TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SPECIFIC LEAF WEIGHT IN SUCCESSIONAL NORTHERN HARDWOOD TREE SPECIES

Temporal and spatial patterns of specific leaf weight (SLW, g/m²) were determined for deciduous hardwood tree species in natural habitats in northern lower Michigan to evaluate the utility of SLW as an index of leaf photosynthetic capacity. No significant diurnal changes in SLW were found. Specific leaf weight decreased and then increased during leaf expansion in the spring. Most species, especially those located in the understory, then had relatively constant SLW for most of the growing season, followed by a decline in SLW during autumn. Specific leaf weight decreased exponentially down through the canopy with increasing cumulative leaf area index. Red oak (Quercus rubra), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple (A. saccharum), and beech (Fagus grandifolia) generally had successively lower SLW, for leaves at any one level in the canopy. On a given site, comparisons between years and comparisons of leaves growing within 35 cm of each other showed that differences in SLW among species were not due solely to microenvironmental effects on SLW. Bigtooth aspen, red oak, and red maple on lower-fertility sites had lower SLW than the same species on higher-fertility sites. Maximum CO₂ exchange rate, measured at light-saturation in ambient CO₂ and leaf temperatures of 20 to 25 C, increased with SLW. Photosynthetic capacities of species ranked by SLW in a shaded habitat suggest that red oak, red maple, sugar maple, and beech are successively better adapted to shady conditions.     

Season effects on leaf nitrogen partitioning and photosynthetic water use efficiency in mango

The key parameters of photosynthetic capacity (maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), electron transport capacity (J_max) and dark respiration rate (R_d)) and the slope (m) of the stomatal conductance model of Ball et al. [Progress in photosynthetic research, Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, 1987] were measured for a whole growing season in fully expanded leaves of 12-year-old mango trees cv. Cogshall in La Réunion island. Leaf nitrogen partitioning into carboxylation (P_c) and bioenergetic (P_b) pools were computed according to the model of Niinemets and Tenhunen [Plant Cell Environ 1997;20: 845–66]. V_cmax, J_max, R_d, P_c and P_b remained relatively stable over the whole study period, with the exception of the period of linear fruit growth when J_max, R_d and P_b were slightly lower, and leaf non-structural carbohydrate content higher. During the pre-floral and floral periods, m decreased by more than 50%, indicating an increase in photosynthetic water use efficiency and m increased again during the period of linear fruit growth. Our results show that, in tropical orchard conditions characterized by mild seasonal climatic changes and non-limiting water supply, leaf nitrogen partitioning is rather stable. Our results also advocate for more studies on the effect of phenology on m and photosynthetic water use efficiency, which is of paramount importance for building coupled biochemical models of photosynthetic carbon assimilation.     

补光对出口模拟贮运人参榕叶片生长和光合作用的影响

为减轻出口人参榕贮运暗胁迫下叶片的黄化与脱落,以人参榕(接穗为泰国榕)为材料,采用28 W荧光灯补充光照,研究不同补光时长(0~12h·d-1)处理28d后对模拟贮运人参榕生长和光合作用的影响,以探索人参榕贮运期间适宜的补光时长。结果显示:(1)模拟暗贮运28d时,补光0h·d-1处理的人参榕落叶率、黄化指数分别为89.64%、0.52,而补光8~12h·d-1处理的落叶率、黄化指数显著下降,落叶率比对照(0h·d-1)分别显著下降为35.7%、39.19%、26.08%,黄化指数分别显著下降为0.25、0.28、0.19。(2)随着补光时间的延长,人参榕叶片的相对含水量(RWC)显著降低,而比叶重(SLW)显著升高;其叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素(a+b)含量、类胡萝卜素含量、叶绿素a/b、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)均呈上升趋势,且在补光8~12h·d-1处理下各指标均明显高于其他处理,但胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)呈下降趋势。(3)相关分析显示,模拟贮运人参榕的落叶率与黄化指数呈极显著正相关;落叶率、黄化指数均与其叶绿素含量、Pn呈极显著负相关,与Ci呈极显著正相关;且叶片Pn与叶绿素含量、Gs呈显著正相关,与Ci呈极显著负相关。研究表明,通过补光措施可显著减缓贮运人参榕叶片的黄化与脱落,28 W荧光灯光照8~12h·d-1的补光效果均较好,综合考虑成本认为在实际人参榕贮运过程中最适补光时长为8h·d-1;贮运时较长时间的暗胁迫环境对人参榕叶片光合系统造成损伤并导致Pn下降,其主要是叶绿素含量降低的非气孔限制因素所致。     

