Apparatus for the Simultaneous Measurement of Water Vapour and Carbon Dioxide Exchanges of Single Leaves

Equipment is described which delivers air with concentrationsof CO₂ and water vapour closely controlled in the ranges 0 to2500 ppm and 5 to 15 mb respectively, at flow rates of up to10 1 min^-1, to each four leaf chambers. The leaf temperatureis controlled to ±0.5 °C and, with a light intensityof 0.3 cal cm^-2 min^-1 visible radiation (0.4 to 0.7 µm)leaf temperature can be maintained at 17.5 °C.The apparatusused to measure the concentration differences between the watervapour and CO₂ entering and leaving the leaf chamber (used tocalculate transpiration, photosynthetic, and respiration rates)is described in detail.Results of tests, which show the necessityfor mounting a fan within the leaf chamber, are reported.Typicallight- and CO₂-response curves are given for kale leaves (Brassicaoleracca var. acephala) and an attempt is made to quantify theerrors in the measurement of photosynthesis and transpiration.     

Measurement of the rate of CO2 solubilization in leaf tissue 4

A novel method for the measurement of the rate of CO₂ exchangecaused by solubilization and bicarbonate formation in leavesis presented. The method is based on the measurement of changesin O² concentration, caused by the uptake or evolution of CO₂from the gas flow as a result of solubilization in or desolubilizationfrom leaf tissue, by means of a zirconium-oxide O₂ analyser.The advantages of the new method are a fast response and a lackof interference by the CO₂ contained in the leaf chamber andleaf intercellular spaces. The method can be used for the investigationof the kinetics of CO₂ transport from leaf intercellular spacesto chloroplasts and the role of carbonic anhydrase in this transportand the investigation of mechanistic and ecological aspectsof buffering, proton translocation and other processes controllingpH in chloroplasts of intact leaves. Key words: Leaf, carbon dioxide, pH.     

Elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, litter chemistry,and decomposition: a synthesis

The results of published and unpublished experiments investigating the impacts of elevated [CO₂] on the chemistry of leaf litter and decomposition of plant tissues are summarized. The data do not support the hypothesis that changes in leaf litter chemistry often associated with growing plants under elevated [CO₂] have an impact on decomposition processes. A meta-analysis of data from naturally senesced leaves in field experiments showed that the nitrogen (N) concentration in leaf litter was 7.1% lower in elevated [CO₂] compared to that in ambient [CO₂]. This statistically significant difference was: (1) usually not significant in individual experiments, (2) much less than that often observed in green leaves, and (3) less in leaves with an N concentration indicative of complete N resorption. Under ideal conditions, the efficiency with which N is resorbed during leaf senescence was found not to be altered by CO₂ enrichment, but other environmental influences on resorption inevitably increase the variability in litter N concentration. Nevertheless, the small but consistent decline in leaf litter N concentration in many experiments, coupled with a 6.5% increase in lignin concentration, would be predicted to result in a slower decomposition rate in CO₂-enriched litter. However, across the assembled data base, neither mass loss nor respiration rates from litter produced in elevated [CO₂] showed any consistent pattern or differences from litter grown in ambient [CO₂]. The effects of [CO₂] on litter chemistry or decomposition were usually smallest under experimental conditions similar to natural field conditions, including open-field exposure, plants free-rooted in the ground, and complete senescence. It is concluded that any changes in decomposition rates resulting from exposure of plants to elevated [CO₂] are small when compared to other potential impacts of elevated [CO₂] on carbon and N cycling. Reasons for experimental differences are considered, and recommendations for the design and execution of decomposition experiments using materials from CO₂-enrichment experiments are outlined.     

Effect of elevated CO2 and nutrient status on growth, dry matter partitioning and nutrient content of Poa alpina var. vivipara L.

