西双版纳热带雨林中两种生态型蕨类植物的光合特性比较研究

通过比较分布于西双版纳热带雨林林下生境中的附生鸟巢蕨（Neottopteris nidus）和地生网脉铁角蕨（Asplenium finlaysonianum）的光合特征和光合诱导特性,来研究不同生态型蕨类植物的光斑利用策略。研究结果表明,2种蕨类植物的最大净光合速率、暗呼吸速率、表观量子效率、光饱和点和光补偿点没有显著差异,但网脉铁角蕨的最大气孔导度远远高于鸟巢蕨,表明后者具有更强的光合水分利用效率。在暗处理3／J＇,时接着光照（光强为20I~mol-m-2,s。‘）30分钟后,网脉铁角蕨的初始气孔导度显著高于鸟巢蕨。连续照射饱和强光后,网脉铁角蕨达到最大净光合速率50％（T50％）和90％的时间（T90%）比鸟巢蕨短：网脉铁角蕨和鸟巢蕨的T50%分别为0．57和5．31分钟,T90％分别为5．85和26．33分钟。诱导过程中,气孔导度对强光的响应明显滞后于净光合速率。鸟巢蕨达到最大气孔导度的时间明显比网脉铁角蕨慢,但在光合诱导消失过程中2种蕨类植物的光合诱导维持能力却没有显著差异。上述结果表明,与大多数地生林下植物（如网脉铁角蕨）相比,附生鸟巢蕨的水分保护比碳获得更重要,但却限制了附生蕨对光斑的利用。     

6种热带雨林木本植物幼苗光合诱导的研究

 在晴天上午适宜条件下,测定了生长在模拟林下光环境中的6种热带雨林木本植物幼苗的光合特性和光合诱导特征。6种植物分别为先锋树种大穗野桐(Mallotus macrostachys),冠层树种绒毛番龙眼(Pometia tomentosa)、玉蕊(Barringtonia pendala)、望天树(Shorea chinensis)、滇南插柚紫(Linociera insignis)和林下灌木睫毛粗叶木(Lasianthus hookeri)。研究结果表明：暗处理3 h的叶片经连续饱和强光照射后,6种植物的净光合速率呈s形到双曲线形。6种植物达到90%最大净光合速率的时间为4.4～12.5 min,这与所报道的其它热带雨林中一些阴生植物的诱导速率相近。大穗野桐和睫毛粗叶木的诱导速率最快,达到50%和90%最大净光合速率的时间为其它4种冠层植物幼苗的1/2至1/3。诱导过程中,最大气孔导度对强光的响应明显滞后于净光合速率。充分诱导的叶片在黑暗中20 min后,6种植物的诱导状态都较高。其中,大穗野桐的诱导状态消失相对较快,这可能与其气孔导度和羧化能力的快速降低有关。玉蕊诱导状态的消失主要与生化限制有关,因为此时它的气孔导度仍维持相对较高的值。而睫毛粗叶木较高的气孔导度和羧化能力的维持导致了很高的诱导状态。林下植物这种对强光的快速反应和黑暗中高的维持状态对有效利用光斑具有重要的意义,这与其一生中在林下生长和更新的特点是一致的。     

北京松山油松当年生与往年生针叶光合生理特性

为探讨北京松山自然保护区油松固碳机制, 对松山不同叶龄油松针叶的光合、蒸腾特性及其与环境因子的关系进行探究。结果显示：(1)油松当年生叶的最大净光合速率、暗呼吸速率及光补偿点均高于往年生叶, 但表观量子效率却低于往年生叶; (2)油松当年生和往年生叶的净光合速率和蒸腾速率日变化均呈“双峰”曲线; 当年生叶的净光合速率日均值显著高于往年生(P<0.05); (3)气孔导度和光合有效辐射是影响油松当年生和往年生叶净光合速率的共同生态因子; 同时气孔导度和光合有效辐射共同影响不同叶龄针叶的蒸腾速率。结果表明当年生叶光合潜力较大, 而往年生叶利用弱光能力较强; 当年生叶净光合速率降低主要为非气孔因素, 而往年生叶则先后由气孔因素和非气孔素引起; 油松不同叶龄光合特性差异体现了油松不 同的生理调节和环境适应策略。     

