Increasing canopy photosynthesis in rice can be achieved without a large increase in water use—A model based on free‐air CO2 enrichment

Achieving higher canopy photosynthesis rates is one of the keys to increasing future crop production; however, this typically requires additional water inputs because of increased water loss through the stomata. Lowland rice canopies presently consume a large amount of water, and any further increase in water usage may significantly impact local water resources. This situation is further complicated by changing the environmental conditions such as rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]). Here, we modeled and compared evapotranspiration of fully developed rice canopies of a high‐yielding rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L. cv. Takanari) with a common cultivar (cv. Koshihikari) under ambient and elevated [CO₂] (A‐CO₂ and E‐CO₂, respectively) via leaf ecophysiological parameters derived from a free‐air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment. Takanari had 4%–5% higher evapotranspiration than Koshihikari under both A‐CO₂ and E‐CO₂, and E‐CO₂ decreased evapotranspiration of both varieties by 4%–6%. Therefore, if Takanari was cultivated under future [CO₂] conditions, the cost for water could be maintained at the same level as for cultivating Koshihikari at current [CO₂] with an increase in canopy photosynthesis by 36%. Sensitivity analyses determined that stomatal conductance was a significant physiological factor responsible for the greater canopy photosynthesis in Takanari over Koshihikari. Takanari had 30%–40% higher stomatal conductance than Koshihikari; however, the presence of high aerodynamic resistance in the natural field and lower canopy temperature of Takanari than Koshihikari resulted in the small difference in evapotranspiration. Despite the small difference in evapotranspiration between varieties, the model simulations showed that Takanari clearly decreased canopy and air temperatures within the planetary boundary layer compared to Koshihikari. Our results indicate that lowland rice varieties characterized by high‐stomatal conductance can play a key role in enhancing productivity and moderating heat‐induced damage to grain quality in the coming decades, without significantly increasing crop water use.     

Leaf photosynthetic rate and mesophyll cell anatomy changes during ontogenesis in backcrossed <Emphasis Type="Italic">indica</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">japonica</Emphasis> rice inbred lines

The high-yielding indica rice variety, ‘Takanari’, has the high rate of leaf photosynthesis compared with the commercial japonica varieties. Among backcrossed inbred lines from a cross between ‘Takanari’ and a japonica variety, ‘Koshihikari’, two lines, BTK-a and BTK-b, showed approximately 20% higher photosynthetic rate than that of ‘Takanari’ for a flag leaf at full heading. This is a highest recorded rate of rice leaf photosynthesis. Here, the timing and cause of the increased leaf photosynthesis in the BTK lines were investigated by examining the photosynthesis and related parameters, as well as mesophyll cell anatomy during ontogenesis. Their photosynthetic rate was greater than that of ‘Takanari’ in the 13th leaf, as well as the flag leaf, but there were no differences in the 7th and 10th leaves. There were no consistent differences in the stomatal conductance, or the leaf nitrogen and Rubisco contents in the 13th and flag leaves. The total surface area of mesophyll cells per leaf area (TA_mes) in the 13th and flag leaves increased significantly in the BTK lines due to the increased number and developed lobes of mesophyll cells compared with in ‘Takanari’. The mesophyll conductance (g _m) became greater in the BTK lines compared with ‘Takanari’ in the flag leaves but not in the 10th leaves. A close correlation was observed between TA_mes and g _m. We concluded that the increased mesophyll conductance through the development of mesophyll cells during the reproductive period is a probable cause of the greater photosynthetic rate in the BTK lines.     

Identification and characterization of genomic regions on chromosomes 4 and 8 that control the rate of photosynthesis in rice leaves

DNA marker-assisted selection appears to be a promising strategy for improving rates of leaf photosynthesis in rice. The rate of leaf photosynthesis was significantly higher in a high-yielding indica variety, Habataki, than in the most popular Japanese variety, Koshihikari, at the full heading stage as a result of the higher level of leaf nitrogen at the same rate of application of nitrogen and the higher stomatal conductance even when the respective levels of leaf nitrogen were the same. The higher leaf nitrogen content of Habataki was caused by the greater accumulation of nitrogen by plants. The higher stomatal conductance of Habataki was caused by the higher hydraulic conductance. Using progeny populations and selected lines derived from a cross between Koshihikari and Habataki, it was possible to identify the genomic regions responsible for the rate of photosynthesis within a 2.1 Mb region between RM17459 and RM17552 and within a 1.2 Mb region between RM6999 and RM22529 on the long arm of chromosome 4 and on the short arm of chromosome 8, respectively. The designated region on chromosome 4 of Habataki was responsible for both the increase in the nitrogen content of leaves and hydraulic conductance in the plant by increasing the root surface area. The designated region on chromosome 8 of Habataki was responsible for the increase in hydraulic conductance by increasing the root hydraulic conductivity. The results suggest that it may be possible to improve photosynthesis in rice leaves by marker-assisted selection that focuses on these regions of chromosomes 4 and 8.     

