Maximum Rates Of Net Photosynthesis Research Articles

Effects of Organic Fertilizer on Photosynthesis, Yield, and Quality of Pakchoi under Different Irrigation Conditions.

Water scarcity and the overuse of chemical fertilizers present significant challenges to modern agriculture, critically affecting crop photosynthesis, yield, quality, and productivity sustainability. This research assesses the impact of organic fertilizer on the photosynthetic attributes, yield, and quality of pakchoi under varying irrigation water conditions, including fresh water and brackish water. Findings reveal that the modified rectangular hyperbolic model most accurately captures the photosynthetic reaction to organic fertilization, outperforming other evaluated models. The maximum net photosynthesis rate (Pnmax), yield, soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein content (SP) all exhibited a downward-opening quadratic parabolic trend with increasing amounts of organic fertilizer application. Specifically, under fresh-water irrigation, the optimal Pnmax, yield, SS, and SP were obtained at organic fertilizer rates of 65.77, 74.63, 45.33, and 40.79 kg/ha, respectively, achieving peak values of 20.71 µmol/(m2·s), 50,832 kg/ha, 35.63 g/kg, and 6.25 g/kg. This investigation provides a foundational basis for further research into the intricate relationship between water salinity stress and nutrient management, with the goal of crafting more sophisticated and sustainable farming methodologies. The insights gained could significantly influence organic fertilizer practices, promoting not only higher yields but also superior quality in agricultural outputs.

Response of Photosynthesis in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars to Moderate Heat Stress at Meiosis and Anthesis Stages

High temperature has seriously impacted the production of wheat in many countries. We examined four wheat cultivars (PBW343, Berkurt, Janz, and Attila) under heat stress (35/25 °C) and control treatments (23/15 °C) for 3 days at the meiosis and anthesis stages to evaluate the response and recovery of the four cultivars to heat stress and the relationship between photosynthetic parameters related to heat tolerance. Photosynthetic activity in all cultivars declined in plants that were treated at 35 °C, even for only 1 d compared with control plants. However, the differences among the four cultivars were obvious in net photosynthetic rate (Pn). At meiosis, the reduction of Pn in Berkut and PBW343 was lower and could nearly fully recover after 3 d of recovery and showed higher heat tolerance characteristics. The highest reduction in Pn occurred in Janz, which did not recover completely after 3 d of recovery. The same trend was observed at the anthesis stage, but Pn in all cultivars could not fully recover. Taking transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and limitation of stomatal conductance (Ls) into account, results suggested the decline in Pn under heat stress was mainly caused by non-stomatal restriction. In parallel with the decline in Pn, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) decreased. In addition, both the maximum rate of net photosynthesis (Pmax) and the light saturation point declined after heat stress in all cultivars. However, the relevant photosynthetic parameters of PBW343 and Berkut recovered more quickly at both the meiotic and flowering stages. In summary, there were significant differences in the adaptability of different cultivars to high temperatures, with Berkut and PBW343 being more adaptable to heat stress than Janz and Attila. These may be used as valuable resources for further studies in breeding to understand the physiological mechanisms of heat sensitivity. This paper provides detailed information on the ecophysiological responses of wheat under heat stress.

Physiological Responses of Sargassum muticum, a Potential Golden Tide Species, to Different Levels of Light and Nitrogen

