Abstract
Microstegium vimineum, a C 4 plant of the family Poaceae, is shown to be extremely adaptable to growing under shade conditions. The capacity for dry matter production of the species was similar from 18% to 100% full sunlight. Even at 5% full sunlight substantial growth occurred (17% of that at full sunlight). In comparison, growth of the C 4 species Digitaria sanguinalis and Sporobolus airoides declined rapidly below full sunlight with no growth occurring at 5% full sunlight. A number of measurements on leaves of M. vimineum grown under 5% of full sunlight versus full sunlight reflects the ability of this species to adapt to low light. Under low light there was a 2-fold increase in leaf area per leaf with an approx. 2-fold decrease in leaf thickness. The soluble protein/ chlorophyll ratio increased about 3.5-fold in the low light-grown plants due to an increase in chlorophyll/leaf area and a decrease in soluble protein/leaf area. Under both light regimes the plants had Kranz anatomy and high levels of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase which are known features of C 4 plants. The results indicate that there are no inherent limitations in the C 4 mechanism or in the efficiency of energy utilization for carbon assimilation which prevents C 4 plants from adapting to low light conditions.
Published Version
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