The Variation in Response to Light Intensity and Carbon Dioxide Concentration Shown by Two Cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium Grown in Controlled Environments at Two Times of Year

The growth of the cultivar Golden Princess Anne (G.P.A.) wasstudied in controlled announcement cabinets in a range of lightconditions (125–375 J cm^–2 8-h day^–1) andcarbon dioxide concentrations (325–1500 ppm) in all combinationsPlants obtained in January and grown from January to April showedgreater final total dry weight and flower dry weight at bothhigher light intensity and higher carbon dioxide concentrationwith a strong positive interaction between them, whereas plantsobtained in September and grown from September to December didnot respond much to increased carbon dioxide concentration andthere was only a small positive interaction with light intensity.The plants grown from January to April had larger final leafareas, larger mean leaf-area ratios due mainly to larger specificleaf areas, and higher mean specific leaf-water contents comparedwith September–December plants. Despite the differencein specific leaf-water content, leaf area was almost the samelinear function of absolute leaf-water content at both timesof year. The other vegetative parts also had higher specificwater contents throughout the January–April experimentand the lateral branches were longer when compared with thecorresponding values for September–December Flower developmentwas slightly faster in September–December and the plantsbore on average one flowering branch less compared with January–Aprilplants. Plants in the lower light and carbon dioxide conditions hadlower unit leaf rates, but for plants of similar total dry weightthe effects of this on dry-matter increment were partially offsetby larger leaf areas at both times of year. The January–Aprilplants had greater leaf areas than September–Decemberplants of similar unit leaf rate and total dry weight. The cultivar Bright Golden Anne (B.G.A ) showed effects whichwere in the same direction but smaller in magnitude, tendingto diminish the differences between the times of year For example,the positive interaction in total plant dry weight was smallerin January–April compared with G P A , but larger in September–December.Leaf area, leaf-area ratio, specific leaf area, specific watercontent of leaf, stem, and root, and lateral branch length,were all larger for B G A in corresponding treatment-combinationsin two January–April experiments than in a September–Decemberone, although the difference between the times of year was smallerthan for G.P.A except for leaf area which was relatively butnot absolutely smaller Dry-matter increment and leaf area showedan inverse relationship for plants of the same total dry weight,as in G P A. In January–April B G.A plants of similarunit leaf rate and total dry weight also had greater leaf areasthan in September–December but the differences were notso large as for G.P.A Total dry-matter production was slightlygreater for B.G.A. in January–April and considerably greaterin September–December compared with G P A , and at bothtimes of year B.G.A. was more leafy, with higher specific watercontents for the vegetative parts. It was not possible to determine the cause of the differencesin growth obtained at the two times of year. It could have arisenbefore the cuttings were removed from the stock plants, duringpropagation, or during the course of the experiments in thegrowth cabinets.     

Further Effects of Light Intensity, Carbon Dioxide Concentration, and Day Temperature on the Growth of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Bright Golden Anne in Controlled Environments

In earlier work the effects of light intensity over the range31 to 250 J cm^–2 day^–1 and carbon dioxide concentrationfrom 325 to 900 ppm with 8-h days at 18.3 °C and 16-h nightsat 15.6 °C were described. The present paper is concernedwith three further experiments with light levels up to 375 Jcm^–2 day^–1 (which corresponds to the daily totalin a glasshouse in southern England in early May or August andthe intensity is approximately that of mid-winter sunshine),carbon dioxide concentration up to 1500 ppm, and day temperaturesof 18.3 to 29.4 °C. Final plant weight was increased by light over the range 125–375J cm^–2 day^–1 and by carbon dioxide over the range325–900 ppm, with positive interaction between them; thisinteraction was increased by raising the temperature to 23.9°C and somewhat more at 29.4 °C day temperature. Leaf-arearatio and specific leaf area were reduced by increasing eitherlight or carbon dioxide but there was little effect of temperature.Leaf-weight ratios were uniform within experiments but therewere small consistent differences between one experiment andthe other two which also affected leaf-area ratios. Mean unit leaf rate was scarcely affected by day temperatureover the range investigated. There were the usual increasesdue to increased light and carbon dioxide concentration anda consistent difference in absolute value between one experimentand the other two. These differences in mean unit leaf rateare illustrated in detail in the ontogenetic trend of unit leafrate and plant size. Lower unit leaf rates were to a considerableextent compensated for by increased leaf-area ratios in theusual way. Despite the substantial differences in day temperature the specificwater contents (g water g dry weight^–1) differed little,showing in the majority of cases higher values in the highertemperature for otherwise similar treatment combinations. Flower development was somewhat delayed at 23.9 °C day temperature,and substantially so at 29.4 °C. Lateral branch length wasincreased at 23.9 °C and excessively so at 29.4 °C.This reveals quite clearly that a temperature optimum for vegetativegrowth may not be the optimum for flowering performance norproduce a desirable plant shape. Despite the marked effects of temperature on rate of flowerdevelopment, the relationship between flower development andthe ratio of flower to total weight was the same for all treatmentcombinations in all three experiments and coincident with thatreported earlier. Gasometric determinations indicated that respiratory loss bythe whole plant was a smaller proportion of net photosyntheticgain at a temperature of 29.4 °C than at 18.3 °C andwas likewise a smaller proportion at 1500 ppm carbon dioxidethan at 325 ppm. If photorespiration of leaves is assumed tobe as great as their dark respiration, the respiratory lossesare in the range of 31–50 per cent of the gross gain.Greater rates of photorespiration would increase the proportionaterespiratory loss.     

