Assessing transpiration in the tussock grass Stipa tenacissima L.: the crucial role of the interplay between morphology and physiology

Plant transpiration has a key role on both plant performance and ecosystem functioning in arid zones, but realistic estimates at appropriate spatial-temporal scales are scarce. Leaf and tiller morphology and crown architecture were studied together with leaf physiology and whole plant water balance in four individual plants of Stipa tenacissima of different sizes to determine the relative influence of processes taking place at different spatial and temporal scales on whole plant transpiration. Transpiration was estimated in potted plants by leaf-level gas exchange techniques (infrared gas analyzer and porometer), by sap flow measurements, and by integrating leaf physiology and crown architecture with the 3-D computer model Yplant. Daily transpiration of each individual plant was monitored using a gravimetric method, which rendered the reference values. Leaves on each individual plant significantly varied in their physiological status. Young and green parts of the leaves showed five times higher chlorophyll concentration and greater photosynthetic capacity than the senescent parts of the foliage. Instantaneous leaf-level transpiration measurements should not be used to estimate plant transpiration, owing to the fact that extrapolations overestimated individual transpiration by more than 100%. Considering leaf age effects and scaling the estimates according to the relative amount of each foliage category reduced this difference to 46% though it was still significantly higher than gravimetric measurements. Sap flow calculations also overestimated tussock transpiration. However, 3-D reconstruction of plants with Yplant and transpiration estimates, considering both the physiological status and the daily pattern of radiation experienced by each individual leaf section within the crown, matched the gravimetric measurements (differences were only 4.4%). The complex interplay of leaf physiology and crown structure must be taken into account in scaling up plant transpiration from instantaneous, leaf-level measurements, and our study indicates that transpiration of complex crowns is easily overestimated.     

The influence of soil moisture on water potential,transpiration and photosynthesis of conifer seedlings

Summary The influence of soil moisture content and soil water potential on plant water potential, transpiration and net-photosynthesis of potted larch (Larix decidua), spruce (Picea abies) and pine (Pinus cembra) was studied under constant and close to optimum conditions in a laboratory.The equilibrium plant water potential measured under non-transpiring conditions came close to soil water potential, but in moist soil the equilibrium potential was slightly lower, particularly in larch where transpiration was not fully arrested. In very dry soil, plants had higher water potential than soil, presumably due to roots exploiting the wettest points within the soil.Pine, spruce and larch utilised a large part of soil moisture (down to 25wt.% soil water content or –1.5 bars potential) while maintaining plant water potential near –8, –9.5 and –12.5 bars respectively. A similar pattern occurred in dry soil. The differences between species are explained by differing stomatal sensitivity to water potential.Pine began a gradual reduction in gas-exchange below a soil water potential of –0.4 bars. Larch showed no marked reduction until the soil potential fell to –3.5 bars but below this the shut-down in gas-exchange was rapid. Spruce lay in between.In spite of the early and sensitive gas-exchange reduction with decreasing soil moisture, pine maintained the highest net photosynthesis/transpiration ratio and thus used limited soil water more slowly and economically than the other species.Seedlings maintained a higher rate of gas-exchange in strong light than in weak light, especially at low soil water potentials.     

Effect of water stress on growth, osmotic adjustment, cell wall elasticity and water-use efficiency in Spartina alterniflora