Photosynthetic parameters in seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis as affected by rate of nitrogen supply

Seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis were grown at five different rates of nitrogen supply. Once steady‐state growth rates were established, a detailed set of CO₂ and water vapour exchange measurements were made to investigate the effects of leaf nitrogen content (N), as determined by nitrogen supply rate, on leaf structural, photosynthetic, respiratory and stomatal properties. Gas exchange data were used to parametrize the Farquhar–von Caemmerer photosynthesis model. Leaf mass per area (LMA) was negatively correlated to N. A positive correlation was observed between both day (R_d) and night respiration (R_n) and N when they were expressed on a leaf mass basis, but no correlation was found on a leaf area basis. An R_d/R_n ratio of 0·59 indicated a significant inhibition of dark respiration by light. The maximum net CO₂ assimilation rate at ambient CO₂ concentration (A_max), the maximum rate of potential electron transport (J_max) and the maximum rate of carboxylation (V_cmax) significantly increased with N, particularly when expressed on a mass basis. Although the maximum stomatal conductance to CO₂ (g_scmax) was positively correlated with A_max, there was no relationship between g_scmax and N. Leaf N content influenced the allocation of nitrogen to photosynthetic processes, resulting in a decrease of the J_max/V_cmax ratio with increasing N. It was concluded that leaf nitrogen concentration is a major determinant of photosynthetic capacity in Eucalyptus grandis seedlings and, to a lesser extent, of leaf respiration and nitrogen partitioning among photosynthetic processes, but not of stomatal conductance.     

Leaf dynamics and profitability in wild strawberries

Summary Leaf dynamics and carbon gain were evaluated for two species of wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana and F. vesca. Five populations on sites representing a gradient of successional regrowth near Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A., were studied for two or three years each. A computer-based model of plant growth and CO₂ exchange combined field studies of leaf biomass dynamics with previously-determined gas exchange rates to estimate carbon balances of leaves and whole plants in different environments.Leaves were produced throughout the growing season, although there was usually a decline in rate of leaf-production in mid-summer. Leaves produced in late spring had the largest area and longest lifespan (except for overwintering leaves produced in the fall). Specific Leaf Weight (SLW) varied little with time of leaf production, but differed greatly among populations; SLW increased with amount of light received in each habitat. The population in the most open habitat had the least seasonal variation in all leaf characters. F. vesca produced lighter, longer-lived leaves than F. virginiana.Simulations showed that age had the largest effect on leaf carbon gain in high-light environments; water stress and temperature had lesser effects. Leaf carbon gain in lowlight environments was relatively unaffected by age and environmental factors other than light. Leaves in high-light environments had the greatest lifetime profit and the greatest ratio of profit to cost. Increasing lifespan by 1/3 increased profit by 80% in low-light leaves and 50% in high-light leaves. Increasing the number of days during which the leaf had the potential to exhibit high photosynthetic rate in response to high light led to little change in profit of low-light leaves while increasing profit of high-light leaves by 49%.     

Physiological comparisons of two soybean cultivars differing in canopy photosynthesis. I. Variation in vertical 14CO2 labelling and dry weight partitioning

