Effects of soil flooding on leaf gas exchange of tomato plants

Carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Rheinlands Ruhm) leaves were measured before and after 24 h of soil flooding to characterize both stomatal and nonstomatal responses to the stress. Leaf epidermal conductance to water vapor decreased by 47% after flooding, accompanied by an increase in the sensitivity of stomata to changes in CO₂ concentration. Assimilation rates under ambient conditions fell by 27%, and the inhibition could not be overcome by elevated CO₂ partial pressures. Stomatal conductance limited the assimilation rate to approximately the same degree both before and after flooding. The reduction in photosynthetic capacity was not due to a decrease in apparent quantum yield or to an increase in photorespiration. The results were analyzed according to a recent model of photosynthesis, and possible mechanisms underlying the flooding effect are discussed.     

Analysis of the gas exchange components in chilled tomato plants

A positive linear relationship between the net CO₂ exchange rate (P _N) and the leaf stomatal conductance (g_s) under an optimal temperature, and even more distinct one after a short-term chilling (CH, 15-17 h, 2 °C in darkness), that was found in two tomato cultivars (sensitive to a low temperature cv. Robin and tolerant cv. New Yorker) suggested a partial stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. The CH treatment of cv. Robin resulted in an intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) increase because of which a negative correlation between C _i and P _N was observed. In cv. New Yorker a positive correlation was observed. Detrimental effect of the low temperature in cv. Robin was more evident in plants with a relatively small root system (SR), but drought-hardening positively affected the response to CH only in the plants with bigger roots (BR). On the contrary, in cv. New Yorker the favourable effect of such pre-treatment was more evident in SR than in BR plants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of the gas exchange components in chilled tomato plants

A positive linear relationship between the net CO₂ exchange rate (P _N) and the leaf stomatal conductance (g_s) under an optimal temperature, and even more distinct one after a short-term chilling (CH, 15-17 h, 2 °C in darkness), that was found in two tomato cultivars (sensitive to a low temperature cv. Robin and tolerant cv. New Yorker) suggested a partial stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. The CH treatment of cv. Robin resulted in an intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) increase because of which a negative correlation between C _i and P _N was observed. In cv. New Yorker a positive correlation was observed. Detrimental effect of the low temperature in cv. Robin was more evident in plants with a relatively small root system (SR), but drought-hardening positively affected the response to CH only in the plants with bigger roots (BR). On the contrary, in cv. New Yorker the favourable effect of such pre-treatment was more evident in SR than in BR plants.     

Increased CO2 and light intensity regulate growth and leaf gas exchange in tomato

Carbon dioxide concentration (CO₂) and light intensity are known to play important roles in plant growth and carbon assimilation. Nevertheless, the underlying physiological mechanisms have not yet been fully explored. Tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum Mill. cv. Jingpeng No. 1) were exposed to two levels of CO₂ and three levels of light intensity and the effects on growth, leaf gas exchange and water use efficiency were investigated. Elevated CO₂ and increased light intensity promoted growth, dry matter accumulation and pigment concentration and together the seedling health index. Elevated CO₂ had no significant effect on leaf nitrogen content but did significantly upregulate Calvin cycle enzyme activity. Increased CO₂ and light intensity promoted photosynthesis, both on a leaf-area basis and on a chlorophyll basis. Increased CO₂ also increased light-saturated maximum photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum efficiency and carboxylation efficiency and, together with increased light intensity, it raised photosynthetic capacity. However, increased CO₂ reduced transpiration and water consumption across different levels of light intensity, thus significantly increasing both leaf-level and plant-level water use efficiency. Among the range of treatments imposed, the combination of increased CO₂ (800 µmol CO₂ mol⁻¹) and high light intensity (400 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) resulted in optimal growth and carbon assimilation. We conclude that the combination of increased CO₂ and increased light intensity worked synergistically to promote growth, photosynthetic capacity and water use efficiency by upregulation of pigment concentration, Calvin cycle enzyme activity, light energy use and CO₂ fixation. Increased CO₂ also lowered transpiration and hence water usage.     