二倍体小麦种间气孔与光合特征差异

选取5个二倍体小麦种为实验材料,利用数码图像显微镜处理系统、气体交换参数测定系统和叶绿素荧光动力学参数测定系统,研究了二倍体小麦种间气孔特征与光合特性的差异.结果表明,二倍体小麦种间气孔和光合特征存在较大的差异:其中S基因型(Ae.Sect.Sitopsis)的气孔长度、周长和面积最大,而其宽度、密度和气孔指数却是最小的;D基因型(Ae.Tauschii)的气孔宽度、密度和气孔指数最大,而其长度、周长和面积却是最小的;D基因型(Ae.Tauschii)的净光合速率最大,而S基因型(Ae.Sect.Sitopsis)的净光合速率最小.气孔周长与气孔面积呈显著正相关关系,而气孔密度与气孔面积呈显著负相关关系.二倍体小麦的净光合速率与气孔导度呈显著正相关关系,同时气孔限制值的变化趋势与细胞间隙CO2浓度的变化趋势相反,说明二倍体小麦的光合能力主要受气孔限制.在几个种中,乌拉尔图小麦(T.urartu)具有较高的净光合速率和气孔导度,同时细胞间隙CO2浓度最低,气孔限制值最大,在光合能力和耐光抑制方面有较明显的优势;而野生一粒小麦(T.boeoticum)则在光合能力和耐光抑制方面不存在优势.同时,乌拉尔图小麦(T.urartu)的叶绿素含量最高,而野生一粒小麦(T.boeoticum)最低,叶绿素含量可能也是造成二倍体种间光合能力差异的原因之一.     

遮荫对东北地区四种可食用蕨类植物生长和光合特征的影响

以东北4种蕨类植物——荚果蕨(Matteuccia struthiopteris(L.)Todaro)、猴腿蹄盖蕨(Athyrium multidentatum(Dol1.)Ching)、分株紫萁(Osmunda cinnamomea(L.)var.asiatica Fernald)和蕨(Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var.latiusculum (Desy.) Underw.ex Heller)为研究材料,分析在35%、13%和8%全光照处理下4种蕨类植物的生长和光合特征.结果发现:随着遮荫程度的增加,4种蕨类植物的株高减小,比叶面积增加,叶片含水量增加.4种蕨类植物的净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率随着遮荫程度的增加而降低,胞间CO2浓度呈上升趋势.在3种遮荫处理下4种蕨类植物的PSⅡ最大光化学效率在0.7~0.8;非光化学猝灭系数随着遮荫程度的增加而降低.4种蕨类植物的叶绿素含量,尤其是叶绿素b含量随着遮荫程度的增加而上升,但在8%全光照下蕨的叶绿素含量呈下降趋势.相比其他蕨类植物而言,蕨具有较高的比叶面积、净光合速率和量子产率,相对较低的非光化学猝灭系数和叶绿素a./b.结果表明,4种蕨类植物最适合在35%全光照下生长,虽然对较低光照条件具有一定的适应性,但生长受到一定的抑制;4种蕨类植物中,蕨具有较强的耐荫性.本研究为东北地区4种可食用蕨类植物的栽培管理及利用提供科学依据.     

间作和净作条件下喜阴植物谢君魔芋的光合作用及光合诱导特征研究

为了解种植模式对谢君魔芋(Amorphophallus xiei)光合作用的影响,研究了间作和净作模式下谢君魔芋的光合作用和光合诱导特征。结果表明,间作模式下的谢君魔芋净光合速率(Pn)比净作模式的高18.97%,最大气孔导度(gs-max)比净作模式的小22.4%,且间作模式下谢君魔芋有较高的表观量子产额(AQY)、光饱和点(LSP)、羧化效率(CE)、叶绿素含量以及较小的暗呼吸速率(Rd)、光补偿点(LCP)、CO_2补偿点(Г*)。高光照诱导后,间作模式下的光合诱导状态(IS)大于净作模式,且在间作模式下光合诱导过程中达到最大光合速率(Pmax)和最大气孔导度(gs-max)的30%、50%所需时间较短;同时,光合诱导过程中达到Pmax和gs-max的30%、50%和90%的时间(t30%P、t50%P、t90%P和t30%gs、t50%gs、t90%gs)与gs-initial呈负相关关系。因此,玉米-魔芋间作下,谢君魔芋通过增大AQY和LSP、减小Rd和LCP等来提高光的利用能力及维持碳平衡;同时通过快速的光合诱导,提高对光斑的利用能力从而增加碳获得。     

