Photosynthesis and water relations of almond tree cultivars grafted on two rootstocks

Five cultivars of Prunus amygdalus Batsch (Ferragnes, Ferrastar, Marcona, Garrigues, and Non Pareil) grafted on two different rootstocks (Garrigues and GF677), and two cultivars (Ferraduel and Casa Nova) grafted on GF677, were grown for three years under rainfed conditions in an orchard in northeast Portugal. Net photosynthetic rate (PN), leaf conductance for water vapour (gs), leaf water potential (Ψ), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE), and internal CO2 concentration (Ci) were measured at three periods of the growing season: spring, summer (June or July) and late summer (September) over two years. Ferraduel, Ferrastar, and Marcona presented the best performance in the periods when environmental conditions were not very hard (May or September). Casa Nova and Non Pareil were well adapted to high air evaporative demand, preventing the increase of leaf temperature (T1). Ferrastar, although having a good performance in May and September, did well adapt to hard climatic conditions in June 1994. In the following year, although it presented the highest T1, the values were not limiting (30.6 ± 2.1 °C), and PN was only decreased from May to July. Marcona was highly dependent on T1, but prevented its increasing. Garrigues showed lower PN in most measurement periods. GF677 frequently induced the highest PN, WUE, and Ψ. PN was mainly dependent on T1, radiation, Ci, month, and year. WUE depended on the same factors. Ψ depended mainly on gs, air temperature, month, and year. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diurnal and Seasonal Changes in Prunus Amygdalus Gas Exchanges

Diurnal courses in net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), leaf water potential (), internal CO2 concentration (ci), and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied as season progressed, in relation to environmental factors in field grown Prunus amygdalus. In sun leaves PN reached maximum between 09:00 to 11:00 h and subsequently declined when high temperature and low humidity occurred. An increase was observed late in the afternoon. A decrease in gs and was found as season progressed in both years of measurements. In periods of high evaporative demand, was very low, however, it did not explain the reductions of PN in all the three periods (spring, early and late summer). Midday depression of PN and gs seemed to be related with leaf temperature (Tl) and high irradiance. Increase in ci and F0 and decrease in Fv/Fm found between 12:00 and 14:00 h corresponded to the decrease in PN. Therefore, a transient modification of photosynthetic machinery might be considered. WUE was negatively correlated with vapour pressure difference of leaf to air, that decreased during the day. The September values, higher than in the previous months, were due to the lower seasonal decreases in PN than in gs.     

Leaf Photosynthesis in Eight Almond Tree Cultivars

Response of gas exchange traits to irradiance were studied in eight almond tree (Prunus amygdalus) cultivars: Desmayo Largueta, Falsa Barese, Garrigues, Lauranne, Marcona, Masbovera, Nonpareil and Ramillete, grafted on a hybrid rootstock almond × peach GF-677. From these responses cultivars can be classified from the best to the worst photosynthetic performance as follows: Falsa Barese, Masbovera, Marcona, Nonpareil, Ramillete, Desmayo Largueta, Lauranne and Garrigues. The highest net photosynthetic rate was 20.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in Falsa Barese. In the absence of water stress, photosynthetic rate was not limited by stomatal conductance. Consequently, non-stomatal limitations prevailed under such conditions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Leaf gas exchange capacity in relation to leaf position on the stem in field grown teak (Tectona grandis L.f.)

Leaf gas exchange patterns in relation to leaf positions on stems were studied in field grown forest tree, teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) during first year growth under intensive culture plantation. Net photosynthetic rates (PN) were low in immature leaves (1-2 from shoot apices), increased basipetally on shoot, peaked in leaves (3rd or 4th leaves from shoot apices) which had recently reached full expansion, and thereafter declined in lower crown leaves. High PN found in fully expanded young leaves was associated with increased dark respiration rate (RD) and high radiation saturation as well as compensating irradiance for PN when compared to those of aged leaves. Intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci) determined at ambient CO2 concentration and saturating irradiance were apparently low for leaves exhibiting high PN when compared to those of aged leaves. Differences in stomatal conductance (gs) and the rate of transpiration (E) were not apparent between leaves after full expansion. The relationship of PN with Ci recorded for leaves at different positions on stems and under natural ambient CO2 concentrations showed a linear decrease in PN with marked increasing Ci and suggested that increase in mesophyll limitations could cause decline in PN during aging of teak leaves after full expansion. Highly significant positive linear correlation was found between PN and Ci determined at below ambient CO2 concentrations and saturating irradiance for both fully expanded young and aged leaves. The estimate of linear relationship between PN and Ci, often considered as carboxylation efficiency, was higher for fully expanded young leaves characterised by high PN than for aged leaves exhibiting low PN. Hence, the increase in mesophyll limitations or decrease in carboxylation efficiency could explain gradual reduction in photosynthetic potential with leaf age after maturation in teak.     

