Limitation of net CO2 assimilation rate by internal resistances to CO2 transfer in the leaves of two tree species (Fagus sylvatica L. and Castanea sativa Mill.)

Abstract

ABSTRACTUsing a combination of gas‐exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, low apparent CO2/O2 specificity factors (1300 mol mol−1) were estimated for the leaves of two deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica and Castanea sativa). These low values contrasted with those estimated for two herbaceous species and were ascribed to a drop in the CO2 mole fraction between the intercellular airspace (Ci) and the catalytic site of Rubisco (Cc) due to internal resistances to CO2 transfer. Cc. was calculated assuming a specificity of Rubisco value of 2560 mol mol−1. The drop between Ci and Cc was used to calculate the internal conductance for CO2 (gi). A good correlation between mean values of net CO2 assimilation rate (A) and gi was observed within a set of data obtained using 13 woody plant species, including our own data. We report that the relative limitation of A, which can be ascribed to internal resistances to CO2 transfer, was 24–30%. High internal resistances to CO2 transfer may explain the low apparent maximal rates of carboxylation and electron transport of some woody plant species calculated from A/Ci curves.