沈阳城市森林主要绿化树种——丁香的光合特性研究

应用LI-6400红外气体分析仪对城市森林典型树种丁香不同季节光合作用的日变化规律进行研究,采用相关分析和多元逐步回归统计分析方法,得出净光合速率与光合有效辐射、气温、大气湿度、气孔导度等生理生态因子间的相关关系．结果表明,丁香春季和夏季光合速率呈双峰曲线,秋季呈单峰曲线．春季影响光合速率的主要因子为光合有效辐射和气孔导度;夏季影响光合速率的主要因子为气孔导度和光合有效辐射;秋季为气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度,建立了相应的影响因子回归方程。     

沈阳城市森林主要绿化树种——丁香的光合特性研究

应用LI-6400红外气体分析仪对城市森林典型树种丁香不同季节光合作用的日变化规律进行研究,采用相关分析和多元逐步回归统计分析方法,得出净光合速率与光合有效辐射、气温、大气湿度、气孔导度等生理生态因子间的相关关系.结果表明,丁香春季和夏季光合速率呈双峰曲线,秋季呈单峰曲线.春季影响光合速率的主要因子为光合有效辐射和气孔导度;夏季影响光合速率的主要因子为气孔导度和光合有效辐射;秋季为气孔导度和胞间CO₂浓度.建立了相应的影响因子回归方程.     

海南岛热带低地雨林攀援竹叶片光合特性季节动态

为探究攀援竹的光合生理特性及其在热带雨林中的生存适应机制,该研究应用LI-6400便携式光合作用测定系统,分别于2、4、7和11月测定了海南岛甘什岭热带低地雨林的无耳藤竹(攀援能力较强)和响子竹(攀援能力较差)光响应曲线和CO2响应曲线。结果显示:(1)无耳藤竹各月份的最大光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸效率和气孔导度总体大于响子竹,表观量子效率和胞间CO2浓度总体小于响子竹。(2)两个竹种的最大光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸效率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率均在7月份较高,表观量子效率和水分利用效率则均在2月份较高。(3)无耳藤竹各月份的羧化效率、饱和最大净光合速率和光呼吸速率均高于响子竹,两竹种4月份的CO2饱和点和CO2补偿点最高,但羧化效率和饱和最大光合速率较低。研究表明,无耳藤竹为阳性植物,其光合能力优于响子竹,对CO2浓度变化的适应能力更强,而响子竹以其耐荫的特性在热带雨林中与其他物种共存;两攀援竹种的光合能力均表现为雨季大于旱季,它们在雨季主要通过提高光饱和点、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度来提高其净光合速率,在旱季主要通过降低蒸腾速率和提高水分利用效率来维持光合作用;两种攀援竹光合特性季节变化是环境和竹种自身生理特性共同作用的结果,不同的光合生理特性决定了其在热带雨林中不同的生存策略。     

两种铁角蕨的孢子体形态研究及水分生理测定

以铁角蕨属(Asplenium)两种不同植物的孢子体为材料(石生铁角蕨和变异铁角蕨),通过常规形态解剖方法和水分生理指标测定,分析探讨了这两种植物的形态特征与水分生理特点之间的适应性。结果表明:(1)石生铁角蕨和变异铁角蕨相比较,石生铁角蕨叶面积指数较大,叶片更为饱满。(2)两种铁角蕨表皮细胞的垂周壁均为不规则形,分别呈现出深波状或浅波状。(3)两种铁角蕨的气孔器全为下生气孔,且气孔器类型、形状、气孔大小及长宽比都很稳定。但是,二者之间气孔密度有很大差异,而气孔器类型以不规则四细胞型、腋下细胞型和极细胞型为主。(4)木质部维管束均为椭圆形的双柱型管状中柱,中柱内含有管状分子,呈背对月牙形分布,中柱大小约为80μm。(5)维管束内的管状分子次生壁出现不同程度的木质化增厚,以网纹、梯纹、孔纹的形式表现出来,管状分子的直径都较小,变异铁角蕨的木质部管状分子比石生铁角蕨的稍大。(6)石生铁角蕨的自然含水量较低,相对含水量较自然含水量变化较小,束缚水与自由水比值和水势较高。从石生铁角蕨和变异铁角蕨的叶表皮形态、气孔器特征、管状中柱和管状分子特征来看,将二者划分在同一属下是比较合理的。两种植物自然生境不同,其水分生理特征差异明显,但均与各自的形态特征相适应;石生铁角蕨的抗旱性比变异铁角蕨更强。该研究结果可为铁角蕨属植物的系统分类和抗旱性研究提供更多的资料。     

