Growth,biomass production,and assimilatory characters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cenchrus ciliaris</Emphasis> L. Under elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> condition

The effect of elevated carbon dioxide (600±50 cm³ m⁻³; C₆₀₀) on growth performance, biomass production, and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. 3108 was studied. This crop responded significantly by plant height, leaf length and width, and biomass production under C₆₀₀. Leaf area index increased triple fold in the crops grown in the open top chamber with C₆₀₀. The biomass production in term of fresh and dry biomass accumulation increased by 134.35 (fresh) and 193.34 (dry) % over the control (C₃₆₀) condition where the crops were grown for 20 d. The rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance increased by 24.51 and 46.33 %, respectively, in C₆₀₀ over C₃₆₀ plants. In comparison with C₃₆₀, the rate of transpiration decreased by 6.8 % under C₆₀₀. Long-term exposure (120 d) to C₆₀₀ enhanced photosynthetic water use efficiency by 34 %. Also the contents of chlorophylls a and b significantly increased in C₆₀₀. Thus C. ciliaris grown in C₆₀₀ throughout the crop season may produce more fodder in terms of green biomass.     

Effects of carbon dioxide concentration on the interactive effects of temperature and water vapour on stomatal conductance in soybean

Soybeans were grown at three CO₂ concentrations in outdoor growth chambers and at two concentrations in controlled-environment growth chambers to investigate the interactive effects of CO₂, temperature and leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference (LAVPD) on stomatal conductance. The decline in stomatal conductance with CO₂ was a function of both leaf temperature and LAVPD. In the field measurements, stomatal conductance was more sensitive to LAVPD at low CO₂ at 30 °C but not at 35 °C. There was also a direct increase in conductance with temperature, which was greater at the two elevated carbon dioxide concentrations. Environmental growth chamber results showed that the relative stomatal sensitivity to LAVPD decreased with both leaf temperature and CO₂. Measurements in the environmental growth chamber were also performed at the opposing CO₂, and these experiments indicate that the stomatal sensitivity to LAVPD was determined more by growth CO₂ than by measurement CO₂. Two models that describe stomatal responses to LAVPD were compared with the outdoor data to evaluate whether these models described adequately the interactive effects of CO₂, LAVPD and temperature.     

Variation in response of five identical steady-state porometers1

Abstract. Variation in response was measured for live identical steady-state porometers manufactured and calibrated by Li-Cor, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A. Mean values for relative humidity, air and leaf temperature, transpiration and leaf conductance were compared in two experiments, one with random measurements among a population of leaves and the other using paired observations on the lateral sides of individual leaves. Comparisons were made using young newly expanded leaves of potato (Solarium tuberosum, cv. Norland) plants grown under controlled environmental conditions in the Biotron at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Average mean differences among porometers were 5, 11 and 12% for relative humidity, leaf conductance and transpiration, respectively.     

Photosynthesis and water-relation traits of the summer annual C4 grasses, Eleusine indica and Digitaria adscendens, with contrasting trampling tolerance

Two summer annual C₄ grasses with different trampling susceptibilities were grown as potted plants, and diurnal leaf gas exchange and leaf water potential in each grass were compared. The maximum net photosynthetic rate, leaf conductance and transpiration rate were higher in the trampling-tolerant Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. than in trampling sensitive Digitaria adscendens (H. B. K.) Henr. Leaf water potential was much lower in E. indica than in D. adscendens. There were no differences in soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance and leaf osmotic potential at full turgor as obtained by pressure–volume analysis. However, the bulk modulus of elasticity in cell walls was higher in E. indica leaves than in D. adscendens leaves. This shows that the leaves of E. indica are less elastic. Therefore, the rigid cell walls of E. indica leaves reduced leaf water potential rapidly by decreasing the leaf water content, supporting a high transpiration rate with high leaf conductance. In trampled habitats, such lowering of leaf water potential in E. indica might play a role in water absorption from the compacted soil. In contrast, the ability of D. adscendens to colonize dry habitats such as coastal sand dunes appears to be due to its lower transpiration rate and its higher leaf water potential which is not strongly affected by decreasing leaf water content.     

