The Transport and Metabolism of Urea in Chara australis: II. UREASE AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSPORTED UREA

The ureolytic enzyme in Chara was investigated. This enzymewas shown to be a urease with an unusually high affinity forurea(K_m = 158 mmol m^-3). Little inhibition of urease activitywas found when intact Chara cells were exposed to the ureaseinhibitors hydroxyurea, acetohydroxamic acid and N-ethylmaleimide,although there was some inhibition of urea uptake. The distribution of radioactivity amongst the amino acid, organicacid and sugar/neutral fractions, determined by ion-exchangechromatography, was very similar whether the Chara internodeswere exposed to ¹⁴C-urea or to H¹⁴CO₃. This suggests that thefraction of the urea-carbon liberated by the urease as CO₂ andretained by the cell is used in photosynthetic carbon-fixation.During the initial 15 min of ¹⁴C-urea uptake, label appearsin the vacuole only in the form of unmetabolized urea. Afterthis time a variety of labelled compounds appear in the vacuole,presumably reflecting the gradual movement of carbon-fixationproducts from the chloroplasts to the cytoplasm and thence intothe vacuole. Key words: Urea transport, metabolism, Chara, urease     

Active Uptake of CO2 by the Diatom Navicula pelliculosa

Mass spectrometry has been used to investigate the transportof CO₂ in the freshwater diatom Navicula pelliculosa. The timecourseof CO₂ formation in the dark after addition of 100 mmol m^–3dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) to cell suspensions showedthat no external carbonic anhydrase (CA) was present in thesecells. Upon illumination, cells pre-incubated at pH 75 with100 mmol m^–3 DIC, removed almost all free CO₂ from themedium at an initial rate of 285 µmol CO₂ mg^–1Chl h^–1. Equilibrium between HCO₃^– and CO₂ in themedium occurred rapidly upon addition of bovine CA, showingthat CO₂ depletion resulted from a selective uptake of CO₂ ratherthan an uptake of all inorganic carbon species. However, photosyntheticO₂ evolution rate remained constant after CO₂ had been depletedfrom the medium indicating that photosynthesis is sustainedprimarily by active HCO₃^– uptake. Treatment of cells with2-iodoacetamide (83 mol m^–3) completely inhibited CO₂fixation but had little effect on CO₂ transport since initialrates of CO₂ depletion were about 81% that of untreated cells.Transfer of iodoacetamide-treated cells to the dark caused arapid increase in the CO₂ concentration in the medium largelydue to the efflux of the unfixed intracellular DIC pool whichwas found to be about 194 times the concentration of that inthe external medium. These results indicate that Navicula pelliculosaactively takes up molecular CO₂ against a concentration gradientby a process distinct from HCO₃^– transport. Key words: Dissolved inorganic carbon, carbonic anhydrase, bicarbonate transport, CO₂ transport, mass spectrometry     

The Permeability of Ammonia, Methylamine and Ethylamine in the Charophyte Chara corallina (C. australis)

Ritchie, R. J. 1987. The permeability of ammonia, methylamineand ethylamine in the charophyte Chara corallina (C. australis).—J.exp. Bot. 38: 67–76 The permeabilities of the amines, ammonia (NH₃), methylamine(CH₃NH₂) and ethylamine (CH₃CH₂NH₂) in the giant-celled charophyteChara corallina (C. australis) R.Br. have been measured andcompared. The permeabilities were corrected for uptake fluxesof the amine cations. Based on net uptake rates, the permeabilityof ammonia was 6?4?0?93 µm s^–1 (n = 38). The permeabilitiesof methylamine and ethylamine were measured in net and exchangeflux experiments. The permeabilities of methylamine were notsignificantly different in net and exchange experiments, norto that of ammonia (P_methylamine = 6?0?0?49 µm s^–1(n = 44)). In net flux experiments the apparent permeabilityof ethylamine was slightly greater than that of ammonia andmethylamine (P_{ethylamine, net} = 8?4?1?2 µm s^–1 (n= 40)) but the permeability of ethylamine based on exchangeflux data was significantly higher (P_{ethylamine, exchange} =14?1?2 µm s^–1 (n = 20)). Methylamine can be validlyused as an ammonium analogue in permeability studies in Chara. The plasmalemma of Chara has acid and alkaline bands; littlediffusion of uncharged amines would occur across the acid bands.The actual permeability of amines across the alkaline bandsis probably about twice the values quoted above on a whole cellbasis i.e. the permeability of ammonia across the permeablepart of the plasmalemma is probably about 12 µm s^–1. Key words: Chara, permeability, ammonia, methylamine     