In the northern spring–summer season of 2004–2005, vegetative propagated plants of Spartina alterniflora were grown under control and water stress conditions on the Mediterranean sea shore of the south-east of Tunis. Control plants were irrigated every week and water stress plants were irrigated until the soil achieved 50% (mild stress) and 25% (severe stress) field capacity (FC). Dry and fresh weight at the whole plant level (g plant⁻¹), shoot to root ratio on dry and fresh weight, photosynthesis (A), transpiration rate (E), instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE_i), leaf water potential (Ψw), leaf water content (WC), osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψs¹⁰⁰), osmotic potential at turgor loss point (Ψs⁰), osmotic adjustment (OA), proline, sugars, inorganic compounds and cell wall elasticity (CWE) were evaluated during a period of 6 days period between 82 and 90 days after the beginning of treatment (DAT). Plants grown under severe and mild-water stress showed lower Ψw than in control plants with values that averaged −3.1, −1.6 and −0.9 MPa, respectively. S. alterniflora plants submitted to mild-water stress exhibited OA and a decrease in CWE. However, under severe water stress the OA was not observed and CWE also decreased, but it was higher than in the mild-water stress. OA was mainly explained by the accumulation of nitrates, sugars and at a lesser degree, proline. S. alterniflora had a strong decline of the dry and fresh weight of the whole plant associated to a marked decrease of photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (E) in response to water stress, although WUE_i was increased. These results suggest that OA and WUE_i can be important components of the water stress adaptation mechanism in this species, but they are not sufficient enough to contribute to resistance to water stress.     

CO2 alters water use,carbon gain,and yield for the dominant species in a natural grassland

Global atmospheric CO₂ is increasing at a rate of 1.5–2 ppm per year and is predicted to double by the end of the next century. Understanding how terrestrial ecosystems will respond in this changing environment is an important goal of current research. Here we present results from a field study of elevated CO₂ in a California annual grassland. Elevated CO₂ led to lower leaf-level stomatal conductance and transpiration (approximately 50%) and higher mid-day leaf water potentials (30–35%) in the most abundant species of the grassland, Avena barbata Brot. Higher CO₂ concentrations also resulted in greater midday photosynthetic rates (70% on average). The effects of CO₂ on stomatal conductance and leaf water potential decreased towards the end of the growing season, when Avena began to show signs of senescence. Water-use efficiency was approximately doubled in elevated CO₂, as estimated by instantaneous gas-exchange measurements and seasonal carbon isotope discrimination. Increases in CO₂ and photosynthesis resulted in more seeds per plant (30%) and taller and heavier plants (27% and 41%, respectively). Elevated CO₂ also reduced seed N concentrations (9%).     

Transpiration and canopy conductance in a pristine broad-leaved forest of Nothofagus: an analysis of xylem sap flow and eddy correlation measurements

Summary Tree transpiration was determined by xylem sap flow and eddy correlation measurements in a temperate broad-leaved forest of Nothofagus in New Zealand (tree height: up to 36 m, one-sided leaf area index: 7). Measurements were carried out on a plot which had similar stem circumference and basal area per ground area as the stand. Plot sap flux density agreed with tree canopy transpiration rate determined by the difference between above-canopy eddy correlation and forest floor lysimeter evaporation measurements. Daily sap flux varied by an order of magnitude among trees (2 to 87 kg day^–1 tree^–1). Over 50% of plot sap flux density originated from 3 of 14 trees which emerged 2 to 5 m above the canopy. Maximum tree transpiration rate was significantly correlated with tree height, stem sapwood area, and stem circumference. Use of water stored in the trees was minimal. It is estimated that during growth and crown development, Nothofagus allocates about 0.06 m of circumference of main tree trunk or 0.01 m² of sapwood per kg of water transpired over one hour.Maximum total conductance for water vapour transfer (including canopy and aerodynamic conductance) of emergent trees, calculated from sap flux density and humidity measurements, was 9.5 mm s^–1 that is equivalent to 112 mmol m^–2 s^–1 at the scale of the leaf. Artificially illuminated shoots measured in the stand with gas exchange chambers had maximum stomatal conductances of 280 mmol m^–2 s^–1 at the top and 150 mmol m^–2 s^–1 at the bottom of the canopy. The difference between canopy and leaf-level measurements is discussed with respect to effects of transpiration on humidity within the canopy. Maximum total conductance was significantly correlated with leaf nitrogen content. Mean carbon isotope ratio was –27.76±0.27 (average ±s.e.) indicating a moist environment. The effects of interactions between the canopy and the atmosphere on forest water use dynamics are shown by a fourfold variation in coupling of the tree canopy air saturation deficit to that of the overhead atmosphere on a typical fine day due to changes in stomatal conductance.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. O.L. Lange on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Water use by the desert cucurbit Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

