Drought constraints on leaf gas exchange by Miconia ciliata (Melastomataceae) in the understory of an eastern Amazonian regrowth forest stand

Analyses of the effects of drought stress on Amazonian regrowth stands are lacking. We measured leaf gas exchange and leaf water potential of Miconia ciliata (Melastomataceae) in a dry-season irrigation experiment in 14-yr-old regrowth. In the dry season, irrigated plants maintained significantly higher leaf water potentials, photosynthetic capacity at light saturation (A(max)), stomatal conductance (g(s)), internal CO(2) concentration (C(i)), and lower A(max)/g(s) than control plants. The degree of dry-season down-regulation of control plant A(max), along with its fast recovery following rain, reveals the importance of occasional dry-season rains to the carbon budget of M. ciliata. During the wet season, we observed higher A(max) for control plants than for plants that had been irrigated during the dry season. We hypothesize that reduced drought constraints on photosynthesis of irrigated plants advanced the flowering and fruiting phenology of irrigated plants into the dry season. Flowers and fruits of control plants developed later, during the wet season, potentially stimulating a compensatory reproductive photosynthesis response in nearby leaves. The relative drought intolerance of M. ciliata may be a deciding factor in its ability to survive through the dynamic successional development of the regrowth stand studied.     

Inhibition of photosynthesis and energy dissipation induced by water and high light stresses in rice

Photoprotection mechanisms of rice plants were studied when its seedlings were subjected to the combined stress of water and high light. The imposition of water stress, induced by PEG 6000 which was applied to roots, resulted in substantial inhibition of stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis under all irradiance treatments. Under high light stress, the rapid decline of photosynthesis with the development of water stress was accompanied by decreases in the maximum velocity of RuBP carboxylation by Rubisco (V(cmax)), the capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (J(max)), Rubisco and stromal FBPase activities, and the quantum efficiency of photosystem II, in the absence of any stomatal limitation of CO(2) supply. Water stress significantly reduced the energy flux via linear electron transport (J(PSII)), but increased light-dependent and DeltapH- and xanthophyll-mediated thermal dissipation (J(NPQ)). It is concluded that the drought-induced inhibition of photosynthesis under different irradiances in the rice was due to both diffusive and metabolic limitations. Metabolic limitation of photosynthesis may be related to the adverse effects of some metabolic processes and the oxidative damage to the chloroplast. Meanwhile, an enhanced thermal dissipation is an important process to minimize the adverse effects of drought and high irradiance when CO(2) assimilation is suppressed.     

The effect of temperature on C(4)-type leaf photosynthesis parameters

C(4)-type photosynthesis is known to vary with growth and measurement temperatures. In an attempt to quantify its variability with measurement temperature, the photosynthetic parameters - the maximum catalytic rate of the enzyme ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) (V(cmax)), the maximum catalytic rate of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) (V(pmax)) and the maximum electron transport rate (J(max)) - were examined. Maize plants were grown in climatic-controlled phytotrons, and the curves of net photosynthesis (A(n)) versus intercellular air space CO(2) concentrations (C(i)), and A(n) versus photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were determined over a temperature range of 15-40 degrees C. Values of V(cmax), V(pmax) and J(max) were computed by inversion of the von Caemmerer & Furbank photosynthesis model. Values of V(pmax) and J(max) obtained at 25 degrees C conform to values found in the literature. Parameters for an Arrhenius equation that best fits the calculated values of V(cmax), V(pmax) and J(max) are then proposed. These parameters should be further tested with C(4) plants for validation. Other model key parameters such as the mesophyll cell conductance to CO(2) (g(i)), the bundle sheath cells conductance to CO(2) (g(bs)) and Michaelis-Menten constants for CO(2) and O(2) (K(c), K(p) and K(o)) also vary with temperature and should be better parameterized.     

