苹果三维树冠的净光合速率分布模拟

构建三维树冠光合模型可模拟出叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)和光能利用效率(LUE)在树冠内的三维分布。以17年生纺锤形"富士"苹果树(Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Fuji’)为试材,通过实测确定三维树冠内叶片和辐射分布,根据不同部位叶片最大光合速率经验公式模拟叶片P_n 在三维树冠空间内分布,并据2007-2009年测定数据拟合相关模型参数。模拟表明,苹果树冠叶片P_n 和辐射的三维分布相似,在树冠上部P_n 三维分布比较平缓,然后随辐射的减少而迅速降低。高辐射条件下(PAR=1500 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),从树冠上部3 m处降到到1 m,平均相对辐射从71.18%降到8.05%,减少了89%,叶片平均P_n从15.05 μmol·m^-2·s^-1降到1.92 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,减少了87%。单位体积小室内的总净光合速率大小主要取决于叶面积密度,部分取决于P_n。G_s三维分布与P_n相似,而LUE分布与辐射相反,中下部高,上部低。根据光合机理模型、树冠内辐射和叶面积三维分布可模拟出苹果三维树冠内叶片的P_n、G_s和LUE分布,该模型参数少,可方便用于其它果树三维光合模型构建和果树整形修剪研究。     

Comparison of foliar water use efficiency among 17 provenances of Larix gmelinii in the Mao’ershan area

 研究环境变化下的树木水分利用效率对探讨森林生态系统碳水耦联关系及其对气候变化的响应和适应对策具有重要意义。落叶松(Larix gmelinii)为我国北方森林的建群种之一。将水热条件不同的17个种源落叶松种植在帽儿山森林生态系统研究站的同质园内30年后, 测定其针叶水分利用效率(WUE)及其相关因子。结果表明: WUE、净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶片氮含量(N_L)均存在显著的种源差异(p < 0.05)。WUE和G_s呈显著指数相关关系, 当G_s < 0.2 时WUE随G_s的增大而明显增大, 而当G_s > 0.2时WUE趋于稳定。WUE和SLA及N_L分别呈线性负相关和正相关关系, 且随种源原地的干燥度指数(AI)的增大其相关性明显增强。WUE和种源原地年平均气温、平均年降水量及AI分别呈线性负相关、负相关和正相关关系, 并且相关系数依次增大; T_r则仅和种源原地年平均气温呈线性正相关关系, 而P_n和种源原地AI呈线性正相关关系。不同种源落叶松由于对种源原地环境条件的适应而存在针叶结构和生理特征的显著差异, 并因此引起针叶水分利用效率的差异。     

黄土高原刺槐人工林地表凋落物对土壤呼吸的贡献

于黄土高原沟壑区王东沟小流域26年刺槐人工林(Robinia pseudoacacia)中,设置对照(CK)、去除凋落物(no litter, NL)和倍增凋落物(double litter, DL)3个处理,利用Li-8100系统测定各处理的土壤呼吸速率。结果表明,添加或去除凋落物显著影响土壤呼吸(P = 0.091-0.099),与对照(CK)的土壤呼吸速率(3.23 μmol m^-2 s^-1)相比,添加凋落物(DL)使土壤呼吸速率增加26%,去除凋落物(NL)使土壤呼吸速率减少22%。NL、CK和DL的累积土壤呼吸分别为631、787和973 g C m^-2a^-1。各处理土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度呈显著的指数关系(R²=0.81-0.90,P < 0.0001),但与土壤水分的关系不明显。NL、CK和DL的Q₁₀依次为1.92、2.29和2.31。地表凋落物对土壤呼吸年平均贡献量为20%。相关性分析表明,各测定日地表凋落物贡献与土壤温度(r=0.54,P < 0.05)或土壤水分关系显著(r=0.68, P < 0.05)。刺槐人工林地表凋落物的输入量为213 g C m^-2a^-1,大于凋落物引起的呼吸量156 g C m^-2a^-1。在黄土区通过植被恢复治理水土流失过程中,随着地表凋落物的积累,林地生态系统的碳汇功能将逐步得到加强。     

