Variation of photosynthetic capacity with leaf age in an alpine orchid, Cypripedium flavum

Photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll content of Cypripedium flavum were studied at different leaf ages. The photosynthetic capacity changed significantly with leaf age. Net photosynthesis and chlorophyll content peaked when leaf age was 60 days, decreasing at 30, 90 and 120 days. Stomatal conductance showed the highest value at 60 days, while mesophyll conductance decreased with increasing leaf age. Both leaf nitrogen content per unit area and leaf nitrogen content per unit mass decreased with increasing leaf age. The age-dependent variation in photosynthetic capacity could be linked to the changes in biochemical efficiency, leaf nitrogen content and CO₂ diffusion limitation.     

Seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics of Anemone raddeana,a spring-active geophyte,in the temperate region of Japan

Summary Seasonal changes in the photosynthetic characteristics of intact involucral leaves of Anemone raddeana were investigated under laboratory conditions. Net photosynthesis and constant water vapor pressure deficit showed almost the same seasonal trend. They increased rapidly from mid-April immediately after unfolding of the leaves and reached the maximum in late-April, before the maximum expansion of the leaves. They retained the maximum values until early-May and then decreased toward late-May with a progress of leaf senescence. The calculated values of intercellular CO₂ concentration and relative stomatal limitation of photosynthesis showed no significant change throughout the season. The carboxylation efficiency as assessed by the initial slope of Ci-photosynthesis curve and the net photosynthesis under a high Ci regime varied seasonally in parallel with the change of the light-saturated photosynthesis. The results indicate that the seasonal changes in light-saturated net photosynthesis are not due to a change of stomatal conductance, but to a change in the photosynthetic capacity of mesophyll. Nevertheless, leaf conductance changed concomitantly with photosynthetic capacity, indicating that the seasonal change in stomatal conductance is modulated by the mesophyll photosynthetic capacity such that the intercellular CO₂ concentrations is maintained constant. The shape of light-photosynthesis curve was similar to that of sun-leaf type. The quantum yield also changed simultaneously with the photosynthetic capacity throughout the season.Contribution No. 2965 from the Institute of Low Temperature Science     

Comparison of the physiology, morphology, and leaf demography of tropical saplings with different crown shapes

Branch architecture, leaf photosynthetic traits, and leaf demography were investigated in saplings of two woody species, Homolanthus caloneurus and Macaranga rostulata, co-occurring in the understory of a tropical mountain forest. M. rostulata saplings have cylindrical crowns, whereas H. caloneurus saplings have flat crowns. Saplings of the two species were found not to differ in area-based photosynthetic traits and in average light conditions in the understory of the studied site, but they do differ in internode length, leaf emergence rate, leaf lifespan, and total leaf area. Displayed leaf area of H. caloneurus saplings, which have the more rapid leaf emergence, was smaller than that of M. rostulata saplings, which have a longer leaf lifespan and larger total leaf area, although M. rostulata saplings showed a higher degree of leaf overlap. Short leaf lifespan and consequent small total leaf area would be linked to leaf overlap avoidance in the densely packed flat H. caloneurus crown. In contrast, M. rostulata saplings maintained a large total leaf area by producing leaves with a long leaf lifespan. In these understory saplings with a different crown architecture, we observed two contrasting adaptation strategies to shade which are achieved by adjusting a suite of morphological and leaf demographic characters. Each understory species has a suite of morphological traits and leaf demography specific to its architecture, thus attaining leaf overlap avoidance or large total leaf area.     

