不同碱度条件下中华水韭昼夜CO_2气体交换的特征

运用pH-drift的方法研究了在不同碱度条件下中华水韭(Isoetes sinensis)的沉水叶片昼夜CO_2吸收的特征.结果表明中华水非的沉水叶片具有昼夜吸收水中CO_2的能力,而不具备利用水中的HCCO3的能力,进一步证明了水生植物中华水韭的光合碳同化途径具有景天酸代谢(CAM)的特征.中华水韭沉水叶片光照条件下对水中CO_2的吸收速率在一定的浓度范围内正相关于水中的CO_2浓度.光照条件下,中华水韭的pH-drift实验的pH补偿点分别为(8.1±0.3)和(7.9±0.1)mmol·L~(-1),最终[C_T]/Alk值为(1.009±0.01)和(1.022±0. 004).碱度对中华水韭夜晚CO_2的吸收速率有显著的影响(F=38.73,P<0.0001).总碱度1.70mmol·L~(-1)溶液中的中华水韭沉水叶片在相对较低的CO_2浓度(0.04±0.001mmol·L~(-1))水平下即表现出对CO_2的净吸收.调查了野外一处中华水韭沉水种群的生境pH值及CO_2浓度的昼夜变化,发现水体碱度约为1.59mmol·L~(-1),一昼夜的pH值波动不大,平均为(6.1±0.04),昼夜CO_2浓度存在波动,午夜水中的CO_2浓度是午后的近3倍.     

不同氮素水平下增温及[CO2]升高综合作用对蒙古栎幼苗生物量及其分配的影响

 蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)是东北地区天然次生林重要组成树种, 研究该树种对未来气候变暖的响应, 可为预测未来气候变暖情况下蒙古栎林的发展动态、制定合理的经营措施提供科学参考。该文旨在探讨不同的供氮水平下, CO₂浓度和温度升高综合作用对蒙古栎幼苗生物量及其分配的影响。实验采用人工气候箱控制, 控制条件分别为温度升高4 ℃(ET)、CO₂浓度倍增(700 μmol CO₂ ·mol^–1) × 温度升高4 ℃ (ECET)和对照(正常温度, CO₂浓度为400 μmol CO₂·mol^–1) (CK), 每个控制条件幼苗的基质分别用3种氮素水平处理: N1 (15 mmol·L^–1 N)、N2 (7.5 mmol·L^–1 N)和N3 (不施氮)。研究结果显示, 1)在ET条件下, N1明显促进幼苗茎的高生长、径生长和生物量积累, 幼苗生物量的分配随氮素浓度的增加, 地下生物量所占的比例增大。2) ECET条件下N1明显促进幼苗的高生长, 但对径生长影响不显著, 对幼苗总生物量积累的影响不显著。但N1增加了地下生物量的比例。3) ET与ECET条件下幼苗叶片的碳氮比均随供氮水平降低而升高, 但ECET下碳氮比的升高是由于叶片碳含量较高引起的, 而ET条件下则是由于叶片氮含量的降低而引起的。ECET和ET条件较低的氮素供应水平综合作用对蒙古栎幼苗的生物量积累无促进作用。因此, 在未来气候变化情况下, 土壤中充足的氮供给可能将促进蒙古栎幼苗的生长, 增加其天然更新潜力, 并增加其碳库容。     

不同氮素浓度下CO2浓度、温度对蒙古栎（Quercus mongolica）幼苗叶绿素含量的影响

叶片中叶绿素含量在光合作用中的光吸收、传递和转换过程中起到重要作用。为了预测未来大气CO2浓度升高并伴随温度上升的情况下,植物在不同的氮素营养水平下光合能力的变化,做了在3种氮素水平下（15mmol·L^-1 N,7.5mmol·L^-1 N和不施氮）CO₂倍增和温度升高4℃对蒙古栎一年生幼苗叶片中叶绿素含量的影响的实验。结果表明：氮素水平对叶绿素含量影响显著,在CO₂倍增(700μmol·mol^-1)、高温(+4℃)和正常温度、大气CO₂浓度条件下,高氮素水平下的叶绿素含量明显高于正常氮素水平和不施氮;CO₂浓度和温度对叶绿素含量的影响受到氮素的制约：在高氮的条件下CO₂浓度倍增促进叶绿素a、b的合成,而且对叶绿素b合成的促进尤为显著;而温度升高4℃能够促进叶绿素a的合成,但是对叶绿素b含量的影响不显著。在正常氮素条件下叶绿素a、叶绿素b及总量各个处理间的差异均不显著;在不施氮的条件下,CO₂倍增和升高适当的温度在一定的程度上可以促进叶绿素a的合成,不能同时保证叶绿素b的合成。CO₂浓度升高明显导致蒙古栎幼苗对氮素水平的需求也增加,高温条件下的蒙古栎幼苗也在一定程度上增加了对氮素的需求。     