Leaf gas exchange capacity in relation to leaf position on the stem in field grown teak (Tectona grandis L.f.)

Leaf gas exchange patterns in relation to leaf positions on stems were studied in field grown forest tree, teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) during first year growth under intensive culture plantation. Net photosynthetic rates (PN) were low in immature leaves (1-2 from shoot apices), increased basipetally on shoot, peaked in leaves (3rd or 4th leaves from shoot apices) which had recently reached full expansion, and thereafter declined in lower crown leaves. High PN found in fully expanded young leaves was associated with increased dark respiration rate (RD) and high radiation saturation as well as compensating irradiance for PN when compared to those of aged leaves. Intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci) determined at ambient CO2 concentration and saturating irradiance were apparently low for leaves exhibiting high PN when compared to those of aged leaves. Differences in stomatal conductance (gs) and the rate of transpiration (E) were not apparent between leaves after full expansion. The relationship of PN with Ci recorded for leaves at different positions on stems and under natural ambient CO2 concentrations showed a linear decrease in PN with marked increasing Ci and suggested that increase in mesophyll limitations could cause decline in PN during aging of teak leaves after full expansion. Highly significant positive linear correlation was found between PN and Ci determined at below ambient CO2 concentrations and saturating irradiance for both fully expanded young and aged leaves. The estimate of linear relationship between PN and Ci, often considered as carboxylation efficiency, was higher for fully expanded young leaves characterised by high PN than for aged leaves exhibiting low PN. Hence, the increase in mesophyll limitations or decrease in carboxylation efficiency could explain gradual reduction in photosynthetic potential with leaf age after maturation in teak. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics in Mulberry during Water Stress and Rewatering

Three-month-old plants of mulberry (Morus alba L. cv. Kanva-2) were subjected to a drought stress by withholding water supply. As the leaf water potential (W) was dropping progressively with the severity of treatment and increasing stress duration, the values of leaf area, dry mass accumulation, total chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (E) were declined. The photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency significantly decreased only at a severe stress treatment. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) remained unaltered during a mild stress, yet it increased under moderate and severe stresses. The Ci/gs ratio reflected the mesophyll efficiency during water stress. Rewatering of the plants led to an almost complete recovery of PN, E, and gs, indicating that a short-term stress brings about reversible effects only.     

Effect of Water Stress on Photosynthesis in Two Mulberry Genotypes with Different drought Tolerance

Three-month-old mulberry (Morus alba L.) cultivars (drought tolerant S13 and drought sensitive S54) were subjected to water stress for 15 d. Water stress decreased the leaf water potential, net photosynthetic rate (PN), and stomatal conductance (gs) in both the cultivars. However, the magnitude of decline was comparatively greater in the sensitive cultivar (S54). Intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was unaltered during mild stress, but significantly increased at severe stress in both cultivars. The photosystem 2 activity significantly declined only at a severe stress in both cultivars. The Ci/gs ratio representing the mesophyll efficiency was greater in the tolerant cultivar S13. Involvement of stomatal and/or non-stomatal components in declining PN depended on the severity and duration of stress. However, the degree of non-stomatal limitations was relatively less in the drought tolerant cultivar.     

Leaf gas exchange of cassava as affected by quality of planting material and water stress

Field trial was conducted to study the effects of quality of planting material and prolonged water stress on leaf gas exchange of the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivar M Col 1684. Nutrient contents of planting material affected rootlet formation, but not leaf gas exchange. Net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were significantly reduced by prolonged water stress. New leaves developed after recovery from water stress showed higher PN and gs, as compared to leaves of similar ages of unstressed plants. The higher PN was associated with higher leaf nutrient contents, indicating that photosynthetic capacity was enhanced in these leaves. These compensating characteristics may partly explain the small yield reduction often observed in stressed cassava.     

