The interplay of short-term mesophyll and stomatal conductance responses under variable environmental conditions.

Abstract

Understanding the short-term responses of mesophyll conductance (gm ) and stomatal conductance (gsc ) to environmental changes remains a challenging yet central aspect of plant physiology. This review synthesises our current knowledge of these short-term responses, which underpin CO2 diffusion within leaves. Recent methodological advances in measuring gm using online isotopic discrimination and chlorophyll fluorescence have improved our confidence in detecting short-term gm responses, but results need to be carefully evaluated. Environmental factors like vapour pressure deficit and CO2 concentration indirectly impact gm through gsc changes, highlighting some of the complex interactions between the two parameters. Evidence suggests that short-term responses of gm are not, or at least not fully, mechanistically linked to changes in gsc , cautioning against using gsc as a reliable proxy for gm . The overarching challenge lies in unravelling the mechanistic basis of short-term gm responses, which will contribute to the development of accurate models bridging laboratory insights with broader ecological implications. Addressing these gaps in understanding is crucial for refining predictions of gm behaviour under changing environmental conditions.