Poa alpina var. vivipara L. was grown in an atmosphere containingeither 340 or 680 µmol CO₂ mol^–1 within controlledenvironment chambers. The available nutrient regime was variedby altering the supply of nitrogen and phosphorus within a completenutrient solution. At a high, but not low, N and P supply regime,elevated CO₂ markedly increased growth. Differences betweennutrient supply, but not atmospheric CO₂ concentration, alteredthe allometric relations between root and shoot. Net photosynthesisof mature leaf blades and leaf N and P concentration were reducedin plants grown at the elevated CO₂ concentration. The question was asked: is it possible to ascribe all of theseeffects to elevated CO₂ or are some due to nutrient deficiencycaused by dilution with excess carbon? Several criteria, includingthe nutrient content of sink tissue, root:shoot allometry andthe use of divalent cations to estimate integrated water flowsare suggested in order to make this distinction. It is concludedthat only at a low supply of N and P₁ and elevated CO₂ concentration,was low leaf N concentration due to induced nutrient deficiency.The data are consistent with a model where the capacity of sinksto use photosynthetically assimilated carbon sets both the rateof import into those sinks (and thus rate of export from sourceleaves) and the rate of photosynthesis of source leaves themselves. Key words: Poa alpina L., growth, photosynthesis, carbohydrate, export, nitrogen, phosphorus     

CO2Effects on Phasic Development, Leaf Number and Rate of Leaf Appearance in Wheat

It has been predicted that the concentration of CO₂in the aircould double during the 21st century. Though it is recognizedthat CO₂-doubling could increase yield through its effects onplant photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour, it is unclear whetherCO₂-doubling will change phasic development in wheat. A phytotronstudy was conducted with two contrasting cultivars of wheat,Condor (spring) and Cappelle Desprez (winter), to determinewhether development is affected by a season-long exposure to360 and 720 ppmv CO₂. Plants were vernalized for 50 d (8/4 °C,8 h photoperiod) before their exposure to the CO₂treatments. There were significant differences between cultivars in theduration of different phenophases as well as in the final numberof leaves. However, CO₂concentration had no effect in eithercultivar on the duration of the early developmental phase toterminal spikelet initiation, or on the final number of leaves,though CO₂-doubling did slightly increase the later phase fromterminal spikelet initiation to heading in Cappelle Desprez.Condor and Cappelle Desprez also differed markedly in the dynamicsof leaf appearance. While the former had a constant rate ofleaf appearance throughout development, the latter had a fastrate initially (between leaves 1 and 7), similar to that ofCondor, which was followed by a slower rate after the appearanceof leaf 7. Overall, CO₂-doubling did not significantly affectthe rates of leaf appearance nor the shape of the relationship.Phyllochron for the first seven leaves was the same for bothCO₂concentrations. However, the change in phyllochron associatedwith CO₂-doubling for leaves 7–12 in Cappelle Desprez,although quite small (4%), accounts for part of the slightlyincreased duration of the phase from terminal spikelet initiationto heading under high CO₂concentration in that cultivar. Weconclude that CO₂concentration does not influence developmentin wheat to a degree relevant to agronomy. Carbon dioxide; climatic change; development; leaf number; phyllochron     

The Effects of CO2 Enrichment and Nutrient Supply on Growth Morphology and Anatomy of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Seedlings

Plants of Phaseolus vulgaris were grown from seed in open-topgrowth chambers at the present (P, 350 µmol mol^–1)atmospheric CO₂ concentration and at an elevated (E, 700 µmolmol^–1) CO₂ concentration, and at low (L, without additionalnutrient solution) and high (H, with additional nutrient solution)nutrient supply for 28 d The effects of CO₂ and nutrient availabilitywere examined on growth, morphological and biochemical characteristics Leaf area and dry mass were significantly increased by CO₂ enrichmentand by high nutrient supply Stomatal density, stomatal indexand epidermal cell density were not affected by elevated CO₂concentration or by nutrient supply Leaf thickness respondedpositively to CO₂ increasing particularly in mesophyll areaas a result of cell enlargement Intercellular air spaces inthe mesophyll decreased slightly in plants grown in elevatedCO₂ Leaf chlorophyll content per unit area or dry mass was significantlylower in elevated CO₂ grown plants and increased significantlywith increasing nutrient availability The content of reducingcarbohydrates of leaves, stem, and roots was not affected byCO₂ but was significantly increased by nutrient addition inall plant parts Starch content in leaves and stem was significantlyincreased by elevated CO₂ concentration and by high nutrientsupply Phaseolus vulgaris, elevated atmospheric CO₂, CO₂-nutrient interaction, stomatal density, leaf anatomy, chlorophyll, carbohydrates, starch     

