外源脯氨酸对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片AsA-GSH循环和光合荧光特性的影响

以抗热性较弱的黄瓜品种‘新泰密刺'为试材,在人工气候箱内采用营养液栽培法,研究了外源脯氨酸(Pro)预处理对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环和光合荧光特性的影响.结果显示:(1)与清水处理相比,高温胁迫4 h和8 h时,Pro预处理黄瓜幼苗叶片单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)活性、GSH(还原型谷胱甘肽)/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值及GSH含量显著升高;(2)在高温胁迫8 h时,Pro预处理幼苗的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)及PSⅡ的最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光化学淬灭系数(q_P)均显著升高,而蒸腾速率(T_r)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)降低.研究表明,外源Pro预处理可显著提高高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环清除H_2O_2能力和叶片光合能力,有效缓解高温胁迫对黄瓜叶片抗氧化系统和光合系统的伤害,从而增强植株的耐热性.     

不同遮阴条件下麦冬光合和叶绿素荧光特性研究

不同植物具有不同的生理特征,其对光照的应激性也不相同。因此,在进化过程中植物形成了特有光照需求量来适应自身生长。利用LI-6400XT型便携式光合作用测定仪测定5种光强处理(透光率分别为95%、72%、48%、24%和8%)下麦冬叶片的光合指标及叶绿素荧光参数指标。随相对光强的增加,表观量子效率(AQE)随着光照强度的增大表现出先升高后减小的趋势,麦冬叶片的色素含量和初始荧光强度(F0)增加,叶绿素ab值呈现先增加后减小的趋势;荧光参数PSⅡ最大光能转化效率升高,作用光下实际的PSⅡ光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、PSⅡ有效光化学量子效率(Fv'/Fm')、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(q P)在相对光强72%-48%处理下呈现升高趋势。在相对光强72%-48%的条件下,麦冬的PSⅡ反应抗逆性更加强大,该条件有利于麦冬的生长发育,大规模种植中应对麦冬采取适当遮阴措施。     

硝基苯酚胁迫下外源褪黑素对水稻幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

采用液体培养实验方法,研究硝基苯酚胁迫对水稻(Oryza sativa L.)幼苗生长、抗氧化特性、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)光合特性的影响,以及添加外源褪黑素对缓解硝基苯酚胁迫的作用。结果显示,随着硝基苯酚胁迫浓度的升高,水稻幼苗株高、根长、地下部干重、地上部干重、全株干重和叶片PSⅡ实际光化学效率[Y(Ⅱ)]、光化学淬灭系数(q P)、PSⅡ电子传递速率(ETR)、叶绿素含量均有所下降,而叶片非光化学淬灭系数(qN、NPQ)上升;同时,根系活性氧[过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和超氧阴离子(O·-2)]积累量、抗氧化酶[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)]活性,以及渗透调节物质(可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖)含量呈先升高后降低的趋势。在非硝基苯酚胁迫下,与对照组相比,添加外源褪黑素显著提高了幼苗地下部干重、根系可溶性糖含量和SOD活性、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率和叶绿素含量。与单独添加硝基苯酚处理相比,硝基苯酚+褪黑素复合处理显著缓解了硝基苯酚胁迫对幼苗生长、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率和叶绿素合成的抑制作用;降低了根系活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量。研究结果表明添加外源褪黑素能够显著缓解硝基苯酚胁迫对水稻幼苗生长、根系活性氧水平、抗氧化酶活性、叶片PSⅡ光化学效率及叶绿素合成的不良影响,提高水稻幼苗对硝基苯酚胁迫的适应性。     