干旱胁迫下4种常用植物幼苗的光合和荧光特性综合评价

老鸭嘴,山毛豆,假连翘和葛藤是常见的矿山植被恢复植物。采用盆栽控制土壤水分的方法,测定了这 4 种幼苗叶片的光合和荧光指标,以期为矿山植被的恢复植物筛选提供依据。结果表明（1）干旱胁迫处理期间,4 种幼苗叶片的净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）和胞间CO₂ 浓度（C_i）持续下降,复水8 d后P_n均显著增加,老鸭嘴和山毛豆的G_s和T_r恢复到对照水平,山毛豆和葛藤的C_i恢复到对照水平;假连翘幼苗叶片的气孔限制值（L_s）随干旱胁迫时间的延长而逐渐增加,其他3 种幼苗略降后增加,复水8 d后均恢复到对照水平。（2）干旱胁迫处理期间,4 种幼苗叶片的photosystemⅡ（PSⅡ）光能捕获效率（F_v’/F_m’）、实际光化学量子效率（Yield）和表观电子传递速率（ETR）持续降低,8 d时显著小于对照。复水8 d后,F_v’/F_m’小幅波动,Yield和ETR有所恢复,其中葛藤的Yield和山毛豆的ETR恢复到对照水平;4种幼苗叶片的非化学淬灭（NPQ）持续上升,在第8天显著大于对照,复水8 d后,均持续下降,其中葛藤恢复到对照水平。（3）对光合和荧光指标进行主成分分析表明,干旱胁迫下4 种幼苗的抗旱性能大小顺序为山毛豆 > 老鸭嘴 > 假连翘 > 葛藤。     

蚕豆幼苗光合特性对土荆芥挥发性物质胁迫的响应

以蚕豆(Vicia faba)为受体,采用盆栽试验评价了入侵植物土荆芥(Chenopodium ambrosioides)挥发油及其两个主要成分α-萜品烯和对伞花素对受体光合特性的影响。结果表明:土荆芥挥发油及其两个主要成分不同程度地影响了蚕豆叶片的特性。挥发油处理显著降低了净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和叶绿素含量,但增加了胞间CO₂浓度(C_i),这种效应表现为剂量和时间双重效应,高剂量挥发油处理的这种效应是不可逆的; 与对照相比,α-萜品烯处理组的P_n、F_v/F_m和ΦPSⅡ降低,C_i、G_s和T_r上升,停止处理后,各参数均趋于对照水平; 整体来看,对伞花素对蚕豆幼苗的光合特性影响不大。上述研究结果说明,土荆芥化感胁迫对受体光合特性的影响是诸多化感物质协同作用的结果,并非由单一组分决定。     

陶粒覆盖对土壤水分、植物光合作用及生长状况的影响

以河北省廊涿高速公路中央隔离种植槽为研究地点,探讨陶粒覆盖对土壤水分、植物光合作用及生长状况的影响,结果表明:(1)陶粒覆盖有效地提高了土壤含水量,减弱了不同土层、不同月份之间的差距,两层覆盖(M2)效果要好于一层覆盖(M1)。从10-60 cm土层,陶粒覆盖对土壤含水量的影响逐渐降低,裸露地面的土壤含水量和陶粒覆盖下的土壤含水量的差距逐渐减弱。越是干旱季节,陶粒覆盖保水效果越明显;(2)陶粒覆盖对月季、大叶黄杨的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)均产生了影响。两植物一天当中任何测量时刻的P_n均为M2>M1>MD(裸地)。陶粒覆盖也提高了月季、大叶黄杨的T_r日均值,使其日变化峰值出现时间发生变化。陶粒覆盖对WUE影响要远远小于对P_n、T_r的影响,相互之间差异均不显著。由于大叶黄杨的抗旱性较差,陶粒覆盖对大叶黄杨光合特性的影响大于对月季的影响。(3)陶粒覆盖大大提高了紫叶小檗、侧柏、小叶黄杨、大叶黄杨、月季5种植物的成活率,增加了植物的地径、株高增长量,M2的效果均好于M1。     

施氮量对麻疯树幼苗生长及叶片光合特性的影响

采用盆栽土培的方法,研究了不同施氮量(对照N₀ 0 kg N/hm²、低氮N_L 96 kg N/hm²、中氮N_M 288 kg N/hm²、高氮N_H 480 kg N/hm²)对麻疯树幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,麻疯树幼苗叶片氮含量、可溶性蛋白含量、株高、地径、叶片数量、叶面积、根长、各组分生物量、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和水分利用效率(WUE)均随施氮量的增加先升高后降低,N_M处理下麻疯树幼苗长势最好,各气体交换参数值最高;施氮对麻疯树地上部分的促进作用远大于地下部分,施氮后根冠比显著降低;此外,麻疯树叶绿素含量、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ有效量子产量(F'v/F'm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随施氮量的增加而升高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)随施氮量增加而降低。适量施氮可通过增强叶绿体光化学活性、气孔导度和羧化能力而提高麻疯树幼苗的光合能力,促进生长;过高施氮对麻疯树幼苗光合与生长的促进效应降低。试验条件下,当年生麻疯树幼苗的最适施氮量为288 kg N/hm²。     