The effect of growth substances on Verticillium wilt of tomato plants

This paper describes the effects of a number of growth-regulating substances on the development of disease in tomato plants caused by Verticillium albo-atrum. Indole-acetic acid usually reduced disease and also reduced the number of hyphae in the stem but it increased tylosis; low concentrations slightly stimulated disease development. Some control of disease was obtained by removing apical buds, and axillary shoots as they developed. When the apical bud alone was removed, developing axillary shoots sometimes wilted; this did not occur in plants with intact buds. Gibberellic acid increased disease in susceptible plants and also induced symptoms in resistant plants. Maleic hydrazide greatly reduced growth of plants, made them more diseased and stimulated growth of the parasite in the vessels. Of other growth-regulating substances tested, 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy-acetic acid, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid increased disease at some concentrations and reduced it at others. Cycocel (2-chloroethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride and naphthaleneacetamide, gave good control of disease over a range of concentrations when applied to the soil in which plants were growing. Treatments which reduced disease also reduced the growth of the parasite in the shoot and stimulated the formation of tyloses. Indole and 2,4-dichloroanisole had some effect on disease development but this was much less than that induced by the other substances.     

Ontogeny and leaf gas exchange mediate the carbon isotopic signature of herbaceous plants

Values (Δ(i)) predicted by a simplified photosynthetic discrimination model, based only on diffusion through air followed by carboxylation, are often used to infer ecological conditions from the 13C signature of plant organs (δ13C(p)). Recent studies showed that additional isotope discrimination (d that includes mesophyll conductance, photorespiration and day respiration, and post-carboxylation discrimination) can strongly affect δ13C(p); however, little is known about its variability during plant ontogeny for different species. Effect of ontogeny on leaf gas exchange rates, Δ(i) , observed discrimination (Δ(p)) and d in leaf, phloem and root of seven herbaceous species at three ontogenetic stages were investigated under controlled conditions. Functional group identity and ontogeny significantly affected Δ(i) and Δ(p). However, predicted Δ(i) did not match Δ(p). d, strongly affected by functional group identity and ontogeny, varied by up to 14 ‰. d scaled tightly with stomatal conductance, suggesting complex controls including changes in mesophyll conductance. The magnitude of the changes in δ13C(p) due to ontogeny was similar to that due to environmental factors reported in other studies. d and ontogeny should, therefore, be considered in ecosystem studies, integrated in ecosystem models using δ13C(p) and limit the applicability of δ13C(leaf) as a proxy for water-use efficiency in herbaceous plants.     

Maintenance of photosynthetic capacity in flooded tomato plants with reduced ethylene sensitivity

Ethylene is considered one of the most important plant hormones orchestrating plant responses to flooding stress. However, ethylene may induce deleterious effects on plants, especially when produced at high rates in response to stress. In this paper, we explored the effect of attenuated ethylene sensitivity in the Never ripe (Nr) mutant on leaf photosynthetic capacity of flooded tomato plants. We found out that reduced ethylene perception in Nr plants was associated with a more efficient photochemical and non-photochemical radiative energy dissipation capability in response to flooding. The data correlated with the retention of chlorophyll and carotenoids content in flooded Nr leaves. Moreover, leaf area and specific leaf area were higher in Nr, indicating that ethylene would exert a negative role in leaf growth and expansion under flooded conditions. Although stomatal conductance was hampered in flooded Nr plants, carboxylation activity was not affected by flooding in the mutant, suggesting that ethylene is responsible for inducing non-stomatal limitations to photosynthetic CO₂ uptake. Upregulation of several cysteine protease genes and high protease activity led to Rubisco protein loss in response to ethylene under flooding. Reduction of Rubisco content would, at least in part, account for the reduction of its carboxylation efficiency in response to ethylene in flooded plants. Therefore, besides its role as a trigger of many adaptive responses, perception of ethylene entails limitations in light and dark photosynthetic reactions by speeding up the senescence process that leads to a progressive disassembly of the photosynthetic machinery in leaves of flooded tomato plants.     