水稻物质生产与氮、磷、钾、硅素积累特点及其相互关系

大田条件下研究了30个水稻基因型的干物质与N、P、K、Si积累特性及其相互关系.结果表明,水稻干物质积累总量随N、P、K和Si积累总量的增加呈直线增加,其相关系数早季和晚季均达极显著水平.同时,N、P、K、Si积累的平衡有利于干物质积累,干物质积累量随NBI(养分平衡指数)直线增加,随NDI(养分偏离指数)直线下降.30个水稻品种平均N、P、K、Si积累总量比值早季为3.76:1:4.55:7.10,晚季为2.88:1:4.54:8.09.干物质积累能力以中期最强,前期最弱,而N积累能力却以前期最强,后期最弱.水稻抽穗前积累的干物质主要分配在茎鞘中,当抽穗期茎鞘比率达到最大时,茎鞘重约为叶片重的2倍,而抽穗前积累的N主要分配在叶片中,叶片中N的分配比率全生育期均比干物质分配比率高.成熟期积累的干物质、N和P主要分配在穗部,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率分别为58.01%、66.42%和70.06%,而K主要分配在茎鞘中,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率为62.08%.早季Si在茎中的分配比率(43.11%)最大,而晚季却以穗中的分配比率(46.99%)最大.     

水稻物质生产与氮、磷、钾、硅素积累特点及其相互关系

大田条件下研究了30个水稻基因型的干物质与N、P、K、Si积累特性及其相互关系．结果表明,水稻干物质积累总量随N、P、K和Si积累总量的增加呈直线增加,其相关系数早季和晚季均达极显著水平．同时,N、P、K、Si积累的平衡有利于干物质积累,干物质积累量随NBI(养分平衡指数)直线增加,随NDI(养分偏离指数)直线下降．30个水稻品种平均N、P、K、Si积累总量比值早季为3．76：1：4．55：7．10,晚季为2．88：1：4．54：8．09．干物质积累能力以中期最强,前期最弱,而N积累能力却以前期最强,后期最弱．水稻抽穗前积累的干物质主要分配在茎鞘中,当抽穗期茎鞘比率达到最大时,茎鞘重约为叶片重的2倍,而抽穗前积累的N主要分配在叶片中,叶片中N的分配比率全生育期均比干物质分配比率高．成熟期积累的干物质、N和P主要分配在穗部,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率分别为58．01％、66．42％和70．06％,而K主要分配在茎鞘中,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率为62．08％．早季Si在茎中的分配比率(43．11％)最大,而晚季却以穗中的分配比率(46．99％)最大．     

Limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis at the anthesis and grain filling stages in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Panicle photosynthesis is crucial for grain yield in cereal crops; however, the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis are poorly understood, greatly impeding improvement in this trait. In the present study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis at the anthesis stage in seven rice genotypes and to examine the temporal variations in photosynthesis during the grain filling stage in the Liangyou 287 genotype. At the anthesis stage, leaf and panicle photosynthesis was positively correlated with stomatal conductance and maximum carboxylation rate, which were in turn associated with hydraulic conductance and nitrogen content, respectively. Panicle hydraulic conductance was positively correlated with the area of bundle sheaths in the panicle neck. During grain filling, leaf and panicle photosynthesis remained constant at the early stage but dramatically decreased from 8 to 9 days after anthesis. The trends of variations in panicle photosynthesis were consistent with those in stomatal conductance but not with those in maximum carboxylation rate. At first, the maximum carboxylation rate and respiration rate in the panicle increased, through elevated panicle nitrogen content, but then drastically decreased, as a result of dehydration. The present study systematically investigated the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis, which are vital for improving photosynthesis and crop yield.     