光强对两种硅藻光合作用、碳酸酐酶和RubisCO活性的影响

为研究海洋浮游硅藻光合固碳能力与光强的关系,以三角褐指藻和威氏海链藻为实验材料,测定了不同光强培养下三角褐指藻和威氏海链藻生长、光合特性、碳酸酐酶和核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/氧化酶活性(Rubis CO)的变化,结果显示高光强促进两种硅藻的生长,但对威氏海链藻的影响更明显。高光强导致两种硅藻叶绿素a、c含量、光系统Ⅱ的最大光化学效率和实际光化学效率明显下降,非光化学淬灭系数明显升高,但对光化学淬灭系数并没有明显影响。在高光下威氏海链藻和三角褐指藻胞内外碳酸酐酶活性明显升高。在高光强下培养的威氏海链藻Rubis CO活性明显高于低光下培养,但三角褐指藻正好相反,不管高光还是低光培养威氏海链藻Rubis CO活性始终高于三角褐指藻。以上结果表明不同硅藻对光强变化的响应存在差异,它们可以通过调节光合生理特征、光合固碳关键酶和CO2供应以适应光强的变化。     

夜间低温胁迫对两种生长光强下藤黄幼苗叶片荧光特征和活性氧代谢的影响

对两种不同生长光强下（自然光的8％和50％）西双版纳热带雨林木本植物藤黄（Garcinia han-buryi）幼苗经夜间低温（4℃）处理后荧光特性和活性氧代谢的研究结果表明,低温使藤黄叶片光合机构PSⅡ原初光能转化效率（Fv/Fm）、PSⅡ非环式电子传递的量子效率（ФPSⅡ）、非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）下降,原初荧光（F0）上升。低温胁迫消除后,生长在50％光强下藤黄叶片的Fv/Fm和F0在3d后仍不能完全恢复,而生长在8％光强下藤黄叶片的Fv/Fm和F0基本恢复,说明低温使生长在8％光强下藤黄的光合机构PSⅡ反应中心受到可逆失活,而生长在50％光强下藤黄的光合机构受到氧化伤害。随着低温胁迫时间的延长,两种生长光强藤黄叶片活性氧保护酶（SOD,CAT,APX）的活性虽升高,但O2^-的生成速率、H2O2和MDA含量积累增加。而在恢复阶段,生长在8％光强比生长在50％光强下藤黄叶片的活性氧含量下降得快,进一步说明生长在高光强的植物比生长在低光强的植物受低温伤害大。     

模拟酸雨对白簕叶片抗氧化酶活性及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用棚内盆栽方法,设置pH值5.6(对照)、4.0、3.0和2.0的模拟酸雨胁迫试验,探讨其对白簕幼苗叶片MDA含量、保护酶活性、叶绿素含量、气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,随着模拟酸雨pH值的降低,MDA含量呈先降低后升高的趋势;SOD活性逐渐降低,POD活性逐渐升高,APX活性呈先升高后降低的变化。叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素含量均比对照高,在pH 4.0时达最大值。气孔限制值(Ls)、PSII实际光化学量子产量(ΦPSII)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随pH值的降低而下降,净光速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用效率(WUE)、PSII最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSII的潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、非光化学淬灭系数(qN)呈先升高后降低趋势,且也都在pH 4.0时达最大值。由此推测,pH 4.0的酸雨处理有利于白簕幼苗的生长,表明白簕幼苗可能喜欢生活在微酸环境中,但是随着酸度加强,反而起到抑制作用。     

濒危植物长序榆(Ulmus elongata)幼苗叶绿素荧光特性的初步研究

用Li-6400XT便携式光合作用仪对濒危植物长序榆幼苗的各叶绿素荧光参数的日变化和快速光响应曲线进行了测定。结果发现,光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)在整个白天阶段较稳定,下午18:00显著下降。光化学淬灭(qP)先增大后减小。非光化学淬灭(NPQ)呈现出与光化学淬灭(qP)相反的变化趋势,中午最低,说明长序榆幼苗光能利用率较高。快速光曲线表明实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和光化学淬灭(qP)随着光合有效辐射(PAR)的增大而减小,电子传递速率(ETR)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)随着光合有效辐射(PAR)的增大而增大。使用幂函数能够很好的拟合实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和电子传递速率(ETR)随光强的变化,而对数函数能较好的拟合实际光化学淬灭(qP)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)随光强的变化。     