Seasonal change in the balance between capacities of RuBP carboxylation and RuBP regeneration affects CO2 response of photosynthesis in Polygonum cuspidatum

The balance between the capacities of RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) carboxylation (V(cmax)) and RuBP regeneration (expressed as the maximum electron transport rate, J(max)) determines the CO(2) dependence of the photosynthetic rate. As it has been suggested that this balance changes depending on the growth temperature, the hypothesis that the seasonal change in air temperature affects the balance and modulates the CO(2) response of photosynthesis was tested. V(cmax) and J(max) were determined in summer and autumn for young and old leaves of Polygonum cuspidatum grown at two CO(2) concentrations (370 and 700 micromol mol(-1)). Elevated CO(2) concentration tended to reduce both V(cmax) and J(max) without changing the J(max):V(cmax) ratio. The seasonal environment, on the other hand, altered the ratio such that the J(max):V(cmax) ratio was higher in autumn leaves than summer leaves. This alternation made the photosynthetic rate more dependent on CO(2) concentration in autumn. Therefore, when photosynthetic rates were compared at growth CO(2) concentration, the stimulation in photosynthetic rate was higher in young-autumn than in young-summer leaves. In old-autumn leaves, the stimulation of photosynthesis brought by a change in the J(max):V(cmax) ratio was partly offset by accelerated leaf senescence under elevated CO(2). Across the two seasons and the two CO(2) concentrations, V(cmax) was strongly correlated with Rubisco and J(max) with cytochrome f content. These results suggest that seasonal change in climate affects the relative amounts of photosynthetic proteins, which in turn affect the CO(2) response of photosynthesis.     

Physiological basis of genetic variation in leaf photosynthesis among rice (Oryza sativa L.) introgression lines under drought and well-watered conditions

To understand the physiological basis of genetic variation and resulting quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for photosynthesis in a rice (Oryza sativa L.) introgression line population, 13 lines were studied under drought and well-watered conditions, at flowering and grain filling. Simultaneous gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were conducted at various levels of incident irradiance and ambient CO(2) to estimate parameters of a model that dissects photosynthesis into stomatal conductance (g (s)), mesophyll conductance (g (m)), electron transport capacity (J (max)), and Rubisco carboxylation capacity (V (cmax)). Significant genetic variation in these parameters was found, although drought and leaf age accounted for larger proportions of the total variation. Genetic variation in light-saturated photosynthesis and transpiration efficiency (TE) were mainly associated with variation in g (s) and g (m). One previously mapped major QTL of photosynthesis was associated with variation in g (s) and g (m), but also in J (max) and V (cmax) at flowering. Thus, g (s) and g (m), which were demonstrated in the literature to be responsible for environmental variation in photosynthesis, were found also to be associated with genetic variation in photosynthesis. Furthermore, relationships between these parameters and leaf nitrogen or dry matter per unit area, which were previously found across environmental treatments, were shown to be valid for variation across genotypes. Finally, the extent to which photosynthesis rate and TE can be improved was evaluated. Virtual ideotypes were estimated to have 17.0% higher photosynthesis and 25.1% higher TE compared with the best genotype investigated. This analysis using introgression lines highlights possibilities of improving both photosynthesis and TE within the same genetic background.     

Diffusive and metabolic limitations to photosynthesis under drought and salinity in C(3) plants

Drought and salinity are two widespread environmental conditions leading to low water availability for plants. Low water availability is considered the main environmental factor limiting photosynthesis and, consequently, plant growth and yield worldwide. There has been a long-standing controversy as to whether drought and salt stresses mainly limit photosynthesis through diffusive resistances or by metabolic impairment. Reviewing in vitro and in vivo measurements, it is concluded that salt and drought stress predominantly affect diffusion of CO(2) in the leaves through a decrease of stomatal and mesophyll conductances, but not the biochemical capacity to assimilate CO(2), at mild to rather severe stress levels. The general failure of metabolism observed at more severe stress suggests the occurrence of secondary oxidative stresses, particularly under high-light conditions. Estimates of photosynthetic limitations based on the photosynthetic response to intercellular CO(2) may lead to artefactual conclusions, even if patchy stomatal closure and the relative increase of cuticular conductance are taken into account, as decreasing mesophyll conductance can cause the CO(2) concentration in chloroplasts of stressed leaves to be considerably lower than the intercellular CO(2) concentration. Measurements based on the photosynthetic response to chloroplast CO(2) often confirm that the photosynthetic capacity is preserved but photosynthesis is limited by diffusive resistances in drought and salt-stressed leaves.     