不同密度下臭氧胁迫对Ⅱ优084水稻光合作用和物质生产的影响—FACE研究

依托中国稻田臭氧FACE(free air ozone concentration enrichment)技术平台,以超级稻Ⅱ优084为供试材料,臭氧设置当前大气臭氧浓度和高臭氧浓度(比前者高50%),移栽密度设置低密度(16穴·m^-2)、中密度(24穴·m^-2)和高密度(32穴·m^-2),研究不同移栽密度条件下近地层臭氧浓度升高对水稻光合作用、物质生产以及茎鞘非结构性碳水化合物浓度和含量的影响.结果表明: 臭氧浓度升高使水稻移栽后63 d、77 d和86 d剑叶SPAD值分别下降6%、11%和13%,均达显著或极显著水平.臭氧胁迫下结实期叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率的降幅亦随时间推移而明显增加.高臭氧浓度使水稻抽穗至成熟期的物质生产量平均下降46%,从而使最终生物产量下降25%,均达显著水平.臭氧浓度升高使水稻拔节后茎鞘可溶性糖和淀粉的浓度和含量均显著降低,但使抽穗前茎鞘贮藏同化物的转运率大幅增加.方差分析表明,臭氧与密度间的互作对水稻所有测定参数均无显著影响.综上,近地层臭氧浓度升高使超级稻Ⅱ优084生育中后期的光合和生长均明显受抑,但这种抑制作用不受移栽密度的影响.
     

Restricting the above ground sink corrects the root/shoot ratio and substantially boosts the yield potential per panicle in field‐grown rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice has shallow, weak roots, but it is unknown how much increase in yield potential could be achieved if the root/shoot ratio is corrected. Removing all tillers except the main one, in a japonica (Sakha 101) and an indica (IR64) rice cultivar, instantly increased the root/shoot ratio from 0.21 to 1.16 in Sakha 101 and from 0.16 to 1.46 in IR64. Over 30 days after detillering, the root/shoot ratios of the detillered plants decreased to 0.49 in Sakha 101 and 0.46 in IR64 but remained significantly higher than in the controls. The detillered plants showed two‐ or fourfold increase in the main tiller fresh weight, as a consequence of more positive midday leaf relative water content (RWC), and consistently higher rates of stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, but not transpiration, compared with the controls. The enhanced photosynthesis in Sakha 101 after detillering resulted from both improved water status and higher Rubisco contents whereas in IR64, increasing the Rubisco content did not contribute to improving photosynthesis. Detillering did not increase the carbohydrate contents of leaves but prevented starch depletion at the end of grain filling. The leaf protein content during vegetative and reproductive stages, the grain filling rate, the number of filled grains per panicle were greatly improved, bringing about 38.3 and 35.9% increase in the harvested grain dry weight per panicle in Sakha 101 and IR64, respectively. We provide evidence that improving the root performance by increasing the root/shoot ratio would eliminate the current limitations to photosynthesis and growth in rice.     

水稻生长及其体内C、N、P组成对开放式空气CO2浓度增高和N、P施肥的响应

采用FACE（Free Air Carbon-dioxide Enrichment)技术,研究了不同N、P施肥水平下,水稻分蘖期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期根、茎、穗生长,C/N比、N、P含量及N、P吸收对大气CO2浓度升高的响应,结果表明,高CO2促进水稻茎、穗和根的生长,增加分蘖期叶干重,对拔节期、抽穗期的成熟期叶干重没有显著增加,降低茎、叶N含量;增加抽穗期穗N含量;降低成熟期穗N含量;对分蘖期根N含量影响不显著,而降低拔节期,抽穗期和成熟期根N含量,增加拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期叶P含量,对茎、穗、根P含量影响不显著,水稻各组织C含量变化不显著,C/N比增加,显著增加水稻地上部分P吸收;增加N吸收,但没有统计显著性,N、P施用对水稻各组织生物量没有显著影响,高N（HN）比低N（LN）增加组织中N含量,而不同P肥水平间未表现出明显差异,高N条件下高CO2增加水稻成熟期地下部分/地上部分比,文中还讨论了高CO2对N、P含量及地下部分/地上部分比的影响机制。     