Nitrate Transport into Chara corallina Cells using 36ClO-3 as an Analogue for Nitrate: I. INTERACTION BETWEEN 36ClO-3 AND NO-3 AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 36CIO-3/NO-3 INFLUX

The use of chlorate as an analogue for NO^–₃ during nitrateuptake into Chara corallina cells has been investigated. NO^–₃inhibits ³⁶C1O^–₃ influx into Chara over the concentrationrange 0–1000 mmol m^–3. Lineweaver-Burke plots ofthe data are characteristic of competitive inhibition by NO^–3in the low concentration range (0–300 mmol m^–3 ClO^–₃)and apparent K_INO3 is 140 mmol m^–3 which is of a similarorder of magnitude as apparent K_mCIO3- 180 mmol m^–3. Athigher substrate concentrations the inhibition by NO^–₃was not characteristic of competitive or uncompetitive inhibition. ³⁶C1O^–₃/NO^–₃ influx was dependent on K⁺ and Ca²⁺in the external medium and inhibited by FCCP. NO^–₃ pretreatmentor N starvation increased subsequent ³⁶C1O^–₃/NO^–₃influx into Chara. A comparison between rates of net NO^–₃uptake and ³⁶C1O^–₃/NO^–₃ influx supported the previoushypothesis that NO^–₃ efflux is an important componentin the determination of overall uptake rates. Key words: Nitrate, Chara, ³⁶CIO^–₃     

Permeability of Lipophilic Cations

The permeability (P) of a lipophilic cation, triphenylmethylphosphonium(TPMP⁺) which is frequently used as a membrane potential probe,has been measured in Chara australis (Charophyceae). P_TPMP+across biological membranes is usually thought to be very highbut this is not the case across the plasmalemma of Chara. Thepermeability of TPMP⁺ across the plasmalemma was found to betypical of inorganic cations, about 1.0 nm s^–1. Estimateswere made of the permeability of lipophilic cations across someother cell membranes, based on previously published work. Thepermeability of TPMP⁺ across the plasma membranes of the redalga, Griffithsia monilis and the blue-green alga, Anabaenavariabilis was about 2–5 nm s^–1. The permeabilityof TPMP⁺ across the plasma membranes of eukaryotes and prokaryotesappears to be similar. The permeability of lipophilic cationsacross the cristae of isolated mitochondria are exceptionallyhigh, about 170 nm s^–1. TPMP⁺ did not behave as a thiamineanalogue in Chara, unlike in the case of yeast. The means ofentry of TPMP⁺ into the Chara cell, driven by the electrochemicalgradient across the plasmalemma, has not been identified. Thepresence of a second lipophilic cation probe, DDA⁺ (dibenzyldimethylammonium),caused a decrease in the uptake flux of TPMP⁺; this suggeststhat the two lipophilic cations compete for the same site atthe surface of the plasmalemma. Key words: Chara australis, TPMP⁺, Permeability, Lipophilic cation     

Light Dependency of Carboxylation Efficiency and Ribulose-1, 5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase Activation in Trifolium subterraneum L. Leaves

The effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on carboxylationefficiency, estimated as the initial slope (IS) of net CO₂ assimilationrate versus intercellular CO₂ partial pressure response curve,as well as on ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco)activation was measured in Trifolium subterraneum L. leavesunder field conditions. The relationship between IS and PPFDfits a logarithmic curve. Rubisco activation accounts for theIS increase only up to a PPFD of 550 µmol photons m^-2s^-1. Further IS increase, between 550 and 1000 µmol photonsm^-2 s^-1, could be related to a higher ribulose fcwphosphate(RuBP) availability. The slow, but sustained IS increase above1000 µmol photons m^-2 s^-1 could be explained by the mesophyllCO₂ diffusion barriers associated with the high chlorophylland protein content in field developed leaves. Key words: Photosynthesis, initial slope, ribulose-1, 5-bissphosphate carboxylase activation, light response, Trifolium subterraneum L     

A comparison of nitrate transport in four different rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

As rice can use both nitrate (NO₃^-) and ammonium (NH₄⁺), we have tested the hypothesis that the shift in the pattern of cultivars grown in Jiangsu Province reflects the ability of the plants to exploit NO₃^- as a nitrogen (N) source. Four rice cultivars were grown in solution culture for comparison of their growth on NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ nitrogen sources. All four types of rice, Xian You 63 (XY63), Yang Dao 6 (YD), Nong Keng 57 (NK) and Si You 917 (SY917), grew well and produced similar amounts of shoot biomass with 1 mmol/L NH₄⁺ as the only N source. However, the roots of NK were significantly smaller in comparison with the other cultivars. When supplied with 1 mmol/L NO₃^-, YD produced the greatest biomass; while NK achieved the lowest growth among the four cultivars. Electrophysiological measurements on root rhizodermal cells showed that the NO₃^--elicited changes in membrane potential (ΔE_m) of these four rice cultivars were significantly different when exposed to low external NO₃^- (<1 mmol/L); while they were very similar at high external NO₃^- (10 mmol/L). The root cell membrane potentials of YD and XY63 were more responsive to low external NO₃^- than those of NK and SY917. The ΔE_m values for YD and XY63 rhizodermal cells were almost the same at both 0.1 mmol/L and 1 mmol/L NO₃^-; while for the NK and SY917 the values became larger as the external NO₃^- increased. For YD cultivar, ΔE_m was measured over a range of NO₃^- concentrations and a Michaelis-Menten fit to the data gave a K_m value of 0.17 mmol/L. Net NO₃^- uptake depletion kinetics were also compared and for some cultivars (YD and XY63) a single-phase uptake system with first order kinetics best fitted the data; while other cultivars (ND and SY917) showed a better fit to two uptake systems. These uptake systems had two affinity ranges: one had a similar K_m in all the cultivars (0.2 mmol/L); the other much higher affinity system (0.03 mmol/L) was only present in NK and SY917. The expression pattern of twelve different NO₃^- transporter genes was tested using specific primers, but only OsNRT1.1 and OsNRT2.1 expression could be detected showing significant differences between the four rice cultivars. The results from both the physiological and molecular experiments do provide some support for the hypothesis that the more popular rice cultivars grown in Jiangsu Province may be better at using NO₃^- as an N source.     

Biochemical Limitations to Carbon Assimilation in C3 Plants--A Retrospective Analysis of the A/Ci Curves from 109 Species