Leaf gas exchange of cassava as affected by quality of planting material and water stress

Field trial was conducted to study the effects of quality of planting material and prolonged water stress on leaf gas exchange of the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivar M Col 1684. Nutrient contents of planting material affected rootlet formation, but not leaf gas exchange. Net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were significantly reduced by prolonged water stress. New leaves developed after recovery from water stress showed higher PN and gs, as compared to leaves of similar ages of unstressed plants. The higher PN was associated with higher leaf nutrient contents, indicating that photosynthetic capacity was enhanced in these leaves. These compensating characteristics may partly explain the small yield reduction often observed in stressed cassava.     

冬小麦对有限水分高效利用的生理机制

通过对不同土壤供水条件下的孕穗开花期的冬小麦叶片CO₂/H₂O气体交换参数的系统测定,研究了光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、细胞间隙CO₂浓度(Ci)、叶温(Tl)与水分利用效率(WUE)间的关系。结果表明,WUE并不随Pn的增长直线增长,而是呈现出二次曲线的变化趋势;只有当蒸腾达到一定程度时,Tr才对WUE产生影响,而Tr过大时WUE则有下降的趋势;WUE与Ci呈负相关,随Ci的增加WUE呈递减趋势;叶温升高对光合和蒸腾都有促进作用,当超过了某种限度则表现为抑制作用,表明在一定温度范围内,Tl升高对水分利用不利;随Gs的增大,WUE增大到一定程度则不再增加,甚至出现一种回落趋势.     

Enhanced Water Use Efficiency in Dry Loess Grassland Species Grown at Elevated Air CO2 Concentration

Net CO2 assimilation rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), and water use efficiency (WUE) in four perennial C3 species (grasses: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rupicola, dicots: Filipendula vulgaris, Salvia nemorosa) grown for 231 d in open-top chambers at ambient (CA, 350 µmol mol-1) or elevated (CE, 700 µmol mol-1) CO2 concentrations were compared. When measured at CE, PN was significantly higher in CE plants of all four species than in the CA ones. The increase in PN was less prominent in the two grasses than in the two dicots. The E was significantly higher in the CE-grass F. rupicola and CE-dicot F. vulgaris than in the CA plants. There was no change in E owing to CE in the other grass and dicot. The gs in F. vulgaris and F. rupicola increased, while there was a decrease in D. glomerata and no change in S. nemorosa. WUE increased in all species grown in CE: four- to five-fold in the dicots and less than two-fold in the grasses. The increase in WUE was primarily due to an increase in PN and not to a decrease in E.     

干旱区胡杨光合作用对高温和CO2浓度的响应

采用LI-6400便携式光合作用测定仪实测的塔里木河下游胡杨(Populus euphratica oliv)光合作用参数,探讨了不同地下水埋深下的胡杨光合作用对CO2浓度增加和温度升高的响应.结果表明:(1)CO2浓度升高减小了胡杨气孔导度,促进了光合速率、胞间CO2浓度和水分利用效率的增加,但不同地下水埋深下,胡杨光合作用参数对CO2浓度升高的响应不同,干旱环境(地下水埋深较深)下的响应程度大于水分适宜(地下水埋深浅)环境下的响应;(2) 高温引起胡杨气孔发生不完全关闭,导致了光合作用的光抑制发生,从而降低了胡杨光合速率,但降低程度受水分条件的影响,地下水埋深较深环境下的影响程度大于地下水埋深浅的;(3)地下水埋深是控制干旱区胡杨光合作用对CO2浓度和温度升高的根本因素,6m是胡杨生长正常的临界地下水埋深,地下水埋深>6m,胡杨即遭到水分胁迫,地下水埋深>7m,胡杨即受到了较严重的水分胁迫.     

Interspecific transfer of resistance to Plum pox virus from almond to peach by grafting

Grafting almond variety ‘Garrigues’ onto ‘GF305’ peach seedlings heavily infected by Plum pox virus (PPV) progressively produces the disappearance of viral symptoms and drastically reduces virus accumulation in ‘GF305’ rootstock, in most cases to undetectable levels. This response appears to be specific between almond and peach, as it was not consistently observed by grafting ‘Garrigues’ onto other Prunus species such as plum (‘Adesoto’) or apricot (‘Real Fino’). The ability to induce resistance to PPV in ‘GF305’ was transmitted to the sexual descendants of Garrigues. Furthermore, grafting ‘Garrigues’ onto ‘GF305’ before PPV inoculation completely prevented virus infection, showing that the resistance is constitutive and not induced by the virus. This fact suggests that resistance may be due to the transfer of a defence factor from ‘Garrigues’ almond through the graft union and its interaction with specific factors of ‘GF305’ peach to produce the antiviral response. These results open new avenues to potential protection against PPV in peach, the most economically important species among stone fruits.     

