍耐力,瓦松固定碳主要发生在生长最快的阶段;CAM植物瓦松为了能够在夏季强光和高温条件下生存,它必须进行高强度的呼吸,仅在早晨和夜间进行碳固定.     

C3植物稳定碳同位素组成与盐分的关系

植物在盐生环境中δ13C值的改变可能包含两个成分:一个是盐分对CO2的扩散、传递或光合速率的影响而引起的δ13C值的改变;另一个是光合途径的转换引起的δ13C值的变化,δ13C值的大小与诱导发生CAM或C4代谢的程度有关.植物组织的δ13C值随盐度的变化趋势除了与植物本身固有的耐盐性有关以外,盐度和胁迫时间是影响植物δ13C的重要因素.根据盐生条件下同位素分馏特点可知,盐生植物与非盐生植物的δ13C随盐度的变化趋势有所不同.对非盐生植物而言,在低盐度和短期的盐处理下,随盐度的增加和胁迫时间的延长植物的δ13C值增大,这个阶段限制光合作用的主要因素是气孔导度;但是如果盐度过低,δ13C变化很小,则难以表现出应有的相关性;随着胁迫的加强,当限制光合作用的非气孔因素成为主导因素时,由于光合作用受到强烈抑制(光合结构遭到破坏),δ13C将随之降低.对盐生植物而言,其δ13C与最适盐度有关.最适盐度下,植物的δ13C低于其它盐度条件下的δ13C值.盐生条件下,有些C3植物可能发生光合途径的转换,无论诱导发生的是C4代谢还是CAM代谢,δ13C值均趋于增大.但是,一般情况下,盐处理诱导的光合途径的改变对植物组织整体的δ13C的影响很小.在密闭环境中或郁闭林地,植物和土壤呼吸释放的CO2再次参与光合作用,也会改变植物的δ13C值.为了更加全面地考察植物δ13C与盐度的关系,需要设置较大的盐度范围和进行长期的胁迫处理,才能够获得相对充分的数据,才有利于全面分析植物δ13C值与耐盐性的关系.     

外源亚精胺对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合作用的影响

采用营养液栽培,研究了外源亚精胺对50mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗植株生长、叶片叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数(PSⅡ光化学效率)的影响。结果表明:NaCl胁迫显著降低了黄瓜植株生长量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)(P<0.05),但对PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ФPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(qP)、有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)、非光化学淬灭(qN)和PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)无显著影响(P>0.05);外源亚精胺显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜植株生长量、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度,增加了ФPSⅡ、qP、Fv′/Fm′,降低了qN(P<0.05);外源亚精胺对Fv/Fm影响不显著(P>0.05)。外源施加亚精胺可增强盐胁迫下黄瓜植株的光合能力,主要是由于减弱了盐胁迫对植株的气孔限制,但对PSⅡ实际光化学效率影响较小,且叶面喷施比根施处理对改善盐胁迫下植株的生长和光合作用更有效。     

遮荫对异株荨麻光合特性和荧光参数的影响

系统研究了全光照和不同程度的遮荫(43%,58%,73%,87%,97%)对异株荨麻光合特性和荧光参数的影响。结果表明,异株荨麻的光补偿点和光饱和点均较低,且随着遮荫程度的提高,其值以及暗呼吸速率均依次降低。净光合速率日变化曲线呈单峰型,光合速率高峰值和日平均光合速率均随着遮荫程度的提高而明显下降。蒸腾速率和气孔导度的日变化与光合速率的日变化趋势一致,遮荫对蒸腾作用和气孔导度均有显著的影响,随着遮荫程度的提高,蒸腾速率和气孔导度均显著下降。在各光照条件下,蒸腾速率与气孔导度呈显著正相关。蒸腾速率和气孔导度与光合速率的相关性随遮荫条件的不同而异,全光照条件下蒸腾速率与光合速率呈显著正相关,而所有遮荫条件下相关性不显著。气孔导度与光合速率在所有光照下相关性均不显著。各遮荫条件下叶片总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量均显著高于全光照的,且随遮荫程度的提高叶绿素含量呈上升趋势,而叶绿素a/b的值则随着遮荫程度的提高而下降。叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ内禀光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)和潜在活性(Fv/Fo)日变化呈单谷曲线。各遮荫条件下Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo值均高于全光照的,且随着遮荫程度的提高其值均依次增加。这说明,异株荨麻是一种耐荫性很强的植物,遮荫可使其降低光补偿点、光饱和点、净光合速率、暗呼吸速率以及叶绿素a/b,但增加总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量、光能利用率以及PSⅡ原初光能转化效率和潜在活性,以增强在弱光条件下的生长发育能力。     