外源H2O2对盐碱胁迫下苹果矮化砧木幼苗生理特性的影响

以2年生苹果矮化砧木M9 T337为试材,采用盆栽试验法,设置浇灌清水(CK)和盐碱胁迫(0.1 mol/L NaCl+NaHCO₃溶液)+ 喷施5种浓度的H₂O₂ ［0(T₁)、0.2 mmol/L(T₂)、0.4 mmol/L(T₃)、0.6 mmol/L(T₄)、0.8 mmol/L(T₅)］ 处理,测定各处理叶片叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数、渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化酶活性和细胞膜透性,并利用相关性与主成分分析进行综合评价,以探讨外源过氧化氢(H₂O₂)增强其盐碱耐性的生理机制。结果表明：(1)随着盐碱胁迫(T₁)的时间延长,M9 T337幼苗叶片叶绿素a(Chl a)含量、叶绿素b (Chl b)含量、叶绿素总量(Chl t)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、可溶性蛋白(SP)含量均呈逐渐下降趋势;胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、可溶性总糖(TSS)含量、脯氨酸(Pro)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性、相对电导率(REC)、丙二醛(MDA)含量均呈上升趋势;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性均呈先升后降趋势。(2)与CK相比,盐碱胁迫+外源H₂O₂(T₂- T₅)处理后M9 T337幼苗叶片各指标均呈现不同幅度变化,且存在明显浓度效应,并以T₃(0.4 mmol/L H₂O₂)处理叶片的Chl a、Chl b、Chl t、SP和G_s降幅最小,C_i、REC、MDA升幅最小,TSS、Pro、APX升幅最大。(3)M9 T337幼苗叶片P_n与T_r、G_s、Chl a、Chl b、Chl t、SP、SOD、POD呈显著正相关,与C_i、MDA、CAT、APX、REC呈显著负相关。(4)综合评价表明,各处理对M9 T337幼苗叶片生理特性的效应依次为：CK>T₃>T₄>T₂>T₅>T₁。研究发现,叶面喷施适宜浓度H₂O₂可有效改善盐碱胁迫下M9 T337幼苗光合能力,显著提高抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质的含量,降低细胞膜透性,从而达到缓解盐碱胁迫的作用,并以0.4 mmol/L H₂O₂处理效果最佳。     

遮阴和施氮对黄檗幼苗叶片光合特性和碳氮计量特征的影响

选取大田环境下3年生黄檗幼苗,采用人工控制双因素随机区组试验,在不同光照［全光照(S₀)、轻度遮光21.4%(S₁)和重度遮光8.7%(S₂)］和不同氮添加［无添加对照(F₀)、轻度添加(F₁)和重度添加(F₂)］条件下,测定黄檗幼苗叶片的相对叶绿素含量(SPAD值)、气体交换参数及碳氮化学计量特征,探讨黄檗幼苗对遮阴和施氮的响应机制。结果表明：(1)随着遮光程度增强,黄檗幼苗叶片的SPAD值、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、碳氮比(C∶N)和瞬时光合氮利用率(PNUE)均呈现先增后降的趋势,两种遮光条件下SPAD均显著高于全光照环境;黄檗幼苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、水分利用率(WUE)和气孔限制值(L_s)逐渐降低;而叶片氮(N)和碳(C)含量均呈先降后升的趋势。(2)随氮添加量增加,黄檗幼苗叶片的P_n、WUE、L_s、N和C含量均呈先增后降趋势,T_r、G_s和PNUE则逐渐下降,而C∶N逐渐增加。(3)黄檗幼苗叶片的P_n在各光氮组合处理间均无显著差异;SPAD含量以S₁F₀、S₂F₀和S₁F₂处理组合显著较高,而以全光照(S₀)处理组合显著最低;T_r和G_s以轻度遮光(S₁)处理组合明显较高,而以S₂F₁、S₀F₂、S₂F₂明显较低;WUE和L_s均以S₀F₂显著最高,S₂F₂处理组合显著最低。黄檗幼苗叶片N和C含量在重度遮光/轻度氮添加(S₂F₁)时具有较大值,而其C∶N和PNUE在轻度遮光/无氮添加(S₁F₀)时具有较大值。(4)隶属函数综合评价认为,黄檗幼苗对光氮复合作用总体属中等耐受型,轻度遮光时不添加氮肥(S₁F₀)和轻度氮添加(S₁F₁)及全光照时轻度氮添加(S₀F₁)为适于幼苗生长的光氮组合。研究发现,光环境是影响黄檗幼苗光合作用和更新的主导因子,但黄檗苗期能耐受一定的遮阴胁迫;光照不受限制时,适当增加氮肥有利于黄檗幼苗生长;光照受限(重度遮光)时,施氮则抑制叶片叶绿素合成,降低了幼苗光能利用率,不利于其生长。     

