The influence of epidermal windows on the light environment within the leaves of six succulents

An omni-directional fibre optic microprobe was used to measure the quantity and quality of light within the leaves of six succulents having epidermal windows, three species having a subterranean growth habit (Haworthia truncata, Lithops olivacea, and Opthalmophyllum longum) and three growing above ground (Peperomia dolabriformis, P. graveolens, and the sprawling vine Senecio rowleyanus). Although light levels at most locations inside the leaves of all species were high, near those incident on the window surfaces, light levels inside the leaves of the two species of Peperomia often greatly exceeded incident light levels, indicating considerable light scattering and focusing by the leaf tissue. The spectral quality of light inside the leaves of all taxa reflected the absorption properties of chlorophyll, with most of the photons in the green wavelengths. Light quality and quantity inside the leaves did not correlate with the growth habit of the plants, the size of the window (as a proportion of the total leaf area), or location inside the leaf, although light levels generally declined and wavelengths increased deeper in the leaves. Application of reflective tape to the windows reduced internal light levels in L. olivacea and S. rowleyanus, although reductions were not always statistically significant. Although light levels throughout the leaves of P. graveolens were substantially and significantly reduced as a result of the application of reflective tape to its windows, the light levels even at the basal chlorenchyma on the abaxial side of the leaf remained high. In all species investigated, the levels of near-infrared radiation inside the leaves were surprisingly high, yet also declined deeper inside the succulent leaves. This near-infrared radiation may add to the heat load of these plants. Furthermore, application of reflective tape to the windows also reduced the amount of near-infrared radiation inside the leaves of the three succulents examined. These results led to a novel, testable hypothesis that may help to explain previous findings that application of reflective tape to the windows of the leaves of these succulents did not effect a reduction in photosynthetic activity.     

Screening of certain mangroves for photosynthetic carbon metabolic pathway

The mangroves Rhizophora lamarkii, Ceriops roxburghiana, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Lumnitzera racemosa were screened for their carbon metabolic pathways by measuring net photosynthetic rate (P _N), ¹³C discrimination rate, leaf anatomy, titratable acidity, and activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, NADH-malate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and pyruvate phosphate dikinase. The tested mangroves had a well developed succulence, opening of stomata during day time and closure in the night hours, and absence of diurnal fluctuation of organic acids in their leaves which excludes the possibility of these species being CAM plants. Moreover, the leaf anatomy had not exhibited Kranz syndrome. The high values of discrimination against ¹³C, low P _N, high CO₂ compensation concentration, and the activities of aminotransferases in the direction of alanine formation suggest that the species may follow C₃ mode of carbon metabolic pathway.     

Clonal Differences in Photosynthesis in Hevea Brasiliensis Müll. Arg.

The objective of the present investigation was to examine the extent of variations in single leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and its relative dependence on stomatal conductance (g_s) and the mesophyll capacity to fix carbon in 12 clones of the natural rubber plant. There were significant variations in P_N measured at low and saturating photon flux density (PFD); the extent of variation was larger at low than at saturating PFD. The compensation irradiance (CI) and apparent quantum yield of CO₂ assimilation (φ_c) calculated from the P_N/PFD response curves showed significant variations among the clones. P_N at low irradiance was positively correlated with φ_c. Thus a clone with large P_N at low irradiance, high φ_c, and low CI may tolerate shade better and thus produce a high tree stand per hectare. A strong positive correlation existed between P_N saturated with radiant energy (P_sat) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) estimated from the response curves of P_N on intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), but g_s showed a poor correlation with P_sat High CO₂ compensation concentration (Γ) led to low CE in Hevea clones. A clone with large P_sat, high CE, low g_s, and low Γ is the one in which photosynthesis is more dependent on the mesophyll factors than stomata. Such a clone may produce relatively high biomass and maintain high water use efficiency. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic responses of apricot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus armeniaca</Emphasis> L.) to photosynthetic photon flux density,leaf temperature,and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentration

Two cultivars (Katy and Erhuacao) of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) were evaluated under open-field and solar-heated greenhouse conditions in northwest China, to determine the effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), leaf temperature, and CO₂ concentration on the net photosynthetic rate (P _N). In greenhouse, Katy registered 28.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for compensation irradiance and 823 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for saturation irradiance, which were 73 and 117 % of those required by Erhuacao, respectively. The optimum temperatures for cvs. Katy and Erhuacao were 25 and 35 °C in open-field and 22 and 30 °C in greenhouse, respectively. At optimal temperatures, P _N of the field-grown Katy was 16.5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, 21 % less than for a greenhouse-grown apricot. Both cultivars responded positively to CO₂ concentrations below the CO₂ saturation concentration, whereas Katy exhibited greater P _N (18 %) and higher carboxylation efficiency (91 %) than Erhuacao at optimal CO₂ concentration. Both cultivars exhibited greater photosynthesis in solar-heated greenhouses than in open-field, but Katy performed better than Erhuacao under greenhouse conditions.     

How to correctly determine the different chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and the chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio R<Subscript>Fd</Subscript> of leaves with the PAM fluorometer

This contribution is a practical guide to the measurement of the different chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters and gives examples of their development under high-irradiance stress. From the Chl fluorescence induction kinetics upon irradiation of dark-adapted leaves, measured with the PAM fluorometer, various Chl fluorescence parameters, ratios, and quenching coefficients can be determined, which provide information on the functionality of the photosystem 2 (PS2) and the photosynthetic apparatus. These are the parameters F_v, F_m, F₀, F_m′, F_v′, NF, and ΔF, the Chl fluorescence ratios F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀, ΔF/F_m′, as well as the photochemical (q_P) and non-photochemical quenching coefficients (q_N, q_CN, and NPQ). q_N consists of three components (q_N = q_E + q_T + q_I), the contribution of which can be determined via Chl fluorescence relaxation kinetics measured in the dark period after the induction kinetics. The above Chl fluorescence parameters and ratios, many of which are measured in the dark-adapted state of leaves, primarily provide information on the functionality of PS2. In fully developed green and dark-green leaves these Chl fluorescence parameters, measured at the upper adaxial leaf side, only reflect the Chl fluorescence of a small portion of the leaf chloroplasts of the green palisade parenchyma cells at the upper outer leaf half. Thus, PAM fluorometer measurements have to be performed at both leaf sides to obtain information on all chloroplasts of the whole leaf. Combined high irradiance (HI) and heat stress, applied at the upper leaf side, strongly reduced the quantum yield of the photochemical energy conversion at the upper leaf half to nearly zero, whereas the Chl fluorescence signals measured at the lower leaf side were not or only little affected. During this HL-stress treatment, q_N, q_CN, and NPQ increased in both leaf sides, but to a much higher extent at the lower compared to the upper leaf side. q_N was the best indicator for non-photochemical quenching even during a stronger HL-stress, whereas q_CN and NPQ decreased with progressive stress even though non-photochemical quenching still continued. It is strongly recommended to determine, in addition to the classical fluorescence parameters, via the PAM fluorometer also the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R_Fd (F_d/F_s), which, when measured at saturation irradiance is directly correlated to the net CO₂ assimilation rate (_{P N}) of leaves. This R_Fd-ratio can be determined from the Chl fluorescence induction kinetics measured with the PAM fluorometer using continuous saturating light (cSL) during 4–5 min. As the R_Fd-values are fast measurable indicators correlating with the photosynthetic activity of whole leaves, they should always be determined via the PAM fluorometer parallel to the other Chl fluorescence coefficients and ratios.     

Source-to-sink relationship between green leaves and green petals of different ages of the CAM orchid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis> cv. Burana Jade

Photosynthetic capacities of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of different ages of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade were studied through chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence characteristic F_v/F_m, maximal photosynthetic O₂ evolution rates (P _max), and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity (TA)]. All these photosynthetic parameters were higher in GL than in GFP. Among the different ages of GFP, the young GFP had significant higher readings of all photosynthetic parameters than the oldest GFP, indicating that reduced photosynthesis occurred in the senesced GFP. The source-to-sink relationship between GL and GFP was also studied by comparing the diurnal changes in contents of total soluble and insoluble sugars and TA between the fully irradiated (FI) control (with both irradiated GL and GFP) and GL-darkened plants (covering all GL with aluminium foils, leaving only the GFP exposed to radiation). CAM acidities were much lower in GL darkened with aluminium foils compared to those of FI-GL while there were no differences in CAM acidities of their GFP. The contents of total soluble and insoluble sugars and the CAM acidities of GL towards the end of the day were lower in GL-darkened plants compared to that of FI-plants. Hence CAM acidities of GL depended on their saccharide contents. However, diurnal changes of TA in GFP were similar in all GFP regardless of their ages, with or without GL photosynthetic sources. Thus CAM acidities of GFP are independent of GL saccharides. However, lower saccharide content in GFP (especially the oldest GFP) of GL-darkened plants implies that GFP function as sinks and depend on saccharides exported from GL for its development and growth.     