水稻生长及其体内C、N、P组成对开放式空气CO2浓度增高和N、P施肥的响应

采用FACE(Free Air Carbon-dioxide Enrichment)技术,研究了不同N、P施肥水平下,水稻分蘖期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期根、茎、叶、穗生长,C/N比,N、P含量及N、P吸收对大气CO₂浓度升高的响应.结果表明,高CO₂促进水稻茎、穗和根的生长.增加分蘖期叶干重,对拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期叶干重没有显著增加.降低茎、叶N含量;增加抽穗期穗N含量,降低成熟期穗N含量;对分蘖期根N含量影响不显著,而降低拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期根N含量.增加拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期叶P含量,对茎、穗、根P含量影响不显著.水稻各组织C含量变化不显著.C/N比增加.显著增加水稻地上部分P吸收;增加N吸收,但没有统计显著性.N、P施用对水稻各组织生物量没有显著影响.高N(HN)比低N(LN)增加组织中N含量,而不同P肥水平间未表现出明显差异.高N条件下高CO₂增加水稻成熟期地下部分/地上部分比.文中还讨论了高CO₂对N、P含量及地下部分/地上部分比的影响机制.     

Characterization of a rice variety with high hydraulic conductance and identification of the chromosome region responsible using chromosome segment substitution lines

Background and Aims

The rate of photosynthesis in paddy rice often decreases at noon on sunny days because of water stress, even under submerged conditions. Maintenance of higher rates of photosynthesis during the day might improve both yield and dry matter production in paddy rice. A high-yielding indica variety, ‘Habataki’, maintains a high rate of leaf photosynthesis during the daytime because of the higher hydraulic conductance from roots to leaves than in the standard japonica variety ‘Sasanishiki’. This research was conducted to characterize the trait responsible for the higher hydraulic conductance in ‘Habataki’ and identified a chromosome region for the high hydraulic conductance.

Methods

Hydraulic conductance to passive water transport and to osmotic water transport was determined for plants under intense transpiration and for plants without transpiration, respectively. The varietal difference in hydraulic conductance was examined with respect to root surface area and hydraulic conductivity (hydraulic conductance per root surface area, L_p). To identify the chromosome region responsible for higher hydraulic conductance, chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from a cross between ‘Sasanishiki’ and ‘Habataki’ were used.

Key Results

The significantly higher hydraulic conductance resulted from the larger root surface area not from L_p in ‘Habataki’. A chromosome region associated with the elevated hydraulic conductance was detected between RM3916 and RM2431 on the long arm of chromosome 4. The CSSL, in which this region was substituted with the ‘Habataki’ chromosome segment in the ‘Sasanishiki’ background, had a larger root mass than ‘Sasanishiki’.

Conclusions

The trait for increasing plant hydraulic conductance and, therefore, maintaining the higher rate of leaf photosynthesis under the conditions of intense transpiration in ‘Habataki’ was identified, and it was estimated that there is at least one chromosome region for the trait located on chromosome 4.     

Landrace of japonica rice,Akamai exhibits enhanced root growth and efficient leaf phosphorus remobilization in response to limited phosphorus availability

Aims

Phosphorus (P) acquisition through extensive root growth and P allocation to different plant organs through efficient remobilization are important for acclimation of crop plants to P-limited environments. This study elucidated changes in rice root growth and leaf P-remobilization and their influence on grain yield under P deficiency.

Methods

Two pot experiments were conducted with (P100) and without (P0) inorganic P supply using two Japanese rice cultivars: Akamai (Yamagata) and Koshihikari. Multiple harvests were made until the panicle initiation stage. Root and shoot growth response, P acquisition, and temporal leaf P-remobilization efficiency were measured. A separate experiment ascertained the final yield and grain P status.

Results

The Akamai rice cultivar showed enhanced root growth and more acquired soil P. The Akamai root dry weight was 66% greater than that of Koshihikari under P0. Confronting P deficiency, Akamai remobilized some P from its lower mature leaves to upper younger leaves starting from early growth. The remobilized P fraction increased to 72% at panicle initiation under P0. Under P0, Akamai exhibited two-fold higher leaf P-remobilization efficiency than under P100.

Conclusions

Enhanced root growth that facilitates acquisition of more soil P through better soil exploration coupled with efficient leaf P remobilization from the early growth stage improves adaptation of Akamai rice cultivar to P-limited environments. Nevertheless, P-starvation responses did not facilitate higher grain yields in P-limited conditions.

