Leaf Photosynthetic Light Response Research Articles

Interactive effect of branch source-sink ratio and leaf aging on photosynthesis in pistachio.

Tree source-sink ratio has a predominant and complex impact on tree performance and can affect multiple physiological processes including vegetative and reproductive growth, water and nutrient use, photosynthesis, and productivity. In this study, we manipulated the branch level source-sink ratio by reduction of photosynthetic activity (partial branch defoliation) or thinning branch fruit load early in the growing season (after fruit set) in pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees. We then characterized the leaf photosynthetic light response curves through leaf aging. In addition, we determined changes in leaf non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and nitrogen (N) concentrations. In leaves with high source-sink ratios, there was a gradual decrease in maximum net photosynthetic rate (ANmax) over the growing season, while in branches with low source-sink ratios, there was a sharp decline in ANmax in the first two weeks of August. Branches with high-sink showed an up-regulation (increase) in photosynthesis toward the end of July (at 1,500 growing degree days) during the period of rapid kernel growth rate and increased sink strength, with ANmax being about 7 μmol m-1 s-1 higher than in branches with low-sink. In August, low source-sink ratios precipitated leaf senescence, resulting in a drastic ANmax decline, from 25 to 8 μmol m-1 s-1 (70% drop in two weeks). This reduction was associated with the accumulation of NSC in the leaves from 20 to 30 mg g-1. The mechanisms of ANmax reduction differ between the two treatments. Lower photosynthetic rates of 8-10 μmol m-1 s-1 late in the season were associated with lower N levels in high-sink branches, suggesting N remobilization to the kernels. Lower photosynthesis late in the season was associated with lower respiration rates in low-source branches, indicating prioritization of assimilates to storage. These results can facilitate the adaptation of management practices to tree crop load changes in alternate bearing species.

Sugarcane leaf photosynthetic light responses and their difference between varieties under high temperature stress

Leaf photosynthetic light response (PLR) of six sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) varieties with a high sugar content was measured in the field. PLR curves were fitted by the rectangular hyperbola (RH) model, the nonrectangular hyperbola (NRH) model, and the Ye model, respectively. Photoinhibition occurred under warm and humid environment for all tested sugarcane varieties except for GT02-467 with the photosynthetic rate reduced significantly. The Ye model was the best for PLR curve fitting, especially when photoinhibition occurred. Nearly all PLR parameters estimated by the Ye model were better than the other two models. Some PLR parameters correlated with each other. A significant negative correlation was found between the photoinhibition coefficient and the photosaturation coefficient. The varieties with high light-use efficiency (e.g., YZ99-91 and YZ01-1413) are suitable for dense planting under warming climate, while the varieties with strong ability for dim light use (e.g., GT02-467 and MT69-421) would be appropriate for planting at a high density under warming and dimming climate in the future.

Vertical profile of photosynthetic light response within rice canopy.

Measured leaf photosynthetic light response (PLR) curves at different positions were fitted by non-rectangular hyperbola (NRH) equation to characterize vertical profile of parameters in NRH equation, namely maximum net photosynthetic rate Pnmax, initial quantum yield of assimilation φ, dark respiration rate Rd, and convexity of the curve k, at both jointing and heading stages within rice canopy. And leaf-position-specific and canopy average NRH equations were constructed respectively based on measured PLR curves at each specific leaf position and all measured PLR curves within rice canopy. The results showed that the Pnmax, φ, and Rd reached the maximum at the top second leaf and then decreased at jointing stage and decreased in downward leaves at heading stage. The k increased with lowering leaf position at both stages. The leaf-position-specific NRH equation performed well in estimating net photosynthetic rate Pn for all leaves at different positions and stages, while the canopy average NRH equation underestimated leaf Pn at upper canopy and overestimated Pn at lower canopy. The top fourth leaf was suitable for estimating photosynthetic parameters at canopy scale, as the Pnmax, φ, Rd, and k of the top fourth leaf were near to these parameters of rice canopy, and the canopy average NRH equation performed well in estimating leaf Pn for the top fourth leaf. The results will provide basic information for upscaling leaf photosynthesis to canopy scale.

Leaf photosynthetic light response of summer maize: comparison of models and analysis of parameters

An experiment was performed in order to study the applicability of light-response models for summer maize (Zea mays L.) by using rectangular hyperbola model, nonrectangular hyperbola model, exponential model, binomial regression model, and modified rectangular hyperbola model (Ye model), respectively. Our results showed that the fitted effect of Ye model was best and photosynthetic parameters were closest to the observation. The photoinhibition coefficient was significantly negatively correlated with the light-saturation point (Is), the light-saturation coefficient (γ), and maximum net photosynthetic rate at light-saturation point (PNmax), respectively. PNmax and Is, apparent quantum yield, and γ performed significantly positive relationship, respectively. When the soil volumetric water content varied from 13 to 21%, PNmax had significant positive correlation with the soil water content and stomatal conductance. Under water and temperature stress, the net photosynthetic rate decreased and photoinhibition occurred, which could be well simulated by the Ye model. It seems that Ye model would have more applications, especially for the regions with strong solar radiation.