Major diffusion leaks of clamp‐on leaf cuvettes still unaccounted: how erroneous are the estimates of Farquhar et al. model parameters?

Estimates of leaf gas-exchange characteristics using standard clamp-on leaf chambers are prone to errors because of diffusion leaks. While some consideration has been given to CO(2) diffusion leaks, potential water vapour diffusion leaks through chamber gaskets have been neglected. We estimated diffusion leaks of two clamp-on Li-Cor LI-6400 (Li-Cor, Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA) leaf chambers with polymer foam gaskets and enclosing either 2 or 6 cm(2) leaf area, and conducted a sensitivity analysis of the diffusion leak effects on Farquhar et al. photosynthesis model parameters - the maximum carboxylase activity of ribulose 1 x 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) (V(cmax)), capacity for photosynthetic electron transport (J(max)) and non-photorespiratory respiration rate in light (R(d)). In addition, net assimilation rate (A(n)) versus intercellular CO(2) (C(i)) responses were measured in leaves of Mediterranean evergreen species Quercus ilex L. enclosing the whole leaf chamber in a polyvinyl fluoride bag flushed with the exhaust air of leaf chamber, thereby effectively reducing the CO(2) and water vapour gradients between ambient air and leaf chamber. For the empty chambers, average diffusion leak for CO(2), K(CO2), (molar flow rate corresponding to unit CO(2) mole fraction difference) was ca. 0.40 micromol s(-1). K(CO2) increased ca. 50% if a dead leaf was clamped between the leaf chamber. Average diffusion leak for H(2)O was ca. 5- to 10-fold larger than the diffusion leak for CO(2). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the consequence of a CO(2) diffusion leak was apparent enhancement of A(n) at high CO(2) mole fraction and reduction at lower CO(2) mole fraction, and overall compression of C(i) range. As the result of these modifications, Farquhar et al. model parameters were overestimated. The degree of overestimation increased in the order of V(cmax) < J(max) < R(d), and was larger for smaller chambers and for leaves with lower photosynthetic capacity, leading to overestimation of all three parameters by 70-290% for 2 cm(2), and by 10-60% for 6 cm(2) chamber. Significant diffusion corrections (5-36%) were even required for leaves with high photosynthetic capacity measured in largest chamber. Water vapour diffusion leaks further enhanced the overestimation of model parameters. For small chambers and low photosynthetic capacities, apparent C(i) was simulated to decrease with increasing A(n) because of simultaneous CO(2) and H(2)O diffusion leaks. Measurements in low photosynthetic capacity Quercus ilex leaves enclosed in 2 cm(2) leaf chamber exhibited negative apparent C(i) values at highest A(n). For the same leaves measured with the entire leaf chamber enclosed in the polyvinyl fluoride bag, C(i) and A(n) increased monotonically. While the measurements without the bag could be corrected for diffusion leaks, the required correction in A(n) and transpiration rates was 100-500%, and there was large uncertainty in Farquhar et al. model parameters derived from 'corrected'A(n)/C(i) response curves because of uncertainties in true diffusion leaks. These data demonstrate that both CO(2) and water vapour diffusion leaks need consideration in measurements with clamp-on leaf cuvettes. As plants in natural environments are often characterized by low photosynthetic capacities, cuvette designs need to be improved for reliable measurements in such species.     