     

开放式空气CO2增高对水稻物质生产与分配的影响

在大田栽培条件下,研究开放式空气CO2增加(FACE)200μmol·mol^-1的处理对水稻物质生产与分配的影响．结果表明,FACE处理使移栽至抽穗后20d的干物质积累量显著增加,使抽穗后20d至成熟期的干物质生产量显著减少,生物产量显著提高．移栽至抽穗期的干物质积累量增加是由于叶面积系数和净同化率共同提高所致;抽穗期至抽穗后20d的干物质积累量增加主要是由于叶面积系数的增加所致;抽穗后20d至成熟期的干物质生产量减少主要是由于净同化率的下降所造成．提高茎鞘占全株干物重的比例,降低叶片占全株干物重的比例,对穗占全株干物重的比例无显著影响,能显著提高水稻抽穗期茎鞘中可溶性糖、淀粉的含有率和含量,提高FACE处理的生物产量能极显著提高水稻产量(r＝0．7825)．     

稻鸭共生系统中鸭品种对水稻生长特性的影响

鸭子品种间的差异对稻鸭共生系统中水稻的生长特性可能有重要影响.为了探究鸭子品种对水稻生长特性的影响,选取水鸭(SY)、洋鸭(YY)和绿头鸭(LTY)3个常见鸭品种作为处理,以水稻常规单作(CK)为对照,采用随机区组设计的方法进行田间小区试验,研究其对水稻根部、茎部、叶部性状及水稻产量的影响.结果 表明:YY和LTY处理...     

高羊茅叶片表皮蜡质含量与其抗旱性的关系

以14个高羊茅品种为试验材料,在田间试验中对干旱高温胁迫下的叶片表皮蜡质含量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度等生理指标测定分析。结果表明,干热胁迫下高羊茅品种间的叶片表皮蜡质含量和水分利用效率均存在极显著差异(P<0.01);叶片蜡质含量与综合抗旱性和水分利用效率的等级相关系数分别为0.78(P<0.01)和0.68(P<0.01);蜡质含量越高的品种,其叶片气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度越低,水分利用效率越高,但所有品种的水分利用效率绝对值都较低。研究发现,在干热胁迫时,高羊茅叶片表皮蜡质可通过对气孔导度的调节来减少气孔蒸腾,提高水分利用效率,最终提高其抗旱性;表皮蜡质含量可以作为高羊茅品种抗旱性鉴定的一个新指标。     

不同生态环境下水稻基因型产量形成与源库特性的比较研究

以日本和IRRI的9个水稻品种为材料,分别以武香粳9号和两优培九为对照,在江苏南京和云南丽江研究了不同水稻基因型干物质积累与源库形成特征及其在不同生态环境下的差异.结果表明,生态环境对水稻产量和干物质积累量影响显著.高产水稻品种积累了高额干物质量,且干物质生产优势在中后期.高产品种的总颖花量、LAI及群体生长速率(CGR)都较高.稻谷产量随干物质积累总量的增加而提高,与齐穗后干物质积累量、总颖花量和LAI呈极显著正相关,与粒叶比呈显著正相关.与云南丽江点相比,群体LAI、单位面积颖花量和抽穗后干物质积累量少及生长速率(CGR)低是南京点稻谷产量低的关键因素.     

Photosynthesis and root characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in floating culture

To address the issue of water eutrophication and to use water more effectively, we conducted experiments on rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in floating culture. From 2009 to 2011, we compared the photosynthesis and root characteristics of the rice, hybrid line Zhuliangyou 02, grown under a conventional tillage and in a floating culture in Huaihua, the home of hybrid rice. Rice in the floating culture showed a higher net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance than that under the conventional tillage. The activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malic enzyme were 32 and 28% higher, respectively, in rice in the floating culture than under the conventional tillage. Rice in the floating culture also showed significantly greater number of roots, root activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity than that under the conventional tillage. Compared with rice under the conventional tillage, rice in the floating culture had 18 and 24% higher tiller number and effective panicle number, respectively. These results suggested that the floating culture system can promote rice production through enhancing root absorption, increasing effective panicle number, and improving the photosynthetic rate. In addition, rice cultivated in the floating culture could remove excess nutrients from water, which addresses the problems of a lack of arable land and water pollution.     