Structure and enzyme expression in photosynthetic organs of the atypical C4 grass Arundinella hirta

In its leaf blade, Arundinella hirta has unusual Kranz cells that lie distant from the veins (distinctive cells; DCs), in addition to the usual Kranz units composed of concentric layers of mesophyll cells (MCs) and bundle sheath cells (BSCs; usual Kranz cells) surrounding the veins. We examined whether chlorophyllous organs other than leaf blades—namely, the leaf sheath, stem, scale leaf, and constituents of the spike—also have this unique anatomy and the C₄ pattern of expression of photosynthetic enzymes. All the organs developed DCs to varying degrees, as well as BSCs. The stem, rachilla, and pedicel had C₄-type anatomy with frequent occurrence of DCs, as in the leaf blade. The leaf sheath, glume, and scale leaf had a modified C₄ anatomy with MCs more than two cells distant from the Kranz cells; DCs were relatively rare. An immunocytochemical study of C₃ and C₄ enzymes revealed that all the organs exhibited essentially the same C₄ pattern of expression as in the leaf blade. In the scale leaf, however, intense expression of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) occurred in the MCs as well as in the BSCs and DCs. In the leaf sheath, the distant MCs also expressed Rubisco. In Arundinella hirta, it seems that the ratio of MC to Kranz cell volumes, and the distance from the Kranz cells, but not from the veins, affects the cellular expression of photosynthetic enzymes. We suggest that the main role of DCs is to keep a constant quantitative balance between the MCs and Kranz cells, which is a prerequisite for effective C₄ pathway operation.     

Effect of soil drying on growth,biomass allocation and leaf gas exchange of two annual grass species

Influence of short-term water stress on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was studied simultaneously in a growth chamber experiment using two annual grass species differing in photosynthetic pathway type, plant architecture and phenology:Triticum aestivum L. cv. Katya-A-1 (C₃, a drought resistant wheat cultivar of erect growth) andTragus racemosus (L.) All. (C₄, a prostrate weed of warm semiarid areas). At the leaf level, gas exchange rates declined with decreasing soil water potential for both species in such a way that instantaneous photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE, mmol CO₂ assimilated per mol H₂O transpired) increased. At adequate water supply, the C₄ grass showed much lower stomatal conductance and higher PWUE than the C₃ species, but this difference disappeared at severe water stress when leaf gas exchange rates were similarly reduced for both species. However, by using soil water more sparingly, the C₄ species was able to assimilate under non-stressful conditions for a longer time than the C₃ wheat did. At the whole-plant level, decreasing water availability substantially reduced the relative growth rate (RGR) ofT. aestivum, while biomass partitioning changed in favour of root growth, so that the plant could exploit the limiting water resource more efficiently. The change in partitioning preceded the overall reduction of RGR and it was associated with increased biomass allocation to roots and less to leaves, as well as with a decrease in specific leaf area. Water saving byT. racemosus sufficiently postponed water stress effects on plant growth occurring only as a moderate reduction in leaf area enlargement. For unstressed vegetative plants, relative growth rate of the C₄ T. racemosus was only slightly higher than that of the C₃ T. aestivum, though it was achieved at a much lower water cost. The lack of difference in RGR was probably due to growth conditions being relatively suboptimal for the C₄ plant and also to a relatively large investment in stem tissues by the C₄ T. racemosus. Only 10% of the plant biomass was allocated to roots in the C₄ species while this was more than 30% for the C₃ wheat cultivar. These results emphasize the importance of water saving and high WUE of C₄ plants in maintaining growth under moderate water stress in comparison with C₃ species.     

Effects of irradiance and temperature on photosynthesis in C3, C4 and C3/C4 Panicum species