不同强度的红光和蓝光下菜豆叶片的荧光特性

光质和光强均是影响植物光合作用的重要外部因素,该文以菜豆(Phaseolus vulgaris)为材料,通过叶绿素荧光技术比较研究了菜豆叶片在不同光强的红光和蓝光下叶绿素荧光特性的变化规律。结果表明:随着红光和蓝光光强的增加,菜豆叶片的光适应下的最大光化学效率(Fv'/Fm')呈下降趋势,但与在红光下相比,蓝光下叶片的Fv'/Fm'值较高。随着蓝光光强的增加,菜豆叶片PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Y(Ⅱ))和光化学猝灭系数(q P和q L)先呈上升趋势之后逐渐趋于平稳;而随着红光光强的增加,以上参数呈下降趋势。随着红光和蓝光光强的增加,非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)、相对电子传递速率(ETR)以及调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y(NPQ)均呈上升趋势,但与在红光下相比,蓝光下叶片NPQ和Y(NPQ)的值较低,而ETR值较高。非调节性能量耗散产量Y(NO)随着红光光强增加而呈上升趋势,而随着蓝光光强增加呈下降趋势。综上可见,随着光强的增加菜豆叶片的光化学效率呈降低趋势,但叶片在蓝光下的光化学吸收和利用效率高于红光。研究结果可为植物对光强和光质的响应提供一定的参考。     

光强转换对不同生长环境下桑树叶片光化学效率的影响

以桑树品种‘蒙古桑’为试验材料,利用叶绿素荧光技术研究了光强转换对生长在不同光强下的桑树叶片实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)的影响,分析了非光化学淬灭(NPQ)3个组分的变化.结果表明:当光强从黑暗或弱光转换到自然光条件下,自然光桑树叶片的光量子转化效率高于弱光叶片,ΦPSⅡ、ETR诱导平衡较快,NPQ诱导呈先升后降趋势.自然光叶片在强光下状态转换淬灭组分(qT)占NPQ的18%,而弱光叶片qT仅占NPQ的7%.与弱光桑树叶片相比,自然光桑树叶片可以通过较高的光量子转化效率和较强的调节激发能在PSⅠ和PSⅡ之间的分配能力来适应光强的变化.     

复苏被子植物牛耳草脱水和复水期间叶黄素循环的保护作用

研究了复苏被子植物牛耳草(Boea hygrometrica (Bunge) R.Br.)离体叶片在微弱光强下(3 μmol photons*m-2*s-1)和黑暗中叶黄素循环组分及叶绿素荧光随脱水复水的变化.结果发现:脱水期间随着光系统Ⅱ光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际量子产率(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(qP)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)值的降低,微弱光强下的对照叶片玉米黄素含量显著增加,而微弱光强下DTT处理的叶片和黑暗中的叶片都没有玉米黄素的积累.经过3 d复水后,微弱光强下对照叶片的Fv/Fm, ΦPSⅡ, qP 和 NPQ值能完全恢复,但是微弱光强下DTT处理的叶片和黑暗中的叶片其Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、qP 和 NPQ值只有部分恢复.说明脱水的牛耳草离体叶片光系统Ⅱ的光化学活性的恢复明显受到DTT处理和黑暗的影响,因此玉米黄素可能对微弱光强下脱水的牛耳草叶片具有重要的保护作用.     