Whole leaf photosynthetic light response in a carnivorous plant species Sarracenia alata

Photosynthetic light-response curves of mature leaves of Sarracenia alata were generated and characterized using a custom built chamber (2.79 L) capable of accommodating whole leaves, or pitchers, coupled to a LI-COR 6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System. In addition to generating light-response curves, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and dry mass measurements were obtained for each pitcher. Gas-exchange variables from the light-response curves are reported on a leaf area and dry mass basis. Calculated light-saturated photosynthesis was found to be 2.09 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1 with a light-saturation point of 315.14 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, light-compensation point of 40.25 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, dark respiration rate of -0.57 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1, and apparent quantum efficiency of 0.033. The use of a large custom built chamber proved to be successful and the data presented indicate that adequate mixing and sampling was achieved. This study is the first to document photosynthetic response of S. alta. The data from this study indicate that S. alata collected from our study site photosynthetically performed like that of a shade-adapted C3 plant and the measurements were consistent with those published for other species of Sarracenia.

Characteristics of rice leaf photosynthetic light response curve with different water and nitrogen regulation

Characteristics of rice leaf photosynthetic light response curve with different water and nitrogen regulation

Lifetime return on investment increases with leaf lifespan among 10 Australian woodland species

• Co-occurring species often differ in their leaf lifespan (LL) and it remains unclear how such variation is maintained in a competitive context. Here we test the hypothesis that leaves of long-LL species yield a greater return in carbon (C) fixed per unit C or nutrient invested by the plant than those of short-LL species. • For 10 sympatric woodland species, we assessed three-dimensional shoot architecture, canopy openness, leaf photosynthetic light response, leaf dark respiration and leaf construction costs across leaf age sequences. We then used the YPLANT model to estimate light interception and C revenue along the measured leaf age sequences. This was done under a series of simulations that incorporated the potential covariates of LL in an additive fashion. • Lifetime return in C fixed per unit C, N or P invested increased with LL in all simulations. • In contrast to other recent studies, our results show that extended LL confers a fundamental economic advantage by increasing a plant's return on investment in leaves. This suggests that time-discounting effects, that is, the compounding of income that arises from quick reinvestment of C revenue, are key in allowing short-LL species to succeed in the face of this economic handicap.

Comparison of ecophysiological characteristics between introduced and indigenous mangrove species in China

Due to its rapid growth, the introduced mangrove species Sonneratia apetala from Bangladesh has been widely used in mangrove restoration in southeastern China since 1985. As an indigenous mangrove species in Hainan, China, Sonneratia caseolaris was also planted in Guangdong Province for afforestation purposes. Both species have developed well in their new habitats, but their ecophysiological differences with the native mangrove species have not been studied. In this study, leaf gas exchange, water and nitrogen use efficiencies of two Sonneratia species were compared with those of selected native mangrove species ( Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, Kandelia candel, and Excoecaria agallocha) in Hainan and Shenzhen. The introduced S. apetala maintained lower carbon assimilation rate ( A) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) than the indigenous S. caseolaris. In Shenzhen, the two introduced Sonneratia had comparable photosynthetic rates and water use efficiency (WUE) with the native mangrove species, except that PNUE in S. caseolaris was significantly higher than in the native mangrove species. The two Sonneratia species showed significant overlap in PNUE and long-term WUE. Photosynthetic parameters derived from leaf photosynthetic light–response curves and A– C i curves also suggested lower carbon assimilation capacities for the introduced Sonneratia than for the native mangrove species in both study sites. The lower light compensation point (LCP) of two introduced Sonneratia in both study sites also indicated a better adaptation to a low light regime than the native mangrove species. The results of photosynthetic capacities indicated that the introduced mangrove species have little competitive advantage over local native mangrove species in their respective new habitats.