A Comparison of the Effects of Light Intensity and Duration on Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Bright Golden Anne in Controlled Environments: I. Growth Analysis

Rooted cuttings were grown at a constant temperature of 15.6°C in two light intensities (22 and 33 J m–² sec–¹)in either 8- or 12-h days. The combination of the lower lightand the longer day gave the same daily light total as the reversecombination. Although departures from reciprocity were verysmall, total dry weight, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio,leaf weight ratio, and specific water content of stems weresignificantly greater for the lower light-longer day treatment.Only for specific water content of roots was the value for thelower light-shorter day treatment significantly smaller. Unitleaf rate was a linear function of light total, the two treatmentswith the same daily total being almost identical. In comparisonwith previous experiments, the plants had smaller leaf areasrelative to their rate of dry-matter increment. This is attributedto the lower day temperature. Flowering was earliest in thehigher light-shorter day combination, but surprisingly in thelonger day the higher intensity did not result in earlier floweringthan the lower intensity. The relationship between flower weightratio and flower development was the same as for other experimentsat different temperatures.     

Regulation of Assimilate Translocation Between Leaves and Fruits in the Tomato

Simultaneous measurement of export from leaves and import tofruits were made on tomato plants reduced to one fully expandedleaf and one fruit. Experimental leaves were exposed to sixlight flux densities (0.5–100 W m^–2) for 24 h whilerapidly growing fruits were kept in the dark at 22 °C. The rates of export of assimilate from these leaves varied from70 to 120 mg C leaf^–1 day^–1 corresponding with ratesof carbon fixation from 3 to 290 mg C leaf^–1 day^–1.Export from leaves with the lowest carbon fixation rates weremaintained by a loss of up to one-sixth of their initial carbon.In contrast, leaves with the highest carbon fixation rates exportedonly half the newly fixed carbon. The rates of import of assimilate to similar-sized fruits (c.16 cm³) were between 80 and 110 mg C fr^–1 day^–1but differed from the export rates of the source leaves. Thespecific growth rates and the specific respiration rates ofthe fruits were related to their initial carbon content at thebeginning of the experiment. Thus, over 24 h, the rate of importwas predetermined by the developmental stage of the fruit unalteredby the rate of current carbon fixation in the source leaf. Translocationof assimilate was regulated by sink demand under both source-and sink-limiting conditions in this short-term situation. The dynamic relationship between assimilate production in leavesand its utilization in fruits is discussed together with therole of sucrose concentration in these organs in regulatingtransport. Lycopersicon esculentumL, tomato assimilate translocation, source-sink relationships     

A Comparison of the Effects of Diurnal Variation in Light Intensity with Constant Light Intensity on Growth of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Bright Golden Anne

Rooted cuttings were grown in controlled environment cabinetsat two daily light totals (63 and 125 J cm^–2 day^–1)with the light intensity constant throughout the day or in stepsgiving the same daily light total Plants were sampled frequentlyover a period of 83 days by which time they were in full flower.A comparison of the various growth measures derived from theprimary data on leaf area, fresh and dry weight of the plantand its parts, and morphological and floral characteristics,revealed only negligibly small differences between results forconstant and stepped regimes The results for the constant regimeswere compared with other experiments earned out simultaneouslyin order to indicate the reproducibility of growth in independentcabinets having nominally the same conditions     