Sargassum golden tides have bloomed frequently in many sea areas throughout the world, and negatively impacted on the local marine ecology. Sargassum muticum commonly inhabits rocky shores. It is now distributed worldwide due to its invasiveness, and recently drifting individuals have been observed on the coasts of Canary Islands. However, as a potential golden tide alga, physiological, and ecological studies of this species have not been frequently explored. To investigate the responses of S. muticum to light and nitrogen, two key environmental factors in golden tide formation, we established three light levels (LL, low light, 10 μmol photons m–2 s–1; ML, medium light, 60 μmol photons m–2 s–1, and HL, high light, 300 μmol photons m–2 s–1) and two nitrogen levels (LN, low nitrogen, 25.0 μM of natural seawater; HN, high nitrogen, 125.0 μM), and cultivated the thalli under different conditions for 12 days before measuring the physiological properties of alga. The results showed that higher light and/or nitrogen levels enhanced the relative algal growth rate. The maximum net photosynthesis rate of alga increased with the light, while it remained unaffected by the nitrogen. The HN treatment had no effect on the apparent photosynthetic efficiency of algae in the LL culture, while increased it in the ML and HL cultures. The irradiance saturation point of photosynthesis was approximately 300 μmol photons m–2 s–1 with no significant difference among the six treatments, except for a slight increase under HLHN in contrast to the LLHN and MLLN treatments. HL treatment decreased the maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm) in both nitrogen levels. In the HN culture, ML and HL led to lower values of photoinhibition, indicating higher survivability in the alga. The HN culture led to higher nitrogen uptake but had no effects on Fv/Fm and the contents of pigments and soluble protein, regardless of culture light level. Based on these results, we speculate that drifting individuals of S. muticum would be possible to form a golden tide owing to its rapid growth rate at light level of 300 μmol photons m–2 s–1, when they encountered the sustained lower light level on the sea surface (≤300 μmol photons m–2 s–1). A high nitrogen supply caused by eutrophication of seawater might facilitate this process. Our results provide an important reference for the prediction of golden tides formed by S. muticum.

Yield, Physiological Performance, and Phytochemistry of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under Temperature Stress and Elevated CO2 Concentrations.

Early season sowing is one of the methods for avoiding yield loss for basil due to high temperatures. However, basil could be exposed to sub-optimal temperatures by planting it earlier in the season. Thus, an experiment was conducted that examines how temperature changes and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels affect basil growth, development, and phytonutrient concentrations in a controlled environment. The experiment simulated temperature stress, low (20/12 °C), and high (38/30 °C), under ambient (420 ppm) and elevated (720 ppm) CO2 concentrations. Low-temperature stress prompted the rapid closure of stomata resulting in a 21% decline in net photosynthesis. Chlorophylls and carotenoids decreased when elevated CO2 interacted with low-temperature stress. Basil exhibited an increase in stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, apparent quantum yield, maximum photosystem II efficiency, and maximum net photosynthesis rate when subjected to high-temperature stress. Under elevated CO2, increasing the growth temperature from 30/22 °C to 38/30 °C markedly increased the antioxidants content of basil. Taken together, the evidence from this research recommends that varying the growth temperature of basil plants can significantly affect the growth and development rates compared to increasing the CO2 concentrations, which mitigates the adverse effects of temperature stress.

Responses of functional traits to seven-year nitrogen addition in two tree species: coordination of hydraulics, gas exchange and carbon reserves.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been observed to impact plant structure and functional traits in terrestrial ecosystems. Although the effect of N deposition on plant water use has been well-evaluated in laboratories and in experimental forests, the linkages between water and carbon relations under N deposition are unclear. Here, we report on hydraulics, gas exchange and carbon reserves of two broad-leaved tree species (Quercus mongolica and Fraxinus mandshurica) in mature temperate forests after a seven-year experiment with different levels of N addition (control (CK), low (23kgNha-1yr-1), medium (46kgNha-1yr-1) and high (69kgNha-1yr-1)). We investigated variation in hydraulic traits (xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), native percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) and leaf water potential), xylem anatomy (vessel diameter and density), gas exchange (maximum net photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance) and carbon reserves (soluble sugars, starch and total nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC)) with different N addition levels. We found that medium N addition significantly increased Ks and vessel diameter compared to control, but accompanied increasing PLC and decreasing leaf water potential, suggesting that N addition results in a greater hydraulic efficiency and higher risk of embolism. N addition promoted photosynthetic capacity via increasing foliar N concentration but did not change stomatal conductance. In addition, we found increase in foliar soluble sugar concentration and decrease in starch concentration with N addition, and positive correlations between hydraulic traits (vessel diameter and PLC) and soluble sugars. These coupled responses of tree hydraulics and carbon metabolism are consistent with a regulatory role of carbohydrates in maintaining hydraulic integrity. Our study provides an important insight into the relationship of plant water transport and carbon dynamics under increasing N deposition.