大豆生理生态特性与产量的关系

比较研究了1970s、1980s和1990s期间不同大豆 ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.)品种的生理生态特性:光合作用、蒸腾作用、气孔导度、水分利用效率、胞间CO2浓度和叶片水势,分析了各生理生态特性之间以及与产量在不同生育期的关系.研究表明光合速率和产量之间存在显著的相关关系,高产大豆同时具有高的气孔导度和水势,胞间CO2浓度则很低,特别是在鼓粒期关系更为显著.高产大豆的光合作用在鼓粒期达到最高值,光合作用日变化呈双峰曲线.在鼓粒期高产大豆的光合产物大量运往籽粒中,对于高产品种和高光效-"源"固然重要,而"流"-光合产物的合理运转和分配对产量则更为重要.     

Relationship between Photosynthetic Activity and Chlorophyll Content in an Isolated Quercus Ilex L. Tree during the Year

The relationship between chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate (PN) in an isolated Quercus ilex tree, growing inside Villa Pamphili Park in Rome, was explored. The highest PN was in March, May, and September (10.1 mol m-2 s-1, maximum rate). PN decreased by 65 % (with respect to the yearly maximum) when leaf temperature reached 34 °C, and by 50 % when leaf temperature was 9 °C. The highest Chl contents were in April, October [1.47 g kg-1 (d.m.), maximum value], and December. The lowest Chl content was found in July (0.78 g kg-1). The decrease of PN in July was in close connection with the decrease of Chl content. On the contrary, the high Chl content during winter did not correspond with PN of this season. Discordances between Chl content and PN over the year influenced the regression analysis, which although positive did not show very high correlation coefficients (r = 0.7). The high Chl (a+b) content during most of the year indicated that the photosynthetic apparatus remained basically intact also during stress periods.     

Photosynthesis of six barley genotypes as affected by water stress

The effect of water stress on plant water status and net photosynthetic gas exchange (PN) in six barley genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.) differing in productivity and drought tolerance was studied in a controlled growth chamber. Osmotic adjustment (OA), PN, stomatal conductance (gs), and the ratio intercellular/ambient. CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) were evaluated at four different levels of soil water availability, corresponding to 75, 35, 25 and 15 % of total available water. Variability in OA capacity was observed between genotypes: the drought tolerant genotypes Albacete and Alpha showed higher OA than drought susceptible genotypes Express and Mogador. The genotype Albacete exhibited also higher PN than the others at low water potential (Ψ). The ratios of PN/gs and Ci/Ca showed that differences in photosynthetic inhibition between genotypes at low Ψ were probably due to nonstomatal effects. In Tichedrett, a landrace genotype with a very extensive root development, OA was not observed, however, it exhibited a capacity to maintain its photosynthetic activity under water stress.     

38个榛种质资源叶功能性状与光合特征变异及其相关性

研究了38个榛种质资源叶功能性状与光合特征参数的变异特征及其相关关系,为优良种质资源的选择以及进一步理解叶功能性状对光合特征的影响机制提供科学依据。结果表明:38个种质资源的叶面积(LA)、叶形指数(LI)、叶干重(LDW)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶干物质含量(LDMC)平均值分别为78.39 cm²、1.24、0.73 g、109.95 cm²·g^-1和38.31%,LDW变异最大,其次为LA和SLA,LI和LDMC变异最小;净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔限制值(Ls)和水分利用效率(WUE)平均值分别为9.92μmol·m^-2·s^-1、3.88 mmol·m^-2·s^-1、153.04μmol·m^-2·s^-1、238.73μmol·mol^-1、0.41和2.54μmol·mmol-1,gs变异最大(27.89%),Pn、Ci、Ls和WUE次之(10.37%~15.14%),Tr最小(9.99%)。不同种质资源叶功能性状与光合特征参数之间均存在极显著差异。Pearson相关分析表明:Pn与LA、LDW、LDMC均呈显著正相关,与SLA则呈显著负相关;Tr与LA呈显著正相关;gs和Ci与LDMC分别呈显著负相关和正相关;WUE与LDW、LDMC均呈显著正相关,与SLA则呈显著负相关。冗余分析表明:第1、2排序轴共同解释了叶片光合特征总变异的88.6%,其中,对光合特征产生显著影响的叶功能性状因子为SLA和LDMC。平欧210号、F-03、平欧11号、平欧88号、平欧119号、85-162、平欧48号、玉坠、平欧110号表现出较高的水分和光能利用效率。     