The Relationship Between the Rates of Carbon Transport and of Photosynthesis in Tomato Leaves

The rate of carbon transport based on the carbon balance overa 6-h period from a mature tomato leaf was measured overa rangeof net photosynthetic rates from 0.1 to 4.9 mg C dm^–2h^–1 under light flux densities from 4 to 140 W m^–2.A proportional relationship was demonstrated between the rateof carbon transport and carbon fixation when the carbon fixationrate was higher than 2 mg C dm^–2 h^–1.Below a carbonfixation rate of 1 mg C dm^–2 h^–1, the rate of carbonexport was maintained at 1 mg C dm^–2 h^–1 at theexpense of the breakdown of starch. A highly significant correlationwas observed between sucrose concentration and the rate of carbontransport. The sucrose concentration in the leaf appears tobe the factor controlling carbon export.     

Copepod egg production, moulting and growth rates, and secondary production, in the Skagerrak in August 1988

Measurements of hydrography, chlorophyll, moulting rates ofjuvenile copepods and egg production rates of adult female copepodswere made at eight stations along a transect across the Skagerrak.The goals of the study were to determine (i) if there were correlationsbetween spatial variations in hydrography, phytoplankton andcopepod production rates, (ii) if copepod egg production rateswere correlated with juvenile growth rates, and (iii) if therewas evidence of food-niche separation among co-occumng femalecopepods The 200 km wide Skagerrak had a stratified water columnin the center and a mixed water column along the margins. Suchspatial variations should lead to a dominance of small phytoplanktoncells in the center and large cells along the margins; however,during our study blooms of Gyrodinium aureolum and Ceratium(three species) masked any locally driven differences in cellsize: 50% of chla was >11 µm, 5% in the 11–50µm fraction and 45% <50 µm. averaged for allstations. Chlorophyll ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 µg l^–1at most depths and stations. Specific growth rates of copepodsaveraged 0.10 day^–1 for adult females and 0.27 day^–1for juveniles The latter is similar to maximum rates known fromlaboratory studies, thus were probably not food-limited. Eggproduction rates were food-limited with the degree of limitationvarying among species: 75% of maximum for Centropages typicus, 50% for Calanus finmarchicus, 30% for Paracalanus parvus and 15% for Acartia longiremis and Temora longicornis. Thedegree of limitation was unrelated to female body size suggestingfood-niche separation among adults. Copepod production, summedover all species, ranged from 3 to 8 mg carbon m^–3day^–1and averaged 4.6 mg carbon m^–1 day^–1. Egg productionaccounted for 25% of the total.     

Effects of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Growth of Callistephus chinensis cultivar Johannistag

Carbon dioxide enrichment to 600 ppm increased the amount ofdry matter produced by Callistephus chinensis plants in growthcabinets with negligible mutual shading over a period of 18weeks. Further enrichment to 900 ppm showed smaller and morevariable increases. These effects were the result of a higherunit leaf rate of the treated plants. The direct effect on unitleaf rate was partly offset by a reduction in leaf-area ratio,and this was due almost entirely to the effect on specific leafarea with hardly any effect on leaf-weight ratio. Carbon dioxideaccelerated flower development by about a week at 600 ppm andsomewhat less at 900 ppm. The proportion of the total plantweight in the form of flowers showed a similar trend with timein all treatments and the relationship between flower-weightratio and dry-matter content of flowers was likewise similarfor all treatments, with the highest dry-matter contents ofabout 19 per cent associated with the highest flower-weightratios of about 0.44 for mature flowers. Carbon dioxide enrichmentsignificantly increased the dry-matter content of leaves. Theefficiency of energy conversion based on incident light anda twenty-four-hour cycle of 8 h light and 16 h dark for smallplants of 140–300 mg total dry weight (leaf areas of 50–120cm²) was about 4.7 per cent for the 325 ppm treatment, 6.3 percent for 600 ppm, and 5.5 per cent for 900 ppm. By referenceto some further experiments on the growth of C. chinensis cultivarJohannistag in glasshouse conditions, considerable adaptiveresponse to high and low light intensity was also demonstrated.     