Differences in canopy apparent photosynthesis (CAP) among soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes have been shown to be correlated to seed yields. Since the physiological basis for such differences in CAP is unknown, two cultivars known to differ in CAP, Tracy and Davis, were studied during the 1978–1980 growing seasons. The CAP and dry weights of component plant parts were determined. In 1978 and 1979, ¹⁴CO₂ uptake by vertical leaf strata was determined and specific leaf weight (SLW) and leaf area index (LAI) were determined for corresponding strata in 1979 and 1980. Measurements were taken on several dates during reproductive growth. With the exception of CAP, all measurements (¹⁴C uptake, dry weights) were made in layers within the canopy. CAP on some dates were significantly higher in Tracy than in Davis and integrated CAP values from a certain growth period, labeled as R5 to R7, averaged 16 percent higher in Tracy for the three years studied. No differences in the relative recovery of ¹⁴C from different layers of leaves in the canopy were found. This indicates that variations in canopy structure or leaf orientation did not play a major role in the CAP differences between cultivars. The differences seem related to variations in leaf dry weights. Overall, Tracy exhibited 13.5, 19.2, and 13.2 percent greater leaf dry weights than Davis during 1978, 1979, and 1980, respectively. These differences in leaf dry weight seem largely due to a differences in the SLW. Data from these experiments indicate that differences in soybean CAP values were associated with differences in SLW.Abbreviations CAP Canopy Apparent Photosynthesis - CER Carbondioxide Exchange Rates - EST Eastern Standard Time - LAI Leaf Area Index - LSD Least Significant Difference - POPOP 1,4-bis-[2(5-phenyloxazdyl)]-benzene - PPO 2,5-diphenyloxazole - SLW Specific Leaf Weight     

入侵种银胶菊和三叶鬼针草与本地种气体交换特性的比较

以菊科入侵植物银胶菊(Parthenium hysterophorus)和三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)以及与其共生的菊科本地植物小蓟(Cirsium setosum)为对象,比较了3种植物气体交换参数和叶片特性的差异。结果表明,银胶菊和三叶鬼针草的净光合速率(net photosynthetic rate,P_n)、叶绿素含量、比叶面积(specific leaf area,SLA)、叶片单位质量P含量(leaf P content per unit mass,P_(mass))、光合能量利用效率(photosynthetic energy use efficiency,PEUE)和光合氮利用效率(photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency,PNUE)均显著高于小蓟。植物叶片P_n与水分利用效率(water use efficiency,WUE)、叶片P_(mass)、SLA呈极显著正相关,植物叶片单位质量N含量(leaf P content per unit mass,N_(mass))与叶片SLA、单位质量建成成本(leaf construction cost per unit mass,CC_(mass))、叶绿素含量呈极显著正相关。与本地植物相比,较高的气体交换参数和叶片生化指标有可能是银胶菊和三叶鬼针草成功入侵的原因之一。     

香樟凋落叶分解过程对两种间作作物生长和光合特性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,探讨了香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)凋落叶不同土壤添加水平(0 g/盆为CK、25 g/盆、50 g/盆,100 g/盆)对受体作物小白菜(Brassica chinensis)、莴笋(Lactuca sativa)幼苗生长和光合特性的影响。结果显示:(1)香樟凋落叶分解对两种作物的地径、株高、生物量、叶片数和叶面积均有明显的抑制作用,且抑制效应随凋落叶添加量的增加而增强,但随着分解时间的延长其抑制作用逐渐减弱甚至表现为促进作用。(2)香樟凋落叶分解对两种作物的光合色素含量均有明显的抑制效应,并随凋落叶添加量的增加抑制作用增强,且持续时间延长。(3)经凋落叶处理的两种作物叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用率(WUE)总体上均低于CK,而胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)在各凋落叶处理下均高于CK。(4)随着土壤中凋落叶量的增加,两种作物在光饱和以及CO₂饱和状态下的最大净光合速率(P_{n max})、表观量子效率(AQY)、羧化速率(CE)、光呼吸速率(R_p)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)均不断下降,而光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO₂饱和点(CSP)、CO₂补偿点(CCP)因受体作物的不同,表现出不同的变化趋势。研究表明,土壤中香樟凋落叶分解释放的化感物质,能通过降低受体作物的光合色素合成和光合能力,限制其营养生长,最终影响生物量积累;相对于莴笋,小白菜对香樟凋落叶分解产生的化感胁迫效应具有更强的耐受性,可能更适宜在香樟林间种植。     

DRIS evaluation of persimmon (Diospyrus kaki L.)