Underwater photosynthesis in flooded terrestrial plants: a matter of leaf plasticity

BACKGROUND: Flooding causes substantial stress for terrestrial plants, particularly if the floodwater completely submerges the shoot. The main problems during submergence are shortage of oxygen due to the slow diffusion rates of gases in water, and depletion of carbohydrates, which is the substrate for respiration. These two factors together lead to loss of biomass and eventually death of the submerged plants. Although conditions under water are unfavourable with respect to light and carbon dioxide supply, photosynthesis may provide both oxygen and carbohydrates, resulting in continuation of aerobic respiration. SCOPE: This review focuses on evidence in the literature that photosynthesis contributes to survival of terrestrial plants during complete submergence. Furthermore, we discuss relevant morphological and physiological responses of the shoot of terrestrial plant species that enable the positive effects of light on underwater plant performance. CONCLUSIONS: Light increases the survival of terrestrial plants under water, indicating that photosynthesis commonly occurs under these submerged conditions. Such underwater photosynthesis increases both internal oxygen concentrations and carbohydrate contents, compared with plants submerged in the dark, and thereby alleviates the adverse effects of flooding. Additionally, several terrestrial species show high plasticity with respect to their leaf development. In a number of species, leaf morphology changes in response to submergence, probably to facilitate underwater gas exchange. Such increased gas exchange may result in higher assimilation rates, and lower carbon dioxide compensation points under water, which is particularly important at the low carbon dioxide concentrations observed in the field. As a result of higher internal carbon dioxide concentrations in submergence-acclimated plants, underwater photorespiration rates are expected to be lower than in non-acclimated plants. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanisms that induce the switch from terrestrial to submergence-acclimated leaves may be controlled by the same pathways as described for heterophyllous aquatic plants.     

Stem growth habit affects leaf morphology and gas exchange traits in soybean

Backgrounds and Aims

The stem growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, of soybean, Glycine max, varieties affects various plant morphological and developmental traits. The objective of this study is to identify the effect of stem growth habit in soybean on the stomatal conductance of single leaves in relation to their leaf morphology in order to better understand the ecological and agronomic significance of this plant trait.

Methods

The stomatal conductance of leaves on the main stem was measured periodically under favourable field conditions to evaluate g_max, defined as the maximum stomatal conductance at full leaf expansion, for four varieties of soybean and their respective determinate or indeterminate near isogenic lines (NILs). Leaf morphological traits including stomatal density, guard cell length and vein density were also measured.

Key Results

The value of g_max ranged from 0·383 to 0·754 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ across all the genotypes for both years. For the four pairs of varieties, the indeterminate lines exhibited significantly greater g_max, stomatal density, numbers of epidermal cells per unit area and total vein length per unit area than their respective determinate NILs in both years. The guard cell length, leaf mass per area and single leaf size all tended to be greater in the determinate types. The variation of g_max across genotypes and years was well explained by the product of stomatal density and guard cell length (r = 0·86, P < 0·01).

Conclusions

The indeterminate stem growth habit resulted in a greater maximum stomatal conductance for soybean than the determinate habit, and this was attributed to the differences in leaf structure. This raises the further hypothesis that the difference in stem growth habit results in different water use characteristics of soybean plants in the field. Stomatal conductance under favourable conditions can be modified by leaf morphological traits.Key words: Soybean, Glycine max, stem growth habit, stomatal conductance, stomatal density, guard cell length, near isogenic lines     

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on leaf gas exchange response to progressive drought in barley and tomato plants with different endogenous ABA levels

Plant and Soil - The objective was to clarify the role of root water transport in waterlogged canola plants. We examined the hypothesis that waterlogging triggers root suberization and...     

Effects of short-term soil flooding on stomata behaviour and leaf gas exchange in barley plants

Exposure of barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L.) to soil flooding for 2 to 24 h reduced the net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. Stomatal conductance also decreased in flooded plants. Stomatal closure started within 2 – 6 h and stomata remained closed up to 24 h of treatment.     