The Supply of Air to Leaves in Assimilation Chambers

Factors affecting the supply of air to leaves enclosed in assimilationchambers have been studied using models and leaves of appleand plum. The rate of CO₂ assimilation of a leaf does not increaselinearly with increasing rate of air flow. Explanations of thisand other observations are put forward in terms of the boundary-layerconcept and diffusion paths. Comparisons are made with free-airconditions, and it is concluded that air should be suppliedat the same rate (ml/min) for leaves of different size in thesame chamber. Three cup designs were also studied. A methodis described for making valid comparisons of assimilation ratesper unit area by extrapolation to an infinitely high rate ofair flow. Measurements of different sized leaves with chambersand cups can be compared in this way. Rates expressed per unitarea can be correctly compared only if the resistance to diffusionoutside the leaf is negligible, or under special conditions.Assimilation rates measured with rates of air flow giving CO₂availability equivalent to that occurring in static free airshould be expressed per unit perimeter. Methods of correctionof assimilation rates for the depletion of carbon dioxide fromthe air stream are considered.     

The Pathway of Assimilate Flow from Source to Sink in Urtica dioica L., Studied with14C under Ambient Atmospheric Conditions

The contribution of individual vascular bundles of the stemto the flow of assimilates from a selected source leaf to thesink regions was investigated inUrtica dioica L., a plant witha decussate leaf arrangement. Two homologous sets of eight vascularstrands were recognized, arranged in mirror symmetry in thestem internodes. In each set, three of the bundles were identifiedas traces of one leaf merging into the vascular system of thestem one node below the origin of the leaf. The main bundleof a stem-half bifurcates at each end of the internode intotwo subdominant bundles, which combine in the next but one nodeto form the dominant bundle again. Each set of vascular strandsalso contains two minor bundles which pass more or less withoutinterruption through the whole stem. The uppermost mature source leaf (leaf number 5 as counted fromthe tip) was exposed to¹⁴CO₂in a closed gas circuit. The concentrationof the carbon-labelled CO₂was maintained at the ambient CO₂levelto maintain the natural source strength of the leaf. By theend of the usual nocturnal dark phase, carbon from the sourceleaf had been imported predominantly by sink leaves of the sameorthostichy. Lesser, but significant amounts of radiocarbonwere also incorporated into the sink leaves of the adjacenttwo orthostichies via the marginal leaf traces. In spite ofthe junction of the vascular strands in the nodes and an interfascicularconnection of the stem bundles, randomization of the photosynthatesfrom individual leaves was minimal in the vascular system ofthe stem in the upward direction, and also low in the flux tothe roots. Substantial amounts of radioactivity were also foundin the lately-formed xylem elements of the vascular strandsand their interfascicular connections, indicating active secondarygrowth. Assimilate distribution; source–sink connections; Urtica dioica ; vascular architecture     

Growth and Physiology of One-year old Poplar (Populus) Under Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Levels

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on theecophysiological responses (gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence,Rubisco activity, leaf area development) as well as on the growthand biomass production of two poplar clones (i.e. Populus trichocarpax P. deltoides clone Beaupré and P. x euramericana cloneRobusta) were examined under open top chamber conditions. Theelevated CO₂ treatment (ambient + 350 µmol mol^-1) stimulatedabove-ground biomass of clones Robusta and Beaupré afterthe first growing season by 55 and 38%, respectively. This increasedbiomass production under elevated CO₂ was associated with asignificant increase in plant height, the latter being the resultof enhanced internode elongation rather than an increased productionof leaves or internodes. Both an increased leaf area index (LAI)and a stimulated net photosynthesis per unit leaf contributedto a significantly higher stem biomass per unit leaf area, andthus to the increased above-ground biomass production underthe elevated CO₂ concentrations in both clones. The larger LAIwas caused by a larger individual leaf size and leaf growthrate; the number of leaves was not altered by the elevated CO₂treatment. The higher net leaf photosynthesis was the resultof an increase in the photochemical (maximal chlorophyll fluorescenceFm and photochemical efficiency Fv/Fm) as well as in the biochemical(increased Rubisco activity) process capacities. No significantdifferences were found in dark respiration rate, neither betweenclones nor between treatments, but specific leaf area significantlydecreased under elevated CO₂ conditions.Copyright 1995, 1999Academic Press Biomass, chlorophyll a fluorescence, elevated CO₂, growth, Populus, poplar, photosynthesis, respiration, Rubisco     