The leaf macroelement profile of fruiting shoots of persimmon was characterized by a modified diagnostic and recommendation integrated system (DRIS), using SLW as a primary determinant of leaf mineral content. Leaf N, P, Ca, and Mg content was positively and linearly correlated with SLW when expressed on leaf area basis (g mm^–2). Potassium had a negative and higher correlation to SLW when expressed on %DW basis. Mineral ratios relevant for the DRIS analysis were calculated using all four possible combinations of Area (A) and Weight (W) expressions (A/A, A/W, W/A and W/W) and correlated with leaf SLW. The particular expressions chosen for the DRIS analysis were based on their highest correlation to SLW and included N/K, P/K and Ca/Mg, based on the A/W expression of the respective nutrients and the reciprocal expression (W/A) for all other ratios. Derivation of DRIS norms were based on the mineral profile of highly exposed shoots (SLW of 15.0±0.3 mg cm^–2). Calculated indices of gradually less exposed shoots (SLW of 3.8–18.9 mg cm^–2) revealed a strong exponential imbalance of N, K and P (increasingly positive) vs Ca and Mg (increasingly negative). The calculated Nutritional Imbalance Index (NII) value of leaves decreased exponentially as shoot leaf SLW decreased. The modified DRIS analysis detected successfully a distinct mineral profile of highly vigorous fruiting water shoots, as compared to regular fruiting shoots of comparable SLW.     

Natural selection on ecophysiological traits of a fern species in a temperate rainforest

Unlike other species of the genus Blechnum, the fern Blechnum chilense occurs in a wide range of habitats in Chilean temperate rainforest, from shaded forest understories to abandoned clearings and large gaps. We asked if contrasting light environments can exert differential selection on ecophysiological traits of B. chilense. We measured phenotypic selection on functional traits related to carbon gain: photosynthetic capacity (A _max), dark respiration rate (R _d), water use efficiency (WUE), leaf size and leaf thickness in populations growing in gaps and understorey environments. We assessed survival until reproductive stage and fecundity (sporangia production) as fitness components. In order to determine the potential evolutionary response of traits under selection, we estimated the genetic variation of these traits from clonally propagated individuals in common garden experiments. In gaps, survival of B. chilense was positively correlated with WUE and negatively correlated with leaf size. In contrast, survival in shaded understories was positively correlated with leaf size. We found positive directional fecundity selection on WUE in gaps population. In understories, ferns of lower R _d and greater leaf size showed greater fecundity. Thus, whereas control of water loss was optimized in gaps, light capture and net carbon balance were optimized in shaded understories. We found a significant genetic component of variation in WUE, R _d and leaf size. This study shows the potential for evolutionary responses to heterogeneous light environments in functional traits of B. chilense, a unique fern species able to occupy a broad successional niche in Chilean temperate rainforest.     

Physiological comparisons of two soybean cultivars differing in canopy photosynthesis. II. Variation in specific leaf weight,nitrogen, and protein components

Cultivar differences in canopy apparent photosynthesis (CAP) have been observed in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) but little is known about the physiological mechanisms which are responsible for such differences. This study was initiated to determine if variation in ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and soluble protein exists among cultivars which differ in CAP during reproductive growth. In addition, the relationship between specific leaf weight (SLW) and leaf protein was examined. Two Maturity Group VI cultivars, Tracy (high CAP) and Davis (low CAP), were grown in the field during 1979, 1980, and 1981 and in a greenhouse experiment. Leaves located at two canopy positions (topmost, fully expanded leaf and eighth node from the top) in 1979 and three canopy positions (those mentioned, plus the fourth node from the top) in 1980 and 1981 were sampled. Leaves at the two upper canopy positions exhibited greater SLW, RuBPCase m^–2, and soluble protein m^–2 than found at the eighth node down. Photosynthetic capacity of leaves at inner canopy regions was therefore affected by both light penetration into the canopy and leaf protein status. Over the three year period, the SLW was 23 percent and the soluble protein m^–2 leaf 21 percent greater in Tracy than in Davis. Although the trend in RuBPCase m^–2 leaf was not significant, it was consistently greater in Tracy in the field and greenhouse. No cultivar differences were observed when the proteins were expressed on a unit of leaf dry weight. The quantity of RuBPCase per unit leaf area was positively correlated with SLW with significant partial correlation coefficients of 0.62, 0.67, 0.35, and 0.82 for 1979, 1980, 1981, and the greenhouse study, respectively. Since these cultivars have similar leaf area indices during September, the greater SLW of Tracy is translated into more photosynthetic proteins per unit ground area and higher CAP rate.Abbreviations AP Leaf Apparent Photosynthesis - CAP Canopy Apparent Photosynthesis - DAP Days After Planting - DTT Dithothreitol - HEPES N-2-hydroethylpiperazine N-2 ethanesulfonic acid - LAI Leaf Area Index - LSD Least Significant Difference - PPFD Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density - PVP-40 Polyvinylpolypyrroledone (molecular weight, 4000) - RuBPCase Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase - SLW Specific Leaf Weight     