Species in the Laxa and Grandia groups of the genus Panicum are adapted to low, wet areas of tropical and subtropical America. Panicum milioides is a species with C₃ photosynthesis and low apparent photorespiration and has been classified as a C₃/C₄ intermediate. Other species in the Laxa group are C₃ with normal photorespiration. Panicum prionitis is a C₄ species in the Grandia group. Since P. milioides has some leaf characteristics intermediate to C₃ and C₄ species, its photosynthetic response to irradiance and temperature was compared to the closely related C₃ species, P. laxum and P. boliviense and to P. prionitis. The response of apparent photosynthesis to irradiance and temperature was similar to that of P. laxum and P. boliviense, with saturation at a photosynthetic photo flux density of about 1 mmol m^-2 s^-1 at 30°C and temperature optimum near 30°C. In contrast, P. prionitis showed no light saturation up to 2 mmol m^-2 s^-1 and an optimum temperature near 40°C. P. milioides exhibited low CO₂ loss into CO₂-free air in the light and this loss was nearly insensitive to temperature. Loss of CO₂ in the light in the C₃ species, P. laxum and P. boliviense, was several-fold higher than in P. milioides and increased 2- to 5-fold with increases in temperature from 10 to 40°C. The level of dark respiration and its response to temperature were similar in all four Panicum species examined. It is concluded that the low apparent photorespiration in P. milioides does not influence its response of apparent photosynthesis to irradiance and temperature in comparison to closely related C₃ Panicum species.Abbreviations AP apparent photosynthesis - I CO₂ compensation point - gl leaf conductance; gm, mesophyll conductance - PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density - PR apparent photorespiration rate - RuBPC sibulose bisphosphate carboxylase     

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of photosynthetic activity in sun and shade leaves of trees

The differences in pigment levels, photosynthetic activity and the chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd (as indicator of photosynthetic rates) of green sun and shade leaves of three broadleaf trees (Platanus acerifolia Willd., Populus alba L., Tilia cordata Mill.) were compared. Sun leaves were characterized by higher levels of total chlorophylls a + b and total carotenoids x + c as well as higher values for the weight ratio chlorophyll (Chl) a/b (sun leaves 3.23–3.45; shade leaves: 2.74–2.81), and lower values for the ratio chlorophylls to carotenoids (a + b)/(x + c) (with 4.44–4.70 in sun leaves and 5.04–5.72 in shade leaves). Sun leaves exhibited higher photosynthetic rates P _N on a leaf area basis (mean of 9.1–10.1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹) and Chl basis, which correlated well with the higher values of stomatal conductance G _s (range 105–180 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹), as compared to shade leaves (G _s range 25–77 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹; P _N: 3.2–3.7 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹). The higher photosynthetic rates could also be detected via imaging the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd, which possessed higher values in sun leaves (2.8–3.0) as compared to shade leaves (1.4–1.8). In addition, via R _Fd images it was shown that the photosynthetic activity of the leaves of all trees exhibits a large heterogeneity across the leaf area, and in general to a higher extent in sun leaves than in shade leaves.     

Effects of polyploidy on photosynthesis

In polyploid plants the photosynthetic rate per cell is correlated with the amount of DNA per cell. The photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area is the product of the rate per cell times the number of photosynthetic cells per unit area. Therefore, the photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area will increase if there is a less than proportional increase in cell volume at higher ploidal levels, or if cell packing is altered to allow more cells per unit leaf area. In autopolyploids (Medicago sativa, C₃ species, and Pennisetum americanum, C₄ species) there is a doubling of photosynthesis per cell and of cell volume in the tetraploid compared to the diploid. However, there is a proportional decrease in number of cells per unit leaf area with this increase in ploidy such that the rate of photosynthesis per leaf area does not change. There is more diversity in the relationship between ploidal level (gene dosage) and photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area in allopolyploids. This is likely to reflect the effects of natural selection on leaf anatomy, and novel genetic interactions from contributed genomes which can occur with allopolyploidy. In allopolyploid wheat (C₃ species) a higher cell volume per unit DNA at the higher ploidal level is negatively correlated with photosynthesis rate per unit leaf area. Although photosynthesis per cell increases with ploidy, photosynthesis per leaf area decreases, being lowest in the allohexaploid, cultivated bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Alternatively, doubling of photosynthetic rate per cell with doubling of DNA, with apparent natural selection for decreased cell volume per unit DNA, results in higher rates of photosynthesis per leaf area in octaploid compared to tetraploid Panicum virgatum (C₄) which may be a case of allopolyploidy. Similar responses probably occur in Festuca arundinacea. Therefore, in some systems anatomical factors affecting photosynthesis are also affected by ploidal level. It is important to evaluate that component as well as determining the effect on biochemical processes. Current information on polyploidy and photosynthesis in several species is discussed with respect to anatomy, biochemistry and bases for expressing photosynthetic rates.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - RuBPC ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase     