The Effect of Changing Sowing Date on Leaf Structure and Gas Exchange Characteristics of Wheat Flag Leaves Grown under Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Comparisons of leaf structure and gas exchange characteristicshave been made between flag leaves of four old genotypes ofcultivated tetraploid wheats and three current varieties ofhexaploid Triticum aestivum grown under Mediterranean climateconditions. For some genotypes the effect of varying the sowingdate was investigated. In the hexaploid wheat Kolibri the effectof sowing date on leaf structure and gas exchange of the penultimateleaf was also studied. Flag leaves differed significantly in photosynthetic capacityand leaf structure characteristics between genotypes, withineach ploidy level. When the mean values for each ploidy levelwere considered, there were no significant differences in valuesfor photosynthesis per unit leaf area, stomatal conductance,intercellular CO₂ concentration, residual CO₂ conductance andwater-use efficiency between the tetraploid and hexaploid wheatssown on the same date. When comparisons were made of leaf structurethe only significant differences observed were in adaxial andabaxial stomatal frequencies and leaf area: mean values of theseparameters were higher in tetraploid than in hexaploid wheats. The changes in leaf structure in response to varying sowingdate were significant and followed the same pattern in all thegenotypes studied: a xeromorphic adaptation was observed inlater sowings in response to warmer climate. Such structuralchanges affected some gas exchange characteristics. For example,the area of flag leaves decreased by 60% in the hexaploid wheatKolibri from first to last sowing, which led to a transpirativeloss of 49% per single leaf, in spite of the fact that transpirationrate per unit leaf area increased by 26%. Penultimate leavesof cv. Kolibri followed a fairly similar adaptive pattern inlater sowings as compared with flag leaves. The adaptive significanceof changes in leaf structure and gas exchange characteristicswith varying sowing date under Mediterranean climate conditionsis discussed. Key words: Photosynthesis, leaf structure, wheat     

A Battery-Operated Instrument for Non-destructive Measurements of Photosynthesis and Transpiration of Ears and Leaves of Cereals using 14CO2 and a Lithium Chloride Hygrometer

The design and evaluation of a battery-operated cuvette suitablefor non-destructive measurements of photosynthesis and transpirationin the field are described. The ear or leaf of wheat was sealedin a clear acrylic tube of 2 cm diameter and ¹⁴CO₂-enrichedair was circulated in the closed system which had a total volumeof 1.17 x 10^–3 m³; a boundary layer conductance of 5.2cm s^–1 was measured with an ear in the tube. Photosynthesiswas calculated from the decrease in activity of 2.5 cm3 samplesof air taken from the chamber at 15, 60, 120, and 180 s afterassimilation began. The gas samples were injected into scintillationvials containing 0.5 cm³ of strong base and subsequently countedin a scintillation counter. Transpiration was calculated fromthe time required to increase the humidity of the circulatinggas by a known amount as measured by a lithium chloride hygrometer.The cuvette was flushed between measurements and recharged froma cylinder of air enriched with ¹⁴CO₂; ten measurements an hourwere possible with two operators. Comparisons between the lossin activity of the gas samples and the activity gained by astainless steel mesh saturated with strong base, or activityextracted from exposed leaves, indicated the method of gas-samplingwas sensitive, reproducible, and accurate. Transpiration ofears of wheat measured with the lithium chloride hygrometerin the closed cuvette gave comparable values to those obtainedwhen the same ears were measured in an open system with a dewpointhygrometer. Formulae for calculating photosynthesis and transpirationare given.     

Effects of Different CO2 Environments on the Photosynthesis-Yield Relationship and the Carbon and Water Balance of a White Clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Blanca) Sward

Effects of atmospheric CO₂ enrichment to a level above 600 parts10^–6 on leaf and canopy gas exchange characteristics wereinvestigated in Trifolium repens, using an open system for gasexchange measurement. The cuvettes of the system served as growthchambers, allowing continuous measurement in a semi-controlledenvironment of ±350 and ±600 parts 10^–6CO₂, respectively. Carbon balance data were compared with cropyield and effects on the canopy level were compared with measuredleaf responses of photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour. Photosyntheticstimulation by high CO₂ was stronger at the canopy level (103%on average) than for leaves (90% in full light), as a consequenceof accelerated foliage area development. The latter increasedabsolute water consumption by 16%, despite strong stomatal closure.The overall result was a 63% improvement in canopy water useefficiency (WUE), while leaf WVE increased almost 3-fold insaturating light. The stomatal response was such that, whilethe internal CO₂ concentration in the leaf, ch increased withrising atmospherical CO₂ concentration, c_a, ci/c_a was somewhatdecreased. Total canopy resistance, R_c, was generally lowerat high CO₂ levels, despite higher leaf resistance. Higher canopyCO₂ loss at night and faster light extinction in a larger-sizedhigh CO₂ canopy were major drawbacks which prevented a furtherincrease in dry matter production (the harvest index was increasedby a factor 1.83). Key words: CO₂ enrichment, canopy CO₂ exchange, carbon balance, water use efficiency, leaf and canopy resistance     

