Photosynthesis in leaf disks as a measure of photosynthetic capacity in crop plants

Abstract

In a previous communication (Bartoš, Kubín andŠetlík 1960) a method was reported, which makes it possible to measure the average rate of photosynthesis in a representative sample of a large number of leaves. The sampling is made by cutting out disks of leaf tissue, following a definite pattern. Isolated leaf disks are then illuminated under controlled conditions and the rate of photosynthesis is estimated by weighing the increment of dry matter in a given time interval. Data published in the present paper demonstrate that this method can be successfully used for a characterisation of photosynthetic capacity (specific rate of photosynthesis, seeBartoš, Kubín andŠetlík 1960). Both specific values for individual plants and average values for homogenous plant populations may be estimated with very good accuracy. One of the chief factors which render this possible is obviously the surprising homogeneity of the photosynthetic tissue of leaves. Samples of very small size may serve as representative of a large total leaf area, e.g. of a population under field conditions. Preliminary results of comparative investigations suggest that, with the plant varieties examined, differences in photosynthetic capacity are not very great, both between and within populations of diverse varieties. Differences as large as 50% have been encountered so far solely between values of photosynthetic capacity estimated for individual plants in a population. On the other hand, values of average photosynthetic capacity in populations of crop plant varieties within one species or genus are, as a rule, not very distinct and quite often no statistically significant difference can be demonstrated in such cases. Even if the varieties belong to different genera, differences in photosynthetic capacity in their populations greater than some 50% have been found only as an exception. In considering all these results one important fact must be taken into account, i.e. the intensity of illumination in the apparatus. Contrary to what was intended and awaited, the radiation intensity used was not high enough to saturate photosynthesis in leaf disks. The light dependence of photosynthesis in isolated portions of leaf tissue apparently has a somewhat different character from that usually assumed for intact leaves of higher plants.