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF EVERGREEN AND DECIDUOUS ERICACEOUS SHRUBS ON NORTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. I. IRRADIANCE TOLERANCE

Deciduous and evergreen species are segregated on northeast and southwest slopes of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The segregated distributions of three ericaceous shrubs (Rhododendron maximum valley positions; Rhododendron periclymenoides on northeast slopes; Kalmia latifolia on southwest slopes) were compared to the respective irradiance environments. Growth patterns of field plants, and photosynthetic acclimation of each species to three irradiance treatments in a phytotron were studied. Rhododendron maximum, an evergreen species, was found to be most sensitive to high radiation. In phytotron experiments, quantum yield, light saturated photosynthetic capacity, photosynthesis per chlorophyll, and water use efficiency decreased at high ambient irradiance for R. maximum. These characteristics limit the growth of R. maximum on high irradiance southwestern slopes. Both K. latifolia and R. periclymenoides were able to improve their photosynthetic performance at high ambient irradiance. Rhododendron periclymenoides, a deciduous species, was found to continue increasing leaf conductance at high irradiance without an increase in photosynthesis indicating a possible limitation by water in high light environments such as southwest slopes. Kalmia latifolia, an evergreen species, had reduced photosynthetic capacity and reduced water use efficiency when grown in low irradiance conditions which coincides with the higher K. latifolia abundance on high light, southwestern slopes.     

中甸角蒿光合作用对生长光强的响应

在原生地和引种地对高山花卉中甸角蒿（1ncarvillea zhongdianensis）光合作用和叶片性状对生长光强的响应进行研究。结果表明：在香格里拉,光合速率（Pn）、类胡萝卜素（Car）、色素比（Chla/b）均随光强的降低而下降;而比叶面积（SLA）、叶绿素b（Chlb）、叶氮含量（LNCa）随光强的降低而上升。中甸角蒿主要是通过叶片形态、生化效率和叶片氮分配来响应生长光强的变化,对生长光强的适应表现出较大可塑性,使得其相对比较容易引种驯化。中甸角蒿在香格里拉对光照具有较广的适应幅,从香格里拉移栽到昆明后,虽然Pn下降约10%,但RGR增加约30%,表明其可以在昆明较好生长。     

Leaf photoacclimatory responses of the tropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum under mesocosm conditions: a mechanistic scaling-up study

Here, the leaf photoacclimatory plasticity and efficiency of the tropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum were examined. Mesocosms were used to compare the variability induced by three light conditions, two leaf sections and the variability observed at the collection site. The study revealed an efficient photosynthetic light use at low irradiances, but limited photoacclimatory plasticity to increase maximum photosynthetic rates (P(max)) and saturation (E(k)) and compensation (E(c)) irradiances under high light irradiance. A strong, positive and linear association between the percentage of daylight hours above saturation and the relative maximum photochemical efficiency (F(V)/F(M)) reduction observed between basal and apical leaf sections was also found. The results indicate that T. testudinum leaves have a shade-adapted physiology. However, the large amount of heterotrophic biomass that this seagrass maintains may considerably increase plant respiratory demands and their minimum quantum requirements for growth (MQR). Although the MQR still needs to be quantified, it is hypothesized that the ecological success of this climax species in the oligotrophic and highly illuminated waters of the Caribbean may rely on the ability of the canopy to regulate the optimal leaf light environment and the morphological plasticity of the whole plant to enhance total leaf area and to reduce carbon respiratory losses.     

Photosynthesis and photoprotection in Nicotiana tabacum L. in vitro-grown plantlets

Nicotiana tabacum L. plantlets were cultured in vitro photoautotrophically (0% sucrose) and photomixotrophically (3% or 5% sucrose) at two irradiances (80 or 380 mumol m-2 s-1) with the aim of investigating the effect of these culture conditions on photosynthetic parameters and on protective systems against excess excitation energy. In plantlets grown photoautotrophically under higher irradiance photoinhibition was demonstrated. These plantlets had a decreased chlorophyll (Chl) a + b content and Chl a/b ratio, an increased content of xanthrophyll cycle pigments and a higher deepoxidation state, a decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PS II) and actual photochemical efficiency of PS II, and an increased non-photochemical quenching. In the photoautotrophically grown plantlets and those photomixotrophically grown with 3% sucrose, the increase of growth irradiance from 80 to 380 mumol m-2 s-1 stimulated the activities of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes with the exception of ascorbate peroxidase. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was not affected by the increase in growth irradiance but a significant decrease with increasing sucrose concentration was evident. The higher concentration of sucrose in the medium (5%) in combination with the higher irradiance inhibited photosynthesis (decrease in Chl a + b content and net photosynthetic rate) but no significant changes in activities of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes were found. These results suggest that exogenous sucrose added to the medium improved high irradiance and oxidative stress resistance of the plantlets but the effect of sucrose is concentration dependent.     