Contribution of leaves of different ages to plant carbon balance as affected by potassium supply and water stress

The carbon balances of whole, 21-d old French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in standard nutrient solution (1K) and its modifications without (OK) or surplus (2K) potassium were calculated from the daily photosynthetic carbon inputs of individual leaves, and the daily respiratory carbon losses by individual leaves, stalks and petioles, and roots. Under the three K concentrations, maximum net photosynthetic rates (P_n) were found in the 2nd or in the 3rd trifoliate leaves, maximum respiratory rates (R_d) in the youngest, 4th trifoliate leaves; the P_n/R_d ratio decreased with leaf age. In all leaves of 2K plants, leaf dry masses and thicknesses, P_n, P_n/P_d ratios, and stomatal and intracellular conductances were lower than in OK and IK plants. Daily whole-plant net carbon gain was highest in IK plants, whereas in OK and 2K plants it was 98.0 and 81.3 % of IK, respectively. Similar values were found in the parameters of growth analysis, namely in net assimilation rates and relative growth rates. No differences were found in water potential (Ψ _w ) or water saturation deficit (W_sat) in the OK, 1K and 2K plants sufficiently supplied with water or during wilting and resaturation. The decrease in Ψ_w to −0.97 MPa was associated with a 19.9 %, 31.4 % and 23.4 % decrease in P_n of OK, 1K and 2K plants, respectively, but no effect on R_d was found. In the three variants, the short-time effect of mild water stress was fully reversible.     

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Leaves of Eight Australian Savanna Tree Species of Differing Leaf Life-Span

Cost-benefit analysis of foliar construction and maintenance costs and of carbon assimilation of leaves of differing life-span were conducted using two evergreen, three semi-deciduous, and three deciduous tree species of savannas of north Australia. Rates of radiant-energy-saturated CO₂ assimilation (P _max) and dark respiration were measured and leaves were analysed for total nitrogen, fat, and ash concentrations, and for heat of combustion. Specific leaf area, and leaf N and ash contents were significantly lower in longer-lived leaves (evergreen) than shorter-lived leaves (deciduous) species. Leaves of evergreen species also had significantly higher heat of combustion and lower crude fat content than leaves of deciduous species. On a leaf area basis, P _max was highest in leaves of evergreen species, but on a leaf dry mass basis it was highest in leaves of deciduous species. P _max and total Kieldahl N content were linearly correlated across all eight species, and foliar N content was higher in leaves of deciduous than evergreen species. Leaf construction cost was significantly higher and maintenance costs were lower for leaves of evergreen than deciduous species. Maintenance and construction costs were linearly related to each other across all species. Leaves of evergreen species had a higher cost-benefit ratio compared to leaves of deciduous species but with longer lived leaves, the payback interval was longer in evergreen than deciduous species. These results support the hypotheses that longer lived leaves are more expensive to construct than short-lived leaves, and that a higher investment of N into short-lived leaves occurs which supports a higher P _max over a shorter payback interval. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Leaf Longevity,Construction, and Maintenance Costs of Three Mangrove Species Under Field Conditions

This study assessed the effect of leaf age on construction cost (CC) in the mangrove species Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle growing in their natural habitat. Leaf osmolality values were species-specific, the highest in A. germinans (1 693 mmol kg^–1) and the lowest in L. racemosa (1 270 mmol kg^–1). In the three species, contents of chlorophyll (a+b) (Chl_a+b) and nitrogen (N) per unit of leaf area were maximal in adult leaves and tended to decline with age. Leaf mass to leaf area ratio (LMA) and ash content increased during leaf ageing. Similarly, as leaves aged, a significant increase in leaf construction cost per leaf area (CC_a) was observed, while per leaf mass (CC_m) it remained almost constant, suggesting a sustained production of leaf compounds as leaves became older. CC was positively correlated with LMA and heat of combustion (Hc) per leaf area, suggesting differences among species in the quantity and composition of expensive compounds. Leaf half lifetime (t_0.5) showed contrasting values in the three mangrove species (60, 111, and 160 d in L. racemosa, R. mangle, and A. germinans, respectively). Overall, L. racemosa was the species with less expensive leaves to construct while leaves of A. germinans and R. mangle had the highest CC_m and CC_a, respectively. Leaf longevity was positively correlated with the ratio between CC and maximum photosynthetic rate (P _max), clearly showing the existence of a balance between leaf costs and benefits.     