Carbon Partitioning in Mature Leaves of Pepper: Effects of Daylength

Grange, R. 1. 1985. Carbon partitioning in mature leaves ofpepper: effects of daylength.—J. exp. Bot. 36: 1749–1759. The partitioning of recently fixed carbon has been examinedin mature pepper leaves grown in 6, 10 or 14 h photoperiodsat different irradiances chosen to give similar radiation integralsand in a 6 h photoperiod at the lowest of these irradiances.The partitioning of carbon into export, starch, sugars and respirationwas followed over the photopenod and the subsequent night ina mature leaf. The maximum export rate during the day (approximately 18 µgC cm^–2 leaf h^–1) was not significantly differentamong the treatments. Net photosynthesis rate was directly relatedto irradiance; the proportion of net photosynthesis exportedduring the day was 33% in 6-h days and 57% in 14-h days. Leafstarch accumulation (as a proportion of net photosynthesis rate)increased slightly when plants were grown in 6-h days. The remobilization of starch and sugars at night allowed exportrates to remain similar over 24 h when plants were grown in10-h or 14-h photoperiods. Leaves grown in 6-h days showed nosignificant changes in export rate during the first few hoursof night but exhausted their starch reserves during the nightand export rates declined. Sucrose and hexose levels decreased at the onset of darkness,but did not fall below 40 µg cm^–2 in plants grownin 10-h or 14-h photoperiods; when this level was reached after3–4 h of darkness, starch breakdown began. In leaves grownin both 6-h treatments, sucrose levels fell below 40 µgcm^–2 when starch reserves were depleted during the nightand the export rate decreased concurrently. The results are discussed in relation to the control of exportand starch metabolism in the leaf. Key words: Pepper, partitioning, daylength     

Determining the mass density of marine copepods and their eggs with a critical focus on some of the previously used methods

We collected Calanus finmarchicus copepodites CIV, CV and CVIfemales in a deep fjord on the west coast of Norway during April1996, May 1997 and November 1998. Eggs of C. finmarchicus andCalanus glacialis were collected during May 1989 in the BarentsSea. The sinking speeds of animals and eggs were measured ina homogeneous column with seawater of known density, and Stokeslaw was applied to estimate their mass density. Also the densitycontrast between the organisms and seawater was calculated.The mean mass density of C. finmarchicus ranged from 1.0274to 1.0452 g cm^–3. During spring copepodite stage CV hada significantly lower mean mass density (1.0345 g cm^–3)compared to CIV (1.0381 g cm^–3) and CVI females (1.0408g cm^–3). Copepods collected during winter had a distinctlylower mass density. The sinking speed of C. glacialis eggs followeda unimodal distribution, with a mean of 25.9 m day^–1,while sinking speeds of C. finmarchicus eggs were bimodal, thetwo groups of eggs having a mean sinking speed of 23.3 m day^–1and 35.4 m day^–1 respectively. Correspondingly the meanmass density was 1.0556 g cm^–3 for C. glacialis eggs andfor the two groups of C. finmarchicus eggs 1.0639 g cm^–3and 1.0812 g cm^–3. Results of earlier work, particularlyusing density gradient methods to determine mass density ofzooplankton, are critically reviewed, and it is suggested thatthis method should not be used to determine the mass densityof small organisms the size of C. finmarchicus.     

The Effects of Light Intensity at Different Stages in Flower Initiation and Development of Chrysanthemum morifolium

Rooted chrysanthemum cuttings were raised in growth cabinetsat a ‘standard’, constant light level of 125 J cm^–2day^–1 and were induced to flower by giving daily cyclesof 8 h light followed by 16 h of uninterrupted darkness. Sampleswere transferred at weekly intervals to either a higher lightlevel of 375 J cm^–2 day^–1 or a lower light levelof 31 J cm^–2 day^–1 where they remained for 2 weeksbefore they were returned. It was shown that receptacle formationnormally began in the second week of inductive short-days (short-days8–14) and floret initiation in the third week (short-days15–21) when plants were grown throughout in the standardenvironment Receptacle formation was delayed and significantlymore leaves were formed below the flower if short-days 8–14were spent in low light. Transfer to high light for this periodhad no apparent effect Transfer to low light at the onset offloret formation retarded their further development and reducedthe total number of florets formed Transfer to high light atthis stage slightly increased the number of florets formed butdid not appear to affect their development. The data for stageof flower development after 11 weeks of growth reflected theseeffects of light level on the early development of the apex The total and flower dry weights of plants transferred to lowlight for 2 weeks were generally smaller than those of plantswhich had remained throughout in the standard condition Highlight only produced lasting increases in weight when the transferswere made during the later stages of growth. Most of the additionaldry matter formed at this time was accounted for in increasedflower weight The correlation between flower development andflower weight ratio previously found under constant environmentsalso applied to transferred plants except when the light levelwas changed for the last 2 weeks of growth; relatively highvalues of flower weight ratio were then obtained by transferto high light and relatively low values by transfer to low light.     