Intraspecific variation in temperature dependence of gas exchange characteristics among Plantago asiatica ecotypes from different temperature regimes

There are large inter- and intraspecific differences in the temperature dependence of photosynthesis, but the physiological cause of the variation is poorly understood. Here, the temperature dependence of photosynthesis was examined in three ecotypes of Plantago asiatica transplanted from different latitudes, where the mean annual temperature varies between 7.5 and 16.8 degrees C. Plants were raised at 15 or 30 degrees C, and the CO(2) response of photosynthetic rates was determined at various temperatures. When plants were grown at 30 degrees C, no difference was found in the temperature dependence of photosynthesis among ecotypes. When plants were grown at 15 degrees C, ecotypes from a higher latitude maintained a relatively higher photosynthetic rate at low measurement temperatures. This difference was caused by a difference in the balance between the capacities of two processes, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (J(max)) and carboxylation (V(cmax)), which altered the limiting step of photosynthesis at low temperatures. The organization of photosynthetic proteins also varied among ecotypes. The ecotype from the highest latitude increased the J(max) : V(cmax) ratio with decreasing growth temperature, while that from the lowest latitude did not. It is concluded that nitrogen partitioning in the photosynthetic apparatus and its response to growth temperature were different among ecotypes, which caused an intraspecific variation in temperature dependence of photosynthesis.     

Seasonal changes in temperature dependence of photosynthetic rate in rice under a free-air CO(2) enrichment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Influences of rising global CO(2) concentration and temperature on plant growth and ecosystem function have become major concerns, but how photosynthesis changes with CO(2) and temperature in the field is poorly understood. Therefore, studies were made of the effect of elevated CO(2) on temperature dependence of photosynthetic rates in rice (Oryza sativa) grown in a paddy field, in relation to seasons in two years. METHODS: Photosynthetic rates were determined monthly for rice grown under free-air CO(2) enrichment (FACE) compared to the normal atmosphere (570 vs 370 micromol mol(-1)). Temperature dependence of the maximum rate of RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) carboxylation (V(cmax)) and the maximum rate of electron transport (J(max)) were analysed with the Arrhenius equation. The photosynthesis-temperature response was reconstructed to determine the optimal temperature (T(opt)) that maximizes the photosynthetic rate. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There was both an increase in the absolute value of the light-saturated photosynthetic rate at growth CO(2) (P(growth)) and an increase in T(opt) for P(growth) caused by elevated CO(2) in FACE conditions. Seasonal decrease in P(growth) was associated with a decrease in nitrogen content per unit leaf area (N(area)) and thus in the maximum rate of electron transport (J(max)) and the maximum rate of RuBP carboxylation (V(cmax)). At ambient CO(2), T(opt) increased with increasing growth temperature due mainly to increasing activation energy of V(cmax). At elevated CO(2), T(opt) did not show a clear seasonal trend. Temperature dependence of photosynthesis was changed by seasonal climate and plant nitrogen status, which differed between ambient and elevated CO(2).     

Photosynthetic performance along a light gradient as related to leaf characteristics of a naturally occurring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cypripedium flavum</Emphasis>

Photosynthesis, leaf structure, nitrogen content and nitrogen allocation in photosynthetic functions of Cypripedium flavum were studied in a naturally varying light regime. Light-saturated leaf net photosynthetic rate (A (max)) was strongly correlated with leaf dry mass per area (LMA), mesophyll conductance (g (m)) and area-based leaf nitrogen content (N(area)), with all variables increasing with increasing irradiance. Such coordinate variation of all these parameters illustrates the plastic response of leaf structure to high light (HL). Leaf N(area) was greater under HL than in low light (LL). The fractions of leaf nitrogen partitioning in carboxylation (P (R)) and bioenergetics (P (B)) were positively related to LMA. In contrast, P (R) and P (B) decreased with increasing mass-based leaf nitrogen content (N(mass)). However, no correlation was found between leaf nitrogen investment in light harvesting (P (L)) and either LMA or N(mass). Like maximum rate of carboxylation (V (cmax)) and electron transport (J (max)), the J (max)/V (cmax) ratio, which was strongly correlated to LMA, also increased significantly with irradiance. Under HL, leaf maximum photosynthetic nitrogen efficiency (ANUE) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE) were greater than in LL conditions, despite a small difference in WUE. This suggests that a functional balance in the photosynthetic machinery favors leaf photosynthetic plasticity of C. flavum in response to different light conditions. Given an ample soil nitrogen supply, C. flavum may offset its susceptibility to HL by efficient nitrogen use and higher stomatal and mesophyll conductance against photoinhibition so as to keep leaf photosynthesis positive.     