C4荒漠植物猪毛菜与木本猪毛菜的叶片解剖结构及光合生理特征

 为了比较C₄荒漠植物猪毛菜(Salsola collina)和木本猪毛菜(S. arbuscula)的抗旱结构和适应环境的光合作用特征, 在二者混生的群落中, 选择代表性植株, 采集叶片进行叶片解剖结构分析, 在自然条件下测定了二者叶片的气体交换参数。研究结果表明：猪毛菜叶片具表皮毛, 具有更发达的薄壁贮水组织;木本猪毛菜叶片具有更厚的角质层, 表皮下有1层下皮细胞, 其栅栏组织细胞较长, 排列更紧密。猪毛菜的净光合速率明显高于木本猪毛菜, 日平均值分别为21.5和15.7 μmol CO₂·m^–2·s^–1。猪毛菜的蒸腾速率也明显高于木本猪毛菜, 日平均值分别为14.9和10.2 mmol·m^–2·s^–1。猪毛菜和木本猪毛菜的水分利用效率的日平均值分别为1.39和1.53 μmol CO₂·mmol^–1 H₂O, 特别是在14:00时分别为1.61和2.30 μmol CO₂·mmol^–1 H₂O, 木本猪毛菜高出猪毛菜约42%。猪毛菜的光补偿点低于木本猪毛菜, 而光饱和点和光量子效率较高, 具有更低的CO₂补偿点。这表明：二者的旱生结构不同, 木本猪毛菜具有更显著的荒漠植物特征;在适于二者混生的环境下, 猪毛菜比木本猪毛菜的光合能力更强, 而木本猪毛菜的水分利用效率更高。     

不同浓度NaCl和Na2CO3处理对菊芋幼苗光合及叶绿素荧光的影响

 以砂培菊芋(Helianthus tuberosus)幼苗作为试验材料,分别进行不同浓度NaCl (50、 100、150、200、250 mmol&;#8226;L^－1)和Na₂CO₃ (25、50、 75、100、125 mmol&;#8226;L^－1)胁迫处理,以1/2全营养液作为对照,处理7 d后研究NaCl和Na₂CO₃胁迫处理对菊芋幼苗叶片光合作用及叶绿素动力学 参数的影响。结果表明：1)在NaCl处理下,当浓度小于150 mmol&;#8226;L^－1时,增加了菊芋的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Net photosynthetic rate, P_n)和气孔导度(Stomatal conductivity, G_s),对荧光参数PSⅡ的电子传递情况( F_m/F_o)、PSⅡ原初光能转换效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ量子效率 (Actual quantum yield of PSⅡ under actinic irradiation,φPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭系数(Photochemical quenching coefficient, qP)和非 光化学猝灭系 数(Non-photochemical quenching coefficient, NPQ)没有显著影响,随着浓度的增加,各项生理指标与对照相比除了NPQ显著 增加,其余均显著降低;2)在Na₂CO₃胁迫处理下,随着Na₂CO₃浓度的增加,与对照相比菊芋幼苗叶绿素含量、P_n、G_s以及叶绿素a荧光诱导动力 学参数F_m/F_o、F_v/F_m、φPSⅡ和qP均显著降低,NPQ显著增加;3)就NaCl和Na₂CO₃相比而言,在相同Na⁺浓度情况下,处于Na₂CO₃胁迫下的菊芋 幼苗的叶绿素含量、P_n、G_s以及叶绿素a荧光诱导动力学参数F_m/F_o、F_v/F_m、φPSⅡ和qP下降幅度和NPQ的增加幅度均显著大于NaCl,这说明 NaCl和Na₂CO₃胁迫均对菊芋幼苗造成不同程度的伤害,但在相同Na⁺浓度情况下,Na₂CO₃的伤害程度大于NaCl。由此说明菊芋对盐的忍耐程度高 于碱。     