Chemical regulation of gas exchange and growth of plants in drying soil in the field

There is now substantial evidence that chemical regulation ofshoot physiology occurs in droughted plants in the field. Theevidence that ABA may play a role in such regulation is considered,and topics of relevance to the worker interested in determiningthe ABA relations of plants in the field; such as the methodsused for ABA quantification, the relevance of quantifying ABAin various plant tissues, methods of xylem sap collection andtiming of sap collection are reviewed. A possible role of tissuesensitivity to ABA in controlling the diurnal changes in stomatalconductance and leaf growth rate seen in the field is also considered. Key words: ABA, drought, stomatal conductance, leaf growth, hormonal sensitivity, xylem sap     

Distribution of calcium in tomato plants in response to heat stress and plant growth regulators

Two cultivars of tomato with contrasting response to elevated temperature were compared: sensitive-Roma and tolerant-Robin. Experiments were done on fruit explants and on rooted cuttings with small fruits. In both cases⁴⁵Ca was poorly transported to the fruits. Nevertheless in fruit explants elevated temperature (40°C) increased⁴⁵Ca import into the fruits in both cultivars. In the compared cuttings, treated or not treated with growth regulators and at various temperatures, the greatest differences were observed in the amount of⁴⁵Ca transported to the fruits. Sensitive Roma cuttings scantily supplied their fruits with⁴⁵Ca both under optimal temperature and heat stress. In plants previously treated with NOA+GA₃ high temperature increased⁴⁵Ca transport to the fruits. Robin cuttings inversely responded to heat stress by transporting a much higher portion of⁴⁵Ca to the fruits, both in control and NOA+GA₃ cuttings.The diversity of⁴⁵Ca distribution during elevated temperature in cuttings, but not in fruit explants of both cultivars seems to be connected with an ability to control calcium supply to fruit or at least to prevent its decrease; this mechanism is perhaps located outside the cluster.     

Changes in leaf water relations, gas exchange, growth and flowering quality in potted geranium plants irrigated with different water regimes

Geranium plants are an important part of urban green areas but suffer from drought, especially when grown in containers with a limited volume of medium. In this experiment, we examined the response of potted geraniums to different irrigation levels. Geranium (Pelargoniumxhortorum L.) seedlings were grown in a growth chamber and exposed to three irrigation treatments, whereby the plants were irrigated to container capacity (control), 60% of the control (moderate deficit irrigation, MDI), or 40% of the control (severe deficit irrigation, SDI). Deficit irrigation was maintained for 2 months, and then all the plants were exposed to a recovery period of 112 month. Exposure to drought induced a decrease in shoot dry weight and leaf area and an increase in the root/shoot ratio. Height and plant width were significantly inhibited by the SDI, while flower color parameters were not affected by deficit treatment. The number of wilting and yellow leaves increased, coinciding with the increase in the number of inflorescences and open flowers. Deficit irrigation led to a leaf water potential of about -0.8MPa at midday, which could have caused an important decrease in stomatal conductance, affecting the photosynthetic rate (Pn). Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fvm) values of 0.80 in all treatments throughout the experiment demonstrate the lack of drought-induced damage to PSII photochemistry. Pressure-volume analysis revealed low osmotic adjustment values of 0.2MPa in the SDI treatment, accompanied by increases in the bulk tissue elastic modulus (epsilon, wall rigidity) and resulting in turgor loss at lower leaf water potential values (-1.38MPa compared with -1.0MPa for the control). Leaf water potential values throughout the experiment below those for Psitlp were not found at any sampling time. By the end of the recovery period, the leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis had recovered. We infer from these results that moderate deficit irrigation in geranium reduced the consumption of water, while maintaining the good overall quality of plants. However, when SDI was applied, a reduction in the number of flowers per plant was observed.     

Studies on plant growth-regulating substances LIII. The conversion of certain substituted ethylamines to active growth substances in plants

A number of substituted phenylethylamines have been synthesised and their plant growth-regulating activities, in standard wheat and pea tests, have been determined and compared with those of related substituted phenoxyethylamines, phenylacetic acids and phenoxyacetic acids. The effects of applying the most active amines to various plant species are described and the results are considered in relation to the possible ability of the plant to convert the amine into the physiological active acetic acid derivative.