Summary The rates of water use and leaf surface conductance of Citrullus colocynthis (Cucurbitacea) were evaluated from measurements of the surface temperature and microenvironment of leaves. At desert sites in Saudi Arabia the transpiration rates reached 0.13–0.17 g m^-2 s^-1 and the leaf temperatures were always close to air temperature. Leaf models (dry) placed in the canopy were considerably warmer than the air. To investigate responses over a wider range of conditions, plants were grown in a controlled environment room. It was found that when conditions were made hotter than those that occurred in the desert, the stomatal conductance increased greatly. Transpiration rate attained 0.6 g m^-2 s^-1 and the leaves were up to seven degrees cooler than the air. The results suggest a finely-tuned control mechanism working like a switch when the leaves experience extreme conditions, and enabling the plant to avoid lethal temperatures.     

Biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Magnolia kobus and Diopyros kaki leaf extracts

Leaf extracts of two plants, Magnolia kobus and Diopyros kaki, were used for ecofriendly extracellular synthesis of metallic gold nanoparticles. Stable gold nanoparticles were formed by treating an aqueous HAuCl₄ solution using the plant leaf extracts as reducing agents. UV–visible spectroscopy was used for quantification of gold nanoparticle synthesis. Only a few minutes were required for >90% conversion to gold nanoparticles at a reaction temperature of 95 °C, suggesting reaction rates higher or comparable to those of nanoparticle synthesis by chemical methods. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized with inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and particle analysis using a particle analyzer. SEM and TEM images showed that a mixture of plate (triangles, pentagons, and hexagons) and spherical structures (size, 5–300 nm) were formed at lower temperatures and leaf broth concentrations, while smaller spherical shapes were obtained at higher temperatures and leaf broth concentrations.     

Effects of tussock size and soil water content on whole plant gas exchange in Stipa tenacissima L.: Extrapolating from the leaf versus modelling crown architecture

In this study we evaluated daily whole plant transpiration and net photosynthetic rates in Stipa tenacissima L. (Poaceae) tussocks of different sizes subjected to three levels of soil moisture. The crown architecture of 12 tussocks was reconstructed with the 3D computer model Yplant taking into account the morphology and physiology of the leaves determined at different soil moisture levels. We also calculated whole plant transpiration by extrapolating leaf transpiration in different senescence conditions measured with a diffusion porometer. This extrapolated transpiration overestimated transpiration, particularly when the soil moisture level was high (>15% of volumetric soil water content). At this high level of soil moisture, large tussocks (>60 cm in diameter), which were sexually mature and had a large leaf surface area, were the most efficient with regard to daily water use efficiency (whole plant net photosynthesis/whole plant transpiration). Whole plant water use efficiency decreased with tussock size primarily because small tussocks exhibited high transpiration rates. Small tussocks were more sensitive to soil drying than large and intermediate ones, presenting a faster rate of leaf senescence as water deficit increased. Leaf acclimation to irradiance, which was significantly influenced by the degree of mutual shading among neighbouring leaves, along with the ontogeny of the tussock and its effect upon leaf senescence were found to be the main mechanisms involved in the different responses to water limitations found in whole plant gas exchange variables. Our results show that the size of each individual plant must be taken into account in processes of scaling-up of carbon gain and transpiration from leaf to stand, as this is a particularly relevant aspect in estimating water use by semiarid vegetation.     

Corn (Zea mays L.) growth, leaf pigment concentration, photosynthesis and leaf hyperspectral reflectance properties as affected by nitrogen supply