短期CO2加富对凤梨光合作用及生长发育的影响

 研究了CO₂加富对丹尼斯凤梨（Guzmania`Denise’）和吉利凤梨（Guzmania `Cherry’）叶片光合速率、植株生长、开花和光合相关酶活性的 影响。结果表明,处理30 d期间,处理(600±40)、(900±40) μmol CO₂&;#8226;mol^-1的净光合速率分别比同期对照增加了6.24%～31.91%和11.92%～ 41.48%;CO₂加富下促进了叶片中可溶性糖和淀粉的积累, 蒸腾速率和气孔导度下降,Rubisco活性增加,乙醇酸氧化酶活性则明显下降。(600 ±40)μmol CO₂&;#8226;mol^-1处理下的株高、叶面积分别比同期对照下增加了6.94%～14.63%和1.66%～7. 06%,而处理(900±40) μmol CO₂&;#8226;mol^-1下 分别增加了9.71%～20.85%和2.87%～11.62%;CO₂加富下促进了干重和鲜重的积累。此外,CO₂加富提前了吉利凤梨的花期。     

加富对凤梨光合作用及生长发育的影响

研究了CO₂加富对丹尼斯凤梨（Guzmania`Denise’）和吉利凤梨（Guzmania `Cherry’）叶片光合速率、植株生长、开花和光合相关酶活性的 影响。结果表明,处理30 d期间,处理(600±40)、(900±40) μmol CO₂&#8226;mol^-1的净光合速率分别比同期对照增加了6.24%～31.91%和11.92%～ 41.48%;CO₂加富下促进了叶片中可溶性糖和淀粉的积累, 蒸腾速率和气孔导度下降,Rubisco活性增加,乙醇酸氧化酶活性则明显下降。(600 ±40)μmol CO₂&#8226;mol^-1处理下的株高、叶面积分别比同期对照下增加了6.94%～14.63%和1.66%～7. 06%,而处理(900±40) μmol CO₂&#8226;mol^-1下 分别增加了9.71%～20.85%和2.87%～11.62%;CO₂加富下促进了干重和鲜重的积累。此外,CO₂加富提前了吉利凤梨的花期。     

不同氮素水平下二氧化碳加富对草莓叶片光抑制的影响

用便携式调制叶绿素荧光仪和光合仪研究了强光下不同供氮水平（12、4和0.4 mmol·L^-1）和不同CO₂浓度下（700和390 μl·L^-1）丰香草莓叶片的荧光参数及净光合速率的变化.结果表明,CO₂和氮素对草莓叶片光抑制有明显的互作效应.在富CO₂下,12 mmol·L^-1供氮水平的草莓叶片净光合速率升高了62.7%,4和0.4 mmol·L^-1供氮水平则分别降低了7.4%和21.3%;12 mmol·L^-1供氮水平的F_m和F_v/F_m在强光胁迫时降辐减小,暗恢复时F_m和F_v/F_m恢复程度提高,而4和0.4 mmol·L^-1供氮水平却相反.表明氮素供应不足时草莓叶片在富CO₂环境下光合作用出现适应性下调,光抑制增强.     