Acclimation of winter wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>, cv. Yangmai 13) to low levels of solar irradiance

Winter wheat is a grass species widely planted in northern and central China, where the increase of aerosols, air pollutants and population density are causing significant reduction in solar irradiance. In order to investigate the adaptation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Yangmai 13) to low irradiance conditions occurring in the downstream plain of the Yangtze River (China), plants were subjected to four solar irradiance treatments (100%, 60%, 40%, and 20% of environmental incident solar irradiance). Significant increases in chlorophyll (Chl) and xanthophyll (Xan) pigments, and decreases in Chl a/b and Xan/Chl ratios were observed in plants under low light. Light-response curves showed higher net photosynthetic rates (P _N) in fully irradiated plants, that also showed a higher light-compensation point. Shaded plants maintained high values of minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted state (F_o) and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) that assess a lower degree of photoinhibition under low light. Reduced irradiance caused decreases in effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII), electron transport rate (ETR), and nonphotochemical quenching coefficient (q_N), and the promotion of excitation pressure of PSII (1 − q_P). The activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were high under reduced light whereas no light-dependent changes in catalase activity were observed. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species content and electrolyte leakage decreased under shaded plants that showed a lower photooxidative damage. The results suggest that winter wheat cv. Yangmai 13 is able to maintain a high photosynthetic efficiency under reduced solar irradiance and acclimates well to shading tolerance. The photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of winter wheat to low light levels could be important for winter wheat cultivation and productivity.     

喜光榕树和耐荫榕树光适应机制的差异

100%和36%光强下生长的喜光的斜叶榕的光合能力高于耐荫的假斜叶榕,而热耗散能力与之相似,说明强光下斜叶榕主要通过光合作用利用光能和热耗散、假斜叶榕主要通过热耗散防御光破坏.100%光强下生长的两种榕树的日间光抑制程度相似,但叶表光强相同情况下各光强下生长的假斜叶榕的光抑制均比斜叶榕严重.100%光强下假斜叶榕叶片悬挂角大于斜叶榕,导致日间叶表光强低于斜叶榕,这可能是两种榕树日间光抑制程度相似的原因,表明叶片悬挂角的适应变化对假斜叶榕有重要的意义.     

Photosynthetic responses of Coffea arabica leaves to a short-term high light exposure in relation to N availability

It is known that the coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plant which is originally from shade habitats would have a limited ability to grow under full sun. Previous work has shown that nitrogen fertilisation can reduce the leaf damage when the plants are exposed to high light intensities during several days. In the present work we aimed to study the effects of the high irradiance during the first hours and evaluate the positive contribution of nitrogen fertilisation in the case of short-term exposure to strong light. Young plants (1.5–2 years old) grown in 1.5 kg of a mixed soil were supplemented with a nutrient solution containing 15 mM nitrogen in the form of NH₄NO₃, every 7 days (2N treatment), 15 days (1N treatment) and 45 days (0N treatment). Top mature leaves were exposed to a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1 500 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for a maximal period of 8 h, and changes in photosynthesis and pigment composition were monitored along the period of high light exposure. Photosynthetic capacity, leaf conductance to water vapour, electron transport capacity and maximum carboxylation activity, as well as some leaf fluorescence parameters (minimal fluorescence, photochemical efficiency of PSII and quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport) were reduced by the stress, with a generally stronger impact observed in the 0N plants. The photochemical quenching was affected only in the 0N plants, while the non-photochemical quenching increased in 2N plants but decreased in the 0N ones. The results showed that 2N plants presented a better initial status of the photosynthetic parameters and of the content of photoprotective pigments. Those plants showed ability to trigger some protective mechanisms, as observed by the tendency to increase the xanthophyll pool content, specially in zeaxanthin and in non-photochemical quenching. Also, protein content presented a tendency to increase after 1.5 h, which was maintained until the end of the high light period. We conclude that nitrogen availability is a key factor in the acclimation process to high light.     