Hydraulic and Photosynthetic Traits Vary with Successional Status of Woody Plants on the Loess Plateau

Research highlights: Water transport and CO2 diffusion are two important processes that determine the CO2 assimilation efficiency in leaves. The integration of leaf economic and hydraulic traits will help to present a more comprehensive view of the succession of woody plants in arid regions. However, studies on hydraulic traits of plants from different successional stages are still rare compared to that on economic traits in arid regions. Materials and methods: We selected 31 species from shrub stage, pioneer tree stage and late successional stage on the Loess Plateau, and measured five economic traits and five hydraulic traits of these species. Results: We found species from the pioneer tree stage exhibited "fast-growing" characteristics with high maximum net photosynthesis rate (Pmax) and vein density (VD). Species from the late successional stage exhibited "slow-growing" characteristics with low Pmax and VD. Economic traits showed no significant differences among the three stages except for Pmax. Hydraulic traits, such as VD, leaf area to sapwood area ratio and vessel frequency, exhibited significant differences among different stages. Conclusions: Hydraulics may play an important role in the succession of woody plants in arid regions. Hydraulic traits and Pmax, should be combined to investigate succession of woody plants in future studies. The "fast-growing" characteristics of pioneer trees and "slow-growing" characteristics of late successional trees may induce the succession of woody plants.

Foliar mercury content from tropical trees and its correlation with physiological parameters in situ

The terrestrial biogeochemical cycle of mercury has been widely studied because, among other causes, it presents a global distribution and harmful biotic interactions. Forested ecosystems shows great concentrations from Hg and Litterfall is known as the major contributor to the fluxes at the soil/air interface, through the superficial adsorption on the leaves and by the gas exchange of the stomatal pores. The understanding of which processes control the stage of Hg cycle in these ecosystems is still not totally clear. The influences of physiological and morphological parameters were tested against the Hg concentrations in the leaves of 14 endemic species of an evergreen tropical forest in south-eastern Brazil, and an exotic species from Platanus genus. Pathways were studied through leaf areas and growing tree parameters, where maximum rate of net photosynthesis (Pnmax), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs) were examined. The results obtained in situ indicated a positive correlation between Pnmax and the Hg concentration; Cedrela fissilis and Croton floribundus were the most sensitive species to the accumulation of Hg and the most photosynthetically active in this study. The primary productivity from Tropical forest should be a proxy of Hg deposition from atmosphere to soil, retained there while forests stand up, representing an environmental service of sequestration of this global pollutant. Therefore, forests and trees with great photosynthetic potential should be considered in predictions, budgets and non-geological soil content regarding the global Hg cycle.

Dependency of a Photosynthesis Rate in Nerium oleander L. on Environmental Factors, Leaf Temperature, Transpiration, and Their Change During Vegetation in Subtropics

Dependence of net photosynthesis rate in Nerium oleander L. on environmental factors, leaf temperature, transpiration, and also on the changes of these factors during vegetation has been studied under conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea. The mapping of a photosynthesis response function onto environmental factors in a three-dimensional coordinate system represents a convex surface with the maximum at the top point. This fact makes it possible to obtain numerical coefficients for nonlinear regression equations (simulators) describing interrelations between the net photosynthesis and the main environmental factors, leaf temperature, and transpiration. The data obtained provide a possibility to interpret a photosynthesis rate as a potential ecophysiological characteristic of this species that makes it possible to compare different plant species growing under similar conditions using parameters measured by the same method. Nerium oleander L. has a high photosynthetic potential for acclimatization to high temperatures. If air temperature exceeds the optimum value, photosynthetic intensity sharply decreases. The threshold temperature for leaves is 36.5°С. After the termination of the active growth phase, the maximum net photosynthesis rate decreased during August–October by 51.73%, while transpiration intensity and leaf temperature decreased by 78 and 28.58%, respectively. Compared to August, the optimums of the air temperature, air humidity deficit, and PAR illumination in October shifted to lower values by 17, 89.14, and 31.58%, respectively.