Photosynthetic net O<Subscript>2</Subscript> evolution enhancement as a sign of acclimation to phosphorus deficiency in bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.) leaves

Primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings cultivated for 14 days in a growth chamber on complete (control) and phosphate deficient (−P) Knop liquid medium were used for measurements. The −P leaves were smaller and showed an increased specific leaf area (SLA). Their inorganic phosphate (P_i) concentration was considerably lowered. They did not show any significant changes in chlorophyll (Chl) (a + b) concentration and in their net CO₂ assimilation rate when it was estimated under the conditions close to those of the seedlings growth. Light response curves of photosynthetic net O₂ evolution (P _NO₂) of the leaves for the irradiation range up to 500 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹ were determined, using the leaf-disc Clark oxygen electrode. The measurements were taken under high CO₂ concentration of about 1 % and O₂ concentrations of 21 % or lowered to about 3 % at the beginning of measurement. The results obtained at 21 % O₂ and the irradiations close to or higher than those used during the seedlings growth revealed the phosphorus stress suppressive effect on the leaf net O₂ evolution, however, no such effect was observed at lower irradiations. Other estimated parameters of P _NO₂ such as: apparent quantum requirement (QR_A) and light compensation point (LCP) for the control and −P leaves were similar. However, with a high irradiation and lowered O₂ concentration the rate of P _NO₂ for the −P leaves was markedly higher than that for the control, in relation to both the leaf area and leaf fresh mass. This difference also disappeared at low irradiations, but the estimated reduced QR_A values indicate, under those conditions, the increased yield of photosynthetic light reaction, especially in the −P leaves. The presented results confirm the suggestion that during the initial phase of insufficient phosphate feeding the acclimations in the light phase of photosynthesis, both structural and functional appear. They correspond, probably, to the increased energy costs of carbon assimilation under phosphorus stress, e.g. connected with raised difficulties in phosphate uptake and turnover and enhanced photorespiration. Under the experimental conditions especially advantageous for the dark phase of photosynthesis (saturating CO₂ and PAR, low O₂ concentration), those acclimations may be manifested as an enhancement of photosynthetic net O₂ evolution.     

Photosynthetic and stomatal responses of two tropical and two temperate trees to atmospheric humidity

The effects of leaf to air vapour pressure differences (ΔW) on net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and stomatal conductance (g_s) were examined in the leaves of two tropical rain forest trees, Eugenia grandis and Pongamia pinnata, and two temperate evergreen trees, Viburnum awabuki and Daphniphyllum macropodum. A single leaf was set inside a small chamber and ΔW was varied from 7 to 24 mmol mol^-1 at 25 and 500 μmol m^-2 s^-1 of photon flux density. P_N and g_s of the two tropical rain forest trees decreased with increasing ΔW, while the two temperate evergreen trees were not highly responsive to ΔW. P. pinnata was more sensitive to ΔW in its stomatal response, and had a higher stomatal density and higher stomatal index than did the two temperate trees and another tropical tree. Significant reductions i n g_s and intercellular CO₂ concentrations in the two tropical trees at high ΔW suggest that the decline of P_N was due to the decrease in g_s. The responses of P_N and g_s indicated that the tropical trees were more sensitive to ΔW than were the temperate ones. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ecophysiological function of leaf ‘windows’ in Lithops species – ‘Living Stones’ that grow underground

Leaf temperatures were lower when light entry at the leaf tip window was prevented through covering the window with reflective tape, relative to leaf temperatures of plants with leaf tip windows covered with transparent tape. This was true when leaf temperatures were measured with an infrared thermometer, but not with a fine‐wire thermocouple. Leaf tip windows of Lithops growing in high‐rainfall regions of southern Africa were larger than the windows of plants (numerous individuals of 17 species) growing in areas with less rainfall and, thus, more annual insolation. The results of this study indicate that leaf tip windows of desert plants with an underground growth habit can allow entry of supra‐optimal levels of radiant energy, thus most likely inhibiting photosynthetic activity. Consequently, the size of the leaf tip windows correlates inversely with habitat solar irradiance, minimising the probability of photoinhibition, while maximising the absorption of irradiance in cloudy, high‐rainfall regions.     