Species-specific differences in the assimilation of atmosphericCO₂ depends upon differences in the capacities for the biochemicalreactions that regulate the gas-exchange process. Quantifyingthese differences for more than a few species, however, hasproven difficult. Therefore, to understand better how speciesdiffer in their capacity for CO₂ assimilation, a widely usedmodel, capable of partitioning limitations to the activity ofribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase, to the rateof ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate regeneration via electron transport,and to the rate of triose phosphate utilization was used toanalyse 164 previously published A/C_i, curves for 109 C₃ plantspecies. Based on this analysis, the maximum rate of carboxylation,Vc_max, ranged from 6µmol m^–2 s^–1 for the coniferousspecies Picea abies to 194µmol m^–2 s^–1 forthe agricultural species Beta vulgaris, and averaged 64µmolm^–2 s^–1 across all species. The maximum rate ofelectron transport, J_max, ranged from 17µmol m^–2s^–1 again for Picea abies to 372µmol m^–2 s^–1for the desert annual Malvastrum rotundifolium, and averaged134µmol m^–2 s^–1 across all species. A strongpositive correlation between Vc_max and J_max indicated that theassimilation of CO₂ was regulated in a co-ordinated manner bythese two component processes. Of the A/C_i curves analysed,23 showed either an insensitivity or reversed-sensitivity toincreasing CO₂ concentration, indicating that CO₂ assimilationwas limited by the utilization of triose phosphates. The rateof triose phosphate utilization ranged from 4·9 µmolm^–2 s^–1 for the tropical perennial Tabebuia roseato 20·1 µmol m^–2 s^–1 for the weedyannual Xanthium strumarium, and averaged 10·1 µmolm^–2 s^–1 across all species. Despite what at first glance would appear to be a wide rangeof estimates for the biochemical capacities that regulate CO₂assimilation, separating these species-specific results intothose of broad plant categories revealed that Vc_max and J_maxwere in general higher for herbaceous annuals than they werefor woody perennials. For annuals, Vc_max and J_max averaged 75and 154 µmol m^–2 s^–1, while for perennialsthese same two parameters averaged only 44 and 97 µmolm^–2 s^–1, respectively. Although these differencesbetween groups may be coincidental, such an observation pointsto differences between annuals and perennials in either theavailability or allocation of resources to the gas-exchangeprocess. Key words: A/C_i curve, CO₂ assimilation, internal CO₂ partial pressure, photosynthesis     

Are Mistletoes Shade Plants? CO2Assimilation and Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Temperate Mistletoes and their Hosts

Mistletoes usually have slower rates of photosynthesis thantheir hosts. This study examines CO₂assimilation, chlorophyllfluorescence and the chlorophyll content of temperate host–parasitepairs (nine hosts parasitized by Ileostylus micranthus and Carpodetusserratus parasitized by Tupeia antarctica). The hosts of I.micranthus had higher mean annual CO₂assimilation (3.59 ±0.41 µmol m^-2 s^-1) than I. micranthus(2.42 ± 0.20µmol m^-2 s^-1), and C. serratus(2.41 ± 0.43 µmolm^-2 s^-1) showed higher CO₂assimilation than T. antarctica(0.67± 0.64 µmol m^-2 s^-1). Hosts saturated at significantlyhigher electron transport rates (ETR) and light levels thanmistletoes. The positive relationship between CO₂assimilationand electron transport suggests that the lower CO₂assimilationrates in mistletoes are a consequence of lower electron transportrates. When photosynthetic rates, ETR and chlorophyll a /b ratioswere adjusted for photosynthetically active radiation, hostsdid not have significantly higher CO₂assimilation (3.21 ±0.37 µmol m^-2 s^-1) than mistletoes (2.54 ± 0.41µmol m^-2 s^-1), but still had significantly higher ETRand chlorophyll a / b ratios. The electron transport rates,saturating light and chlorophyll a / b ratios of sun leavesfrom mistletoes were similar to host shade leaves. These responsesindicate that in comparison with their hosts, mistletoe leaveshave the photosynthetic characteristics of the leaves of shadeplants. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company CO₂assimilation, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport rate (ETR), photochemical quenching (q_p), non-photochemical quenching (q_n), sun and shade leaves, chlorophyll content, Ileostylus micranthus, Tupeia antarctica, New Zealand     

Effects of Light on Transport by Azolla pinnata

Effects of light flux density (LFD) during growth and uptakeassay on induction of transport system and kinetics of transport were studied using the Azolla pinnata-Anabaena azollae association (Azolla). Theinduction and uptake kinetics of the transport system were determined using an automated system that measuredthe NO₃ concentration in the growth medium as a function oftime, using an on-line high performance liquid chromatograph(HPLC) with a UV-VIS detector. Full induction of the transport system required about 1.5 to 2.0 h and occurred without any apparent lag phase,regardless of the LFD provided. The level of induction of transport of Azolla grown at 600 µmol m^–2s^–1 LFD was higher than for that grown at 100 µmolm^–2 s^–1. Similarly, 600 µmol m^–1 s^–1LFD during the assay resulted in a higher level of inductionthan did 100 umol m^–2 s^–1. An increase in the LFDeither during the growth or the assay period increased the uptake rate; however, an increase in LFD duringthe latter period had greater effect. Azolla grown and assayedat 600 umol m^–2 s^–1 had the highest uptake rate. The uptake rate at 50 cm³ m^–3ambient CO₂ concentration was initially higher than at 305 cm³m^–3, but the uptake rate decreased rapidly with time andeventually dropped below that at 305 cm³ m^–3 CO₂. Thesedata suggest that the energy required for transport in Azolla may bypass the photosynthetic CO₂ fixationand carbon-cycling. Key words: carbon dioxide, concentration dependence, light flux density, uptake     