The effect of sunlight interception by sooty mold on chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in orange leaves (Citrus sinensis L.)

Sooty molds are a lineage of follicolous fungi that cover the upper surface of leaves with black mycelia. Sooty molds do not infect plants, but grow on surfaces where honeydew deposits accumulate. It causes a reduction of incident sunlight by physical obstruction and in some species it interferes with photosynthesis. However, there are no studies proving that light interception by the sooty mold mycelia affects photosynthesis in orange plants. The aim of this study was to experimentally evaluate changes in the interception of sunlight caused by the black coating of sooty mold formed on orange leaves and to investigate its effects on the leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate. To facilitate the measurements, orange leaves with and without sooty mold colonies were selected. On a clear day, the sooty mold mycelia intercepted between 44 and 74 % of the total incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). However, even on leaves covered by the sooty mold mycelia, the measured PPFD was sufficient to saturate maximum net photosynthesis rate (Amax) for much of the day. No differences were found in Amax or leaf conductance, but there were increases in chlorophyll content and quantum yield in leaves infested by sooty mold, revealing a clear acclimation response. This study is the first to experimentally assess the direct effects of sunlight interception by sooty mold on chlorophyll content and net photosynthesis in orange leaves.

Deficit irrigation scheduling and yield prediction of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco) in a semiarid region

Scarcity of irrigation water in critical growth stages of the crop is one of the major causes of low productivity and decline of citrus orchards. Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is a recently proposed water saving technique in irrigated agriculture. The present study was planned with a hypothesis that the optimal RDI scheduling at early fruit growth period (EFGP), which coincides with summer months could save substantial amount of water, without significantly affecting the yield of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) plants. Two DI strategies: (a) withholding irrigation at EFGP (RDI0) and (b) irrigation at 50% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) at EFGP (RDI50) were compared with full irrigation (FI, 100% ETc) in relation to gas exchange, water relation and nutrient composition of leaves along with growth and yield of the plants. The greater plant growth with maximum fruit yield (61.9–63.2tha−1) was recorded with fully-irrigated plants. However, the yield under RDI50 was statistically (p>0.05) at par with that under FI. The reduction in water application of around 24% with RDI50 resulted in 30% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency with this treatment over that with FI. The maximum rate of net-photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration of leaves was recorded with fully-irrigated plants. However, the plants under RDI50 exhibited the highest leaf water use efficiency. The leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) analysis revealed that RDI0 produced significantly (p<0.05) lower concentration of all the nutrients except P and Cu than that in other treatments. Relative leaf water content (RLWC), leaf water concentration (LWC) and mid-day stem water potential (Ψ) showed a decreasing trend, whereas water stress integral (SΨ) and plant canopy reflectance indices (water band index, WBI; normalised difference water index, NDWI; and moisture stress index, MSI) showed the reverse trend of RLWC with water stress. The prediction model formulated based on midday stem water stress integral, leaf N, leaf K, stomatal conductance and water stress index using Principal component regression technique during EFGP performed well with reasonably accuracy (R2=0.85) to forecast annual fruit yield of the citrus plants. Overall, these results reveal that irrigation at 50% ETc during EFGP could impose desirable water stress on ‘Kinnow’ mandarin plants, improving their water use efficiency, without significantly affecting the fruit yield under water scarce condition.

Light use efficiency of California redwood forest understory plants along a moisture gradient

We investigated photosynthesis of five plant species growing in the understory at three sites (1,170-, 1,600- and 2,100-mm annual moisture inputs), along the geographical range of coastal California redwood forest, to determine whether greater inputs of rain and fog at northern sites enhance photosynthetic utilization of fluctuating light. Measurements of understory light environment and gas exchange were carried out to determine steady state and dynamic photosynthetic responses to light. Leaf area index ranged from 4.84 at the 2,100-mm site to 5.98 at the 1,170-mm site. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (g) did not vary appreciably within species across sites. Photosynthetic induction after a change from low to high light was significantly greater in plants growing in lower light conditions regardless of site. Photosynthetic induction also increased with the rate of g in diffuse light, prior to the increase to saturating light levels. Post-illumination CO2 assimilation was the largest factor contributing to variation in C gain during simulated lightflecks. The duration of post-illumination photosynthetic activity, total CO2 assimilation per light received, and light use efficiency during simulated lightflecks increased significantly with moisture inputs in four out of five species. Increasing leaf N concentration with increasing moisture inputs in three out of five species, coupled with changes in leaf N isotopic composition with the onset of the summer fog season suggest that natural N deposition increases with rain and fog inputs and contributes to greater utilization of fluctuating light availability in coastal California redwood forests.