Interrelationship between Leaf Gas-Exchange Characteristics,Area Leaf Mass,and Yield in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) Genotypes

Variability in leaf gas-exchange traits in thirteen soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) genotypes was assessed in a field experiment conducted at high altitude (1 950 m). Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P ^N) exhibited a high degree of variability at all the growth stages studied. P _N and other gas-exchange parameters exhibited a seasonal pattern that was similar for all the genotypes. P _N rate was highest at seed filling stage. P _N was positively and significantly associated with aboveground dry matter and seed yield. The area leaf mass (ALM) exhibited a strong positive association with leaf P _N, aboveground dry matter, and seed yield. The positive association between ALM, P _N, and seed yield suggests that this simple and easy to measure character can be used in breeding programmes as a surrogate for higher photosynthetic efficiency and eventually higher yield.     

Responses of dominant desert species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia ordosica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix psammophila</Emphasis> to water stress

Morphology, biomass accumulation and allocation, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence were compared for one-year-old seedlings of Salix psammophila and Artemisia ordosica, two dominant desert species, in response to two water supplies (equivalent to 315.0 mm for present precipitation in growing season and to 157.5 mm for future decreasing precipitation) during 105 d. For both species, photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (F_v/F_m), net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, biomass accumulation in different organs, tree height, number of leaves, and leaf area were reduced in response to the decrease in water supply. For both species, instantaneous water use efficiency was not affected by the water deficit. However, diurnal patterns of gas exchange and biomass allocation were affected in different ways for the two species, with notably a decrease in specific leaf area and an increase in root : shoot ratio for S. psammophila only. Overall, S. psammophila was more responsive to the decreasing precipitation than A. ordosica.     

Variations in photosynthetic rate and associated parameters with age of oil palm leaves under irrigation

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g _s) in an adult oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) canopy were highest in the 9^th leaf and progressively declined with leaf age. Larger leaf area (LA) and leaf dry mass (LDM) were recorded in middle leaves. P _N showed a significant positive correlation with g _s and a negative relationship with leaf mass per area (ALM). The oil palm leaf remains photosynthetically active for a longer time in the canopy which contributes significantly to larger dry matter production in general and greater fresh fruit bunch yields in particular.     

西南喀斯特地区四种植物水分生理的初步研究

通过对喀斯特地区的4种植物红背山麻杆、圆叶乌桕、青檀和水冬瓜的水分特征进行测定和比较,结果表明:植物的组织含水量、临界饱和亏缺和需水程度均存在显著差异,其抗旱能力以青檀最强;水分利用效率饱和点以落叶灌木红背山麻杆最高,在600μmol.m-2·s-1左右,光辐射与气孔导度呈对数关系;而三个落叶乔木树种的WUE的光饱和点均在400μmol·m-2·s-1左右,光辐射与蒸腾速率、气孔导度均呈线性极显著相关关系;观测结果没有显示蒸腾饱和现象。     

How do leaf hydraulics limit stomatal conductance at high water vapour pressure deficits?

A reduction in leaf stomatal conductance (g) with increasing leaf-to-air difference in water vapour pressure (D) is nearly ubiquitous. Ecological comparisons of sensitivity have led to the hypothesis that the reduction in g with increasing D serves to maintain leaf water potentials above those that would cause loss of hydraulic conductance. A reduction in leaf water potential is commonly hypothesized to cause stomatal closure at high D. The importance of these particular hydraulic factors was tested by exposing Abutilon theophrasti, Glycine max, Gossypium hirsutum and Xanthium strumarium to D high enough to reduce g and then decreasing ambient carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]), and observing the resulting changes in g, transpiration rate and leaf water potential, and their reversibility. Reducing the [CO2] at high D increased g and transpiration rate and lowered leaf water potential. The abnormally high transpiration rates did not result in reductions in hydraulic conductance. Results indicate that low water potential effects on g at high D could be overcome by low [CO2], and that even lower leaf water potentials did not cause a reduction in hydraulic conductance in these well-watered plants. Reduced g at high D in these species resulted primarily from increased stomatal sensitivity to [CO2] at high D, and this increased sensitivity may mediate stomatal responses to leaf hydraulics at high D.     