The Conductance of the Plasmalemma for CO2

Permeability coefficients (P_S values) for CO₂ of the plasmamembrane (PM) of the unicellular green algae Eremosphaera viridis,Dunaliella parva, and Dunaliella acidophila, and of mesophyllprotoplasts isolated from Valerianella locusta were determinedfrom ¹⁴CO₂ uptake experiments using the rapid separation ofcells by the silicone oil layer centrifugation technique. Theexperimental P_S values were compared with calculated numbersobtained by interpolation of Collander plots, which are basedon lipid solubility and molecular size, for D. parva cells,mesophyll protoplasts isolated from Spinacia oleracea, mesophyllcells and guard cells of Valerianella, and guard cell protoplastsisolated from Vicia faba. The conductivity of algal plasma membranes for CO₂ varies between0.1 and 9 ? 10^–6 m s^–1, whereas for the plasmalemmaof cells and protoplasts isolated from leaves of higher plantsvalues between 0.3 and 11 ? 10^–6 m s^–1 were measured.By assuming that these measurements are representative for plantsand algae in general, it is concluded that the CO₂ conductivityof algal PM is of the same order of magnitude as that of thehigher plant cell PM. P_s values of plasma membranes for CO₂are lower than those for SO₂, but are in the same order of magnitudeas those measured for H₂O. On the basis of these results itis concluded that theoretical values of about 3000 ? 10^–6m s^–1 believed to be representative for higher plant cells(Nobel, 1983) and which are frequently used for computer-basedmodels of photosynthesis, lack experimental confirmation andrepresent considerable overestimations. However, with severalsystems, including higher plant cells, the conductance of thePM for CO₂ was significantly higher in light than in darkness.This suggests that in light, additional mechanisms for CO₂ uptakesuch as facilitated diffusion or active uptake may operate inparallel with diffusional uptake. Key words: Conductivity, CO₂, permeability coefficient, photosynthesis, plasmalemma     

The Effect of External pH on the Apparent CO2 Affinity of Chlorella saccharophila

The carbon dioxide compensation point of the unicellular greenalga, Chloretla saccharophila, was determined in aqueous mediumby a gas chromatographic method. Compensation points decreasedmarkedly from 63 cm³ m^–3 at an external pH of 4.0 to 3.2cm³ m^–3 at pH 8.0 and were not affected by the O₂ concentrationof the medium. The calculated CO² concentration required tosupport the half-maximum photosynthetic rate of the algal cellsranged from 6.0 mmol m_–3 at an external pH of 60 to 1.5mmol m^–3 at pH 8.0 and these values were not affectedby O₂ concentration. The K_m(CO₂) of nbulose-l,5-bisphosphatecarboxylase isolated from cells grown either at pH 4.0 or pH8.0 was determined to be 64 mmol m^–3. These results indicatethat loss of CO₂ by photorespiration does not occur in C. saccharophilacells at acid pH and the disparity between the apparent affinityfor CO₂ of the intact cells and that of the carboxylase indicatesthe operation of a ‘CO₂ concentrating mechanism’in this alga at acid pH. Key words: Acidophilic alga, bicarbonate transport, Chlorella saccharophila, compensation point, CO₂ affinity, PH, RuBP carboxylase     

Chloride Transport in Chara: I. KINETICS AND CURRENT-VOLTAGE CURVES FOR A PROBABLE PROTON SYMPORT