A Handpiece for the Simultaneous Measurement of Photosynthetic Rate and Leaf Diffusive Conductance: I. DESIGN

The design and construction of a handpiece for the simultaneousmeasurement of photosynthetic rate and diffusive conductanceof cereal leaves in almost natural conditions in the field isdescribed. Photosynthetic rate is found from the assimilationof ¹⁴CO₂ by part of the leaf which is temporarily enclosed ina small hand-held chamber. This chamber also acts as a stirred,steady-state water vapour diffusion porometer, allowing thesimultaneous measurement of relative humidity from which theleaf diffusive conductance is estimated. The instrument alsomeasures the leaf and air temperatures and incident photon fluxdensity. The important criteria of the performance of such ahandpiece are discussed, and the sensors which measure the physicalvariables of humidity, temperature, and photon flux densityare described. An automatic sequencing system built from logiccircuits which displays the measured values of these variablesand times the operations is also described.     

Response of Photosynthesis, Stomatal Conductance and Water Use Efficiency to Elevated CO2 and Nutrient Supply in Acclimated Seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L were grown from seed in open-topgrowth chambers at present day (350 µmol mol^–1)and double the present day (700 µmol mol^–1) atmosphericCO₂ concentration with either low (L, without additional nutrientsolution) or relatively high (H, with additional nutrient solution)nutrient supply Measurements of assimilation rate, stomatalconductance and water use efficiency were started 17 d aftersowing on each fully expanded, primary leaf of three plantsper treatment Measurements were made in external CO₂ concentrations(C₂) of 200, 350, 450, 550 and 700 µmol mol^–1 andrelated to both C_a and to C₁, the mean intercellular space CO₂concentration Fully adjusted, steady state measurements weremade after approx 2 h equilibration at each CO₂ concentration The rate of CO₂ assimilation by leaves increased and stomatalconductance decreased similarly over the range of C_a or C₁ inall four CO₂ and nutrient supply treatments but both assimilationrate and stomatal conductance were higher in the high nutrientsupply treatment than in the low nutrient treatment The relationbetween assimilation rate or stomatal conductance and C₁ wasnot significantly different amongst plants grown in present-dayor elevated CO₂ concentration in either nutrient supply treatment,i e there was no evidence of down regulation of photosynthesisor stomatal response Increase in CO₂ concentration from 350to 700 µmol mol^–1 doubled water use efficiency ofindividual leaves in the high nutrient supply treatment andtripled water use efficiency in the low nutrient supply treatment The results support the hypothesis that acclimation phenomenaresult from unbalanced growth that occurs after the seed reservesare exhausted, when the supply of resources becomes growth limiting CO₂ enrichment, Phaseolus vulgaris L., net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency     

A CO2 Concentrating System in Leaves of Higher C3-Plants Predicted by a Model Based on RuBP Carboxylase/Oxygenase Kinetics and 14CO2/12CO2 Exchange

Mächler, F., Lehnherr, B., Schnyder, H. and Nösberger,J. 1985. A CO₂ concentrating system in leaves of higher C₃-plantspredicted by a model based on RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase kineticsand ¹⁴CO₂/¹²CO₂ exchange.–J. exp. Bot. 36: 1542–1550. A model is presented which compares the ratio of the two activitiesof the enzyme nbulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase asdetermined in vitro with the ratio of photosynthesis to photorespirationin leaves as determined from differential ¹⁴CO₂/¹²CO₂ uptakeor from CO₂ compensation concentration. Discrepancies betweenmeasurements made in vitro and in vivo are attributed to theeffect of a CO₂ concentrating system in the leaf cells. Interferencefrom dark respiration is discussed. A CO₂ concentrating systemis postulated which is efficient mainly at low temperature andlow CO₂ concentration. Key words: —Photosynthesis, photorespiration, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase     