Genotypic and within canopy variation in leaf carbon isotope discrimination and its relation to short-term leaf gas exchange characteristics in cassava grown under rain-fed conditions in the tropics

In a field rain-fed trial with 15 cassava cultivars, leaf gas exchanges and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) of the same leaves were determined to evaluate genotypic and within-canopy variations in these parameters. From 3 to 7 months after planting leaf gas exchange was measured on attached leaves from upper, middle, and lower canopy layers. All gas exchange parameters varied significantly among cultivars as well as canopy layers. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) decreased from top canopy to bottom indicating both shade and leaf age effects. The same trend, but in reverse, was found with respect to Δ, with the highest values in low canopy level and the lowest in upper canopy. There were very significant correlations, with moderate and low values, among almost all these parameters, with P _N negatively associated with intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), ratio of C _i to ambient CO₂ concentration C _i/C _a, and Δ. Across all measured leaves, Δ correlated negatively with leaf water use efficiency (WUE = photosynthesis/stomatal conductance, g _s) and with g _s, but positively with C _i and C _i/C _a. The later parameters negatively correlated with leaf WUE. Across cultivars, both P _N and correlated positively with storage root yield. These results are in agreement with trends predicted by the carbon isotope discrimination model.     

Photosynthetic variation and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis> species with different genetic constitution of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) was high in genotypes with ‘C’ genome both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. This may be attributed to the co-ordinated manner of acting of both genome sources. Leaf mass per area (LMA) and chlorophyll content increased with leaf nitrogen (N) content but did not show any correlation with P _N. The factors which affected P _N had the same effect on photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (pNUE). Thus, differential allocation of N to the various components influences plant pNUE which is not significantly affected by genome constitution.     

Acclimation of photosynthesis to temperature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis>

Plants differ in how much the response of net photosynthetic rate (P _N) to temperature (T) changes with the T during leaf development, and also in the biochemical basis of such changes in response. The amount of photosynthetic acclimation to T and the components of the photosynthetic system involved were compared in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea to determine how well A. thaliana might serve as a model organism to study the process of photosynthetic acclimation to T. Responses of single-leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence to CO₂ concentration measured over the range of 10–35 °C for both species grown at 15, 21, and 27 °C were used to determine the T dependencies of maximum rates of carboxylation (V_Cmax), photosynthetic electron transport (J_max), triose phosphate utilization rate (TPU), and mesophyll conductance to carbon dioxide (g’_m). In A. thaliana, the optimum T of P _N at air concentrations of CO₂ was unaffected by this range of growth T, and the T dependencies of V_Cmax, J_max, and g’_m were also unaffected by growth T. There was no evidence of TPU limitation of P _N in this species over the range of measurement conditions. In contrast, the optimum T of P _N increased with growth T in B. oleracea, and the T dependencies of V_Cmax, J_max, and g’_m, as well as the T at which TPU limited P _N all varied significantly with growth T. Thus B. oleracea had much a larger capacity to acclimate photosynthetically to moderate T than did A. thaliana.     

Changes in leaf photosynthesis of transgenic rice with silenced <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsBP-73</Emphasis> gene

In comparison with its wild type (WT), the transgenic (TG) rice with silenced OsBP-73 gene had significantly lower plant height, grain number per panicle, and leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N). Also, the TG rice showed significantly lower chlorophyll (Chl), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO), RuBPCO activase, and RuBP contents, photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m and ΔF/F_m′), apparent quantum yield of carbon assimilation (Φ_c), carboxylation efficiency (CE), photosynthetic electron transport and photophosphorylation rates as well as sucrose phosphate synthase activity, but higher intercellular CO₂ concentration, sucrose, fructose, and glycerate 3-phosphate contents, and non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (NPQ). Thus the decreased P _N in the TG rice leaves is related to both RuBP carboxylation and RuBP regeneration limitations, and the latter is a predominant limitation to photosynthesis.     