Chara cells show an inward positive electric current acrossthe plasmalemma when exposed to Cl^– under voltage-clampconditions. The rapid rise of this current suggests that itis directly associated with the inward transport of Cl^–.The dependence of the current on Cl^– concentration showssaturation, the data fitting the Michaelis-Menten equation withV_m up to 100 nmol m^–2 s^–1 (for Cl^–starvedcells) with K_M 10–20 µM, and with some allowancefor an unstirred layer of water adjacent to the membrane. Theeffects on the current of clamp potential, illumination, withdrawalof alkali metal cations, and addition of amine were also investigated.These results suggest that the mechanism is the symport of 2H⁺ with each Cl^–, and that the actions of light, externalK⁺, and amine in stimulating Cl^–, influx are indirect.     

External and Internal CO2 Transport in Lemanea: Interactions with the Kinetics of Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase

The rate of photosynthesis by the freshwater alga Lemanea mamillosais proportional to CO₂ concentration, virtually to the pointof saturation, and inversely proportional to the radius of thethallus. By contrast, the CO₂ response curve of very thin slicesof the thallus is a rectangular hyperbola with a (lower) halfsaturation concentration of 10 mmol m^–3. For the intactplant, the kinetics of CO₂ fixation are strongly masked by internalCO₂ transport limitations, although the maximum rate of photosynthesisis probably determined by the rate of supply of ribulose bisphosphate(RuBP). The flow of water over the alga becomes turbulent atwater velocities greater than about 90 mm s^–1 and thethallus stretches significantly at higher water velocities.In its natural habitat, therefore, the external unstirred layerwill be thin (< 10 µm) and the thallus will be stretched,leading to rapid external and increased internal rates of CO₂transport from the bulk solution. The estimated maximum rateof CO₂ transport is commensurate with the maximum rate of photosynthesis(i.e. the rate of supply of RuBP). Key words: Transport limitations, Kinetics of CO₂ fixation     

The Response of the C3-CAM Tree, Clusia rosea, to Light and Water Stress: I. GAS EXCHANGE CHARACTERISTICS

Gas exchange measurements were undertaken on 2-year-old plantsof Clusia rosea. The plants were shown to have the ability toswitch from C₃-photosynthesis to CAM and vice versa regardlessof leaf age and, under some conditions, CO₂ was taken up continuously,throughout the day and night. The light response was saturatedby 120 µmol m^–2 s^–1 typical of a shade plant. Gas exchange patterns in response to light, water and VPD wereexamined. All combinations of daytime and night-time CO₂ uptakewere observed, with rates of CO₂ uptake ranging from 2 to 11µmol m^–2 s^–1 depending upon water status andlight. Categorization of this plant asC₃, CAM or an intermediateis impossible. Differing VPD affected the magnitude of changesfrom CAM to C₃-photosynthesis (0 to 0.5 and 0 to 6.0 µmolm^–2 s^–1 CO₂, respectively) when plants were watered.Under well-watered conditions, but not under water stress, highPPFD elicited changes from CAM to C₃ gas exchange. This is unusualnot only for a shade plant but also for a plant with CAM. Itis of ecological importance for C. rosea, which may spend theearly years of its life as an epiphyte or in the forest understorey,to be able to maximize photosynthesis with minimal water loss. Key words: Clusia rosea, CAM, C₃, stress     