开放式空气CO2浓度增高对水稻冠层微气候的影响

利用位于江苏省无锡市安镇的我国唯一的农田开放式空气CO₂浓度增高(FACE)系统平台,于2001年8月26日至10月13日(水稻抽穗至成熟期)进行水稻作物冠层微气候连续观测,以研究FACE对水稻冠层微气候特征的影响.结果表明,FACE降低了水稻叶片的气孔导度,FACE与对照水稻叶片气孔导度的差异上层叶片大于下层叶片,生长前期大于生长后期.FACE使白天水稻冠层和叶片温度升高,这种差异生长前期大于生长后期;但FACE对夜间水稻冠层温度的影响不明显.在水稻旺盛生长的抽穗开花期,晴天正午前后FACE水稻冠层温度比对照高1.2℃;从开花至成熟期,FACE水稻冠层白天平均温度比对照高0.43℃.FACE对冠层空气温度也有影响,白天水稻冠层空气温度FACE高于对照,这种差异随太阳辐射增强而增大且冠层中部大于冠层顶部;冠层中部空气温度FACE与对照的差异(T_face-T_ambient)日最大值在0.47～1.2℃之间,而冠层顶部的T_face-T_ambient日最大值在0.37～0.8℃之间.夜间水稻冠层空气温度FACE与对照差别不大,变化在±0.3℃之内.而FACE对水稻冠层空气湿度无显著影响,表明FACE使水稻叶片气孔导度降低,从而削弱了植株的蒸腾降温作用,导致水稻冠层温度和冠层空气温度升高,改变了整个水稻冠层的温度环     

Differential adaptation of two varieties of common bean to abiotic stress: II. Acclimation of photosynthesis

The photosynthetic characteristics of two contrasting varieties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) have been determined. These varieties, Arroz and Orfeo, differ in their productivity under stress conditions, resistance to drought stress, and have distinctly different stomatal behaviour. When grown under conditions of high irradiance and high temperature, both varieties displayed evidence of photosynthetic acclimation at the chloroplast level-there was an increase in chlorophyll a/b ratio, a decreased content of Lhcb proteins, and an increased xanthophyll cycle pool size. Both varieties also showed reduced chlorophyll content on a leaf area basis and a decrease in leaf area. Both varieties showed an increase in leaf thickness but only Arroz showed the characteristic elongated palisade cells in the high light-grown plants; Orfeo instead had a larger number of smaller, rounded cells. Differences were found in stomatal development: whereas Arroz showed very little change in stomatal density, Orfeo exhibited a large increase, particularly on the upper leaf surface. It is suggested that these differences in leaf cell structure and stomatal density give rise to altered rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Whereas, Arroz had the same photosynthetic rate in plants grown at both low and high irradiance, Orfeo showed a higher photosynthetic capacity at high irradiance. It is suggested that the higher yield of Orfeo compared with Arroz under stress conditions can be explained, in part, by these cellular differences.     

Effects of prolonged restriction in water supply on photosynthesis, shoot development and storage root yield in sweet potato

Besides the paucity of information on the effects of drought stress on photosynthesis and yield in sweet potato [ Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.], available reports are also contradictory. The aim of this study was to shed light on the effects of long-term restricted water supply on shoot development, photosynthesis and storage root yield in field-grown sweet potato. Experiments were conducted under a rainout shelter where effects of restricted water supply were assessed in two varieties (Resisto and A15). Large decreases in stomatal conductance occurred in both varieties after 5 weeks of treatment. However, continued measurements revealed a large varietal difference in persistence of this response and effects on CO₂ assimilation. Although restricted water supply decreased leaf relative water content similarly in both varieties, the negative effects on stomatal conductance disappeared with time in A15 (indicating high drought acclimation capacity) but not in Resisto, thus leading to inhibition of CO₂ assimilation in Resisto. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements, and the relationship between stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration and CO₂ assimilation rate, indicated that drought stress inhibited photosynthesis primarily through stomatal closure. Although yield loss was considerably larger in Resisto, it was also reduced by up to 60% in A15, even though photosynthesis, expressed on a leaf area basis, was not inhibited in this variety. In A15 yield loss appears to be closely associated with decreased aboveground biomass accumulation, whereas in Resisto, combined effects on biomass accumulation and photosynthesis per unit leaf area are indicated, suggesting that research aimed at improving drought tolerance in sweet potato should consider both these factors.