Oxygen Inhibition of Photosynthesis

Abstract

The magnitude of the percentage inhibition of photosynthesis by atmospheric levels of O(2) in the C(3) species Solanum tuberosum L., Medicago sativa L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Glycine max L., and Triticum aestivum L. increases in a similar manner with an increase in the apparent solubility ratio of O(2)/CO(2) in the leaf over a range of solubility ratios from 25 to 45. The solubility ratio is based on calculated levels of O(2) and CO(2) in the intercellular spaces of leaves as derived from whole leaf measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration. The solubility ratio of O(2)/CO(2) can be increased by increased leaf temperature under constant atmospheric levels of O(2) and CO(2) (since O(2) is relatively more soluble than CO(2) with increasing temperature); by increasing the relative levels of O(2)/CO(2) in the atmosphere at a given leaf temperature, or by increased stomatal resistance. If the solubility ratio of O(2)/CO(2) is kept constant, as leaf temperature is increased, by varying the levels of O(2) or CO(2) in the atmosphere, then the percentage inhibition of photosynthesis by O(2) is similar. The decreased solubility of CO(2) relative to O(2) (decreased CO(2)/O(2) ratio) may be partly responsible for the increased percentage inhibition of photosynthesis by O(2) under atmospheric conditions with increasing temperature.