不同光照条件下喜阴植物谢君魔芋对稳态和动态光源的响应特征

谢君魔芋(Amorphophallus xiei)是起源于云南西南地区热带雨林的典型喜阴植物,近年来得到了广泛种植和推广,在种植过程中,谢君魔芋需要采用遮荫栽培模式。为了揭示谢君魔芋对光照强度的适应策略,该研究探讨了生长在不同光照强度下(透光率为50%、29%、17%、7%)谢君魔芋叶片的光合作用特征、光合诱导特征、光合色素含量以及叶片氮素(N)含量和N分配。结果表明:随着生长环境光照强度的降低,单位叶面积和单位叶质量最大净光合速率、光合色素含量、最大羧化速率、最大电子传递速率及比叶面积均增大,而暗呼吸和光补偿点均减小。在光合诱导过程中,生长在透光率为17%光环境中的谢君魔芋完成50%光合诱导所需的时间最短,约为81.4 s;在光诱导进行10 min时,诱导状态最高,为87.3%。完成50%和90%光合诱导所需的时间与低光下初始气孔导度呈负相关关系。随着生长光照强度降低,叶片中的N分配到羧化组分和生物能转化组分中的比例先增大后减小,在透光率为17%的光环境下具有最大值;而叶片中的N分配到捕光色素组分中的比例随着生长环境光照强度降低而增加。该研究结果表明,喜阴植物谢君魔芋通过加强对低光和动态光源的利用能力及有效的N资源分配策略来适应低光照环境。     

Photosynthetic responses to dynamic light under field conditions in six tropical rainforest shrubs occuring along a light gradient

 We examined in the field the photosynthetic utilization of fluctuating light by six neotropical rainforest shrubs of the family Rubiaceae. They were growing in three different light environments: forest understory, small gaps, and clearings. Gas exchange techniques were used to analyse photosynthetic induction response, induction maintenance during low-light periods, and lightfleck (simulated sunfleck) use efficiency (LUE). Total daily photon flux density (PFD) reaching the plants during the wet season was 37 times higher in clearings than in the understory, with small gaps exhibiting intermediate values. Sunflecks were more frequent, but shorter and of lower intensity in the understory than in clearings. However, sunflecks contributed one-third of the daily PFD in the understory. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis, carboxylation capacity, electron transport, and maximum stomatal conductance were lower in understory species than in species growing in small gaps or clearings, while the reverse was true for the curvature factor of the light response of photosynthesis. No significant differences were found in the apparent quantum yield. The rise of net photosynthesis during induction after transfer from low to high light varied from a hyperbolic shape to a sigmoidal increase. Rates of photosynthetic induction exhibited a negative exponential relationship with stomatal conductance in the shade prior to the increase in PFD. Leaves of understory species showed the most rapid induction and remained induced longer once transferred to the shade than did leaves of medium- or high-light species. LUE decreased rapidly with increasing lightfleck duration and was affected by the induction state of the leaf. Fully induced leaves exhibited LUEs up to 300% for 1-s lightflecks, while LUE was below 100% for 1–80 s lightflecks in uninduced leaves. Both induced and uninduced leaves of understory species exhibited higher LUE than those of species growing in small gaps or clearings. However, most differences disappeared for lightflecks 10 s long or longer. Thus, understory species, which grew in a highly dynamic light environment, had better capacities for utilization of rapidly fluctuating light than species from habitats with higher light availability. Received: 4 January 1997 / Accepted: 28 April 1997     

Photosynthetic responses of Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus, a shade-tolerant, C4 grass, to variable light environments

Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus, a shade-tolerant C₄ grass, has spread throughout the eastern United States since its introduction in 1919. This species invades disturbed understory habitats along streambanks and surrounding mesic forests, and has become a major pest in areas such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The focus of this study was to characterize the photosynthetic induction responses of M. vimineum, specifically its ability to utilize low light and sunflecks, two factors that may be critical to invasive abilities and survival in the understory. In addition, we were curious about the ability of a grass with the C₄ photosynthetic pathway to respond to sunflecks. Plants were grown under 25% and 50% ambient sunlight, and photosynthetic responses to both steady-state and variable light were determined. Plants grown in both 25% and 50% ambient sun became 90% light saturated between 750–850 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; however, plants grown in 50% ambient sun had significantly higher maximum steady-state photosynthetic rates (16.09 ± 1.37 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ vs. 12.71 ± 1.18 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Both groups of plants induced to 50% of the steady-state rate in 3–5 min, while it took 10–13 min to reach 90% of maximum rates, under both flashing and steady-state light. For both groups of plants, stomatal conductance during induction reached maximum rates in 6–7 min, after which rates decreased slightly. Upon return to low light, rates of induction loss and stomatal closure were very rapid in both groups of plants, but were more rapid in those grown in high light. Rapid induction and the ability to induce under flashing light may enable this species to invade and dominate mesic understory habitats, while rapid induction loss due to stomatal closure may prevent excess water loss when low light constrains photosynthesis. The C₄ pathway itself does not appear to present an insurmountable barrier to the ability of this grass species to respond to sunflecks in an understory environment. Received: 21 February 1997 / Accepted: 10 October 1997     

番茄叶片光合作用对快速水分胁迫的响应

采用聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)溶液控制番茄根际水势和叶片离体的方式设置了水分胁迫处理,测算了光合诱导过程中净光合速率、暗呼吸速率和CO₂补偿点等光合参数的变化.结果表明： 在1000 μmol·m^-2·s^-1光诱导下,水分胁迫处理的番茄叶片净光合速率(P_n)达到最大值所需时间缩短为对照的1/3,气孔导度(g_s)快速增大为对照的1.5倍.水分胁迫处理的番茄叶片光饱和点(LSP)比对照降低了65%～85%,而光补偿点(LCP)比对照增加了75%～100%,缩小了番茄叶片利用光能的有效范围.水分胁迫处理的番茄叶片最大光合能力(A_max)低于对照40%以上,暗呼吸速率(R_d)增大了约45%.可见,快速水分胁迫处理使番茄叶片气孔迅速开放,光合诱导初始阶段消失.水分胁迫导致植物利用光能的效率和潜力降低是植物生产力下降的重要原因,而气孔调节是番茄适应快速水分胁迫的重要生理机制.     

Stomatal characteristics of ferns and angiosperms and their responses to changing light intensity at different habitats

气孔是植物与大气环境进行气体交换的重要通道, 在调控植物碳水平衡方面发挥着重要作用。为探讨生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响以及气孔对光强变化的响应格局在不同植物间和不同生境条件下的变异, 选取开阔生境和林下生境的5种蕨类植物和4种被子植物, 测定了它们的气孔形态特征和气孔导度对光强变化的响应。此外, 还收集了8篇文献中开阔和林下生境的45种蕨类植物和70种被子植物的气孔密度和气孔长度数据, 以增大样本量从而更好地探讨不同生境条件下蕨类和被子植物气孔密度及长度的变异格局, 并通过分析生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响来推测生境和植物类型对气孔响应行为的可能影响。实验结果表明, 与林下植物相比, 开阔环境下的植物气孔密度更大, 气孔长度更小, 气孔对光强降低的响应更敏感; 但植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响以及对气孔响应光强的敏感程度的影响均不显著。对文献数据的分析表明, 生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征均有显著影响。考虑到气孔响应快慢与气孔形态特征密切相关, 与蕨类植物相比, 被子植物小而密的气孔可能为其更快地响应环境变化提供了基础。研究表明生境和植物类型对气孔响应行为均有显著影响。     

Photosynthetic sunfleck utilization potential of understory saplings growing under elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in FACE