多效唑和干旱胁迫对毛竹实生苗活力、光合能力及非结构性碳水化合物的影响

以1年生毛竹实生苗为研究对象,研究多效唑对不同水分条件下毛竹实生苗的叶绿素含量、光合参数、非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量、碳氮比、根系活力的影响。设置3个水分梯度:W1(75%相对田间持水量,CK)、W2(50%相对田间持水量,中度干旱)和W3(35%相对田间持水量,重度干旱),以及2个多效唑浓度:P1(0mg/L)、P2(40mg/L)。结果表明:随干旱强度增加,P1W1、P1W2、P1W3处理叶色逐渐变淡。与对照P1W1相比,P1W2和P1W3处理下叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素、叶绿素a/b和叶绿素总含量显著下降(P0.05),Pn、Tr、WUE显著下降(P0.05),Ls显著上升(P0.05),毛竹叶片及根系中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量显著上升(P0.05),毛竹根系活力显著下降。多效唑处理后,P2W2和P2W3的叶片色素含量相对于P2W1显著提高,但P2W2与P2W3无显著差异。同时,施加多效唑使Pn显著提高,P2W3较P1W3增加了146.9%。此外,P2W3处理使可溶性糖大量积累,达最大值3.41mg/g;毛竹叶片及根系淀粉含量显著上升,根系活力显著提高。试验揭示了多效唑通过提高干旱水平下毛竹实生苗的根系活力、光合速率,增加光合色素、非结构性碳水化合物含量,并将养分从地上转移到地下部分,进而抵御干旱胁迫带来的伤害。     

Coal Dust Pollution Effects on Wetland Tree Species in Richards Bay,South Africa

In this study, the effects of coal dust on four, sympatric, wetland tree species in Richards Bay Harbour were investigated. We tested the hypothesis that leaf micromorphology influenced dust accumulation and that coal dust occluded stomata and reduced photosynthetic performance of three mangroves, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata, and a mangrove associate, Hibiscus tiliaceus. To investigate leaf micromorphology, leaf blade material of the four species was prepared following standard procedures and viewed under scanning electron microscopy. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were made at saturating light (>1000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and high temperature (>25 °C) on leaves that were either covered or uncovered with coal dust. There was no evidence of occlusion of stomata by dust. Dust accumulation in A. marina and H. tiliaceus was exacerbated by the presence of a dense mat of trichomes on the undersurface of the leaves, as well as by the sticky brine secreted by salt glands in the former species.Coal dust significantly reduced CO₂ exchange, Photosystem II (PS II) quantum yield and electron transport rate (ETR) through PS II in A. marina and H. tiliaceus but not in the other two mangroves. Reduction in photosynthetic performance was attributed to reduction in light energy incident on the photosynthetic tissues.     