Photosynthetic organic carbon production and respiratory organic carbon consumption in the trophogenic layer of Lake Biwa

Measurement of the photosynthetic production rate in Lake Biwawas camed out from May 1985 to September 1987. In the light-saturatedlayer, the seasonal variation in the photosynthesis rate perchlorophyll a was regulated by water temperature. The depth-integratedphotosynthetic production rate was 0.21-1.48 g C m^–2 day^–1and the maximum value was observed in midsummer when the watertemperature of the mixed surface layer was highesL The criticalnutrient for photosynthesis may be dissolved reactive phosphorus,which was generally <1 µg P 1^–1 throughout theobservation period. In the trophogenic layer, respiratory organiccarbon consumption, estimated from measurement of respiratoiyelectron transport system activity, was 0.35-1.07 (mean 0.66)g C m^–1 day^–1 and corresponded, on average, to 79%of the photosynthetic carbon production rate. This implies thatthe major part of photosynthetic fixed organic matter mightbe recycled in the trophogenic layer. The estimated settlingorganic carbon flux at 20 m depth, from calculation of theseparameters and changes in the particulate organic carbon concentration,was 0.01 (-0.09 to 0.13) g C m^–1 day^–1 The meansettling organic carbon flux measured by sediment trap at 20m was 0.19 (0.09-0.31) g C m^–1 day^–1 higher thanthe estimated value. It seemed that organic matter collectedby sediment trap may contain allochthonous matter and resuspendedepilimnetic sediment matter.     

Changes in N and S Leaf Content, Stomatal Density and Specific Leaf Area of 14 Plant Species during the Last Three Centuries of CO2 Increase

Parallel to the increase in atmospheric CO² from 278 µmolmol^–1 in AD 1750 to the current ambient level of 348 µmolmol^–1, there have been overall decreases in leaf nitrogencontent and stomatal density from 144% and 121%, respectively,in AD 1750 to 100% today of herbarium specimens of 14 trees,shrubs, and herbs collected over the last 240 years in Catalonia,a Mediterranean climate area. These decreases were steeper duringthe initial slower increases in CO₂ atmospheric levels as comparedwith the relatively faster CO₂ increases in recent years. Thedeclines in leaf N content and stomatal density have also beenreported in experimental studies on leaves of plants grown underenriched CO₂ environments. Meanwhile, the stomatal index andoverall carbon and sulphur leaf contents have not changed significantly.Leaf S content was higher in the 1940s samples coinciding withthe burning of increased quantities of sulphur-rich coal. Consequently,the epidermal cell density has decreased parallel to the stomataldensity and the C/N ratio of leaves has increased, implyingpossible important consequences on herbivores, decomposers,and ecosystems. An overall decrease in the specific leaf area(SLA) from 184% in the 18th century to 100% today has also beenfound, as would be expected under CO₂ enrichment, but whichmight also be an artifact of prolonged storage. Key words: Carbon dioxide increase, leaf nitrogen content, leaf sulphur content, stomatal density, last centuries     