CO2浓度升高与氮沉降对南亚热带森林生态系统植物生物量积累及分配格局的影响

 CO₂浓度升高与氮沉降增加对陆地生态系统的耦合作用已成为全球变化的研究热点。应用大型开顶箱(OTC)人工控制手段研究了人工生态系统在1)高CO₂(700±20 μmol·mol^–1)+高氮沉降(100 kg N·hm^–2·a^–1)(CN); 2)高CO₂(700±20 μmol·mol^–1)+背景氮沉降(C＋); 3)高氮沉降(100 kg N· hm^–2·a^–1)＋背景CO₂(N＋); 4)背景CO₂＋背景氮沉降处理(CK) 4种处理条件下荷木 (Schima superba)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)、海南红豆(Ormosia pinnata)、肖蒲桃(Acmena acuminatissima)、红鳞蒲桃(Syzygium hancei)等主要南亚热带森林植物的生物量积累模式及其分配格局。连续近3年的实验结果表明: 不同处理条件下, 各参试植物生物量积累具有不同的响应特征, N＋处理显著促进荷木、肖蒲桃及红鳞蒲桃生物量的积累; C＋处理显著促进肖蒲桃、海南红豆生物量的积累; CN处理显著促进除红锥外其他物种生物量的积累, 并且具有两者单独处理的叠加效应。不同处理改变物种生物量的分配模式, N＋处理降低植物的根冠比, 促进地上部分生物量的积累; C＋处理增加红锥和红鳞蒲桃地下部分生物量的分配, 却促进荷木和海南红豆地上部分的积累; CN处理仅促进红磷蒲桃地下部分的积累。群落生物量的积累与分配格局取决于优势物种的生物量及其分配格局在群落中所占的权重。     

处理对菊芋幼苗光合及叶绿素荧光的影响

以砂培菊芋(Helianthus tuberosus)幼苗作为试验材料,分别进行不同浓度NaCl (50、 100、150、200、250 mmol&#8226;L^－1)和Na₂CO₃ (25、50、 75、100、125 mmol&#8226;L^－1)胁迫处理,以1/2全营养液作为对照,处理7 d后研究NaCl和Na₂CO₃胁迫处理对菊芋幼苗叶片光合作用及叶绿素动力学 参数的影响。结果表明：1)在NaCl处理下,当浓度小于150 mmol&#8226;L^－1时,增加了菊芋的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Net photosynthetic rate, P_n)和气孔导度(Stomatal conductivity, G_s),对荧光参数PSⅡ的电子传递情况( F_m/F_o)、PSⅡ原初光能转换效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ量子效率 (Actual quantum yield of PSⅡ under actinic irradiation,φPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭系数(Photochemical quenching coefficient, qP)和非 光化学猝灭系 数(Non-photochemical quenching coefficient, NPQ)没有显著影响,随着浓度的增加,各项生理指标与对照相比除了NPQ显著 增加,其余均显著降低;2)在Na₂CO₃胁迫处理下,随着Na₂CO₃浓度的增加,与对照相比菊芋幼苗叶绿素含量、P_n、G_s以及叶绿素a荧光诱导动力 学参数F_m/F_o、F_v/F_m、φPSⅡ和qP均显著降低,NPQ显著增加;3)就NaCl和Na₂CO₃相比而言,在相同Na⁺浓度情况下,处于Na₂CO₃胁迫下的菊芋 幼苗的叶绿素含量、P_n、G_s以及叶绿素a荧光诱导动力学参数F_m/F_o、F_v/F_m、φPSⅡ和qP下降幅度和NPQ的增加幅度均显著大于NaCl,这说明 NaCl和Na₂CO₃胁迫均对菊芋幼苗造成不同程度的伤害,但在相同Na⁺浓度情况下,Na₂CO₃的伤害程度大于NaCl。由此说明菊芋对盐的忍耐程度高 于碱。     

Oxygen Exchange in Relation to Carbon Assimilation in Water-stressed Leaves During Photosynthesis

In a study on metabolic consumption of photosynthetic electronsand dissipation of excess light energy under water stress, O₂and CO₂ gas exchange was measured by mass spectrometry in tomatoplants using ¹⁸O₂ and ¹³CO₂. Under water stress, gross O₂ evolution(E_O), gross O₂ uptake (U_O), net CO₂ uptake (P_N), gross CO₂ uptake(TPS), and gross CO₂ evolution (E_C) declined. The ratio P_N/E_Ofell during stress, while the ratios U_O/E_O and E_C/TPS rose.Mitochondrial respiration in the light, which can be measureddirectly by ¹²CO₂ evolution during ¹³CO₂ uptake at 3000 µll^{–1 13}CO₂, is small in relation to gross CO₂ evolutionand CO₂ release from the glycolate pathway. It is concludedthat PSII, the Calvin cycle and mitochondrial respiration aredown-regulated under water stress. The percentages of photosyntheticelectrons dissipated by CO₂ assimilation, photorespiration andthe Mehler reaction were calculated: in control leaves morethan 50 % of the electrons were consumed in CO₂ assimilation,23 % in photorespiration and 13 % in the Mehler reaction. Undersevere stress the percentages of electrons dissipated by CO₂assimilation and the Mehler reaction declined while the percentageof electrons used in photorespiration doubled. The consumptionof electrons in photorespiration may reduce the likelihood ofdamage during water deficit.     