Photosynthesis by Flag Leaves of Wheat in Relation to Protein, Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase Activity and Nitrogen Supply

The effects of nitrate supply on the composition (cell numbers,protein and chlorophyll contents) of flag leaves of winter wheatgrown with two amounts of N fertilizer and of spring wheat grownin the glasshouse under controlled nitrate supply are describedand related to photosynthesis. Nitrogen deficiency decreasedthe size of leaves, mainly by reducing cell number and, to asmaller extent, by decreasing cell volume. Protein content perunit leaf area, per cell and per unit cell volume was largerwith abundant N. Total soluble protein, ribulose bisphosphatecarboxylase-oxygenase (RuBPc-o) protein and chlorophyll changedin proportion irrespective of nitrogen supply and leaf age.Photosynthesis per unit area of flag leaf and carboxylationefficiency in both winter and spring wheat were proportionalto the amount of total soluble protein up to 7.0 g m^–2and to the amount of RuBPc-o protein up to 4.0 g m^–2.However, photosynthesis did not increase in proportion to theamount of total soluble or RuBPc-o protein above these amounts.In young leaves with a high protein content the measured ratesof photosynthesis were lower than expected from the amount andactivity of RuBPc-o. Carboxylation per unit of RuBPc-o protein,measured in vitro, was slightly greater in N-deficient leavesof winter wheat but not of spring wheat. RuBPc-o activity perunit of RuBPc-o protein was similar in winter and spring wheatleaves and remained approximately constant with age, but increasedin leaves showing advanced senescence. RuBPc-o protein fromN-deficient leaves migrated faster on polyacrylamide gels thanprotein from leaves with high N content. Regulation of the rateof photosynthesis in leaves and chloroplasts with a high proteincontent is discussed. The conductance of the cell to the fluxof CO₂ from intercellular spaces to RuBPc-o active sites iscalculated, from cell surface areas and CO₂ fluxes, to decreasethe CO₂ partial pressure at the active site by less than 0.8Pa at an internal CO₂ partial pressure of 34 Pa. Thus the decreasein partial pressure of CO₂ is insufficient to account for theinefficiency of RuBPc-o in vivo at high protein contents. Otherlimitations to the rate of photosynthesis are considered. Key words: Wheat, photosynthesis, nitrogen, ribulose, bisphosphate carboxylase     

Effect of Elevated CO2 on the Photosynthesis, Respiration and Growth of Perennial Ryegrass

Single, seed-grown plants of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv.Melle) were grown for 49 d from the early seedling stage ingrowth cabinets at a day/night temperature of 20/15 C, witha 12 h photoperiod, and a CO₂ concentration of either 340 or680µI 1^–1 CO₂. Following complete acclimation tothe environmental regimes, leaf and whole plant CO₂ effluxesand influxes were measured using infra-red gas analysis techniques.Elevated CO₂ increased rates of photosynthesis of young, fullyexpanded leaves by 35–46% and of whole plants by morethan 50%. For both leaves and whole plants acclimation to 680µI^–1 CO₂ reduced rates of photosynthesis in bothCO₂ regimes, compared with plants acclimated to 340µll^–1. There was no significant effect of CO₂ regime onrespiration rates of either leaves or whole plants, althoughleaves developed in elevated CO₂ exhibited generally lower ratesthan those developed in 340µI I^–1 CO₂. Initially the seedling plants in elevated CO₂ grew faster thantheir counterparts in 340µI I^–1 CO₂, but this effectquickly petered out and final plant weights differed by onlyc. 10%. Since the total area of expanded and unexpanded laminaewas unaffected by CO₂ regime, specific leaf area was persistently13–40% lower in elevated CO₂ while, similarly, root/shootratio was also reduced throughout the experiment. Elevated CO₂reduced tissue nitrogen contents of expanded leaves, but hadno effect on the nitrogen contents of unexpanded leaves, sheathsor roots. The lack of a pronounced effect of elevated CO₂ on plant growthwas primarily due to the fact that CO₂ concentration did notinfluence tiller (branch) numbers. In the absence of an effecton tiller numbers, any possible weight increment was restrictedto the c. 2.5 leaves of each tiller. The reason for the lackof an effect on tillering is not known. Key words: Lolium perenne, ryegrass, elevated CO₂, photosynthesis, respiration, growth, development     