Few studies have evaluated elevated CO₂ responses of trees in variable light despite its prevalence in forest understories and its potential importance for sapling survival. We studied two shade-tolerant species (Acer rubrum, Cornus florida) and two shade-intolerant species (Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera) growing in the understory of a Pinus taeda plantation under ambient and ambient+200 ppm CO₂ in a free air carbon enrichment (FACE) experiment. Photosynthetic and stomatal responses to artificial changes in light intensity were measured on saplings to determine rates of induction gain under saturating light and induction loss under shade. We expected that growth in elevated CO₂ would alter photosynthetic responses to variable light in these understory saplings. The results showed that elevated CO₂ caused the expected enhancement in steady-state photosynthesis in both high and low light, but did not affect overall stomatal conductance or rates of induction gain in the four species. Induction loss after relatively short shade periods (<6 min) was slower in trees grown in elevated CO₂ than in trees grown in ambient CO₂ despite similar decreases in stomatal conductance. As a result leaves grown in elevated CO₂ that maintained induction well in shade had higher carbon gain during subsequent light flecks than was expected from steady-state light response measurements. Thus, when frequent sunflecks maintain stomatal conductance and photosynthetic induction during the day, enhancements of long-term carbon gain by elevated CO₂ could be underestimated by steady-state photosynthetic measures. With respect to species differences, both a tolerant, A. rubrum, and an intolerant species, L. tulipifera, showed rapid induction gain, but A. rubrum also lost induction rapidly (c. 12 min) in shade. These results, as well as those from independent studies in the literature, show that induction dynamics are not closely related to species shade tolerance. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that shade-tolerant species necessarily induce faster in the variable light conditions common in understories. Although our study is the first to examine dynamic photosynthetic responses to variable light in contrasting species in elevated CO₂, studies on ecologically diverse species will be required to establish whether shade-tolerant and -intolerant species show different photosynthetic responses in elevated CO₂ during sunflecks. We conclude that elevated CO₂ affects dynamic gas exchange most strongly via photosynthetic enhancement during induction as well as in the steady state. Received: 1 April 1999 / Accepted: 16 August 1999     

不同生境条件下蕨类和被子植物的气孔形态特征及其对光强变化的响应

气孔是植物与大气环境进行气体交换的重要通道, 在调控植物碳水平衡方面发挥着重要作用。为探讨生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响以及气孔对光强变化的响应格局在不同植物间和不同生境条件下的变异, 选取开阔生境和林下生境的5种蕨类植物和4种被子植物, 测定了它们的气孔形态特征和气孔导度对光强变化的响应。此外, 还收集了8篇文献中开阔和林下生境的45种蕨类植物和70种被子植物的气孔密度和气孔长度数据, 以增大样本量从而更好地探讨不同生境条件下蕨类和被子植物气孔密度及长度的变异格局, 并通过分析生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响来推测生境和植物类型对气孔响应行为的可能影响。实验结果表明, 与林下植物相比, 开阔环境下的植物气孔密度更大, 气孔长度更小, 气孔对光强降低的响应更敏感; 但植物类型对气孔形态特征的影响以及对气孔响应光强的敏感程度的影响均不显著。对文献数据的分析表明, 生境和植物类型对气孔形态特征均有显著影响。考虑到气孔响应快慢与气孔形态特征密切相关, 与蕨类植物相比, 被子植物小而密的气孔可能为其更快地响应环境变化提供了基础。研究表明生境和植物类型对气孔响应行为均有显著影响。     

The stomata of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris do not respond to CO2 in the dark and open by photosynthesis in guard cells

The stomata of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris lack a blue light-specific opening response but open in response to red light. We investigated this light response of Adiantum stomata and found that the light wavelength dependence of stomatal opening matched that of photosynthesis. The simultaneous application of red (2 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) and far-red (50 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) light synergistically induced stomatal opening, but application of only one of these wavelengths was ineffective. Adiantum stomata did not respond to CO2 in the dark; the stomata neither opened under a low intercellular CO2 concentration nor closed under high intercellular CO2 concentration. Stomata in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), which were used as a control, showed clear sensitivity to CO2. In Adiantum, stomatal conductance showed much higher light sensitivity when the light was applied to the lower leaf surface, where stomata exist, than when it was applied to the upper surface. This suggests that guard cells likely sensed the light required for stomatal opening. In the epidermal fragments, red light induced both stomatal opening and K+ accumulation in guard cells, and both of these responses were inhibited by a photosynthetic inhibitor, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. The stomatal opening was completely inhibited by CsCl, a K+ channel blocker. In intact fern leaves, red light-induced stomatal opening was also suppressed by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. These results indicate that Adiantum stomata lack sensitivity to CO2 in the dark and that stomatal opening is driven by photosynthetic electron transport in guard cell chloroplasts, probably via K+ uptake.