Carbon Dioxide Exchange of Developing Apple (Malus pumila Mill.) Fruits

The carbon dioxide exchange of developing apple fruits was monitoredduring development. The results of measurements on detachedfruits in the laboratory were consistent with those made onattached fruit in the field. Respiration rate at 20 °C inthe dark declined from 120 ng CO₂ g^–1 fr. wt. s_–1on 5 June (4 weeks after full bloom) to less than 3 ng g^–1fr. wt. s^–1 by late September. In the light, net CO₂ evolutionwas much decreased, but on no occasion did photosynthesis exceedrespiration and no net CO₂ uptake was detected. The Q₁₀ fordark respiration over the interval from 15 to 25 °C changedfrom 2.8 in early June to 1.6 in early August     

Induction and Repression of CAM in Sedum telephium L. in Response to Photoperiod and Water Stress

Lee, H. S. J. and Griffiths, H. 1987. Induction and repressionof CAM in Sedurn relephluni L. in response to photopcnod andwater stress.—J. exp. Bot. 38: 834–841. The introduction and repression of CAM in Sedurn telephiunmL, a temperate succulent, was investigated in watered, progressivelydrouglited and rewatered plants in growth chambers. Measurementswere made of water vapour and CO₂ exchange, titratable acidity(TA) and xylem sap tension. Effects of photoperiod were alsostudied. CAM was induced by drought under long or short days,although when watered no CAM activity was expressed. C₃-CAM intermediate plants were used for the investigation ofwater supply. Those which had received water and those drought-stressedboth displayed a similar nocturnal increase in TA, with a day-nightmaximum (H+) of 69 µmol g^–1 fr. wt. The wateredplants took up CO₂ at a maximum rate of 2?2 µmol m^–2s^–1 only in the light period, while the droughted plantsshowed a maximum nocturnal CO₂ uptake rate of 0?69 µmolm^–2 s^–1. Subsequently, as CAM was repressed, thewatered S. telephiwn displayed little variation in TA, withconstant levels at 42 µmol g^–1 fr. wt. (day 10).After 10 d of drought stress, the CAM characteristics of S.telephiurn were aLso affected, with reduced net CO₂ uptake andH+. The transition between C₃ and CAM in S. telephium can be describedas a progression in terms of the proportion of respiratory CO₂which is recycled and refixed at night as malic acid, in comparisonwith net CO₂ uptake. Recycling increased from 20% (day 1) to44% (day 10) as a result of the drought stress and was highin both the CAM-C₃ stage (no net CO2 uptake at night) and alsoin the drought-stressed CAM stage (reduced net CO₂ uptake atnight). The complete C₃-CAM transition occurred in less than8 d, and the stages could be characterized by xylem sap tensionmeasurements: CAM = 0?50 MPa C₃-CAM = 0?36 MPa C₃ = 0?29 MPa. Key words: CAM, Sedum telephium L., recycling     

Sources of Inorganic Carbon Acquired through CAM in Littorella uniflora (L.) Aschers

Madsen, T. V. 1987. Sources of inorganic carbon acquired throughCAM in Littorella uniflora (L.) Aschers.—J. exp. Bot.38: 367–377. The CO₂ dynamics of the lacunal air and the relative contributionof external and internal CO₂ sources to dark CO₂ assimilationwas examined in the submerged aquatic CAM species Littorellauniflora (L.) Aschers. Refixation of internal CO₂, released by dark respiration, constitutedabout 30–35% of the total dark CO₂ assimilation. At aCO₂ concentration of 0·2 mol m^–3 around the leavesthe external CO₂ uptake through the roots increased from 45%of the total CO₂ uptake at 0·7 mol m^–3 CO₂ to 100%at 1·6 mol m^–3 and 3·1 mol m^–3 CO₂around the roots. The negligible importance of leaf CO₂ uptakeat high CO₂ concentrations around the roots was the result ofa causative high CO₂ concentration in the leaf lacunae. The CO₂ permeability of Littorella leaves was high relativeto root permeability. This has at least two ecological implications:(1) it enhances the potential diffusive release of CO₂ fromthe sediment C0₂-pool via the lacunal system of the plants.This loss of CO₂, however, was found to be greatly reduced byCAM activity of the plants. (2) The high permeability of theleaf surface to CO₂ exchange allows the plants to assimilateCO₂ from the water surrounding the leaves when the concentrationis high, i.e. during extensive epiphyte dark respiration. Thus,CAM tends to facilitate retension of a high CO₂ pool in thesediment-plant system and at the same time allows the plantsto exploit the water column CO₂ source when it is abundant.This result is in accordance with the general idea that CAMin aquatics constitute a carbon conserving mechanism. Key words: Aquatic macrophytes, dark CO₂ assimilation, inorganic carbon sources     