Functional characteristics of a fruticose type of lichen, Stereocaulon foliolosum Nyl. in response to light and water stress

Stereocaulon foliolosum a fruticose type of lichen under its natural habitat is subjected to low temperature, high light conditions and frequent moisture stress due its rocky substratum. To understand as to how this lichen copes up with these stresses, we studied the reflectance properties, light utilization capacity and the desiccation tolerance under laboratory conditions. S. foliolosum showed light saturation point for photosynthesis at 390 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 and the light compensation point for photosynthesis at 64 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Our experiments show that S. foliolosum has a low absorptivity (30–35 %) towards the incident light. The maximum rates of net photosynthesis and apparent electron transport observed were 1.9 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 and 45 μmol e− m−2 s−1, respectively. The lichen recovers immediately after photoinhibition under low light conditions. S. foliolosum on subjecting to desiccation results in the decrease of light absorptivity and the reflectance properties associated with water status of the thalli show a change. During desiccation, a simultaneous decrease in photosynthesis, dark respiration and quenching in the fluorescence properties was observed. However, all the observed changes show a rapid recovery on rewetting the lichen. Our study shows that desiccation does not have a severe or long-term impact on S. foliolosum and the lichen is also well adapted to confront high light intensities.

Variation in light-intercepting area and photosynthetic rate of sun and shade shoots of two Picea species in relation to the angle of incoming light

We investigated the effects of sun- and shade-shoot architecture on the photosynthetic rates of two Picea species by applying light from various angles in the laboratory. Compared with sun shoots, shade shoots were characterized by lower mass allocation per light-intercepting area, less leaf mass per shoot mass, less mutual shading among leaves and more efficient allocation of chlorophyll to photosynthesis. The shoot silhouette to total leaf area ratio (STAR(ϕ)) decreased with increasing shoot inclination angle (ϕ, the shoot axis angle relative to the projection plane) and was consistently higher for the shade shoots. Morphological and physiological characteristics of the shade shoots resulted in maximum rates of net photosynthesis at ϕ = 0° (P(max,0)) similar to that of the sun shoots when expressed on a leaf mass, total leaf area and chlorophyll basis. When the angle of incoming light was varied, P(max,ϕ) per total leaf area (P(max,ϕ )/A(T)) of the shade shoots increased linearly with increasing STAR(ϕ), while P(max,ϕ) per shoot silhouette area did not change. In contrast, the response of the sun shoots was non-linear, and an optimum angle of incoming light was determined. Our results suggest that shade-shoot morphology is adaptive for utilizing diffuse light incoming from various angles, while sun-shoot morphology is adaptive for avoiding the negative effects of strong direct radiation and for enhancing light diffusion into the canopy. We propose that the angle of incoming light should be taken into account when estimating photosynthetic rates of sun shoots of conifer trees in the field.

Effect of water stress in partial root zone on response of photosynthesis of Aconitum barbatum

To study the effect of different water stress mode on photosynthesis characteristics of Aconitum barbaturnm, aimed at providing the theoretical basis for cultivating this kind of plant for the arid area. The transplanted seedlings of A. barbatum were processed with fixed partial root zone drying(TI) ,alternate partial root zone drying(T2) and both partial root zone irrigation (T3) for three cycles,and relative parameters were measured. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in the treatment of T2 gradually increased and was higher than that in the treatment of T3 about 6.53%, mainly effected by non-stomatal factors. The water use efficiency (WUE) was higher than that in the treatments of T3 about 25.21%, while the transpiration rate (Tr) and the stomatal conductance was lower than those in the treatment of T1 and T3 separately. The maximum net photosynthesis rate (Pmax),the apparent quantum yield (AQY) and the dark respiration rate (Rd) were higher than those in comparison condition slightly. The alternate partial root zone drying is worth promoting vigorously, and it shall be a rational way to cultivate the A. barbatum under woodland.