盐分胁迫下杠柳叶片光合特性的光响应研究

利用CID型便携式光合作用仪测定不同NaCl浓度下杠柳叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、水分利用效率（WUE）及光能利用率(LUE)生理参数的光响应过程,阐明盐分胁迫下其对光照响应的规律,探讨有利于杠柳正常生长的盐分浓度和光照条件。结果表明:（1）各盐分浓度下杠柳叶片光补偿点（LCP）在21.89～65.05 μmol·m^-2·s^-1之间变动,介于阴性植物与阳性植物之间;杠柳随土壤盐分的不同,其光合作用参数对光照强度表现出一定的适应性和可塑性;50 mmol·L^-1盐分浓度下杠柳光合同化能力最强,最有利于其干物质的积累,表现出一定的耐盐性。（2）轻度的盐分胁迫（小于50 mmol·L^-1）可以提高杠柳叶片的P_n、G_s、WUE和LUE,而盐分胁迫对杠柳的T_r有抑制作用,并随着盐分浓度的增加其抑制作用愈强烈。（3）维持杠柳正常生长的土壤盐分浓度小于50 mmol·L^-1,最佳PAR为1 000～2 000 μmol·m^-2·s^-1;而保持杠柳最大WUE和LUE的光照强度分别为800和100 μmol·m^-2·s^-1。     

Within-branch heterogeneity of the light environment and leaf temperature in a Fagus crenata crown and its significance for photosynthesis calculations

On days with clear skies in late August 2002 diurnal changes in the within-branch heterogeneity of photosynthetic photon flux density at the leaf surface (PPFD_s) and leaf temperature (T _leaf) were measured at natural leaf orientations in the upper and lower layers of a Fagus crenata crown. The PPFD_s and T _leaf measurements were converted to branch photosynthesis rates (P _B; μmol s⁻¹) using a photosynthetic model proposed by Farquhar et al. (Planta 149:78–90, 1980), an empirical stomatal conductance model suggested by Leuning et al. (Plant Cell Environ 18:339–335, 1995), and the total leaf area of the branches. To evaluate the importance of the variation in PPFD_s and T _leaf on photosynthesis calculations, P _B calculated with the observed variation in PPFD_s and T _leaf was compared with estimates, based on the average (variation-free) values of PPFD_s and T _leaf, respectively. In both the layers, daily total P _B values obtained with T _leaf averaging were very close to those obtained with no averaging because of the weak inflection of the net photosynthesis rate (P _n) to T _leaf curves in the observed T _leaf ranges (24.4–36.5 and 21.9–29.1°C in the upper and lower layers, respectively) and relatively small variation in within-branch T _leaf at each time of day. This finding applied across potential climate conditions on fine days in August (T _leaf range of 19.4–41.5 and 16.9–34.1°C in the upper and lower layers, respectively) and when the spatial scale was increased from branch to leaf layer, which increased the maximum variation in within-branch T _leaf from 7.8 to 9.5°C and 4.5 to 5.5°C in the upper and lower layers, respectively. In contrast, averaging PPFD_s caused 25–50% and 41–90% overestimation of daily total P _B in the upper and lower layers, respectively, due to the sharp curvature in the PPFD_s response curve to P _n, and relatively large variation in within-branch PPFD_s. Further, it led to overestimation of midday depression of P _B in the upper layer, possibly because branch structural acclimation to incident light was neglected. Our results indicate that averaged values of T _leaf could be used for the estimation of carbon gain at layer scale throughout August, but spatial variations in PPFD_s need to be considered in detail for reliable estimates of carbon gain.     