供氮和增温对倍增二氧化碳浓度下荫香叶片光合作用的影响

供给0～0.6 mg N的盆栽荫香(Cinnamomum burmannii)幼树分别生长在倍增CO ₂(+CO₂,731 μmol·mol^-1)和正常空气CO ₂浓度(CO ₂,365 μmol·mol^-1)的生长箱内,昼夜温度分别为25/23 ℃和32/25 ℃,自然光照下生长30 d.以生长在CO₂和25/23 ℃下的植株为对照研究增温和氮对+CO₂叶片光合作用的影响.结果表明,在+CO₂和25/23 ℃下无氮和氮处理植株的平均光合速率(Pnsat)较+CO₂和32/25 ℃下的叶片高5.1%,温度增高降低叶片Pnsat;而Pnsat随供氮而增高.在+CO₂条件下,生长在32/25 ℃下的叶片Rubisco最大羧化速率(Vcmax)和最大电子传递速率(Jmax)较25/23 ℃下的低(P＜0.05),温度增高降低+CO₂下叶片的Vcmax和Jmax在+CO2下叶片光合呼吸速率(Rp)较低,生长温度增高提升Rp.在CO₂下生长温度从25/23 ℃增至32/25 ℃,叶片的Rubisco含量(NR)和Rubisco活化中心浓度(M)降低,而供氮能增高NR和M.供氮能减缓温度增高对倍增CO₂下荫香叶片光合作用的限制.     

降雨量增减对黄河三角洲滨海湿地土壤呼吸和芦苇光合特性的影响

滨海湿地地下水位浅,淡咸水垂直交互作用明显,全球气候变化背景下降水变异改变其土壤表层水盐状况,从而影响植物光合作用与土壤呼吸.为探究降雨量变化对黄河三角洲滨海湿地土壤呼吸和光合特性的影响,采用固定式遮雨顶棚和雨水输送管道相结合的方法设置增减雨处理小区,于2015年生长季测定土壤呼吸和光合作用光响应曲线,同时连续测定土壤温度、土壤含水量、土壤含盐量等土壤环境因子.结果表明: 根据土壤含水量波动情况可将生长季分为3个阶段:干旱期、湿润期、淹水期. 不同土壤水分阶段,土壤呼吸和芦苇光合特性对降雨量增减的响应不同. 在干旱期,增雨处理下土壤呼吸速率显著提高了31.8%,同时芦苇叶片气孔导度和光合能力显著增强;减雨处理下土壤呼吸速率降低41.1%,芦苇叶片气孔阻塞,光合能力降低. 在湿润期,增雨和减雨处理使土壤呼吸速率及其温度敏感性指数(Q₁₀)均出现下降,但二者未对芦苇各光合参数和净光合速率产生显著影响. 在淹水期,增减雨处理未对土壤呼吸产生显著影响,但芦苇对淹水胁迫较为敏感,增减雨分别加重和降低了淹水对芦苇植株的伤害,光合速率由高到低为减雨>对照>增雨.     

