Role of corticular photosynthesis following defoliation in Eucalyptus globulus |
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Authors: | ALIETA EYLES ELIZABETH A PINKARD ANTHONY P O'GRADY DALE WORLEDGE & CHARLES R WARREN |
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Institution: | Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, Private Bag 12, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia,;Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 12, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia,;CSIRO-Sustainable Ecosystems, Private Bag 12, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia,;School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia and;School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia |
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Abstract: | Defoliation can reduce net fixation of atmospheric CO2 by the canopy, but increase the intensity and duration of photosynthetically active radiation on stems. Stem CO2 flux and leaf gas exchange in young Eucalyptus globulus seedlings were measured to assess the impact of defoliation on these processes and to determine the potential contribution of re-fixation by photosynthetic inner bark in offsetting the effects of defoliation in a woody species. Pot and field trials examined how artificial defoliation of the canopy affected the photosynthetic characteristics of main stems of young Eucalyptus globulus seedlings. Defoliated potted seedlings were characterized by transient increases in foliar photosynthetic rates and concomitant decreases in stem CO2 fluxes (both in the dark and light). Defoliated field-grown seedlings showed similar stem CO2 flux responses, but of reduced magnitude. Despite demonstrating increased re-fixation capability, defoliated potted-seedlings had slowed stem growth. The green stem of seedlings exhibited largely shade-adapted characteristics. Defoliation reduced stem chlorophyll a/b ratio and increased carotenoid concentration. An increased capacity to re-fix internally respired CO2 (up to 96%) suggested that stem re-fixation represents a previously unexplored mechanism to minimize the impact of foliar loss by maximizing the contribution of all photosynthetic tissues, particularly for young seedlings. |
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Keywords: | carbon budget carbohydrates carotenoids chlorophyll CO2 fixation defoliation light-saturated photosynthesis stem CO2 flux |
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