Photosynthesis of six barley genotypes as affected by water stress

The effect of water stress on plant water status and net photosynthetic gas exchange (PN) in six barley genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.) differing in productivity and drought tolerance was studied in a controlled growth chamber. Osmotic adjustment (OA), PN, stomatal conductance (gs), and the ratio intercellular/ambient. CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) were evaluated at four different levels of soil water availability, corresponding to 75, 35, 25 and 15 % of total available water. Variability in OA capacity was observed between genotypes: the drought tolerant genotypes Albacete and Alpha showed higher OA than drought susceptible genotypes Express and Mogador. The genotype Albacete exhibited also higher PN than the others at low water potential (Ψ). The ratios of PN/gs and Ci/Ca showed that differences in photosynthetic inhibition between genotypes at low Ψ were probably due to nonstomatal effects. In Tichedrett, a landrace genotype with a very extensive root development, OA was not observed, however, it exhibited a capacity to maintain its photosynthetic activity under water stress. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonal Changes in Photosynthesis and Stomatal Conductance of Five Plant Species from a Semiarid Ecosystem

In order to determine whether stomatal closure alone regulates photosynthesis during drought under natural conditions, seasonal changes in leaf gas exchange were studied in plants of five species differing in life form and carbon fixation pathway growing in a thorn scrub in Venezuela. The species were: Ipomoea carnea, Jatropha gossypifolia, (C3 deciduous shrubs), Alternanthera crucis (C4 deciduous herb), and Prosopis juliflora and Capparis odoratissima (evergreen phreatophytic trees). Xylem water potential () of all species followed very roughly the precipitation pattern, being more closely governed by soil water content in I. carnea and A. crucis. Maximum rate of photosynthesis, Pmax, decreased with in I. carnea, J. gossypifolia, and A. crucis. In I. carnea and J. gossypifolia stomatal closure was responsible for a 90 % decline in net photosynthetic rate (PN) as decreased from -0.3 to -2.0 MPa, since stomatal conductance (gs) was sensitive to water stress, and stomatal limitation on PN increased with drought. In A. crucis, PN decreased by 90 % at a much lower (-9.3 MPa), and gs was relatively less sensitive to . In P. juliflora and C. odoratissima, Pmax, gs, and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were independent of soil water content. In the C3 shrubs stomatal closure was apparently the main constraint on photosynthesis during drought, Ci declining with in I. carnea. In the C4 herb, Ci was constant along the range of values, which suggested a coordinated decrease in both gs and mesophyll capacity. In P. juliflora Ci showed a slow decrease with which may have been due to seasonal leaf developmental changes, rather than to soil water availability.     

Stomatal conductance is a key parameter to assess limitations to photosynthesis and growth potential in barley genotypes

Fourteen genotypes of barley were compared for response to salinity by monitoring the parameters gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. We present relationships between stomatal conductance (gs) gas exchange chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and aboveground dry matter (AGDM). We found that genetic variability provided a continuum of data for gs across control and saline conditions. We used this continuum of gs values to test the overall relationships between gs and net photosynthesis (A), leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci), actual quantum yield of PSII electron transport (PhiPSII), relative electron yield over net CO2 assimilation rate (ETR/A), and AGDM. The relationship between gs and A was highly significant (P < 0.0001) for both control and saline treatments, while correlations between gs and Ci, and Ci and A were significant only under control conditions. Unexpectedly, we found positive correlations between gs and PhiPSII (P < 0.0001) for both conditions. A comparison between relationships of gs and A, and gs and PhiPSII seemed to indicate a possible acclimation to salinity at the chloroplastic level. Finally, the relationships between gs and ETR/A were exceptionally strong for both growing conditions (P < 0.0001) indicating that, as gs values were negatively affected in barley by genetics and salinity as main or interactive effects, there was a progressive increase in photorespiration in barley. Overall, we found that stomatal conductance was a key parameter in the study of barley responses to limiting situations for photosynthesis. We also found a strong relationship between AGDM and gs regardless of growing conditions and genotypes. For breeding evaluations to select barley genotypes for salinity tolerance, it may be possible to replace all measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence by the simple use of a porometer.