Photosynthesis, productivity, and yield of maize are not affected by open-air elevation of CO2 concentration in the absence of drought

While increasing temperatures and altered soil moisture arising from climate change in the next 50 years are projected to decrease yield of food crops, elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) is predicted to enhance yield and offset these detrimental factors. However, C4 photosynthesis is usually saturated at current [CO2] and theoretically should not be stimulated under elevated [CO2]. Nevertheless, some controlled environment studies have reported direct stimulation of C4 photosynthesis and productivity, as well as physiological acclimation, under elevated [CO2]. To test if these effects occur in the open air and within the Corn Belt, maize (Zea mays) was grown in ambient [CO2] (376 micromol mol(-1)) and elevated [CO2] (550 micromol mol(-1)) using Free-Air Concentration Enrichment technology. The 2004 season had ideal growing conditions in which the crop did not experience water stress. In the absence of water stress, growth at elevated [CO2] did not stimulate photosynthesis, biomass, or yield. Nor was there any CO2 effect on the activity of key photosynthetic enzymes, or metabolic markers of carbon and nitrogen status. Stomatal conductance was lower (-34%) and soil moisture was higher (up to 31%), consistent with reduced crop water use. The results provide unique field evidence that photosynthesis and production of maize may be unaffected by rising [CO2] in the absence of drought. This suggests that rising [CO2] may not provide the full dividend to North American maize production anticipated in projections of future global food supply.     

Relationships between photosynthetic activity and silica accumulation with ages of leaf in Sasa veitchii (Poaceae, Bambusoideae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bamboos have long-lived, evergreen leaves that continue to accumulate silica throughout their life. Silica accumulation has been suggested to suppress their photosynthetic activity. However, nitrogen content per unit leaf area (N(area)), an important determinant of maximum photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area (P(max)), decreases as leaves age and senescence. In many species, P(max) decreases in parallel with the leaf nitrogen content. It is hypothesized that if silica accumulation affects photosynthesis, then P(max) would decrease faster than N(area), leading to a decrease in photosynthetic rate per unit leaf nitrogen (photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, PNUE) with increasing silica content in leaves. METHODS: The hypothesis was tested in leaves of Sasa veitchii, which have a life span of 2 years and accumulate silica up to 41 % of dry mass. Seasonal changes in P(max), stomatal conductance, N(area) and silica content were measured for leaves of different ages. KEY RESULTS: Although P(max) and PNUE were negatively related with silica content across leaves of different ages, the relationship between PNUE and silica differed depending on leaf age. In second-year leaves, PNUE was almost constant although there was a large increase in silica content, suggesting that leaf nitrogen was a primary factor determining the variation in P(max) and that silica accumulation did not affect photosynthesis. PNUE was strongly and negatively correlated with silica content in third-year leaves, suggesting that silica accumulation affected photosynthesis of older leaves. CONCLUSIONS: Silica accumulation in long-lived leaves of bamboo did not affect photosynthesis when the silica concentration of a leaf was less than 25 % of dry mass. Silica may be actively transported to epidermal cells rather than chlorenchyma cells, avoiding inhibition of CO2 diffusion from the intercellular space to chloroplasts. However, in older leaves with a larger silica content, silica was also deposited in chlorenchyma cells, which may relate to the decrease in PNUE.     

Long-term drought modifies the fundamental relationships between light exposure, leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity in leaves of the lychee tree (Litchi chinensis)