天竺桂凋落叶对凤仙花生长和光合特性的影响

采用盆栽实验,通过向土壤(每盆8kg)中添加0g·pot-1(CK)、20g·pot-1(L)、40g·pot-1(M)和80g·pot-1(H)天竺桂(Cinnamomum japonicum)凋落叶,模拟其自然分解对凤仙花(Impatiens balsamina)生长和光合特性的影响。结果显示:(1)添加天竺桂凋落叶M和H处理下,凤仙花生物量和地径均显著降低,而株高无明显变化;其叶绿素含量受到显著抑制,净光合速率(Pn)和水分利用效率(WUE)显著低于CK,而气孔导度(Gs)、胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)和蒸腾速率(Tr)3个气体交换参数显著高于CK。(2)Pn-PAR曲线和Pn-Ci曲线拟合表明,凤仙花在光饱和以及CO2饱和状态下的最大净光合速率(Pn max)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)、RuBP羧化效率(CE)和光呼吸速率(Rp)均随添加天竺桂凋落叶处理量的增加而呈下降趋势。(3)添加天竺桂凋落叶36d和67d时对凤仙花生长影响不明显,而处理58d时有明显抑制作用。研究表明,在模拟天竺桂凋落叶自然分解的土壤环境中,凤仙花的光合色素含量降低,抑制了其光合能力,对环境适应能力降低,导致凤仙花的生长受到抑制。     

Leaf respiration/photosynthesis relationship and variation: an investigation of 39 woody and herbaceous species in east subtropical China

Thirty-nine plant species including woody and herbaceous species grown in wet and warm subtropical regions were collected and classified into woody and herb functional groups. Net photosynthesis (P _n) and dark respiration (R) were measured at constant 25°C under neither water nor nitrogen limited condition to assess whether the R/P _n ratio was constant across different species and functional groups. Our results suggest that P _n and R were highly skewed among the 39 species, ranging from 5 to 25 and 1 to 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, while R/P _n ratio was normally distributed at 0.1–0.3. Mean R/P _n ratio was 0.19 for 39 species, and 0.20 and 0.18 for woody and herbs, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups. Leaf P _n, R, and R/P _n ratios exhibited large variations across 39 species while R/P _n ratio in our subtropical species was considerably higher than other studies. Our results also indicated that the difference within each group was even larger than between the two groups. Based on the pooled data set at global scale, and considering R/P _n ratios performance under a combination of wet and warm conditions, the mean R/P _n ratio of 0.19 fell between the R/P _n ratio of 0.23 under dry and warm conditions and the R/P _n ratio of 0.07 under cold regardless of the precipitation conditions. The comparison with published data sets indicated significant effects of long-term precipitation and temperature on leaf R/P _n ratios at global scale, and we found that the plants adapting to warm and wet climates including our thirty-nine species tend to have a lower R/P _n ratio.     

Weak coordination among petiole,leaf, vein,and gas‐exchange traits across Australian angiosperm species and its possible implications

Close coordination between leaf gas exchange and maximal hydraulic supply has been reported across diverse plant life forms. However, it has also been suggested that this relationship may become weak or break down completely within the angiosperms. We examined coordination between hydraulic, leaf vein, and gas‐exchange traits across a diverse group of 35 evergreen Australian angiosperms, spanning a large range in leaf structure and habitat. Leaf‐specific conductance was calculated from petiole vessel anatomy and was also measured directly using the rehydration technique. Leaf vein density (thought to be a determinant of gas exchange rate), maximal stomatal conductance, and net CO₂ assimilation rate were also measured for most species (n = 19–35). Vein density was not correlated with leaf‐specific conductance (either calculated or measured), stomatal conductance, nor maximal net CO₂ assimilation, with r² values ranging from 0.00 to 0.11, P values from 0.909 to 0.102, and n values from 19 to 35 in all cases. Leaf‐specific conductance calculated from petiole anatomy was weakly correlated with maximal stomatal conductance (r² = 0.16; P = 0.022; n = 32), whereas the direct measurement of leaf‐specific conductance was weakly correlated with net maximal CO₂ assimilation (r² = 0.21; P = 0.005; n = 35). Calculated leaf‐specific conductance, xylem ultrastructure, and leaf vein density do not appear to be reliable proxy traits for assessing differences in rates of gas exchange or growth across diverse sets of evergreen angiosperms.     

