In Vivo Fixation of CO2 by Attached Pods of Brassica campestris L.

In vivo net CO₂ exchange characteristics of attached Brassicapods were studied during the entire period of their growth anddevelopment after anthesis. ¹⁴CO₂ was fed both from the externalatmosphere and internally through the pod cavity, and the anatomyof the pod-wall was examined microscopically. Stomata were observedin the outer epidermal layer of the pod wall. Net in vivo CO₂fixation by the pods was observed throughout the period of theirdevelopment and was maximum on day 42 after anthesis (DAA).Compared to the internal feeding experiments, ¹⁴CO₂ fixationfrom the external environment was very high. Apparent translocationof fixed carbon from the pod wall to seeds was rapid. Pod photosynthesiscontributed substantially to seed growth. pods, Brassica campestris L., CO₂ fixation, stomata