桂西南岩溶区八种适生植物光合性状的变异与关联

为探究岩溶植物的光合生理适应机制，采用Li-6400XT便携式光合作用测量系统，对广西平果市岩溶区8种适生植物的叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)和气孔限制值(L_s)等光合特征参数进行了测定分析。结果表明：(1)6个光合特征参数在种内和种间均存在不同程度的变异，并且种内变异均大于种间变异。(2)G_s和T_r的变化主要来源于种间变异(46.72%～49.76%),而P_n、C_i、WUE和L_s变化主要来源于种内变异(48.66%～64.50%)。在生活型水平上，P_n、G_s和T_r的种内变异表现为常绿植物小于落叶植物，而C_i、WUE和L_s则相反。(3)各参数的种间变异均表现为落叶植...     

两种高质牧草不同生育期光合生理日变化及光响应特征

于2010年5月25日(拔节、分枝期)、7月6日(抽穗、结荚期)、8月25日(开花期)晴朗天气,采用LI-6400便携式光合作用测定系统对新引1号东方山羊豆和柳枝稷各项光合生理生态指标进行了测定。结果表明:(1)新引1号东方山羊豆净光合速率(Pn)日变化呈双峰曲线,存在"光合午休"现象;分枝期Pn、光能利用效率(LUE)、水分利用效率(WUE)日均值高于结荚期,而结荚期的叶温(Tl)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)日均值高于分枝期。(2)柳枝稷的Pn日变化呈单峰曲线,拔节期Pn、Tr日均值高于抽穗期,开花期最低;WUE与Ci日均值在开花期最高,拔节期次之,抽穗期最小;Tl、LUE日均值在抽穗期最高,拔节期次之,开花期最小。(3)Pn与Tr、Gs、叶片气孔限制值(Ls)、光合有效辐射(PAR)具有极显著正相关关系,与Ci呈极显著负相关;Tr与Gs、叶温下蒸汽压亏缺(Vpdl)、气温(Ta)、Tl、PAR均呈极显著正相关关系,与大气CO2浓度(Ca)呈显著负相关;Tl、Gs与PAR呈极显著正相关。(4)通过光响应曲线的绘制及相关生理指标的计算,结合相关评价标准,得出柳枝稷为阳生植物,而新引1号东方山羊豆为耐荫植物,且柳枝稷比新引1号东方山羊豆对光环境的适应性强。     

Water relations and photosynthetic capacity of two species of Calotropis in a tropical semi-arid ecosystem

Background and Aims

Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea, originally from warm parts of Africa and Asia, are now pan-tropical and in ecological terms considered an indicator of overgrazed, disturbed lands; they grow successfully in dry areas. Variations in water relations, morphology and photosynthesis of the two species growing in the same habitat were studied to assess possible mechanisms of tolerance to drought and how these relate to their ecophysiological success. Also the hypothesis that their photosynthetic rate (A) under drought would be affected by stomatal and non-stomatal limitations was tested.

Methods

Water relations, gas exchange, water use efficiency (WUE), fluorescence parameters, pubescence and specific leaf area (SLA) of Calotropis procera and C. gigantea plants growing in the field were evaluated during the wet (WS) and dry (DS) seasons.

Results

The xylem water potential (ψ) was similar in both species during the WS and DS; drought caused a 28 % decrease of ψ. In C. procera, A, stomatal conductance (g_s) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) were higher in the WS with half the values of those during the DS, this species being more affected by drought than C. gigantea. A high δ¹³C of C. gigantea (–26·2 ‰) in the WS indicated a higher integrated WUE, in agreement with its lower g_s. Leaves of C. gigantea were more pubescent than C. procera. Relative stomatal and non-stomatal limitation of A increased with drought in both species; no changes in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII; F_v/F_m) were observed. The decrease in the relative quantum yield of PSII (φ_PSII) and in the photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) was more pronounced in C. procera than in C. gigantea.

Conclusions

The photosynthetic capacity of C. procera was higher than that of C. gigantea. During the DS, A was regulated by stomatal and non-stomatal factors in a coordinated manner and drought did not cause chronic photoinhibition. A higher density of trichomes and leaf angle in C. gigantea may contribute to the maintenance of A and confer more efficient protection of photochemical activity in the DS. Ecophysiological traits such as high photosynthetic rate throughout the year even during the DS, and high WUE, highly pubescent leaves and low SLA observed in both species contribute to the establishment and growth of Calotropis in dry conditions.     