Changes in apparent photosynthesis, CO2 compensation point and dark respiration of leaves of some Poaceae and Cyperaceae species with senescence

CO₂ exchange characteristics of detached mature and senescentflag leaves and of bracts in some Poaceae and Cyperaceae species,respectively, were studied using a closed IR system. Senescentleaves, 30 to 45 days after flowering, showed lower rates ofapparent photosynthesis and dark respiration, and higher CO₂compensation points (CCP) than those measured at the floweringstage. In senescent C₄-Poaceae, the increase of CCP was small(from 4.8 to 10.1 ppm on the average) with little influenceof temperature, and the photorespiration level, 0.4 mg CO₂/dm²/hr,was as low as that in mature leaf, indicating the presence ofnormal C₄-characteristics. On the other hand, a C₄-Cyperaceae,Cyperus microria Steud., showed extensive increases of CCP (from9 to 41 ppm) and photorespiration (from 0.8 to 2.1 mg CO₂/dm²/hr)with senescence. (Received August 25, 1979; )     

Cladode development, environmental responses of CO2 uptake, and productivity for Opuntia ficus-indica under elevated CO2

Opuntia ficus-indica, an extremely productive CAM plant cultivatedin many countries, was exposed to 36, 52, and 72–73 PaCO₂ in field plots and open-top chambers. Initiation of newcladodes (stem segments) was monitored until the canopy closed,after which bimonthly harvests maintained the plants for oneyear at a cladode area per unit ground area that is optimalfor biomass production. Doubling the CO₂ partial pressure slightlyincreased the number of first-order daughter cladodes growingon the basal (planted) cladodes after 3 months and nearly doubledthe number and area of second-order cladodes. When the C02 levelwas doubled, cladodes were 5% thicker after a few months and11 to 16% thicker after one year. Although the productivityenhancement by elevated C02 tended to decrease during the year,the annual above-ground dry-mass gain was 37 to 40% higher whenthe C02 level was doubled, reaching 65 tons hectare^–1year^–1 in a field plot. Well-watered cladodes at day/nightair temperatures of 25°C/15°C and a total daily photosyntheticphoton flux (PPF) of 15 mol m^–2 d^–1 in controlledenvironment chambers had 74% more net CO₂ uptake over 24 h at73 Pa than at 37 Pa CO₂. With doubled CO₂, the percentage enhancementof net CO₂ uptake increased as the PPF was lowered, as the temperaturewas raised, and during drought. Using an environmental productivityindex based on such factors, net CO₂ uptake and hence productivityof O. ficus-indica can be predicted for elevated CO₂ levelsand other variations accompanying global climate change. Key words: Crassulacean acid metabolism, environmental productivity index, gas exchange, global climate change, plant growth     

The Effect of Temperature and Light on Gas Exchange and Acid Accumulation in the C3-CAM Plant Clusia minor L