Growth Rate, Photosynthesis and Respiration in Relation to Leaf Area Index

This work examined three possible explanations of growth rateresponses to leaf area index (LAI) in which growth rate perunit of ground area (crop growth rate, CGR) increased to a plateaurather than decreasing above an optimum LAI at which all lightwas intercepted. Single leaf photosynthetic measurements, andwhole plant 24 h photosynthesis and respiration measurementswere made for isolated plants and plants in stands using Amaranlhushybridus, Chenopodium album, and two cultivars of Glycine maxgrown at 500 and 1000 µimol m^–2 S^–1 photosyntheticphoton flux density at 25 °C. CGR, relative growth rate(RGR), and LAI were determined from 24 h carbon dioxide exchangeand leaf area and biomass measurements. Respiration increasedrelative to photosynthesis with crowding in A. hybridus andthere was an optimum LAI for CGR. In contrast, the ratio ofrespiration to photosynthesis was constant across plant arrangementin the other species and they had a plateau response of CGRto LAI. Neither increased leaf photosynthetic capacity at highLAI nor a large change in biomass compared to the change inLAI could account for the plateau responses. It was calculatedthat maintenance respiration per unit of biomass decreased withdecreasing RGR in C. album and G. max, but not A. hybridus,and accounted for the plateau response of CGR to LAI. Sincesimilar decreases in maintenance respiration per biomass atlow RGR have been reported for several other species, a constantratio of respiration to photosynthesis may occur in more speciesthan constant maintenance respiration per unit of biomass. Amaranlhus hybridus L., Chenopodium album L., Glycine max L Merr, soybean, photosynthesis, respiration, growth, leaf area index     

The Export and Distribution of 14C-labelled Assimilates from each Leaf on the Shoot of Lolium temulentum during Reproductive and Vegetative Growth

In both reproductive and vegetative plants of Lolium temulentumL., the export of ¹⁴C-labelled assimilates from each healthyleaf on the main shoot to terminal meristem, stem, tillers,and roots was measured each time a new leaf was expanded, fora period of 5 to 6 weeks. Some labelled assimilates moved fromeach leaf on the main shoot to every meristem in the same shoot,as well as to the tops and roots of adjacent organically attachedtillers. The terminal meristem of the reproductive shoot, which includedthe developing inflorescence, received 70–80 per centof the carbon assimilated by the emerged portion of the growingleaf, 15–25 per cent of the carbon assimilated by thetwo youngest expanded leaves, and 5–10 per cent of thatfrom each of the older leaves. A similar pattern of carbon supplyto the terminal meristem was found in vegetative shoots, exceptthat older leaves on young vegetative shoots supplied even lessof their carbon to the terminal meristem. The general conclusionis that developing leaves at the tip of the shoot receive aboutthe same proportion of carbon from each leaf as does a developinginflorescence. Young expanded leaves provided most labelled assimilates forstem growth; during both reproductive and vegetative growth,expanded leaves increased their export of labelled carbon tostem, and exported less of their ¹⁴C to roots and sometimesto tillers. In these reproductive and vegetative shoots, grown in a constantexternal environment, the major changes in the pattern of distributionof labelled assimilates appeared to be the result of increasedmeristematic activity in stem internodes; the development ofan inflorescence had no obvious direct effect on the carboneconomy of shoots.     

Effect of Water Stress on Gas Exchange in Fronds of the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro)

Experiments were conducted in a gas exchange system to examinethe effect of a water stress, induced by –200 kPa polyethyleneglycol (PEG), on carbon dioxide and water vapour flux, fronddiffusive resistance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration,carbon dioxide residual resistance and frond water potentialin the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro).Measurements were taken 1 d after the application of PEG. Themeasurements were made on young fronds (8 d old) and maturefronds (20–24 d old) at PPFD's (Photosynthetic PhotonFlux Density) from 0–1400 µmol m^–22 s^–1.Water stress decreased the net photosynthesis rate in maturefronds at PPFD's of 210 µmol m^–2 s^–1 or greaterand increased the net photosynthesis rate below 210 µmolm^–2 s^–1 in young fronds. The increase in net photosynthesisin stressed young fronds was associated with a significant reductionin the dark respiration rate. Water stress and decreasing PPFD'sincreased frond diffusive resistance. Carbon dioxide concentrationin the intercellular spaces decreased with increasing frondage and PPFD's up to 200 µmol m^–2 s^–1. Theresidual resistance to carbon dioxide flux was not significantlyaffected by either frond age or water stress. Frond water potentialwas significantly lower in mature fronds than in young fronds. Key words: Matteuccia struthiopteris, Water relations, Photosynthesis, Dark respiration     