Stem photosynthesis in a desert ephemeral,Eriogonum inflatum

Summary The gas exchange characteristics of photosynthetic tissues of leaves and stems of Eriogonum inflatum are described. Inflated stems were found to contain extraordinarily high internal CO₂ concentrations (to 14000 bar), but fixation of this internal CO₂ was 6–10 times slower than fixation of atmospheric CO₂ by these stems. Although the pool of CO₂ is a trivial source of CO₂ for stem photosynthesis, it may result in higher water-use efficiency of stem tissues. Leaf and stem photosynthetic activities were compared by means of CO₂ fixation in CO₂ response curves, light and temperature response curves in IRGA systems, and by means of O₂ exchange at CO₂ saturation in a leaf disc O₂ electrode system. On an area basis leaves contain about twice the chlorophyll and nitrogen as stems, and are capable of up to 4-times the absolute CO₂ and O₂ exchange rates. However, the stem shape is such that lighting of the shaded side leads to a substantial increase in overall stem photosynthesis on a projected area basis, to about half the leaf rate in air. Stem conductance is lower than leaf conductance under most conditions and is less sensitive to high temperature or high VPD. Under most conditions, the ratio C _i /C _a is lower in stems than in leaves and stems show greater water-use efficiency (higher ratio assimilation/transpiration) as a function of VPD. This potential advantage of stem photosynthesis in a water limited environment may be offset by the higher VPD conditions in the hotter, drier part of the year when stems are active after leaves have senesced. Stem and leaf photosynthesis were similarly affected by decreasing plant water potential.     

The occurrence of both C3 and C4 photosynthetic characteristics in a single Zea mays plant

The activities of the carboxylating enzymes ribulose-1,5-biphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase in leaves of three-week old Zea mays plants grown under phytotron conditions were found to vary according to leaf position. In the lower leaves the activity of PEP carboxylase was lower than that of RuBP carboxylase, while the upper leaves exhibited high levels of PEP carboxylase. Carbon dioxide compensation points and net photosynthetic rates also differed in the lower and upper leaves. Differences in the fine structure of the lowermost and uppermost leaves are shown. The existence of both the C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic pathways in the same plant, in this and other species, is discussed.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - RuBP ribulose-1,5-biphosphate     

Interactions among leaf photosynthetic rates,flowering and pod set in soybeans

The seasonal maximum in photosynthetic CO₂ exchange rate (CER) and the cessation of leaf expansion in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) accompany fruiting under normal agricultural conditions. To investigate whether these phenomena were obligatively tied together, we caused early flowering of long-season varieties by imposing artificial short-day treatments. Comparisons of CER and leaf area between vegetative (long-day treatment) and fruiting (short-day treatment) plants of long-season cultivar confirmed the relationship of these phenomena. The same comparisons made between a long-season and a short-season cultivar, both at the same daylength, also confirmed the relationship.     

Diurnal Gas Exchange and Superior Resources Use Efficiency of Typical C4 Species in Hunshandak Sandland,China

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), leaf water potential (ψ_leaf), leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) were compared between a typical C₄ plant, Agriophyllum squarrosum and a C₃ plant, Leymus chinensis, in Hunshandak Sandland, China. The plant species showed different diurnal gas exchange patterns on June 12–14 when photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), air temperature (T _air), and water potential were moderate. P _N, E, and g _s of A. squarrosum showed distinct single peak while those of L. chinensis were depressed at noon and had two peaks in their diurnal courses. Gas exchange traits of both species showed midday depression under higher photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and T _air when Ψ_leaf was significantly low down on August 6–8. However, those of A. squarrosum were depressed less seriously. Moreover, A. squarrosum had higher P _N, Ψ_leaf, water use efficiency (WUE), and PNUE than L. chinensis. Thus A. squarrosum was much more tolerant to heat and high irradiance and could utilise the resources on sand area more efficiently than L. chinensis. Hence species like A. squarrosum may be introduced and protected to reconstruct the degraded sand dunes because of their higher tolerance to stress and higher resource use efficiency. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Correlations among leaf CO2-exchange rates,areas and enzyme activities among soybean cultivars

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genotypes varying in area per nodal unit (usually a trifoliolate) and maturity class were grown in plots at the University of Illinois experimental farm. Leaf CO₂-exchange rates per unit area (CER) were measured under sunlight on intact plants. In addition to previously reported correlations with specific leaf weight and chlorophyll, CER was positively correlated with ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPcase) activity, specific activity, and soluble protein, and was negatively correlated with area per leaf unit. The CER: chlorophyll correlation was destroyed by high CER values in 2 chlorophyll-deficient lines. CER values for 27 of the 35 lines tested fell within the range of those for isolines of cultivar Clark varying in leaf characteristics. The CER values were highest for fully expanded leaves during rapid pod fill. These results suggested that photoperiod (maturity) genes and genes for leaf area growth interact with genes controlling photosynthetic CO₂-exchange to produce the major differences in CER values among soybean genotypes.     