Plant nitrogen (N)deficiency often limits crop productivity. Early detection of plant N deficiency is important for improving fertilizer N-use efficiency and crop yield. An experiment was conducted in sunlit, controlled environment chambers in the 2001 growing season to determine responses of corn (Zea mays L. cv. 33A14) growth and leaf hyperspectral reflectance properties to varying N supply. Four N treatments were: (1) half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution applied throughout the experiment (control); (2) 20% of control N starting 15 days after emergence (DAE); (3) 0% N starting 15 DAE; and (4) 0% N starting 23 DAE (0% NL). Plant height, the number of leaves, and leaf lengths were examined for nine plants per treatment every 3–4 days. Leaf hyperspectral reflectance, concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b,and carotenoids, leaf and canopy photosynthesis, leaf area, and leaf N concentration were also determined during the experiment. The various N treatments led to a wide range of N concentrations (11 – 48 g kg^–1 DW) in uppermost fully expanded leaves. Nitrogen deficiency suppressed plant growth rate and leaf photosynthesis. At final harvest (42 DAE), plant height, leaf area and shoot biomass were 64–66% of control values for the 20% N treatment, and 46-56% of control values for the 0% N treatment. Nitrogen deficit treatments of 20% N and 0% N (Treatment 3) could be distinguished by changes in leaf spectral reflectance in wavelengths of 552 and 710 nm 7 days after treatment. Leaf reflectance at these two wavebands was negatively correlated with either leaf N (r = –0.72 and –0.75^**) or chlorophyll (r = –0.60 and –0.72^**) concentrations. In addition, higher correlations were found between leaf N concentration and reflectance ratios. The identified N-specific spectral algorithms may be used for image interpretation and diagnosis of corn N status for site-specific N management.     

Assessing transpiration in the tussock grass Stipa tenacissima L.: the crucial role of the interplay between morphology and physiology

Plant transpiration has a key role on both plant performance and ecosystem functioning in arid zones, but realistic estimates at appropriate spatial-temporal scales are scarce. Leaf and tiller morphology and crown architecture were studied together with leaf physiology and whole plant water balance in four individual plants of Stipa tenacissima of different sizes to determine the relative influence of processes taking place at different spatial and temporal scales on whole plant transpiration. Transpiration was estimated in potted plants by leaf-level gas exchange techniques (infrared gas analyzer and porometer), by sap flow measurements, and by integrating leaf physiology and crown architecture with the 3-D computer model Yplant. Daily transpiration of each individual plant was monitored using a gravimetric method, which rendered the reference values. Leaves on each individual plant significantly varied in their physiological status. Young and green parts of the leaves showed five times higher chlorophyll concentration and greater photosynthetic capacity than the senescent parts of the foliage. Instantaneous leaf-level transpiration measurements should not be used to estimate plant transpiration, owing to the fact that extrapolations overestimated individual transpiration by more than 100%. Considering leaf age effects and scaling the estimates according to the relative amount of each foliage category reduced this difference to 46% though it was still significantly higher than gravimetric measurements. Sap flow calculations also overestimated tussock transpiration. However, 3-D reconstruction of plants with Yplant and transpiration estimates, considering both the physiological status and the daily pattern of radiation experienced by each individual leaf section within the crown, matched the gravimetric measurements (differences were only 4.4%). The complex interplay of leaf physiology and crown structure must be taken into account in scaling up plant transpiration from instantaneous, leaf-level measurements, and our study indicates that transpiration of complex crowns is easily overestimated.     

Gas-exchange and sap flow measurements of Salix viminalis trees in short-rotation forest

Simultaneous field measurements of transpiration and sap flow were performed on short-rotation Salix viminalis trees ranging in diameter from 1.5 to 3.5 cm (2-year-old shoots on 8-year-old stumps). Transpiration was measured using an open-top ventilated chamber enclosing the whole foliage of a tree. Sap flow was measured using a tree-trunk heat balance (THB) technique with a constant temperature difference and variable heat input. Both the instantaneous and daily values of water flux measured by the two absolute techniques agreed well with a difference of up to about 5%. In July, the hourly transpiration reached a maximum of about 0.2 kg m^–2 (leaf area) or 0.45 kg tree^–1, whereas maximum daily integrals reached 4 kg tree^–1. The response of sap flow rate to abrupt flux change when inducing emboli by cutting-off the stem was very rapid: the registered signal dropped by 85% within 10 min for a specimen with a projected leaf area of 2 m². For S. viminalis trees, transpiration was linearly correlated with stem cross-sectional area and with leaf area.     

Effects of windspeed on the growth and biomass allocation of white mustard Sinapis alba L.