遮光条件下不同种源土沉香幼苗的光合特性与生长速率分析

以3个来源于广东茂名的土沉香[ Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng.]种源(大白、小白和大黄)和1个来源于云南的土沉香种源的1年生幼苗为研究对象,对不同遮光条件下[相对光强100％(对照,自然光强)、50％、25％和5％]4个种源幼苗叶片的净光合速率(Pn)的光响应和CO2响应曲线、光合和气体交换参数、叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b( Chla/b)值进行了分析,并比较了4个种源幼苗的相对生长速率(RGR).结果表明:4个种源的Pn均随光合光量子通量密度的增加而上升,且对照组各种源的Pn值均明显高于各处理组;4个种源的Pn值均随胞间CO2浓度的升高或相对光强的增大逐渐提高.随相对光强的降低,4个种源的最大光合速率、光补偿点、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率、最大电子传递速率、最大羧化速率和磷酸丙糖利用速率均下降或显著下降(P＜0.05),而表观量子效率则略有升高.在相对光强100％ ～ 25％条件下,随相对光强降低,4个种源的叶绿素含量显著提高、Chla/b值显著减小;大白和小白种源的RGR逐渐增大,大黄种源的RGR差异不显著,而云南种源的RGR显著减小.而在相对光强5％条件下,大黄和云南种源的叶绿素含量显著降低,Chla/b值显著增大,RGR显著减小;大白和小白种源幼苗全部死亡.由种源间的比较可见:4个种源的各项光合参数以及叶绿素含量、相对生长速率均有一定的差异,其中云南种源的各项指标总体上均最低.综合来看,土沉香为半阳生植物,对不同的光环境表现出相对较强的适应性.     

Construction costs, chemical composition and payback time of high- and low-irradiance leaves

The effect of irradiance on leaf construction costs, chemical composition, and on the payback time of leaves was investigated. To enable more generalized conclusions, three different systems were studied: top and the most-shaded leaves of 10 adult tree species in a European mixed forest, top leaves of sub-dominant trees of two evergreen species growing in small gaps or below the canopy in an Amazonian rainforest, and plants of six herbaceous and four woody species grown hydroponically at low or high irradiance in growth cabinets. Daily photon irradiance varied 3-6-fold between low- and high-light leaves. Specific leaf area (SLA) was 30-130% higher at low light. Construction costs, on the other hand, were 1-5% lower for low-irradiance leaves, mainly because low-irradiance leaves had lower concentrations of soluble phenolics. Photosynthetic capacity and respiration, expressed per unit leaf mass, were hardly different for the low- and high-light leaves. Estimates of payback times of the high-irradiance leaves ranged from 2-4 d in the growth cabinets, to 15-20 d for the adult tree species in the European forest. Low-irradiance leaves had payback times that were 2-3 times larger, ranging from 4 d in the growth cabinets to 20-80 d at the most shaded part of the canopy of the mixed forest. In all cases, estimated payback times were less than half the life span of the leaves, suggesting that even at time-integrated irradiances lower than 5% of the total seasonal value, investment in leaves is still fruitful from a carbon-economy point of view. A sensitivity analysis showed that increased SLA of low-irradiance leaves was the main factor constraining payback times. Acclimation in the other five factors determining payback time, namely construction costs, photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf mass, respiration per unit leaf mass, apparent quantum yield, and curvature of the photosynthetic light-response-curve, were unimportant when the observed variation in each factor was examined.