盐胁迫抑制槲栎2变种光合作用的机理研究

以不同浓度NaCl处理北京槲栎和锐齿槲栎的2年生幼苗,研究盐胁迫条件对其生长、光合作用及叶绿素荧光特性的影响。结果表明,(1)随着盐浓度的增加,总叶面积、植株鲜重和干重、叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、气孔限制值(Ls)、叶绿素含量(Chl)和光系统Ⅱ光合电子传递量子效率(ФPSⅡ)均显著降低,而光系统Ⅱ的初始荧光(F0)和光化学效率(Fv/Fm)无显著变化。(2)北京槲栎生长受盐胁迫的干扰小于锐齿槲栎,其净光合速率下降幅度相对较小,光合结构受胁迫的程度小于锐齿槲栎。     

重金属对盐生草光合生理生长特性的影响

以盐生草幼苗为试验材料,分别设置0(CK)、50、100、200、400μg?g-1的Ni2+、Cu2+处理,研究重金属Ni2+和Cu2+对盐生草光合生理特性的影响.结果表明:盐生草叶片光合色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度Gs、蒸腾速率Tr、PSⅡ最大光化学效率Fv/Fm、非光化学猝灭系数qN及生长指标(株高、地上部干重和鲜重)在50μg?g-1的Ni2+处理时均达到最大值,后随Ni2+浓度继续增加,其叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、Pn、Gs、Tr、Fv/Fm、PSⅡ电子传递量子产率ΦPSⅡ、光化学猝灭系数qP、qN及各项生长指标逐步下降并低于对照水平,而细胞间隙CO2浓度(Ci)较对照呈增加趋势.在50μg?g-1的Cu2+处理时,盐生草叶片光合色素含量、Pn、Gs、Tr、Ci、Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、qP、qN及各项生长指标均达峰值;在100μg?g-1Cu2+处理时,光合色素含量、Pn、Gs、Tr、Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、qN及各项生长指标较对照仍有增加,而后随Cu2+浓度继续增加,其叶绿素a、叶绿素b、各光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数及生长指标均逐步降低并低于对照.可见,盐生草Pn在Ni2+胁迫下的下降主要是由非气孔限制所致,而Cu2+胁迫下的下降主要是由气孔限制所致;低浓度Ni2+和Cu2+对盐生草生长具有一定促进作用,过高浓度Ni2+和Cu2+则会通过抑制盐生草叶片叶绿素合成,影响其光合作用,从而抑制植株生长.     

渭北黄土区农林复合系统中大豆辣椒的光合生理特性

研究了农林复合系统不同处理对大豆、辣椒的光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明,从单作到距李子1m处,随着距李子树越近,遮光愈多.各处理大豆、辣椒的光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)表现出与光合有效辐射(PAR)基本一致的日变化模式,且与单作相比,各处理大豆、辣椒的光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均有不同程度的降低.相关性分析结果表明二者的光合速率、气孔导度及蒸腾速率均与光合有效辐射呈正相关关系.随着遮荫程度的提高,大豆、辣椒叶绿素含量和表观量子效率(Ф)升高,光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)降低.二者叶绿素荧光参数最大光能转换效率( Fv / Fm ) 、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率(ФPSⅡ ) 以及光化学猝灭系数( qP)均有不同程度的升高,而非光化学猝灭系数( qN P)却逐渐降低.说明大豆、辣椒能适应弱光环境,在较低的光照条件下正常生长.     

超高产杂交稻‘华安3号’冠层不同衰老程度叶片的光合功能

 较系统地研究了抽穗期超高产杂交稻‘华安3号’（`X075’×`紫恢100’）冠层顶部5片叶片的光合功能。结果表明,‘华安3号’剑叶的光系统Ⅱ（PSＩＩ）光化学最大效率(Fv/Fm)、开放的PSⅡ反应中心捕获激发能效率（Fv′/Fm′）、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率（ΦPSⅡ）、光化学猝灭系数（qP）、表观电子传递效率（ETR）、光合色素尤其是叶绿素（Chl）和类胡萝卜素（Car）中的新黄素、黄体素和β-胡萝卜素（β-Car）的含量等均优于其下的各叶,而PSⅡ的激发压力（1-qP）低于其它叶片。经对叶片低温（77K）荧光发射光谱的Gaussian解析,与其它各叶片相比,剑叶PSⅡ核心天线复合物CP47和光系统Ⅰ（PSⅠ）的含量较高,而非活性的PSⅡ捕光色素蛋白复合体（LHCⅡ）聚集态含量较少。研究证明：1）水稻在决定籽粒产量的生育后期,其干物质的积累主要是由冠层最上面的3片叶的光合作用所提供;2）在叶片衰老过程中,光合反应中心的衰老早于天线系统;3）杂交稻的光保护途径之一,可能在于光抑制条件下通过增加PSⅠ含量及其对光能的吸收并刺激环式电子传递高速运转,从而对光合器起保护作用;4）水稻叶片在衰老过程中,可能通过部分Chl b还原为Chl a,以降低LHCⅡ的含量,从而减少对光能的捕获,达到降低光抑制的伤害。     