The Distinctive Pattern of Photosystem 2 Activity,Photosynthetic Pigment Accumulation,and Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Content of Chloroplasts along the Axis of Primary Wheat Leaf Lamina

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sonalika) seedlings were grown in Hoagland solution. Primary leaves were harvested at 8, 12, and 15 d and cut into five equal segments. Contents of photosynthetic pigments and proteins, and photosystem 2 (PS2) activity increased from base to apex of these leaves. Chlorophyll (Chl) content was maximum at 12 d in all the leaf segments, but PS2 activity showed a gradual decline from 8 to 15 d in all leaf segments. In sharp contrast, the CO₂ fixation ability of chloroplasts increased from 8 to 15 d. CO₂ fixation ability of chloroplasts started to decline from base to apex of 15-d-old seedlings, where the content of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (RuBPCO-LSU) increased acropetally. RuBPCO-LSU content was maximum in all the leaf segments in 12-d-old seedlings. This shows a distinctive pattern of PS2, Chl, CO₂ fixation ability of chloroplasts, and RuBPCO-LSU content along the axis of leaf lamina during development and senescence. RuBPCO-LSU (54 kDa) degraded to fragments of 45, 42, 37, 19, and 16 kDa products which accumulated along the leaf axis during ageing of chloroplasts. Thus the CO₂ fixation ability of chloroplasts declines earlier than PS2 activity and photosynthetic pigment contents along the leaf lamina.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics,Dark Respiration,and Leaf Mass Per Unit Area in Seedlings of Four Tropical Tree Species Grown Under Three Irradiances

We investigated the effect of growth irradiance (I) on photon-saturated photosynthetic rate (P _max), dark respiration rate (R _D), carboxylation efficiency (CE), and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) in seedlings of the following four tropical tree species with contrasting shade-tolerance. Anthocephalus chinensis (Rubiaceae) and Linociera insignis (Oleaceae) are light-demanding, Barringtonia macrostachya (Lecythidaceae) and Calophyllum polyanthum (Clusiaceae) are shade-tolerant. Their seedlings were pot-planted under shading nets with 8, 25, and 50 % daylight for five months. With increase of I, all species displayed the trends of increases of LMA, photosynthetic saturation irradiance, and chlorophyll-based P _max, and decreases of chlorophyll (Chl) content on both area and mass bases, and mass-based P _max, R _D, and CE. The area-based P _max and CE increased with I for the light-demanders only. Three of the four species significantly increased Chl-based CE with I. This indicated the increase of nitrogen (N) allocation to carboxylation enzyme relative to Chl with I. Compared to the two shade-tolerants, under the same I, the two light-demanders had greater area- and Chl-based P _max, photosynthetic saturation irradiance, lower Chl content per unit area, and greater plasticity in LMA and area- or Chl-based P _max. Our results support the hypothesis that light-demanding species is more plastic in leaf morphology and physiology than shade-tolerant species, and acclimation to I of tropical seedlings is more associated with leaf morphological adjustment relative to physiology. Leaf nitrogen partitioning between photosynthetic enzymes and Chl also play a role in the acclimation to I.     