Summary We examined how different wind speeds and interactions between plant age and wind affect growth and biomass allocation of Sinapis alba L. (white mustard). Physiological and growth measurements were made on individuals of white mustard grown in controlled-environment wind tunnels at windspeeds of 0.3, 2.2 and 6.0 ms^–1 for 42 days. Plants were harvested at four different dates. Increasing wind speed slightly increased transpiration and stomatal conductance. We did not observe a significant decline in the photosynthetic rate per unit of leaf area. Number of leaves, stem length, leaf area and dry weights of total biomass and plant parts were significantly lower in plants exposed at high wind speed conditions. There were no significant differences in the unit leaf rate nor relative growth rates, although these were always lower in plants grown at high wind speed. Allocation and architectural parameters were also examined. After 42 days of exposure to wind, plants showed higher leaf area ratio, root and leaf weight ratios and root/shoot ratio than those grown at control treatment. Only specific leaf area declined significantly with wind speed, but stem and reproductive parts also decreased. The responses of plants to each wind speed treatment depended on the age of the plant for most of the variables. It is suggested that wind operates in logarithmic manner, with relatively small or no effect at lower wind speeds and a much greater effect at higher speeds. Since there is no evidence of a significant reduction in photosynthetic rate of Sinapis with increasing wind speed it is suggested that the effect of wind on plant growth was due to mechanical effects leading to changes in allocation and developmental patterns.     

Modelling competition for water in intercrops: theory and comparison with field experiments

A knowledge of plant interactions above and below ground with respect to water is essential to understand the performance of intercrop systems. In this study, a physically based framework is proposed to analyse the competition for soil water in the case of intercropped plants. A radiative transfer model, associated with a transpiration-partitioning model based on a modified form of the Penman-Monteith equation, was used to estimate the evaporative demand of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum ( Sorghum vulgare R.) intercrops. In order to model soil–root water transport, the root water potential of each species was calculated so as to minimise the difference between the evaporative demand and the amount of water taken up by each species. A characterisation of the micrometeorological conditions (net radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, air temperature and humidity, rain), plant water relations (leaf area index, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, sap flow measurements), as well as the two-component root systems and water balance (soil–root impacts, soil evaporation) was carried out during a 7-day experiment with densities of about 4.2 plant m-2 for both maize and sorghum. Comparison of the measured and calculated transpiration values shows that the slopes of the measured versus predicted regression lines for hourly transpiration were 0.823 and 0.778 for maize and sorghum, respectively. Overall trends in the variation of volumetric water content profiles are also reasonably well described. This model could be useful for analysing competition where several root systems are present under various environmental conditions.     

Transpiration/biomass ratio for carrots as affected by salinity,nutrient supply and soil aeration

The influence of salinity, nutrient level and soil aeration on the transpiration coefficient, defined as amount of water transpired/unit biomass produced (transpiration/biomass ratio) of carrots was investigated under non-limiting conditions with respect to water supply.Under optimum conditions and favorable nutrient supply, the transpiration coefficient amounted to 280–310 g H₂O g^–1 storage root dry weight (RDW). The transpiration coefficient did not change significantly up to salt concentration of 16 mS cm^–1 in the soil solution under otherwise optimum conditions. Higher salt concentrations or low nutrient levels increased the transpiration coefficient to values of 390–540 g H₂O g^–1 RDW. It is suggested that the transpiration coefficient is not affected by salinity as long as toxic effects and nutrient imbalances do not occur. The transpiration coefficient was not increased by impeded soil aeration. Biomass production was more negatively influenced by adverse soil conditions (salinity, low nutrient level, impeded soil aeration) than was the transpiration coefficient.     