Changes in effects of ozone exposure on growth,photosynthesis, and respiration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis> in Shenyang urban area

An open-top chamber experiment was carried out from April through October 2006 to examine the effects of elevated (80 nmol mol⁻¹) atmospheric O₃ on Ginkgo biloba (4-years-old) in urban area. The air with ambient O₃ (AA, ≈ 45 nmol mol⁻¹) was used as control. The leaf mass and size, leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), apparent quantum yield, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance were decreased by elevated O₃ (EO) exposure. Visible foliar injury, which is light-brown flecks, was observed in the EO OTCs after 90 d of exposure. Carboxylation efficiency (Φ_CO2) and photorespiration and dark respiration rates were enhanced by EO exposure in the first half of the season, but all of them turned to be lower than those of the AA control at the end of experiment. Stomata limitation of photosynthesis was significantly higher than control in the whole season (p<0.05). Chlorophyll (Chl) content was lower in EO variant than in the control and the difference became more and more apparent through the season. Hence the decrease in P _N of G. biloba exposed to EO was the result of both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. In the early season, the inhibition of photosynthesis was mainly caused by the stomatal limitation, and the earliest response was photoprotective down-regulation of photosynthesis but not photodamage. However, at the end of the season, the non-stomatal limiting factors such as decrease in Chl content, decrease in Φ_CO2, and anti-oxidative enzyme activity became more important.     

Partitioning of photosynthetic electron flow between CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> assimilation and O<Subscript>2</Subscript> reduction in sunflower plants under water deficit

In sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown under controlled conditions and subjected to drought by withholding watering, net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) of attached leaves decreased as leaf water potential (Ψ_w) declined from −0.3 to −2.9 MPa. Although g _s decreased over the whole range of Ψ_w, nearly constant values in the intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C _i) were observed as Ψ_w decreased to −1.8 MPa, but C _i increased as Ψ_w decreased further. Relative quantum yield, photochemical quenching, and the apparent quantum yield of photosynthesis decreased with water deficit, whereas non-photochemical quenching (q_NP) increased progressively. A highly significant negative relationship between q_NP and ATP content was observed. Water deficit did not alter the pyridine nucleotide concentration but decreased ATP content suggesting metabolic impairment. At a photon flux density of 550 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, the allocation of electrons from photosystem (PS) 2 to O₂ reduction was increased by 51 %, while the allocation to CO₂ assimilation was diminished by 32 %, as Ψ_w declined from −0.3 to −2.9 MPa. A significant linear relationship between mean P _N and the rate of total linear electron transport was observed in well watered plants, the correlation becoming curvilinear when water deficit increased. The maximum quantum yield of PS2 was not affected by water deficit, whereas q_P declined only at very severe stress and the excess photon energy was dissipated by increasing q_NP indicating that a greater proportion of the energy was thermally dissipated. This accounted for the apparent down-regulation of PS2 and supported the protective role of q_NP against photoinhibition in sunflower.     

Genotype Variability in Photosynthetic Characteristics in Finger Millet

High variability in leaf gas exchange and related traits were found in 30 genotypes of field grown finger millet. The variability in carbon exchange rate per unit leaf area (P _N) can be partly attributed to the differences in the stomatal conductance (g_s) and area leaf mass (ALM). The P _N was positively correlated with total dry matter (TDM). However, no relationship between P _N and seed yield was found. The leaf area showed a positive and significant correlation with total biomass. None of the other gas-exchange traits had significant relationship either with TDM or with seed yield. The ALM showed a strong positive association with P _N. However, it was not correlated with either total biomass or seed yield. As a result, the use of ALM as surrogate for P _N for identifying high biomass producing genotypes only had a limited value. Hence selection for high P _N would result in higher biomass producing types.     