Effects of salinity on photosynthesis and respiration of the seagrass Zostera japonica: A comparison of two established populations in North America

Photosynthetic responses were quantified for two Zostera japonica Aschers. and Graebn. populations from the northern and southern limits of distribution exposed to a range of salinities along the Pacific Coast of North America. Plants were collected from Padilla Bay, Washington (northern) and Coos Bay, Oregon, USA (southern) and cultured together in experimental tanks at 3 salinities (5, 20 and 35) under saturating irradiance for 3 weeks. Subsequently, photosynthesis–irradiance (P vs. E curves) relationships for leaf segments from the two populations were assessed using an oxygen electrode system. We found no evidence for diel rhythms in either light saturated photosynthesis (P_max) or dark respiration (R_d). For the Padilla Bay population, P_max ranged from 192 to 390 μmol O₂ g DW⁻¹ h⁻¹; for the Coos Bay population P_max ranged from 226 to 774 μmol O₂ g DW⁻¹ h⁻¹. Photosynthetic maxima of the Coos Bay plants occurred at a salinity of 20, whereas salinity had no effect on the photosynthetic maxima of the Padilla Bay plants. There were significant differences in leaf tissue R_d among salinity treatments but the two populations responded similarly to salinity. North American populations of Z. japonica are best adapted to intermediate salinities, displaying minimum R_d rates, lower compensation irradiance, higher saturation irradiance, and greater P_max rates at a salinity of 20. Additionally, the southern population may be better adapted to southward expansion along the Pacific Coast and changes associated with global climate change.     

Diurnal and Seasonal Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics in Different Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars

Diurnal and seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics, leaf area dry mass (ADM), and reducing sugar and total chlorophyll (Chl) contents of leaves of Frantoio, Leccino, and Maurino olive cultivars were investigated in Central Italy. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N) per unit leaf area changed during the growing season and during the day, but the cultivar did not significantly influence the changes. In both young and one-year-old leaves the highest P _N values were observed in October, while the lowest values were recorded in August and December; during the day the highest P _N values were generally found in the morning. The pattern of photosynthetic response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of leaves was similar in the three genotypes. Sub-stomatal CO₂ concentration (C _I) tended to increase when P _N decreased. The increase in C _I was accompanied by a stomatal conductance to water vapor (g _S) decrease. In general, P _N and dark respiration rate (R _D) were correlated. Transpiration rate (E), with no differences between the cultivars, increased from April to July, decreased greatly in August, then increased in October and finally decreased again in December. Leaf water content increased from April to June, remained high until mid July, decreased significantly in August, remaining constant until December with no differences associated with the cultivar. In both young and one-year-old leaves, the leaf water content per unit leaf area was slightly greater in Frantoio than in the other two cultivars. The one-year-old leaves had a higher Chl content than the young ones. The cultivar did not substantially influence the leaf reducing sugar content which decreased from April to August, when it reached the lowest level, then increased rapidly until October. During the day the reducing sugar content did not change significantly. The leaf ADM was slightly higher in Frantoio than in the other cultivars and one-year-old leaves had higher values than the young ones. Leaf ADM decreased from April to June and then tended to increase until December. During the day there were no substantial variations.     

不同品系福建山樱花叶功能性状研究

为了解福建山樱花(Prunus campanulata)的叶片功能性状,对4个品系的叶形指数、比叶面积、叶绿素含量以及叶干物质含量进行了研究。结果表明,福建山樱花不同品系间的叶功能性状都存在显著差异。叶功能性状间存在一定的相关性,叶形指数与叶干物质含量存在显著负相关(P<0.05);比叶面积与叶绿素含量存在极显著正相关(P<0.01),其与叶干物质含量呈极显著负相关(P<0.01)。经过综合评价,池边3号品系的叶绿素含量、叶干物质含量较大,花期长,花量稠密,可推荐作为园林观赏和行道树种。