基于叶绿素荧光成像及荧光参数分布特征的叶片光合异质性定量分析

植物叶片光合作用具有高度的空间异质性,叶绿素荧光成像技术为叶片光合异质性的研究提供了便利,但叶片光合异质性的定量分析并没有得到广泛应用。本文利用ImagingPAM叶绿素荧光成像系统,获得 中亚热带地区越冬期小叶榕（Ficus microcarpa）阳生叶和阴生叶的叶绿素荧光参数图像,并利用仪器的分析软件对其进行分析,定量比较了阳生叶和阴生叶的光合异质性特征。研究发现：越冬期小叶榕阳生叶的光合异质性和光抑制程度明显高于阴生叶,变异系数可作为光合异质性的定量指标。低温强光导致阳生叶坏死率（P_LN）达4.30%,并有53.30%的区域处于严重光抑制（0<F_v/F_m<0.627）,但仍有42.27%的区域仅为轻度光抑制（0.627≤ F_v/F_m<0.800）。而低温弱光并未造成阴生叶坏死和严重光抑制。通过对光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）的实际光合效率 （Y（Ⅱ））、调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NPQ））和非调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NO））荧光参数异质性的定量分析表明,阳生叶具有相对较高的光化学能力,阴生叶则具有相对较高的热耗散能力;冬季强光虽然会导致小叶榕阳生叶PSⅡ严重激发压积累,存在严重光抑制的潜在风险,但其致死面积并不大,叶片中仍存在一定面积低激发压的低风险区,而低温弱光下的阴生叶则主要以低风险区域为主。     

早熟桃夏季叶色转红过程中的光化学响应特征

比较研究了‘早美’和‘春蕾’2个早熟桃品种夏季叶色转红对太阳光能的利用和光系统Ⅱ的叶绿素荧光特征的影响。结果表明：早熟桃叶片色素组成的变化会显著影响其光合和叶绿素荧光特性。叶色转红后,早熟桃净光合速率（Pn）日均值、PSII最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、PSII实际光化学效率（ФPSII）均上升,无显著光抑制,而绿叶对照‘红花碧桃’的电子传递速率（ETR）、Fv／Fm和ФPSII值均显著下降,7月光合明显受抑制。叶色转红程度较深的‘早美’在夏季高温强光下表现优于‘春蕾’和对照。淬灭分析表明：叶片花色素苷的积累能在短时间内增加PSII天线色素吸收的光能用于光化学反应的份额（P）与用于反应中心热耗散的相对份额（D）。转红后的叶片光化学淬灭系数（qp）显著高于绿叶,PSII光化学效率较高,但耗散过剩激发能的能力显著低于绿叶对照。     

高温对仁用杏光合特性及PSⅡ光化学活性的影响

为探讨高温胁迫下仁用杏叶片的光合适应机制,以科尔沁沙地生长的4年生'超仁'仁用杏为试材,设置环境温度为25℃、30℃、40℃和50℃处理,利用气体交换技术和快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线分析技术(JIP-test),研究了仁用杏叶片光合特性和PSⅡ光化学活性.结果表明:在一定温度范围内,随着温度升高,仁用杏通过提高光合色素含量和比例来维持光能的吸收、传递和转换能力,从而保证光合机构正常运转;当高温超过叶片自身生理调节限度后,叶绿素发生分解、净光合速率(Pn)明显下降、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)上升,说明光合作用的下降是由叶肉因素造成的.温度40℃导致单位面积有活性反应中心数量(RC/CSo)显著下降;而50℃高温下荧光诱导曲线中K点(Wk)和J点(Vj)明显增加,高温对仁用杏叶片放氧复合体(OEC)、受体侧和PsⅡ反应中心造成了伤害.此外,50℃高温还导致初始荧光(Fo)显著升高,为对照的2.26倍,PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和光化学性能指数(PI/ABS)分别下降为对照的37.9%和10.3%.高温损害了PSⅡ供体侧和受体侧的功能,造成光合效率下降,这是高温胁迫对仁用杏叶片光合机构伤害的主要机制之一.     