A Comparison of Photosynthetic Capacity between Myrica Gale var. Tomentosa a Nitrogen-Fixing Shrub,and Co-Occurring Species in an Oligotrophic Moor

Photosynthetic and transpiration (E) rates, stomatal conductance, and leaf nitrogen content were surveyed for Myrica gale var. tomentosa, a N₂-fixing wetland shrub, Betula platyphylla var. japonica, and Rhododendron japonicum in Ozegahara moor, an oligotrophic moor in Central Japan. Net photosynthetic rate saturated with irradiance (P_max) of M. gale was 15.2-16.5 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1, higher than those of the other species throughout the growing season. P_max was positively correlated with leaf N content among the three species. The large leaf N content in M. gale was due to N₂-fixation in root nodules. In a comparison of M. gale in two habitats, P_max, leaf N content, and root nodule development were larger in the wetter habitat. M. gale showed high E and no midday depression of P_max even under high irradiance and large vapour pressure deficit between leaves and ambient air on a midsummer day. These traits of photosynthesis and water relations were associated with the dominance of this shrub in wetter sites such as stream sides and hollows. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Leaf trait co‐variation,response and effect in a chronosequence

Question: Is there any generality in terms of leaf trait correlations and the multiple role of leaf traits (response to and/or effect on) during secondary succession? Location: A secondary successional sere was sampled at four different ages since abandonment from several years to nearly 150 years on the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. Method: Specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen (N_mass, N_area), leaf phosphorus (P_mass, P_area) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were measured for all species recorded in the successional sere. Above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) and specific rate of litter mass loss (SRLML) were measured as surrogates for ecosystem properties. Soil total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were measured in each stage. Leaf traits were related to ecosystem properties and soil nutrient gradients, respectively. Results: LMA is correlated with N_area and P_area' and negatively with N_mass. Correlation between N_area and P_area was higher than between N_mass and P_mass. At the community level, field age, community hierarchy and their interaction explain 64.4 ‐ 93.5% of the variation in leaf traits. At the species level, field age explains 22.4 ‐ 45.5% of the variation in leaf traits (excl. P_area) while plant functional group has a significant effect only for N_mass. LDMC is correlated with ANPP and negatively with SRLML; P_mass is correlated with SRLML. Conclusions: Mean values of LMA, N_mass and N_area are close to the worldwide means, suggesting that large‐scale climate has a profound effect on leaf mass and leaf nitrogen allocation, while environmental gradients represented by succession have little influence on leaf‐trait values. Correlations between leaf traits, such as LMA‐N_area, LMA‐P_area and LMA‐N_mass shown in previous studies, are confirmed here. Although none of the leaf traits is proved to be both a response trait and an effect trait independent of time scale and community hierarchy, mass‐based leaf N is likely a sensitive response trait to soil C and N gradients. In addition, LDMC can be a marker for ANPP and SRLML, while mass‐based leaf P can be a marker for SRLML.     

Excess irradiance causes early symptoms of senescence during leaf expansion in photoautotrophically <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> grown tobacco plants

Photosynthetic parameters, growth, and pigment contents were determined during expansion of the fourth leaf of in vitro photoautotrophically cultured Nicotiana tabacum L. plants at three irradiances [photosynthetically active radiation (400–700 nm): low, LI 60 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; middle, MI 180 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; and high, HI 270 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹]. During leaf expansion, several symptoms usually accompanying leaf senescence appeared very early in HI and then in MI plants. Symptoms of senescence in developing leaves were: decreasing chlorophyll (Chl) a+b content and Chl a/b ratio, decreasing both maximum (F_V/F_M) and actual (Φ_PS2) photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2, and increasing non-photochemical quenching. Nevertheless, net photosynthetic oxygen evolution rate (P _N) did not decrease consistently with decrease in Chl content, but exhibited a typical ontogenetic course with gradual increase. P _N reached its maximum before full leaf expansion and then tended to decline. Thus excess irradiance during in vitro cultivation did not cause early start of leaf senescence, but impaired photosynthetic performance and Chl content in leaves and changed their typical ontogenetic course.     

Determinant of photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves under ambient air conditions

At the grain-filling stage, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation efficiency (CE) were correlated in order to find the determinant of photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves. For a flag leaf, P _N in leaf middle region was higher than in its upper region, and leaf basal region had the lowest P _N value. The differences in g _s and CE were similar. P _N, g _s, and CE gradually declined from upper to basal leaves, showing a leaf position gradient. The correlation coefficient between P _N and CE was much higher than that between P _N and g _s in both cases, and P _N was negatively correlated with intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i). Hence the carboxylation activity or activated amount of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase rather than g_s was the determinant of the photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves. In addition, in flag leaves of different tillers P _N was positively correlated with g _s, but negatively correlated with C _i. Thus g _s is not the determinant of the photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves.The study was supported by the State Key Basic Research and Development Plan (No.G1998010100).