Photosynthetic Responses to Light in an Understory Herb, Aster acuminatus

Abstract

Previous studies of the understory herb, Aster acuminatus, have shown that variation among natural patches in ramet growth, reproduction and population dynamics reflects environmentally induced responses to differences in patch light regimes. This set of experiments was undertaken to determine if photosynthetic responses to variation in light could provide a physiological explanation for the observed differences among patches. Ramets were raised in pots under different light regimes in either the field or growth chambers and then were taken to the lab for analyses of photosynthetic light responses. Ramets acclimated to the light conditions they experienced. Low-light plants had lower maximum photosynthetic rates, light saturation points and light compensation points compared to high-light plants. These differences were more pronounced for growth chamber-grown plants than for those from the field. Differences between ramets grown in deep shade and partial sun in the field were greatest early in the season and then became less as photosynthetic rates for all plants declined. Photosynthetic rates were strongly correlated with leaf nitrogen level, and there was no evidence that nitrogen was any more limiting for one treatment compared to others. These results demonstrate a physiological basis for patch differences in growth, reproduction and dynamics.