Using combined measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence to investigate the photosynthetic light responses of plant species adapted to different light regimes

One broad-leaved pioneer tree, Alnus formosana, two broad-leaved understory shrubs, Ardisia crenata and Ardisia cornudentata, and four ferns with different light adaptation capabilities (ranked from high to low, Pyrrosia lingus, Asplenium antiquum, Diplazium donianum, Archangiopteris somai) were used to elucidate the light responses of photosynthetic rate and electron transport rate (ETR). Pot-grown materials received up to 3 levels of light intensity, i.e., 100%, 50% and 10% sunlight. Both gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence were measured simultaneously by an equipment under constant temperature and 7 levels (0?C2,000 ??mol m^?2 s^?1) of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Plants adapted to-or acclimated to high light always had higher light-saturation point and maximal photosynthetic rate. Even materials had a broad range of photosynthetic capacity [maximal photosynthetic rate ranging from 2 to 23 ??mol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1], the ratio of ETR to gross photosynthetic rate (P _G) was close for A. formosana and the 4 fern species when measured under constant temperature, but the PPFD varied. In addition, P. lingus and A. formosana grown under 100% sunlight and measured at different seasonal temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) showed increased ETR/P _G ratio with increasing temperature and could be fitted by first- and second-order equations, respectively. With this equation, estimated and measured P _G were closely correlated (r ² = 0.916 and r ² = 0.964 for P. lingus and A. formosana, respectively, p<0.001). These equations contain only the 2 easily obtained dynamic indicators, ETR and leaf temperature. Therefore, for some species with near ETR/P _G ratio in differential levels of PPFD, these equations could be used to simulate dynamic variation of leaf scale photosynthetic rate under different temperature and PPFD conditions.     

Assessment of photosynthetic potential of indoor plants under cold stress

Photosynthetic parameters including net photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (E), water-use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal conductance (g_s) were studied in indoor C₃ plants Philodendron domesticum (Pd), Dracaena fragans (Df), Peperomia obtussifolia (Po), Chlorophytum comosum (Cc), and in a CAM plant, Sansevieria trifasciata (St), exposed to various low temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C). All studied plants survived up to 0°C, but only St and Cc endured, while other plants wilted, when the temperature increased back to room temperature (25°C). The P_N declined rapidly with the decrease of temperature in all studied plants. St showed the maximum P_N of 11.9 μmol m^?2 s^?1 at 25°C followed by Cc, Po, Pd, and Df. E also followed a trend almost similar to that of P_N. St showed minimum E (0.1 mmol m^?2 s^?1) as compared to other studied C₃ plants at 25°C. The E decreased up to ≈4-fold at 5 and 0°C. Furthermore, a considerable decline in WUE was observed under cold stress in all C₃ plants, while St showed maximum WUE. Similarly, the g_s also declined gradually with the decrease in the temperature in all plants. Among C₃ plants, Pd and Po showed the maximum g_s of 0.07 mol m^?2 s^?1 at 25°C followed by Df and Cc. However, St showed the minimum g_s that further decreased up to ～4-fold at 0°C. In addition, the content of photosynthetic pigments [chlorophyll a, b, (a+b), and carotenoids] was varying in all studied plants at 0°C. Our findings clearly indicated the best photosynthetic potential of St compared to other studied plants. This species might be recommended for improving air quality in high-altitude closed environments.     

Responses of Nitraria tangutorum to water and photosynthetic physiology in rain enrichment scenario