Effects of flooding on germination and establishment of the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora

Abbas AM, Rubio‐Casal AE, De Cires A, Figueroa ME, Lambert AM &amp; Castillo JM (2012). Effects of flooding on germination and establishment of the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora. Weed Research52, 269–276.SummaryFlooding has been described as one of the most important environmental factors determining the distribution of salt marsh plants. We studied the impact of five water levels (from well‐drained to 8 cm deep) on the germination and establishment of the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora under controlled glasshouse conditions. The germination rate was ca. 60%, tending to decrease gradually with depth. There was no seedling emergence from deeper than 4 cm, because every seedling at 8 cm died. Spartina densiflora showed a high physiological plasticity. Seven months after germination, relative water content varied between 69 ± 13% at well‐drained conditions and 87 ± 7% at 4 cm, without significant differences between treatments. Plants rooted at 4 cm presented the highest quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) with slightly lower maximum net photosynthesis rate than other treatments, reflecting high photoprotection levels, together with low nitrogen and pigments contents. Water level depth reduced shoot relative growth rate (RGR). Our results could be useful to fight S. densiflora invasion, because artificial inundation of invaded marshes to a water depth of 8 cm would prevent its establishment from the seed bank.

三峡水库消落带植物叶片光合与营养性状特征

自2007年三峡大坝试运行以来,其独特的人工水位调度节律给当地的水库消落带生态系统带来了巨大的负面影响。植物功能性状可以反映某一特殊生境植物的生理生态过程特殊性,是指示生态系统结构与功能的有效指标。因此,在三峡水库消落带形成2a后,于2009年调查了消落带的42种适生植物以及对照带33种植物的6个叶片功能性状:最大净光合速率(<em>A</em>_max)、叶片气孔导度(<em>Gs</em>)、比叶重(LMA)、叶片全氮含量(N_mass)、全磷含量(P_mass)和全钾含量(K_mass)。运用标准化主轴回归分析对消落带植物叶片各功能性状之间关系进行分析,并对照全球尺度叶片功能性状数据库,旨在说明反季节淹水对消落带植物叶片功能性状之间关系与全球尺度对比发生了哪些变化。同时,运用成对方差<em>t</em>检验的分析方法,对比了在消落带和对照带都存在的33个种的叶片光合与营养性状之间的差异,以阐明消落带植物对消落带特殊生境的生理响应。结果表明:(1)消落带植物叶片各性状关系呈现出与全球尺度基本一致的格局,表现出植物叶性状之间关系的趋同性;(2)消落带植物<em>A</em>_mass、N_mass、P_mass和K_mass显著高于全球尺度,而LMA则显著低于全球尺度。处于驯化阶段的消落带植物各叶片性状处在全球叶片经济型谱"低投入-快速回收"的一端。(3)消落带植物叶片<em>A</em>_mass与对照带相比,有显著提高。表明三峡水库消落带植物叶片光合能力得到显著提高,这可能是其适应消落带特殊生境的关键生理生态对策之一。;Since 2007, the unique anthropogenic hydrological regime of the Three Gorges Dam has had significant negative impacts on the reservoir riparian ecosystem. These include changes in the local climate pattern, habitat fragmentation, generation of methane gas, loss of biodiversity, and inundation of cities and highly productive agricultural land. The functional traits of plants in a particular area can reflect the eco-physiological processes that are specific to that environment, and can serve as crucial indicators of the structure and function of the local ecosystem. These functional traits play a key role in adaptation to anti-seasonal flooding, and might reveal clues about the adaptation mechanisms of plants in this area. Therefore, two years after the formation of the reservoir riparian region in the Three Gorges Area, we investigated six leaf functional traits of 42 species growing in the the reservoir riparian region in 2009. As a reference, we also investigated these functional traits in 33 species in an upland non-flooding belt, to determine variations in physiological processes associated with anti-seasonal flooding. The six leaf functional traits were leaf mass per area (LMA), maximum net photosynthesis rate (<em>A</em>_max), leaf stomata conductance (<em>Gs</em>), leaf nitrogen content per mass (N_mass), leaf phosphorus content per mass (P_mass) and leaf potassium content per mass (K_mass). A standardized major axis analysis method was used to determine the relationships among these traits. We compared these results with data in the global plant trait network to determine how the leaf traits relationships for plants in the the reservoir riparian region compare with those in the worldwide leaf spectrum. For species that coexist in the reservoir riparian region and non-flooding belt, we used paired-sample T-tests to compare differences in leaf functional traits between the two areas, to determine which physiological processes are important for growth in the the reservoir riparian region environment. The results showed that: 1) although there were slight differences in the standardized major axis slopes/elevation of some paired traits, there were similar patterns of leaf functional trait relationships between the reservoir riparian region and the global plant trait network, indicating convergence of leaf traits in the the reservoir riparian region ecosystem. 2) <em>A</em>_mass, N_mass, P_mass, and K_mass of the reservoir riparian region species were significantly higher than their corresponding values in the global plant trait network, but the LMAs of the reservoir riparian region species were statistically lower than LMA values in the global plant trait network. The traits of the reservoir riparian region species were constrained to the lower-investment and faster-return end of the global leaf spectrum, and were consistent with typical fast-growing species. 3) When the 33 species common to both the reservoir riparian region and non-flooding belt were compared, we found that those in the the reservoir riparian region showed significantly higher <em>A</em>_max. The results of the present study suggest that enhanced photosynthetic capacity is one of the key physiological strategies for growth in the the reservoir riparian region environment. However, there are many uncertainties that remain after this study, because the the reservoir riparian region area is only two years old and plants are likely to be in the response or acclimation stages rather than the adaptation stage. Therefore, long-term investigations and observations should be continued in this area to identify and monitor adaptive changes in plant species.