Transpiration-induced changes in the photosynthetic capacity of leaves

High transpiration rates were found to affect the photosynthetic capacity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaves in a manner analagous to that of low soil water potential. The effect was also looked for and found in Gossypium hirsutum L., Agathis robusta (C. Moore ex Muell.) Bailey, Eucalyptus microcarpa Maiden, Larrea divaricata Cav., the wilty flacca tomato mutant (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill.) and Scrophularia desertorum (Munz) Shaw. Two methods were used to distinguish between effects on stomatal conductance, which can lower assimilation by reducing CO₂ availability, and effects on the photosynthetic capacity of the mesophyll. First, the response of assimilation to intercellular CO₂ pressure (C _i) was compared under conditions of high and low transpiration. Second, in addition to estimating C _i using the usual Ohm's law analogy, C _i was measured directly using the closed-loop technique of T.D. Sharkey, K. Imai, G.D. Farquhar and I.R. Cowan (1982, Plant Physiol, 60, 657–659). Transpiration stress responses of Xanthium strumarium were compared with soil drought effects. Both stresses reduced photosynthesis at high C _i but not at low C _i; transpiration stress increased the quantum requirement of photosynthesis. Transpiration stress could be induced in small sections of leaves. Total transpiration from the plant did not influence the photosynthetic capacity of a leaf kept under constant conditions, indicating that water deficits develop over small areas within the leaf. The effect of high transpiration on photosynthesis was reversed approximately half-way by returning the plants to low-transpiration conditions. This reversal occurred as fast as measurements could be made (5 min), but little further recovery was observed in subsequent hours.Abbreviations and symbols A photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation rate - C _a ambient CO₂ partial pressure - C _i partial pressure of CO₂ inside the leaf - VPD leaf-to-air water-vapor pressure difference This research was begun while the author was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra     

Interactive effects of light,leaf temperature,CO2 and O2 on photosynthesis in soybean

A biochemical model of C ₃photosynthesis has been developed by G.D. Farquhar et al. (1980, Planta 149, 78–90) based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase-oxygenase, with a potential RuBP limitation imposed via the Calvin cycle and rates of electron transport. The model presented here is slightly modified so that parameters may be estimated from whole-leaf gas-exchange measurements. Carbon-dioxide response curves of net photosynthesis obtained using soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) at four partial pressures of oxygen and five leaf temperatures are presented, and a method for estimating the kinetic parameters of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase, as manifested in vivo, is discussed. The kinetic parameters so obtained compare well with kinetic parameters obtained in vitro, and the model fits to the measured data give r ²values ranging from 0.87 to 0.98. In addition, equations developed by J.D. Tenhunen et al. (1976, Oecologia 26, 89–100, 101–109) to describe the light and temperature responses of measured CO₂-saturated photosynthetic rates are applied to data collected on soybean. Combining these equations with those describing the kinetics of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase allows one to model successfully the interactive effects of incident irradiance, leaf temperature, CO₂ and O₂ on whole-leaf photosynthesis. This analytical model may become a useful tool for plant ecologists interested in comparing photosynthetic responses of different C₃ plants or of a single species grown in contrasting environments.Abbreviations PCO photorespiratory carbon oxidation - PCR photosynthetic carbon reduction - PPFD photosynthetic photon-flux density - RuBP ribulose bisphosphate     

Linkage between seasonal gas exchange and hydraulic acclimation in the top canopy leaves of Fagus trees in a mesic forest in Japan

We investigated how leaf gas exchange and hydraulic properties acclimate to increasing evaporative demand in mature beech trees, Fagus crenata Blume and Fagus japonica Maxim., growing in their natural habitat. The measurements in the top canopy leaves were conducted using a 16-m-high scaffolding tower over two growing seasons. The daily maxima of net photosynthetic rate for the early growing season were close to the annual maximum value (11.9 mol m^–2 s^–1 in F. crenata and 7.7 mol m^–2 s^–1 in F. japonica). The daily maxima of water vapor stomatal conductance were highest in the summer, approximately 0.3 mol m^–2 s^–1 in F. crenata and 0.15 mol m^–2 s^–1 in F. japonica. From the early growing season to the summer season, the leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit increased and the daily minima of leaf water potentials decreased. However, there was no loss of leaf turgor in the summer as a result of effective osmotic adjustment. Both the soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance per unit leaf area and the twig hydraulic conductivity simultaneously increased in the summer, probably as a result of production of new vessels in the xylem. These results suggest that both osmotic adjustment and increased hydraulic conductance resulted in the largest diurnal maximum of stomatal conductance in the summer, resulting in the lowest relative stomatal limitation on net photosynthetic rate, although the leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit was highest. These results indicate that even in a mesic forest, in which excessive hydraulic stress does not occur, the seasonal acclimation of hydraulic properties at both the single leaf and whole plant levels are important for plant carbon gain.     