适度高温下亚热带阔叶树种叶片的光合速率和吸收光能的分配

 利用光合作用测定系统（Li-COR 6400和叶室荧光仪）,测定了亚热带阔叶树种的光合速率和荧光参数,分析了38 ℃适度高温对叶片光合作用 和吸收光能分配的影响。测试树种包括华南亚热带地区常见的阳生性树种木荷（Schima superba）、耐荫树种黄果厚壳桂（Cryptocarya concinna）和中生性树种红锥（Castanopsis hystrix）。适度高温处理均引起 所有树种的光合能力下降,而且木荷和红锥下降的程度比黄果 厚壳桂明显。与25 ℃的对照温度相比,适度高温处理的木荷叶片用于光化学反应所消耗的光能下降,红锥和黄果厚壳桂也有相似的反应,表明 适度高温限制叶片用于光化学反应的吸收光能。无论哪个树种,38 ℃适度高温处理的植物,叶片总吸收光能中额外多余的那部分和处于非活化 状态PSⅡ所吸收的那部分光能都增加,而且黄果厚壳桂比木荷和红锥显著,因此,亚热带阔叶森林的树种对适度高温的响应因种类而异。研究 结果意味着将来气候变化导致温度的上升对演替后期树种黄果厚壳桂的光合过程的限制比演替早期的树种木荷和中生性树种红锥会更严重。     

Clusia: Holy Grail and enigma

Clusia is the only genus with bona fide dicotyledonous trees performing Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Clusia minor L. is extraordinarily flexible, being C(3)/CAM intermediate and expressing the photosynthetic modes C(3), CAM, CAM-cycling, and CAM-idling. C(3) photosynthesis and CAM can be observed simultaneously in two opposite leaves on a node and possibly even within the same leaf in the interveinal lamina and the major vein tissue, respectively. The relative activity of photosystem II (PhiPSII) indicating photosynthetic energy use, is larger under photorespiratory than under non-photorespiratory conditions due to the particular energy demand of photorespiration. The heterogeneity of PhiPSII over the leaves as visualized by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging in the C(3) mode is larger under non-photorespiratory conditions than under photorespiratory conditions. These observations indicate that photorespiration, presumably by its particular energy demand, synchronizes photosynthetic activity over the leaves. In the CAM mode, the heterogeneity of PhiPSII is more dependent on the transitions between CAM phases. Free-running circadian oscillations of photosynthesis are strongly dampened in both the C(3) and the CAM mode. Photorespiration is under circadian clock control in both the C(3) and the CAM mode. PhiPSII and the heterogeneity of PhiPSII oscillate in phase with CO(2) uptake and photorespiration only under non-photorespiratory conditions. Under photorespiratory conditions, PhiPSII does not oscillate and there is no heterogeneity, again indicating the stabilizing function of photorespiration. Plants acclimatized to perform CAM switch to C(3) photosynthesis during free-running oscillations while subjected to constant illumination.     

Paraheliotropic leaf movement in Siratro as a protective mechanism against drought-induced damage to primary photosynthetic reactions: damage by excessive light and heat

Damage to primary photosynthetic reactions by drought, excess light and heat in leaves of Macroptilium atropurpureum Dc. cv. Siratro was assessed by measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence emission kinetics at 77 K (-196°C). Paraheliotropic leaf movement protected waterstressed Siratro leaves from damage by excess light (photoinhibition), by heat, and by the interactive effects of excess light and high leaf temperatures. When the leaves were restrained to a horizontal position, photoinhibition occurred and the degree of photoinhibitory damage increased with the time of exposure to high levels of solar radiation. Severe inhibition was followed by leaf death, but leaves gradually recovered from moderate damage. This drought-induced photoinhibitory damage seemed more closely related to low leaf water potential than to low leaf conductance. Exposure to leaf temperatures above 42°C caused damage to the photosynthetic system even in the dark and leaves died at 48°C. Between 42 and 48°C the degree of heat damage increased with the time of exposure, but recovery from moderate heat damage occurred over several days. The threshold temperature for direct heat damage increased with the growth temperature regime, but was unaffected by water-stress history or by current leaf water status. No direct heat damage occurred below 42°C, but in water-stressed plants photoinhibition increased with increasing leaf temperature in the range 31–42°C and with increasing photon flux density up to full sunglight values. Thus, water stress evidently predisposes the photosynthetic system to photoinhibition and high leaf temperature exacerbates this photoinhibitory damage. It seems probable that, under the climatic conditions where Siratro occurs in nature, but in the absence of paraheliotropic leaf movement, photoinhibitory damage would occur more frequently during drought than would direct heat damage.Abbreviations and symbols PFD photon flux area density - PSI, PSII photosyntem I, II - F _M, F _O, F _V maximum, instantaneous, variable fluorescence emission - PLM paraheliotropic leaf movement; all data of parameter of variation are mean ± standard error     