Fluxes of diatoms in the Dona Paula Bay, west coast of India

Sediment traps were deployed at a station in the Dona PaulaBay to collect sedimenting particles at weekly intervals fromNovember to May during 1995–1997. Sedimented particleswere analysed for total diatom flux, chlorophyll a (Chl a) andparticulate organic carbon (POC). The highest diatom flux wasrecorded in April–May for both the years. Fluxes of diatomsvaried from0.6 x 10⁴ cells m^–2 day^–1 (November 1995)to 121.47 x 10⁴ cells m^–2 day^–1 (December 1996).In all, 19 diatom genera were identified in the sedimented material.Navicula, Nitzschia, Pleurosigma, Licmophora, Coscinodiscus,Rhizosolenia and Surirella were the most abundant genera inthe sedimented material throughout the sampling period. Meanflux of POC and diatom carbon was 251 and 0.39 mg C m^–2day^–1, respectively. The diatom carbon accounted for 0.15%of the POC flux. Mass flux of diatoms showed significant negativecorrelation with the concentration of nitrate and phosphate.This suggests that the nutrient concentration played an importantrole in influencing the sedimentation of diatoms at this coastalstation.     

In-Phase Cycling of Photosynthesis and Conductance at Saturating Carbon Dioxide Pressure Induced by Increases in Water Vapour Pressure Deficit

Bunce, J. A. 1987. In-phase cycling of photosynthesis and conductanceat saturating carbon dioxide pressure induced by increases inwater vapour pressure deficit.—J. exp. Bot. 38: 1413–1420. The leaf to air water vapour deficit was increased suddenlyfrom about 1·0 to 2·5 IcPa for single leaves ofsoybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) plants held at 30 °C, 2·0mmol m ^–2 s^–1 photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD) and carbon dioxide pressures saturating to photosynthesis.After a lag of about 10 min, photosynthetic rate and stomatalconductance to water vapour began to decrease, and then cycledin phase with each other. The period of the cydes was about20 min. During these cycles the substomatal carbon dioxide pressurewas constant in the majority of leaves examined, and was alwaysabove saturation for photosynthesis. Epidermal impressions showedthat most stomata changed in aperture during the cycles, andthat very few were ever fully closed. Water potential measuredon excised discs changed by at most 0·1 MPa from theminima to the maxima in transpiration rate. In contrast, forleaves of sunflower (Helianthus animus L.) grown at low PPFD,the increase in VPD led to leaf wilting and decreased photosynthesis,followed by recovery of turgor and photosynthesis as stomatalconductance began to decrease. In these leaves photosynthesisand conductance then cycled approximately 180° out of phase.It is suggested that in soybeans decreased leaf conductanceinduced by high VPD provided a signal which decreased the rateof photosynthesis at carbon dioxide saturation by a mechanismthat was not related to a water deficit in the mesophyll. Key words: Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, cycling, vapour pressure deficit     

Production of Oikopleura longicauda (Tunicata: Appendicularia) in Toyama Bay, southern Japan Sea

Oikopleura longicauda occurred throughout the year in ToyamaBay, southern Japan Sea, and analysis of its size compositionand maturity revealed that reproduction was continuous overtheyear. Somatic growth production (P_g) varied with season from0.03 to 103 mg carbon (C) m^–2day^–1 (annual P_g 4.5g C m^–2), and house production (P_e) from 0.11 to 266 mgC m^–2 day^–1 (annualP_e 11.3 g C m^–2). The annualP_g/B ratio was 176. Compared with production data of some predominantzooplankton species in Toyama Bay, it is suggested that despitetheir smaller biomass, appendicularians are an important secondaryproducer.     

Changes in Photosynthesis, Carbon Budget and Mineral Content during the Growth of the First Leaf of Cucumber

The relationships between photosynthesis, dry matter accumulationand translocation have been studied during the development ofthe first true leaf of cucumber. The leaf was grown in an irradianceof 50W m^–2 photosynthetically active radiation for 10h^–1 at 20 C and 2 g m^–3 CO₂. The maximum rate of net photosynthesis, on a leaf area basis,occured at full expansion. Photochemical efficiency, based onincident radiation, also increased up to this stage and wasrelated to the concentration of chlorophyll in the leaf. Darkrespiration and the light compensation point fell over the wholeperiod of leaf expansion. A carbon budget analysis showed that the rate of carbon accumulationin the leaf reached a peak at 70 percent expansion. The leafchanged from a net importer to a net exporter of carbon whenit was about 30 percent expanded. The rate of export increasedwith leaf expansion (and with net photosynthesis) and was twiceas high in the day an in the night at full expansion. At fullleaf expansion there was a reduction in the amount of starchlost overnight, and the carbon exported amounted to 80 per centof the daily net carbon fixed. Cucumber, Cumic satinu L., leaf development, photosynthesis, translocation, carbon budget, mineral content