Drought has dramatic negative effects on plants' growth and crop productivity. Although some of the responses and underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, there is increasing evidence that drought may have a negative effect on photosynthetic capacity. Biochemical models of leaf photosynthesis coupled with models of radiation transfer have been widely used in ecophysiological studies, and, more recently, in global change modeling. They are based on two fundamental relationships at the scale of the leaf: (i) nitrogen content-light exposure and (ii) photosynthetic capacity-nitrogen content. Although drought is expected to increase in many places across the world, such models are not adapted to drought conditions. More specifically, the effects of drought on the two fundamental relationships are not well documented. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of a long-term drought imposed slowly on the nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity of leaves similarly exposed to light, from 3-year-old lychee trees cv. Kwa? Mi. Leaf nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrate concentrations were measured along with gas exchanges and the light-saturated rate of photosynthetic electron transport (J(max)) after a 5.5-month-long period of drought. Leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis remained stable, while the leaf mass-to-area ratio (LMA) increased with increasing water stress. Consequently, the leaf nitrogen content on an area basis (N(a)) increased in a non-linear fashion. The starch content decreased, while the soluble sugar content increased. Stomata closed and net assimilation decreased to zero, while J(max) and the ratio J(max)/N(a) decreased with increasing water stress. The drought-associated decrease in photosynthetic capacity can be attributed to downregulation of photosynthetic electron transport and to reallocation of leaf nitrogen content. It is concluded that modeling photosynthesis in drought conditions will require, first, the modeling of the effect of drought on LMA and J(max).     

Drought response of two Mexican oak species, Quercus laceyi and Q. sideroxyla (Fagaceae), in relation to elevational position

To investigate the relationship between the altitudinal distribution of Quercus laceyi and Q. sideroxyla and their physiological responses to drought, we measured relative water content (RWC), water potentials (Ψ(predawn) and Ψ(midday)), photosynthesis (A(max)), stomatal conductance (g), chlorophyll fluorescence (F(v)/F(m)), and spectral reflectance (400-1100 nm) five times during a 7 wk acute drought. Quercus laceyi was drought tolerant, while Q. sideroxyla was a drought avoider; Q. laceyi tolerated lower RWC (Q. sideroxyla = 54%, Q. laceyi = 44%), Ψ(pd) (Q. sideroxyla = -2.6 MPa, Q. laceyi = -3.3 MPa), and Ψ(md) (Q. sideroxyla = -4.5 MPa, Q. laceyi = -6.6 MPa). The F(v)/F(m) also declined first in Q. sideroxyla in wk 6, whereas F(v)/F(m) did not decline in Q. laceyi until wk 7. A(max) and g fell in wk 4, 6, and 7 in drought seedlings of both species, suggesting a decline in CO(2) assimilation during the drought. Leaf spectral reflectance increased with time in response to decreases in leaf photosynthetic pigment concentrations in latter weeks of the drought. The results suggest a close association between the altitudinal distributions of these species and their adaptation to water stress.     

Soil and plant water relations determine photosynthetic responses of C3 and C4 grasses in a semi-arid ecosystem under elevated CO2

To model the effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 on semi-arid grasslands, the gas exchange responses of leaves to seasonal changes in soil water, and how they are modified by CO2, must be understood for C3 and C4 species that grow in the same area. In this study, open-top chambers were used to investigate the photosynthetic and stomatal responses of Pascopyrum smithii (C3) and Bouteloua gracilis (C4) grown at 360 (ambient CO2) and 720 micro mol mol-1 CO2 (elevated CO2) in a semi-arid shortgrass steppe. Assimilation rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) at the treatment CO2 concentrations and at a range of intercellular CO2 concentrations and leaf water potentials (psileaf) were measured over 4 years with variable soil water content caused by season and CO2 treatment. Carboxylation efficiency of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Vc,max), and ribulose bisphosphate regeneration capacity (Jmax) were reduced in P. smithii grown in elevated CO2, to the degree that A was similar in elevated and ambient CO2 (when soil moisture was adequate). Photosynthetic capacity was not reduced in B. gracilis under elevated CO2, but A was nearly saturated at ambient CO2. There were no stomatal adaptations independent of photosynthetic acclimation. Although photosynthetic capacity was reduced in P. smithii growing in elevated CO2, reduced gs and transpiration improved soil water content and psileaf in the elevated CO2 chambers, thereby improving A of both species during dry periods. These results suggest that photosynthetic responses of C3 and C4 grasses in this semi-arid ecosystem will be driven primarily by the effect of elevated CO2 on plant and soil water relations.     