不同碱度条件下中华水韭昼夜CO2气体交换的特征

 运用pH-drift的方法研究了在不同碱度条件下中华水韭(Isoetes sinensis)的沉水叶片昼夜CO₂吸收的特征。结果表明中华水韭的沉水叶片具有昼夜吸收水中CO₂的能力, 而不具备利用水中的HCO ₃^–的能力, 进一步证明了水生植物中华水韭的光合碳同化途径具有景天酸代谢(CAM)的特征。中华水韭沉水叶片光照条件下对水中CO₂的吸收速率在一定的浓度范围内正相关于水中的CO₂浓度。光照条件下, 中华水韭的pH-drift实验的pH补偿点分别为(8.1±0.3)和(7.9±0.1) mmol·L^–1, 最终[CT]/Alk值为(1.009±0.01)和(1.022±0.004)。碱度对中华水韭夜晚CO2的吸收速率有显著的影响(F = 38.73, p < 0.000 1)。总碱度1.70 mmol·L^–1溶液中的中华水韭沉水叶片在相对较低的CO₂浓度(0.04±0.001 mmol·L^–1)水平下即表现出对CO₂的净吸收。调查了野外一处中华水韭沉水种群的生境pH值及CO₂浓度的昼夜变化, 发现水体碱度约为1.59 mmol·L^–1, 一昼夜的pH值波动不大, 平均为(6.1±0.04), 昼夜CO₂浓度存在波动, 午夜水中的CO₂浓度是午后的近3倍。     

Carbon and Nitrogen Sources for Protein Synthesis and Growth of Sugar-beet Leaves

Protein synthesis in very young leaves utilizes carbon fromphotosynthesis and from translocated sucrose, and nitrogen translocatedin both xylem and phloem. The carbon of young leaf protein isderived mainly from assimilated CO₂, while translocated sucrosecontributes proportionately more of its carbon to insolublecarbohydrate. Most protein amino-acids become labelled from¹⁴CO₂, glutamate being the notable exception. Glutamine or glutamateis synthesized from sucrose in roots, and is translocated toyoung leaves. It is suggested that a small but significant proportionof the nitrogen requirement of the young leaf is translocatedfrom roots as glutamine, in the phloem. Inorganic nitrogen istranslocated in xylem.     

Ethylene Exchange in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Leaves During Short- and Long-Term Exposures to CO2

The effects of long-term and transient exposure to elevatedCO₂ concentrations on photosynthetic gas exchange and ethylenerelease by tomato leaves were investigated. The net CO₂ assimilationrate was enhanced when leaf tissue grown at ambient (35 Pa CO₂)levels was assayed at 100 Pa CO₂. Leaf tissue grown at high(130 Pa) CO₂ exhibited a lower net CO₂ assimilation rate athigh CO₂ levels than leaf tissue grown at ambient (35 Pa) CO₂.This decrease in CO₂ exchange rate in response to growth athigh CO₂ is typical of C₃ species. Rates of endogenous and 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylicacid (ACC)-stimulated ethylene release from leaf tissue wereenhanced by exposure to elevated CO₂ levels whether the leaftissue had been grown at ambient or enriched CO₂ levels. Thedata demonstrate that CO₂ enhanced C₂H₄ release from leaf tissuein response to both short-term perturbations in CO₂ concentrationand long-term growth and development under high CO₂. Prolongedgrowth at elevated CO₂ concentrations induced a higher endogenousrate of C₂H₄ release relative to that of leaf tissue grown atlower CO₂ levels. Leaf tissue from all leaf positions of plantsgrown at high CO₂ consistently evolved more C₂H₄ than correspondingtissue from ambient-grown plants when assayed under standardizedconditions. Endogenous (ACC) tissue contents and rates of ACC-stimulatedethylene release were also higher at all leaf positions in CO₂-enrichedtissue. Thus the higher rates appeared to be due to both higherendogenous precursor (ACC) levels in the tissue and greaterACC to C₂H₄ conversion capacity. Growth at elevated CO₂ levelsresulted in a persistent increase in the rate of endogenousC₂H₄ release in leaf tissue. The capacity for increased ethylenerelease in response to CO2 did not decline after prolonged growthat high CO₂. Key words: CO₂enrichment, ethylene, leaves, tomato