Under the global warming conditions, great attention has been paid to the effects of precipitation on ecophysiological characteristics in desert plants. Nitraria tangutorum is one of the dominant shrubs distributes in desert outside Minqin oasis, Gansu Province. The artificial simulated rainfall experiments were carried out in four consecutive years from 2008 to 2011, in an attempt to understand the mechanisms of the photosynthetic response in desert plant to the variation of future precipitation pattern. The water and photosynthetic physiological characteristics of leaves in N. tangutorum were examined from July 24 to 26 in 2011 under different simulated rainfall increase gradients (increased 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of mean annual precipitation, respectively). We measured leaf traits that could reflect both leaf water status (e.g., leaf water content and leaf water potential) and photosynthetic physiology (e.g., maximum net photosynthetic rate). The results showed that leaf water content and leaf water potential of N. tangutorum increased with increasing rainfall. Leaf water content and leaf water potential of N. tangutorum in the 100% increased rainfall treatment were significantly greater by 8.51% and 12.07% than the control (0% increased rainfall treatment). But leaf dry matter content and specific leaf weight gradually decreased with increasing rainfall. Leaf dry matter content and specific leaf weight in the 100% increased rainfall treatment were significantly lower by 6.92% and 25.93% than the control. Leaf maximum net photosynthetic rate (A_max), apparent quantum yield (AQY) and light saturation point (LSP) increased with increasing rainfall, while light compensation point (LCP) gradually decreased with increasing rainfall. AQY in the 100% increased rainfall treatment was significantly greater by 70.00% than the control. However, there were no significant differences in LSP and LCP between different treatments. A_max, transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (G_s) in the 100% increased rainfall treatment were significantly greater by 81.91%, 166.07% and 110.47% than the control, respectively. On the contrary, water use efficiency (WUE) in the 100% increased rainfall treatment was significantly less 48.28% than the control. There were no significant differences in intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) and stomatal limitation value (L_s) between different treatments. The correlation analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between leaf water content, leaf water potential, T_r and G_s. However, there were significantly negative correlations between leaf dry matter content, leaf specific mass and T_r, G_s, leaf water content and leaf water potential, suggesting that leaf gas exchanges were regulated by leaf water status. Therefore, N. tangutorum could adapt to the tendency of future increasing precipitation by the coordination of water physiology and photosynthesis.     

Ecophysiological characteristics of two carrot (Daucus carota L.) cultivars in response to agroecological factors and nitrogen application

Plant density, planting time, harvest timing, and nitrogen influence on short-term gas-exchange properties of carrot cultivars, Topcut and Sugarsnax (Daucus carota L.) were investigated under field conditions. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and transpiration rate (E) differed significantly with the cultivars studied. Both planting and harvest timing changed the midday P _N rates. P _N increased as harvest timing advanced regardless of planting time. Late planting combined with late harvesting registered the maximum P _N rates (4.5 ??mol m^?2 s^?1). The water-use efficiency (WUE) was altered by temperature at different harvest timings along with the choice of cultivar. Early harvested Sugarsnax had a higher WUE (2.29 mmol mol^?1) than TopCut (1.64 mmol mol^?1) as Sugarsnax exhibited more stomatal conductance than TopCut. These changes were principally governed by fluctuations observed with air temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and altered by the sensitivity of the cultivars to ecological factors. Plant density did not affect the photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters. Our results suggest that carrots manage high population density solely through morphological adaptations with no photosynthetic adjustments. Carrot leaves responded to N application in a curvilinear fashion in both cultivars. N did not alter g _s, E, or WUE in carrots. N, applied at a rate of 150 kg N ha^?1, increased foliar N up to 2.98%. We conclude that 2.98% of foliar N is sufficient to achieve the maximum photosynthetic rates in processing carrots.     

Diffusional conductances to CO2 as a target for increasing photosynthesis and photosynthetic water-use efficiency

A key objective for sustainable agriculture and forestry is to breed plants with both high carbon gain and water-use efficiency (WUE). At the level of leaf physiology, this implies increasing net photosynthesis (A _N) relative to stomatal conductance (g _s). Here, we review evidence for CO₂ diffusional constraints on photosynthesis and WUE. Analyzing past observations for an extensive pool of crop and wild plant species that vary widely in mesophyll conductance to CO₂ (g _m), g _s, and foliage A _N, it was shown that both g _s and g _m limit A _N, although the relative importance of each of the two conductances depends on species and conditions. Based on Fick’s law of diffusion, intrinsic WUE (the ratio A _N/g _s) should correlate on the ratio g _m/g _s, and not g _m itself. Such a correlation is indeed often observed in the data. However, since besides diffusion A _N also depends on photosynthetic capacity (i.e., V _c,max), this relationship is not always sustained. It was shown that only in a very few cases, genotype selection has resulted in simultaneous increases of both A _N and WUE. In fact, such a response has never been observed in genetically modified plants specifically engineered for either reduced g _s or enhanced g _m. Although increasing g _m alone would result in increasing photosynthesis, and potentially increasing WUE, in practice, higher WUE seems to be only achieved when there are no parallel changes in g _s. We conclude that for simultaneous improvement of A _N and WUE, genetic manipulation of g _m should avoid parallel changes in g _s, and we suggest that the appropriate trait for selection for enhanced WUE is increased g _m/g _s.