准噶尔荒漠早春短命植物的光合特性及生物量分配特点

准噶尔荒漠分布的早春短命植物不仅具有十分独特的生物学特点,而且在荒漠植物群落演替、物种多样性维持及土壤改良与防治水土流失等方面具有重要的生态学价值。该文运用Li-6400开放式气体交换光合作用测定系统,对分布于准噶尔荒漠的16种早春短命植物生长盛期的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)等特征进行了测定,并对其中7种植物与生长相关的生物量分配特征进行了分析。结果表明:1)16种植物的最大P_n、 最大T_r及WUE分别为8.07~35.96 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1、3.16~29.64 mmol H₂O·m^-2·s^-1、0.54~4.26 μmol CO₂·mmol^-1H₂O;种间最大P_n与最大气孔导度(Stomatal conductance, G_s)之间存在正相关关系,其相关系数为0.77(p<0.05),线性回归斜率为26.36 μmol·mmol^-1;从光合速率对胞间CO₂浓度及光量子通量密度的响应曲线来看,这类植物的表观CO₂补偿点均在4~5 Pa之间(28~30 ℃),表观羧化效率为0.64~1.86 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1·Pa^-1,表观量子效率为0.05~0.06。2)从生物量分配来看,所测植物的个体生物量为0.05~0.39 g;单株总叶面积为 3.24~51.40 cm²;单位叶面积干重为0.40~0.77 g·m^-2,根在总生物量中所占比例为5.72%~19.43%,单株叶面积比在2.92~9.00 m²·kg^-1之间。种间根所占生物量的比与对应的WUE之间的比较分析结果表明,二者之间存在显著的正相关关系,其相关系数r为0.93(p<0.01)。这些结果表明,所观测的早春短命植物具有典型的C₃植物特征,相比其它类型的荒漠植物具有较高的单位叶面积P_n、高T_r及低WUE,并且在生长发育过程中表现出很低的根/地上生物量比、较高的叶面积比和单位叶面积干重,说明它们具有相对高的生长速率,这与其生长发育节律相一致,反映了它们与准噶尔荒漠环境相适应的特点。     

Effects of CO2 and Photosynthetic Photon Flux on Yield, Gas Exchange and Growth Rate of Lactuca Sativa L. 'Waldmann's Green'

Knight, S. L. and Mitchell, C. A. 1988. Effects of CO₂ and photosyntheticphoton flux on yield, gas exchange and growth rate of Lactucasativa L. ‘Waldmann’s Green'.—J. exp. Bot.39: 317–328. Enrichment of CO₂ to 46 mmol m^–3 (1 000 mm³ dm^–3)at a moderate photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 450 µmolm^–2 s^–1 stimulated fresh and dry weight gain oflettuce leaves 39% to 75% relative to plants at 16 mmol m^–3CO₂ (350 mm³ dm^–3). Relative growth rate (RGR) was stimulatedonly during the first several days of exponential growth. ElevatingCO₂ above 46 mmol m^–3 at moderate PPF had no further benefit.However, high PPF of 880–900 µmol m^–2 s^–1gave further, substantial increases in growth, RGR, net assimilationrate (NAR) and photosynthetic rate (Pn), but a decrease in leafarea ratio (LAR), at 46 or 69 mmol m^–3 (1000 or 1500 mm³dm^–3) CO², the differences being greater at the higherCO₂ level. Enrichment of CO₂ to a supraoptimal level of 92 mmolm^–3 (2000 mm³ dm^–3) at high PPF increased leaf areaand LAR, decreased specific leaf weight, NAR and Pn and hadno effect on leaf, stem and root dry weight or RGR relativeto plants grown at 69 mmol m^–3 CO₂ after 8 d of treatment.The results of the study indicate that leaf lettuce growth ismost responsive to a combination of high PPF and CO₂ enrichmentto 69 mmol m^–3 for several days at the onset of exponentialgrowth, after which optimizing resources might be conserved. Key words: Photosynthesis, relative growth rate, CO₂ enrichment     

The Regulation of Citric Acid Accumulation and Carbon Recycling During CAM in Ananas comosus