A relationship between carbon dioxide, photosynthetic efficiency and shade tolerance

Net photosynthesis and transpiration of seedlings from shade tolerant, moderately tolerant and intolerant tree species were measured in ambient carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations ranging from 312 to 734 ppm. The species used, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (tolerant), Quercus alba L., Q. rubra L., Liriodendron tulipifera L. (moderately tolerant), Liquidambar styraciflua L. and Pinus taeda L. (intolerant), are found co-occurring in the mixed pine-hardwood forests of the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States. When seedlings were grown in shaded conditions, photosynthetic CO₂ efficiency was significantly different in all species with the highest efficiency in the most shade tolerant species, Fagus grandifolia , and progressively lower efficiencies in moderately tolerant and intolerant species. Photosynthetic CO₂ efficiency was defined as the rate of increase in net photosynthesis with increase in ambient CO₂ concentration. When plants which had grown in a high light environment were tested, the moderately tolerant and intolerant deciduous species had the highest photosynthetic CO₂ efficiencies but this capacity was reduced when these species grew in low light. The lowest CO₂ efficiency and apparent quantum yield occurred in Pinus taeda in all cases. Water use efficiency was higher for all species in enriched CO₂ environments but transpiration rate and leaf conductance were not affected by CO₂ concentration. High photosynthetic CO₂ efficiency may be advantageous for maintaining a positive carbon balance in the low light environment under a forest canopy.     

Photosynthetic and Transpiration Rates of Soybean as Affected by Different Irradiances During Growth

The diurnal variation of net photosynthetic (PN) and transpiration (E) rates in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Fukuyutaka] plants grown under 100, 50, or 25 % of full sun irradiance (I100, I50, I25 plants) were compared. In the morning, activities of the plants were measured at irradiances under which they grew. However, during the afternoon, all the plants were tested under full irradiance. The lower the growth irradiance, the lower PN, E, and mesophyll conductance values were found. Stomatal conductance was considerably lower in I25 plants only. Both the increase in specific leaf area (SLA) and the decrease in nitrogen content per leaf area unit contributed to the PN reduction of soybean plants grown under low irradiances. Though E of the plants grown under different irradiances differed less markedly than PN, the water use efficiency declined from I100 to I25.     

羊草种群对遮荫的适应性生长对策

自20世纪50年代以来,太阳到达整个地球的短波光能辐射量每10年减少2.7％,即“全球变暗”,这会对植物及其所在的生态系统的功能产生影响,然而,目前关于这种影响的研究尚未得出一致的结论.本文利用不同程度的遮荫(0、30％、50％和70％)模拟全球变暗的效应,研究了我国北方草原优势植物羊草的种群密度、形态指标和光合生理等对遮荫的响应.结果表明:遮荫使羊草枝条密度有所降低,枝条高度明显增加,叶面积显著扩大,抽穗枝条比例即抽穗率升高;遮荫使羊草接受到的光合有效辐射显著下降,在0、30％、50％遮荫强度下羊草的气孔导度、光合速率和蒸腾速率仍表现出“午休”现象,而遮荫70％的处理下气孔导度、光合和蒸腾速率在11:00-16:00时间段均高于其他处理,而且光合和蒸腾速率未出现“午休”现象.这种“午休”现象的消失可能是一定程度遮荫或全球变暗导致某些植被系统生产力增加的重要原因之一.为更加准确预测各类生态系统对全球变暗的响应,必须针对更多地域、更多生境、更多类群和更多生育期植物对遮荫的响应开展实验研究,并加以整合和模拟.     