CO2浓度、氮和水分对春小麦光合、蒸散及水分利用效率的影响

研究了不同土壤氮和土壤水分条件下,大气CO2浓度升高对春小麦光合作用、气孔导度、蒸散和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,CO2浓度升高,干旱处理的春小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）叶片光合作用速率幅度增加大于湿润处理,随着氮肥用量增加光合速率相应增加,而不施氮脂增加有限;干旱处理气孔导度幅度减少大于湿润处理,不施氮肥的大于氮肥充足的CO2浓度升高,干旱处理的蒸散量减少比湿润处理多,不施氮肥的蒸散量减少较为明显;但干旱处理单叶WUE增加大于湿润处理;随着氮肥用量增加,冠层WUE提高,而不施氮肥的冠层WUE最低。因而CO2浓度升高、光合速率增加和蒸散量减少会减缓干旱的不利影响,增强作物对干旱胁迫的抵御能力。     

干旱胁迫对杨树光合生理指标的影响

采用PEG模拟干旱胁迫的方法,利用气体交换法和叶绿素荧光技术,研究了干旱胁迫下小青杨（Populus pseudo-simonii）的光合生理变化.结果表明,干旱胁迫初期,小青杨的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)和胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)值均随干旱胁迫增强而下降,杨树P_n的下降主要是由于g_s下降引起的;干旱胁迫后期,C_i值逐渐升高,非气孔限制成为光合作用的主要限制因子.干旱胁迫后期,PSⅡ原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)明显下降,光抑制增强,光合电子传递受阻.POD酶的活性在胁迫初期升高,后期降低,说明干旱胁迫初期对保护系统酶活性升高有诱导作用,随着胁迫时间的延长,F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o降低,活性氧清除酶活性下降,活性氧代谢的平衡被打破,导致光合器官的伤害.由此表明,干旱胁迫后期P_n的降低与PSⅡ荧光参数及POD酶活性下降有关.     

Variation in acclimation of photosynthesis in Trifolium repens after eight years of exposure to Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)

The initial stimulation of photosynthesis observed on elevation of [CO2] in grasslands has been predicted to be a transient phenomenon constrained by the loss of photosynthetic capacity due to other limitations, notably nutrients and sinks for carbohydrates. Legumes might be expected partially to escape these feedbacks through symbiotic N2 fixation. The Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment at Eschikon, Switzerland, has been the longest running investigation of the effects of open-air elevation of [CO2] on vegetation. The prediction of a long-term loss of photosynthetic capacity was tested by analysing photosynthesis in Trifolium repens L. (cv. Milkanova) in the spring and autumn of the eighth, ninth and tenth years of treatment. A high and low N treatment also allowed a test of the significance of exogenous N-supply in maintaining a stimulation of photosynthetic capacity in the long-term. Prior work in this Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment has revealed that elevated [CO2] increased both vegetative and reproductive growth of T. repens independent of N treatment. It is shown here that the photosynthetic response of T. repens was also independent of N fertilization under both current ambient and elevated (600 micro mol mol-1) [CO2]. There was a strong effect of season on photosynthesis, with light-saturated rates (Asat) 37% higher in spring than in autumn. Higher Asat in the spring was supported by higher maximum Rubisco carboxylation rates (Vc,max) and maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax) contributing to RuBP regeneration. Elevated [CO2] increased Asat by 37% when averaged across all measurement periods and both N fertilization levels, and decreased stomatal conductance by 25%. In spring, there was no effect of elevated [CO2] on photosynthetic capacity of leaves, but in autumn both Vc,max and Jmax were reduced by approximately 20% in elevated [CO2]. The results show that acclimation of photosynthetic capacity can occur in a nitrogen-fixing species, in the field where there are no artificial restrictions on sink capacity. However, even with acclimation there was a highly significant increase in photosynthesis at elevated [CO2].