Water relations,chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> fluorescence,and contents of saccharides in tree species of a tropical forest in response to flood

We studied the seasonal changes in water relations, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and leaf saccharide contents of the tropical flood-tolerant trees Acosmium nitens, Campsiandra laurifolia, Eschweilera tenuifolia, Symmeria paniculata, and Psidium ovatifolium. Xylem water potential increased with flooding to a larger extent than leaf sap osmotic potential in all the species, and soluble sugars contributed up to 66 % of osmotic potential at maximum flooding. Starch was accumulated in leaves. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem 2 decreased in emerged leaves, values being always higher than 0.76. Daily maximum net photosynthetic rate and leaf conductance decreased in all the species. This reduction was associated in all the species but S. paniculata with the absence of a compensatory increase in non-photochemical quenching.This research was financially supported by CONICIT grant S1-96001345. E. Rengifo was funded by a CONICIT scholarship.     

The Heterogeneity and Spatial Patterning of Structure and Physiology across the Leaf Surface in Giant Leaves of Alocasia macrorrhiza

Leaf physiology determines the carbon acquisition of the whole plant, but there can be considerable variation in physiology and carbon acquisition within individual leaves. Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott is an herbaceous species that can develop very large leaves of up to 1 m in length. However, little is known about the hydraulic and photosynthetic design of such giant leaves. Based on previous studies of smaller leaves, and on the greater surface area for trait variation in large leaves, we hypothesized that A. macrorrhiza leaves would exhibit significant heterogeneity in structure and function. We found evidence of reduced hydraulic supply and demand in the outer leaf regions; leaf mass per area, chlorophyll concentration, and guard cell length decreased, as did stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate and quantum efficiency of photosystem II. This heterogeneity in physiology was opposite to that expected from a thinner boundary layer at the leaf edge, which would have led to greater rates of gas exchange. Leaf temperature was 8.8°C higher in the outer than in the central region in the afternoon, consistent with reduced stomatal conductance and transpiration caused by a hydraulic limitation to the outer lamina. The reduced stomatal conductance in the outer regions would explain the observed homogeneous distribution of leaf water potential across the leaf surface. These findings indicate substantial heterogeneity in gas exchange across the leaf surface in large leaves, greater than that reported for smaller-leafed species, though the observed structural differences across the lamina were within the range reported for smaller-leafed species. Future work will determine whether the challenge of transporting water to the outer regions can limit leaf size for plants experiencing drought, and whether the heterogeneity of function across the leaf surface represents a particular disadvantage for large simple leaves that might explain their global rarity, even in resource-rich environments.     

Chilling sensitivity of the frost-tolerant potato Solanum commersonii

Frost tolerance has been reported in the shoots of wild, tuberiferous potato species such as Solanum commersonii when the plants are grown in either field or controlled conditions. However, these plants can survive as underground tubers and avoid unfavorable environmental conditions altogether. As such, leaf growth and photosynthesis at low temperature may not be required for survival of the plants. In order to determine the temperature sensitivity of S. commersonii shoots, we examined leaf growth, development and photosynthesis in plants raised at 20/16°C (day/night). 12/9°C and 5/2°C. S. commersonii leaves grown at 5°C exhibited a marked decrease in leaf area and in total chlorophyll (Chl) content per leaf area when compared with leaves grown at 20°C. Furthermore, leaves grown at 5°C did not exhibit the expected decrease in either water content or susceptibility to low-temperature-induced photoinhibition that normally characterizes cold acclimation in frost-tolerant plants. Measurements of CO₂-saturated O₂ evolution showed that the photosynthetic apparatus of 5°C plants was functional, even though the efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry was reduced by growth at 5°C. A decrease in the resolution of the M-peak in the slow transients for Chl a fluorescence in leaves grown at 12 and 5°C and in all leaves exposed to high light at 5°C indicated that low temperature significantly affected processes on the reducing side of Q_A, the primary quinone electron acceptor in photosystem II. Thus S. commarsonii exhibits the characteristics of a plant that is limited by chilling temperatures. Although S. commersonii can tolerate light frosts, its sensitivity to chilling temperatures may result in shoot dieback in winter in its native habitat. The plants may avoid both chilling and freezing temperatures by overwintering as underground tubers.