The carbon balance of shade-grown Ananas comosus was investigatedwith regard to nitrogen supply and responses to high PAR. Netdark CO₂ uptake was reduced from 61.2 to 38.5 mmol CO₂ m^–2in N limited (–N) plants grown under low PAR (60 µmolm^–2 s^–1) and apparent photon yield declined from0.066 to 0.034 (mol 0².mol^–1 photon), although photosyntheticcapacities (measured under 5% CO₂) were similar. Following transferfor 7 d to high PAR (600. µmol m^–2 s^–1), netCO² uptake at night increased by 14% in +N plants, and daytimephotosynthetic capacity was higher, with a maximum value of7.8 µmol m^–2 s^–1. The magnitude of dark CO₂ fixation during CAM was measured asdawn—dusk variations in leaf-sap titratable acidity (H+)and as the proportion of malic and citric acids. The contributionfrom re-fixation of respiratory CO₂ recycling (measured as thedifference between net CO₂ uptake and malic acid accumulation)varied with growth conditions, although it was generally lower(30%) than reported for other bromeliads. Assuming a stoichiometryof 2H+: malate and 3H+: citrate, there was a good agreementbetween titratable protons and enzymatically determined organicacids. The accumulation of citric acid was related to nitrogensupply and PAR regime, increasing from 7.0 mol m–3 (+Nplants) to 18 mol m^–3 (–N plants) when plants weretransferred to high PAR; malate: citrate ratios decreased from13.1 to 2.5 under these conditions. Under the low PAR regime, leaf-sap osmotic pressure increasedat night in proportion to malic acid accumulation. However,following the transfer to high PAR for 7 d, there was a muchgreater depletion of soluble sugars at night which correspondedto a decrease in leaf-sap osmotic pressure. Although a rolefor citric acid in CAM has not been properly defined, it appearsthat the accepted stoichiometry for CAM in terms of gas exchange,titratable acidity, malic acid and osmotic pressure may nothold for plants which accumulate citric acid. Key words: Ananas comosus, CAM, citric acid accumulation, carbon recycling     

Effects of Nitrogen Nutrition on Photosynthesis in Cd-treated Sunflower Plants

Increased nitrogen supply stimulates plant growth and photosynthesis.Since it was shown that heavy metals may cause deficienciesof essential nutrients in plants the potential reversal of cadmiumtoxicity by increased N nutrition was investigated. The effectson photosynthesis of low Cd (0, 0.5, 2 or 5 mmol m^-3) combinedwith three N treatments (2, 7.5 or 10 mol m^-3) were examinedin young sunflower plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence quenchingparameters were determined at ambient CO₂and at 100 or 800 µmolquanta m^-2 s^-1. The vitality index (R_fd) decreased approx. three-timesin response to 5 mmol m^-3Cd, at 2 and 10 mol m^-3N. The maximumphotochemical efficiency of PSII reaction centres (F_v/ F_m) wasnot influenced by Cd or N treatment. The highest Cd concentrationdecreased quantum efficiency of PSII electron transport (_II)by 30%, at 2 and 10 mol m^-3N, mostly due to increased closureof PSII reaction centres (q_P). Photosynthetic oxygen evolutionrates at saturating CO₂were decreased in plants treated with5 mmol m^-3Cd, at all N concentrations. The results indicatethat Cd treatment affected the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)regeneration capacity of the Calvin cycle more than other processes.At the same time, the amounts of soluble and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphatecarboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) protein increased with Cd treatment.Decreased photosynthesis, but substantially increased Rubiscocontent, in sunflower leaves under Cd stress indicate that asignificant amount of Rubisco protein is not active in photosynthesisand could have another function. It is shown that optimal nitrogennutrition decreases the inhibitory effects of Cd in young sunflowerplants. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Helianthus annuus L., cadmium, nitrogen, photosynthesis, Rubisco, sunflower     

The Transport and Metabolism of Urea in Chara australis: III. TWO SPECIFIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Reciprocal competitive inhibition studies were used to showthat N-methyl-urea (NMU), acetamide and urea all compete forbinding to a common transport system, designated system I andthat this system is one of two specific mechanisms transportingurea in Chara. System I binds urea with a Km of about 0–3mmol m-3 and is strongly influenced by metabolic controls. SystemI is active and electrogenic and may be energized by the couplingof urea uptake to an influx of protons. This is the first reportof an electrogenic urea transport system in an alga. The secondspecific mechanism for urea transport, designated system II,binds urea with a relatively low affinity (K_m c. 7–0 mmolm-3) and does not transport NMU to a significant extent. SystemII is less subject to metabolic control than system I and, thoughit may be active, is not electrogenic. Key words: Urea, methylurea, proton cotransport, metabolic control