Effects of Benzyladenine and Naphthalene Acetic Acid on Growth and Camptothecin Accumulation in Camptotheca acuminata Seedlings

The effects of the cytokinin benzyladenine (BA) and the auxin naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne growth and camptothecin (CPT) accumulation (leaf CPT concentration and total leaf CPT yield) were studied in a hydroponic culture system for three weeks. Increasing BA concentrations from 0 to 3 mg l^–1 in growth medium decreased plant height, stem weight, and leaf weight but increased root weight. High BA levels (1 and 3 mg l^–1) increased leaf CPT concentration (% of dry weight), whereas BA applications had no effect on total leaf CPT yield, the product of leaf CPT concentration and total leaf dry weight per seedling. There was a positive correlation between root weight and leaf CPT concentration under BA treatments. NAA supplementations (from 0.5 to 4 mg l^–1) to growth medium reduced plant height, leaf number, leaf length, specific leaf weight, plant weight, stem weight, and leaf weight compared with the NAA control. Meanwhile, there were no differences in plant height, leaf length, and specific leaf weight among the NAA supplementations. NAA applications had no effect on leaf CPT concentration and NAA applications decreased total leaf CPT yield. There were negative correlations between leaf number and leaf CPT concentration, leaf length and leaf CPT concentration under NAA treatments. Our results suggest that BA applications from 0.3 to 3 mg l^–1 are not helpful for achieving high total leaf CPT yield and NAA applications from 0.5 to 4 mg l^–1 decrease total leaf CPT yield.     

The influence of atmospheric humidity on leaf expansion in Beta vulgaris L.

Humidity effects on leaf expansion in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.) were explored using linear variable differential transducers. In continuous light, an increase in relative humidity (RH) from 35 to 61 or 75% resulted in a rapid increase in leaf extension which was maintained for 10–15 min before slowing down. Increasing RH from 35 to 85% increased leaf-extension rate (LER) in light and in dark and substantially diminished the ratio of dark LER to light LER, showing that high humidity can offset the reduction in LER which occurs on illumination. Episodes of irradiance with visible or infrared radiation resulted in diminished LER, indicating that increases in transpiration may reduce the flux of water available for leaf cell expansion. The hypothesis that leaf area expansion in sugarbeet may be controlled by the expansion of the leaf epidermis is discussed.Abbreviations IR infrared - LER leaf extension rate - LVDT linear variable differential transformer - RH relative humidity     

Determination of the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in the field

A newly developed portable chlorophyll fluorometer in combination with a special leaf clip holder was used for assessing photosynthetic activity of attached sun leaves of Fagus sylvatica and Cucurbita pepo under field conditions. During diurnal time courses, fluorescence yield, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) incident on the leaf plane, and leaf temperature were measured and quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PS II), apparent relative electron transport rates, and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) calculated. In both species, quantum efficiency followed closely the incident PPFD and no hysteresis could be observed during the day. Apparent electron transport rate showed light saturation above a PPFD of 700 mol m^–2 s^–1 in F. sylvatica, while in C. pepo no saturation was visible up to 1400 mol m^–2 s^–1. NPQ was closely correlated to excessive PPFD calculated from the PS II quantum yield. Maximal NPQ observed was 3.3 Although the beech leaf was exposed for a considerable time to PPFD values of 1400–1500 mol m^–2 s^–1 and leaf temperatures between 30 and 35°C, no obvious signs for sustained photodamage could be observed. The data demonstrate the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to analyse photosynthetic performance under field conditions with minimal disturbance of the plant. Potential error sources due to the geometry of the leaf clip holder used are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F.-C. Czygan on the occasion of his 60th birthday