Effects of drip irrigation regimes and basin irrigation on Nagpur mandarin agronomical and physiological performance

The scarcity of irrigation water is one of the major causes of low productivity and decline of citrus orchards. The present study was planned with a hypothesis that the drip irrigation (DI) could save a substantial amount of water over surface irrigation, besides improving the yield of citrus plants. The experiment was conducted for 3 seasons during 2006–2009, with ‘Nagpur’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) plants budded on rough lemon (Citrus Jambhiri Lush) rootstock in central India. The effects of DI and basin irrigation (BI) on soil chemical properties and crop responses were studied. DI was scheduled every-other-day at 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the alternate day cumulative evaporation (Ecp) measured in Class-A evaporation pan. DI except irrigation at 40% Ecp proved superior to BI, producing more growth and fruit yield of plants. The higher plant growth was recorded with higher regime of DI. The maximum fruit yield in DI at 80% Ecp, using 29% less irrigation water resulted in 111% improvement in irrigation water productivity under this treatment over BI. The heavier fruits, with lower acidity and higher total soluble solids, were harvested in DI at 80% Ecp compared with BI. The significant variation of soil water content at 0–0.2 m depth under DI indicated the confinement of effective root zone of the plants in top 0.2 m soil. The maximum rate of net-photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration in leafs was recorded in DI at 100% Ecp. However, the plants under DI at 80% Ecp exhibited the highest leaf water use efficiency. The maximum salinity build-up with highest decrease in pH was observed in 0–0.2 m soil under DI, whereas the salinity development was prominent in 0.4–0.6 m soil with an increase in pH under BI. The gain in available macronutrients (N, P and K) and loss of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in soil followed the similar trend of EC. The leaf nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) analysis revealed that DI produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentration of macronutrients in leafs than that with basin-irrigated plants. However, the effect of irrigation on micronutrients in leafs was statistically insignificant. Overall, these results reveal that the application of optimum quantity of water through DI (80% Ecp) could impose desirable water stress on ‘Nagpur’ mandarin plants, improving their yield and fruit quality, without producing the higher vegetative growth.