Effects of Electrical Conductivity of Hydroponic Nutrient Solution on Leaf Gas Exchange of Five Greenhouse Tomato Cultivars

Five cultivars (Blitz, Mariachi, Quest, Rapsodie, and Trust) of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse to determine photosynthetic and transpirational responses to three electrical conductivities (EC) [2.3 (control), 4.8, and 8.4 dS·m−1] of inflow nutrient solution. Leaf photosynthetic light response curves were measured during the early vegetative growth stage for cv Mariachi and Rapsodie and during the reproductive growth stage for all five cultivars. Leaf transpiration rate and leaf conductance were measured for all five cultivars in both stages. During the vegetative growth stage, high EC treatment of 8.4/14.3 dS·m−1 inflow/efflux solution reduced leaf conductance and transpiration rate by 28% and 29%, respectively, compared with low EC treatment (2.3/5.9 dS·m−1), regardless of cultivar. Effects of EC treatments on leaf photosynthetic light response curves were cultivar specific. For ‘Mariachi’, moderate EC (4.8/8.7 dS·m−1) and high EC treatments in the vegetative growth stage reduced the maximum photosynthetic rate by 49% compared with the low EC treatment. However, for ‘Rapsodie’, the moderate EC treatment increased the maximum photosynthetic rate during the vegetative stage by 8% and 47% compared with low and high EC treatments, respectively. During reproductive growth stage, EC treatment did not significantly affect the transpiration rate, but high EC treatment reduced the leaf conductance by 15%, regardless of cultivar. Parameters of leaf photosynthetic response curves were affected by cultivar and EC treatment. Compared with the low EC treatment, the moderate EC treatment did not significantly affect the maximum photosynthetic rate of any cultivar except ‘Rapsodie’, which showed the greatest maximum photosynthetic rate in the moderate EC treatment. The results showed that the plant physiological response under elevated EC was cultivar and growth-stage specific, and increasing the inflow EC to the moderate level of around 4.8 dS·m−1 during the reproductive growth stage would not negatively impact photosynthesis, transpiration, and leaf conductance of tomato plants, for all cultivars tested in the present experiment.

Maximum leaf photosynthetic light response for three species in a transitional tropical forest in Southern Amazonia

Measurements of CO2 and water vapor flux using eddy covariance are being made from a 40 m tower located in a transitional tropical forest near Sinop Mato Grosso. As complementary information to this study, the photosynthetic light response curves of three species located near the tower were measured at different heights in the forest canopy and light conditions with the objective of understanding seasonal and spatial (height in the forest canopy and gap or shade located plants) trends in the photosynthetic light response. The measurements were made in a canopy emergent tree (30 m tall) identified as Brosimum lactescens, and in two relatively short plants (0.6 to 1.6 m height) identified as Quiina pteridophylla and Diniszia excelsa located in different light condition. Measurements were made from the end of 2000 dry season to January 2002. These data suggest that species response to seasonal variations in rainfall are variable. In addition, shade plants have a higher quantum yield (A) and a lower estimated gross photosynthesis at saturating (photosynthetic active radiation - PAR) (Amax) than gap plants, presumably because shade plants are adapted to lower average light levels.

Leaf photosynthetic light response: a mechanistic model for scaling photosynthesis to leaves and canopies

1. The response of photosynthesis to radiation is an often‐studied but poorly understood process, represented empirically in most photosynthesis models. However, in scaling photosynthesis from leaf to canopy, predictions of canopy photosynthesis are very sensitive to parameters describing the response of leaves to Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD). 2. In this study, a mechanistic, yet still simple, approach is presented that models the degree of light saturation in leaves explicitly, assuming a heterogeneous environment of PPFD and chlorophyll. 3. Possible mechanisms determining the ratio of chlorophyll to nitrogen are considered, including a direct dependence on PPFD, a mechanism involving the red/far‐red ratio of light in the canopy, and an approach based upon maximizing photosynthesis. 4. Comparison of model predictions with two data sets of light, nitrogen and chlorophyll from canopies of Populus and Corylus suggests that the red/far‐red mechanism is the most realistic. The data also show that the trees studied do not always optimize their nitrogen partitioning to maximize photosynthetic yield. 5. We then apply the model to the data sets, to predict the shape of light response curves of leaves within canopies and assess the applicability of simple scaling schemes, in which full acclimation of photosynthesis to PPFD justifies the use of big‐leaf models. We conclude that, at least for the data used, basic assumptions of such schemes do not hold.

Photosynthetic Light Response of Six Clonal Selections of the Sweet Potato Cultivar `Beauregard'

Eight individual potatoes, exhibiting a wide range of quality characteristics, were cloned at the Texas A&M Vegetable Improvement Center, College Station, Tex., in order to produce a large number of slips for field trials. Leaf photosynthetic light response for six of these clonal selections was determined during a greenhouse experiment conducted at the Texas A&M Univ. Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton, Tex. Photosynthesis data were fit to a rectangular hyperbola in order to estimate light saturated leaf photosynthetic rate (Amax), quantum efficiency (QE), and dark respiration rate (Rd). Significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) were detected in all three of these parameter estimates among the six clonal selections. Parameter estimates ranged from 23.4 to 28.8 μmol (CO2) m-2·s-1, 0.056 to 0.071 mol (CO2)/mol (photons), and –0.9 to –2.0 μmol (CO2) m-2·s-1 for Amax, QE, and Rd, respectively. However, these differences were not clearly related to quality characteristics determined for these clones in field trials.