Seasonal Trends in Rates of Photosynthesis and Respiration of Loblolly Pine and White Pine Seedlings

Abstract

McGregor, William H. Davis (Clemson Coll., Clemson, S.C.), and Paul J. Kramer. Seasonal trends in rates of photosynthesis and respiration of loblolly pine and white pine seedlings. Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(8): 760–765. Illus. 1963.—Seasonal trends in the rates of photosynthesis and respiration of potted loblolly and white pine seedlings were studied by measuring CO2 exchange with an infra-red gas analyzer at intervals during a year. The seedlings were kept out-of-doors, but measurements were made indoors at 25 C and 4000 ft-c of light. Beginning in February, the rate of photosynthesis per plant of both species increased, reaching a peak in mid-September for loblolly pine and in mid-July for white pine and then declining rapidly after mid-September for both species. The spring increase began before new needles emerged and the autumn decline was not accompanied by appreciable loss of foliage. The respiration rate of loblolly pine increased steadily throughout the year. Respiration of white pine increased until mid-May and then remained fairly constant through the remainder of the year. Maximum rate of photosynthesis per unit of fascicle length occurred in July for the white pine and in May for the loblolly pine, and rates declined after September in both species. Respiration rate per unit of fascicle length showed a marked increase as spring growth began in April, then decreased to a minimum in September and increased during the winter in both species. Total chlorophyll per seedling reached a maximum in September for both species and declined slightly during winter. Total chlorophyll per unit of fascicle length increased in the spring, declined slightly in midseason, and increased again in September. Photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll reached a maximum in May for loblolly pine and in July for white pine. Stem elongation of white pine was 88% completed by May 15. On the same date, stem elongation of loblolly pine was only 42% completed.