Gas exchange and organic acid accumulation of the C₃-CAM intermediateClusia minor L. were investigated in response to various day/nighttemperatures and two light regimes (low and high PAR). For bothlight levels equal day/night temperatures between 20°C and30°C caused a typical C₃ gas exchange pattern with all CO₂uptake occurring during daylight hours. A day/ night temperatureof 15°C caused a negative CO₂ balance over a 24 h periodfor low-PAR-grown plants while high-PAR-grown plants showeda CAM gas exchange pattern with most CO₂ uptake taking placeduring the dark period. However, there was always a considerablenight-time accumulation of malic acid which increased when thenight-time temperature was lowered and had its maximum (54 mmolm^–2) at day/night temperature of 30/15°C. A significantamount of malic acid accumulation (23 mmol m^–2) in low-PAR-grownplants was observed only at 30/15°C. Recycling of respiratoryCO₂ in terms of malic acid accumulation reached between 2·0and 21·5 mmol m_–2 for high-PAR-grown plants whilethere was no significant recycling for low-PAR-grown plants.Both low and high-PAR-grown plants showed considerable night-timeaccumulation of citric acid. Indeed under several temperatureregimes low-PAR-grown plants showed day/night changes in citricacid levels whereas malic acid levels remained approximatelyconstant or slightly decreased. It is hypothesized that lowand high-PAR-grown plants have different requirements for citrate.In high-PAR-grown plants, the breakdown of citrate preventsphotoinhibition by increasing internal CO₂ levels, whereas inlow-PAR-grown plants the night-time accumulation of citric acidmay function as an energy and carbon saving mechanism. Key words: C. minor, C₃, CAM, citric acid, light intensity     

The Response of the C3-CAM Tree, Clusia rosea, to Light and Water Stress: I. GAS EXCHANGE CHARACTERISTICS

Gas exchange measurements were undertaken on 2-year-old plantsof Clusia rosea. The plants were shown to have the ability toswitch from C₃-photosynthesis to CAM and vice versa regardlessof leaf age and, under some conditions, CO₂ was taken up continuously,throughout the day and night. The light response was saturatedby 120 µmol m^–2 s^–1 typical of a shade plant. Gas exchange patterns in response to light, water and VPD wereexamined. All combinations of daytime and night-time CO₂ uptakewere observed, with rates of CO₂ uptake ranging from 2 to 11µmol m^–2 s^–1 depending upon water status andlight. Categorization of this plant asC₃, CAM or an intermediateis impossible. Differing VPD affected the magnitude of changesfrom CAM to C₃-photosynthesis (0 to 0.5 and 0 to 6.0 µmolm^–2 s^–1 CO₂, respectively) when plants were watered.Under well-watered conditions, but not under water stress, highPPFD elicited changes from CAM to C₃ gas exchange. This is unusualnot only for a shade plant but also for a plant with CAM. Itis of ecological importance for C. rosea, which may spend theearly years of its life as an epiphyte or in the forest understorey,to be able to maximize photosynthesis with minimal water loss. Key words: Clusia rosea, CAM, C₃, stress     

Physiology and Growth of Wheat Across a Subambient Carbon Dioxide Gradient

Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 'Yaqui 54' and'Seri M82', were grown along a gradient of daytime carbon dioxideconcentrations ([CO₂]) from near 350-200 µmol CO₂ mol^-1air in a 38 m long controlled environment chamber. Carbon dioxidefluxes and evapotranspiration were measured for stands (plantsand soil) in five consecutive 7·6-m lengths of the chamberto determined potential effects of the glacial/interglacialincrease in atmospheric [CO₂] on C₃ plants. Growth rates andleaf areas of individual plants and net assimilation per unitleaf area and daily (24-h) net CO₂ accumulation of wheat standsrose with increasing [CO₂]. Daytime net assimilation (P_D, mmolCO₂ m^-2 soil surface area) and water use efficiency of wheatstands increased and the daily total of photosynthetic photonflux density required by stands for positive CO₂ accumulation(light compensation point) declined at higher [CO₂]. Nighttimerespiration (R_N, mmol CO₂ m^-2 soil surface) of wheat, measuredat 369-397 µmol mol^-1 CO₂, apparently was not alteredby growth at different daytime [CO₂], but R_N /P_D of stands declinedlinearly as daytime [CO₂] and P_D increased. The responses ofwheat to [CO₂], if representative of other C₃ species, suggestthat the 75-100% increase in [CO₂] since glaciation and the30% increase since 1800 reduced the minimum light and waterrequirements for growth and increased the productivity of C₃plants.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbon accumulation, evapotranspiration, light compensation point, net assimilation, respiration, Triticum aestivum, water use efficiency, wheat