The 'hydrology' of leaves: co-ordination of structure and function in temperate woody species

The hydraulic conductance of the leaf lamina (K_lamina) substantially constrains whole‐plant water transport, but little is known of its association with leaf structure and function. K_lamina was measured for sun and shade leaves of six woody temperate species growing in moist soil, and tested for correlation with the prevailing leaf irradiance, and with 22 other leaf traits. K_lamina varied from 7.40 × 10^?5 kg m^?2 s^?1 MPa^?1 for Acer saccharum shade leaves to 2.89 × 10^?4 kg m^?2 s^?1 MPa^?1 for Vitis labrusca sun leaves. Tree sun leaves had 15–67% higher K_lamina than shade leaves. K_lamina was co‐ordinated with traits associated with high water flux, including leaf irradiance, petiole hydraulic conductance, guard cell length, and stomatal pore area per lamina area. K_lamina was also co‐ordinated with lamina thickness, water storage capacitance, 1/mesophyll water transfer resistance, and, in five of the six species, with lamina perimeter/area. However, for the six species, K_lamina was independent of inter‐related leaf traits including leaf dry mass per area, density, modulus of elasticity, osmotic potential, and cuticular conductance. K_lamina was thus co‐ordinated with structural and functional traits relating to liquid‐phase water transport and to maximum rates of gas exchange, but independent of other traits relating to drought tolerance and to aspects of carbon economy.     

Differences in hydraulic architecture account for near-isohydric and anisohydric behaviour of two field-grown Vitis vinifera L. cultivars during drought

A comparative study on stomatal control under water deficit was conducted on grapevines of the cultivars Grenache, of Mediterranean origin, and Syrah of mesic origin, grown near Montpellier, France and Geisenheim, Germany. Syrah maintained similar maximum stomatal conductance (g_max) and maximum leaf photosynthesis (A_max) values than Grenache at lower predawn leaf water potentials, Ψ_leaf, throughout the season. The Ψ_leaf of Syrah decreased strongly during the day and was lower in stressed than in watered plants, showing anisohydric stomatal behaviour. In contrast, Grenache showed isohydric stomatal behaviour in which Ψ_leaf did not drop significantly below the minimum Ψ_leaf of watered plants. When g was plotted versus leaf specific hydraulic conductance, K_l, incorporating leaf transpiration rate and whole‐plant water potential gradients, previous differences between varieties disappeared both on a seasonal and diurnal scale. This suggested that isohydric and anisohydric behaviour could be regulated by hydraulic conductance. Pressure‐flow measurements on excised organs from plants not previously stressed revealed that Grenache had a two‐ to three‐fold larger hydraulic conductance per unit path length (K_h) and a four‐ to six‐fold larger leaf area specific conductivity (LSC) in leaf petioles than Syrah. Differences between internodes were only apparent for LSC and were much smaller. Cavitation detected as ultrasound acoustic emissions on air‐dried shoots showed higher rates for Grenache than Syrah during the early phases of the dry‐down. It is hypothesized that the differences in water‐conducting capacity of stems and especially petioles may be at the origin of the near‐isohydric and anisohydric behaviour of g.     

低海拔移植对六种杜鹃花幼树叶片功能性状的影响

叶片功能性状被广泛用于表征植物对环境变化的响应与适应。杜鹃花作为重要的园艺和具有生态价值物种;对热的敏感性限制了其在低海拔地区的生存;然而基于功能性状分析杜鹃花如何响应暖化气候诱发的热效应的研究还较少。本研究以四川都江堰地区的6种杜鹃花属幼树为对象;采用低海拔移植的手段;比较了叶片形态（单叶重（LM）、单叶面积（LA）、叶厚（LT）、比叶面积（SLA））、叶干物质含量（LDMC）、养分（叶氮（N）、磷（P）、氮磷比（N/P））和净光合速率（P_n）性状在两个海拔之间的差异。结果表明:（1）高海拔（1800 m）下6种杜鹃花的叶片形态（除比叶面积）、养分（除叶磷）、P_n在物种之间有差异显著;但在低海拔移植（550 m）后;杜鹃花的叶干物质含量和P_n在种间无显著差异。（2）总体上;低海拔移植显著增加了比叶面积、P_n、叶氮和磷含量;减少了单叶重、单叶面积、叶厚和叶干物质含量;且这些性状的响应强度在不同物种间不同。（3）从性状之间的关系来看;高海拔生境下P_n与比叶面积、叶氮含量和氮磷比均呈显著正相关;而低海拔移植后这些关系均不显著。这些结果暗示不同杜鹃花物种对温度升高的敏感性不一致。本研究结果可为理解杜鹃花属植物响应与适应全球气候变暖提供科学依据。