Effects of soil water on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of Cyclobalanopsis glauca seedlings growing under nutrient-rich and -poor soil

Cyclobalanopsis glauca is a dominant species in mid-subtropical forest, and usually plays an important role in forest ecosystems. However, it often suffers redundant precipitation or water stress, which often concurs with high temperature, nutrient depletion and strong irradiance. The study presented in the paper hypothesized that soil water exerted strong influence on leaf gas exchange and traits. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of soil water changes on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits and their relationships of C. glauca seedlings growing on nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil at three water levels. The study measured the specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content, chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic light response curve. Its results showed that there were no differences in leaf size, leaf dry weight, SLA, leaf dry matter content, Leaf nitrogen concentration and Leaf chlorophyll between the two soil nutrient treatments, while these parameters differed significantly among different water levels for either of the treatments. There were large variations in leaf photosynthetic parameters and leaf traits among the different water treatments, indicating different response patterns of C. glauca seedling and its adaptation to the different soil water conditions. There were no significant differences in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A_max) and apparent quantum yield (Ø) between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, which indicated that the C. glauca seedlings could maintain similar capacities in different soils that differed in nutrient condition. As to the relation between the photosynthesis and leaf traits, the A_max and PNUE were positively correlated with the SLA, respectively, but the SLA had significant negative relationship with the leaf N (P<0.01) in nutrient-rich soil. In contrast, both A_max and PNUE were significantly negatively correlated with the SLA, respectively (P<0.01); and the SLA was not significantly positively correlated with the leaf nitrogen concentration of the nutrient-poor soil (P>0.05). The specific leaf areas (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations as well as other photosynthetic features were influenced in a coordinative manner by the soil water. The relation among the A_max, PNUE and the N_mass, SLA could be described as a binomial equation and a liner negative regression for the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil, respectively. In conclusion, soil water was more constraining factor than the soil nutrient to the photosynthesis of C. glauca seedlings, nutrient-rich soil could offset some negative influence resulting from soil water deficit on LSP and LCP. Factors affecting the variations of photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of C. glauca seedlings differed between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils.     

Gas exchange and photosynthetic performance of the tropical tree <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nigrescens</Emphasis> when grown in different CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations

The photosynthetic responses of the tropical tree species Acacia nigrescens Oliv. grown at different atmospheric CO₂ concentrations—from sub-ambient to super-ambient—have been studied. Light-saturated rates of net photosynthesis (A _sat) in A. nigrescens, measured after 120 days exposure, increased significantly from sub-ambient (196 μL L⁻¹) to current ambient (386 μL L⁻¹) CO₂ growth conditions but did not increase any further as [CO₂] became super-ambient (597 μL L⁻¹). Examination of photosynthetic CO₂ response curves, leaf nitrogen content, and leaf thickness showed that this acclimation was most likely caused by reduction in Rubisco activity and a shift towards ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration-limited photosynthesis, but not a consequence of changes in mesophyll conductance. Also, measurements of the maximum efficiency of PSII and the carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio of leaves indicated that it was unlikely that the pattern of A _sat seen was a consequence of growth [CO₂] induced stress. Many of the photosynthetic responses examined were not linear with respect to the concentration of CO₂ but could be explained by current models of photosynthesis.     

Influence of Potassium Deficiency on Photosynthesis,Chlorophyll Content,and Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Cotton Plants

In cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in controlled-environment growth chamber the effects of K deficiency during floral bud development on leaf photosynthesis, contents of chlorophyll (Chl) and nonstructural saccharides, leaf anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure, and plant dry matter accumulation were studied. After cotton plants received 35-d K-free nutrient solution at the early square stage, net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of the uppermost fully expanded main-stem leaves was only 23 % of the control plants receiving a full K supply. Decreased leaf P _N of K-deficient cotton was mainly associated with dramatically low Chl content, poor chloroplast ultrastructure, and restricted saccharide translocation, rather than limited stomata conductance in K-deficient leaves. Accumulation of sucrose in leaves of K-deficient plants might be associated with reduced entry of sucrose into the transport pool or decreased phloem loading. K deficiency during squaring also dramatically reduced leaf area and dry matter accumulation, and affected assimilate partitioning among plant tissues.