Relationships among shoot tissue, canopy and photosynthetic characteristics in the feathermoss Pleurozium schreberi

Abstract In bryophytes, rates of net photosynthesis vary among populations. How this variation is shaped by shoot biochemical or structural traits has not been established, yet would be essential to develop useful models of forest floor function in the boreal zone. The objectives of this study were to characterize functional trait relationships in the widespread feathermoss Pleurozium schreberi, to develop an empirical model to predict net photosynthesis in this species, and to compare the performance of a surface model that incorporates the shoot system's average properties with a canopy model that accounts for the vertical distribution of light and shoot area. Maximal rates of net photosynthesis (Amax) and dark respiration (Rd) were measured (n = 25) using gas exchange at optimal water contents. Shoot system concentrations of chlorophyll (a+b), carotenoids and nitrogen were measured in addition to the water content, surface roughness (Lr), canopy height, and the vertical distribution of shoot area and l...

Hydrostatic constraints on morphological exploitation of light in tall Sequoia sempervirens trees

We studied changes in morphological and physiological characteristics of leaves and shoots along a height gradient in Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest tree species on Earth, to investigate whether morphological and physiological acclimation to the vertical light gradient was constrained by hydrostatic limitation in the upper crown. Bulk leaf water potential (Psi) decreased linearly and light availability increased exponentially with increasing height in the crown. During the wet season, Psi was lower in the outer than inner crown. C isotope composition of leaves (delta(13)C) increased with increasing height indicating greater photosynthetic water use efficiency in the upper crown. Leaf and shoot morphology changed continuously with height. In contrast, their relationships with light availability were discontinuous: morphological characteristics did not correspond to increasing light availability above 55-85 m. Mass-based chlorophyll concentration (chl) decreased with increasing height and increasing light availability. In contrast, area-based chl remained constant or increased with increasing height. Mass-based maximum rate of net photosynthesis (P (max)) decreased with increasing height, whereas area-based P (max) reached maximum at 78.4 m and decreased with increasing height thereafter. Mass-based P (max) increased with increasing shoot mass per area (SMA), whereas area-based P (max) was not correlated with SMA in the upper crown. Our results suggest that hydrostatic limitation of morphological development constrains exploitation of light in the upper crown and contributes to reduced photosynthetic rates and, ultimately, reduced height growth at the tops of tall S. sempervirens trees.

Does growth temperature affect the temperature responses of photosynthesis and internal conductance to CO2? A test with Eucalyptus regnans

Internal conductance to CO(2) transfer from intercellular spaces to chloroplasts (g(i)) poses a major limitation to photosynthesis, but only three studies have investigated the temperature dependance of g(i). The aim of this study was to determine whether acclimation to 15 versus 30 degrees C affects the temperature response of photosynthesis and g(i) in seedlings of the evergreen tree species Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell. Six-month-old seedlings were acclimated to 15 or 30 degrees C for 6 weeks before g(i) was estimated by simultaneous measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence (variable J method). There was little evidence for acclimation of photosynthesis to growth temperature. In seedlings acclimated to either 15 or 30 degrees C, the maximum rate of net photosynthesis peaked at around 30 or 35 degrees C. Such lack of temperature acclimation may be related to the constant day and night temperature acclimation regime, which differed from most other studies in which night temperatures were lower than day temperatures. Internal conductance averaged 0.25 mol m(-2) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and increased threefold from 10 to 35 degrees C. There was some evidence that g(i) was greater in seedlings acclimated to 15 than to 30 degrees C, which resulted in seedlings acclimated to 15 degrees C having, if anything, a smaller relative limitation due to g(i) than seedlings acclimated to 30 degrees C. Stomatal limitations were also smaller in seedlings acclimated to 15 degrees C than in seedlings acclimated to 30 degrees C. Based on chloroplast CO(2) concentration, neither maximum rates of carboxylation nor RuBP-limited rate of electron transport peaked between 10 and 35 degrees C. Both were described well by an Arrhenius function and had similar activation energies (57-70 kJ mol(-1)). These findings confirm previous studies showing g(i) to be positively related to measurement temperature.