Rate Pn Research Articles

Leaf key traits of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis

Summary Leaf morphology and anatomy, water relations, leaf life-span, and gas exchange of Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing along the coast near Rome were analysed in the period from May 2000 through December 2001. The year 2001 was characterised by a severe drought period from the beginning of June to the middle of September (13.2 mm total rainfall, 32C average maximum air temperature). The highest pre-dawn leaf water potential (ae pd = –1.2 0.2 MPa) and relative water content (RWC = 87 4%) of E. arborea compared to the other two species were indicative of a high leaf water potential recovering capacity, allowing a sufficient photosynthetic activity (Pn = 2.9 0.4 Imol m −2 s −1 ) during the severe drought period. On the contrary, R. officinalis showed 93% Pn rate decrease during drought with respect to the maximum rate. Moreover, the large ae pd variation during the year (from –0.16 to –3.50 MPa) was indicative of a low recovery capacity, which might be related to its narrow root system. From a physiological point of view, E. multiflora had a similar trend to that of R. officinalis with a large ae pd variation during the year and a low ae pd value (–2.50 0.3 MPa) during the severe drought period. The correlation analysis carried out on morphological leaf traits for E. arborea , E. multiflora , R. officinalis and, by previous studies, for the other dominant shrub species of the Mediterranean maquis at the research site of Castelporziano ( Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., Arbutus unedo L., Cistus incanus L.) indicated that variations in leaf mass per unit leaf area (LMA) were associated with variations in leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf life-span (LL), and leaf thickness (L). Discriminant analysis carried out on net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration rate (E), water relations (ae, RWC), LMA, LL and L showed that g s and LL were the most discriminating leaf traits.

Influence of grazing intensity on performance of perennial grass mixtures in the alpine region of the Tibetan Plateau

Effects of grazing intensity on leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), specific leaf area (SLA), individual tiller density, sward leaf area index (LAI), harvested herbage DM, and species composition in grass mixtures (Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis, Elymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum and Elymus nutans + Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum) were studied in the alpine region of the Tibetan Plateau. Four grazing intensities (GI), expressed as feed utilisation rates (UR) by Tibetan lambs were imposed as follows: (1) no grazing; (2) 30% UR as light grazing; (3) 50% UR as medium grazing; and (4) 70% UR as high grazing. Leaf Pn rate and tiller density of grasses increased (P < 0.05), while sward LAI and harvested herbage DM declined (P < 0.05) with the increments of GI, although no effect of GI on SLA was observed. With increasing GI, Elymus nutans and Clinelymus nutans increased but Bromus inermis and Agropyron cristatum decreased in swards, LAI and DM contribution. Whether being grazed or not, Elymus nutans + Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum was the most productive sward among the grass mixtures. Thus, two well‐performed grass species (Elymus nutans and Clinelymus nutans) and the most productive mixture of four species should be investigated further as the new feed resources in the alpine grazing system of the Tibetan Plateau. Light grazing intensity of 30% UR was recommended for these grass mixtures when swards, LAI, herbage DM harvested, and species compatibility were taken into account.

Variability in Photosynthetic Rates and Accumulated Biomass Among Greenhouse-Grown Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) Accessions1

Common cocklebur is an adaptable and competitive weed with variable morphology. To learn how the rate of net photosynthesis (Pn) by common cocklebur relates to traits that may influence competitiveness, we compared Pn, accumulation of biomass (shoot mass, root mass, and total plant mass), and total leaf area among six accessions of common cocklebur grown in a greenhouse. There were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among accessions for all measured traits. Correlations of each measure of biomass with total leaf area were positive and highly significant, but correlations of Pn with each biomass measure and with total leaf area were negative. The negative correlations were largely a result of relatively low biomass accumulation by the two accessions with the highest Pn. This contrasted with results from a previous experiment on field-grown common cocklebur plants, in which the correlation of Pn with shoot mass was positive (r = 0.64). Despite the negative Pn-to-biomass correlations in the greenhouse study, the rank among accessions for Pn in the greenhouse was nearly the same as with the field-grown plants (Spearman rank correlation r = 0.89). We conclude that the relative Pn rates among common cocklebur accessions grown in the greenhouse may be used to predict their relative Pn rates in the field, but relationships of Pn with biomass or leaf area observed in the greenhouse may not be a reliable indicator of relationships in the field.Nomenclature: Common cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium L. #3 XANTH.Additional index words: Biotype, competitiveness, leaf area, photosynthesis, stomatal density.Abbreviations: CDT, Central Daylight Time; Pn, net photosynthetic rate; PPFD, photosynthetic photon flux density; TOD, time of day.

Interrelationship between Leaf Gas-Exchange Characteristics, Area Leaf Mass, and Yield in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) Genotypes

Variability in leaf gas-exchange traits in thirteen soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) genotypes was assessed in a field experiment conducted at high altitude (1 950 m). Leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) exhibited a high degree of variability at all the growth stages studied. PN and other gas-exchange parameters exhibited a seasonal pattern that was similar for all the genotypes. PN rate was highest at seed filling stage. PN was positively and significantly associated with aboveground dry matter and seed yield. The area leaf mass (ALM) exhibited a strong positive association with leaf PN, aboveground dry matter, and seed yield. The positive association between ALM, PN, and seed yield suggests that this simple and easy to measure character can be used in breeding programmes as a surrogate for higher photosynthetic efficiency and eventually higher yield.

Sensitivity of photosynthesis in a C4 plant, maize, to heat stress.

Our objective was to determine the sensitivity of components of the photosynthetic apparatus of maize (Zea mays), a C4 plant, to high temperature stress. Net photosynthesis (Pn) was inhibited at leaf temperatures above 38 degrees C, and the inhibition was much more severe when the temperature was increased rapidly rather than gradually. Transpiration rate increased progressively with leaf temperature, indicating that inhibition was not associated with stomatal closure. Nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching (qN) increased at leaf temperatures above 30 degrees C, indicating increased thylakoid energization even at temperatures that did not inhibit Pn. Compared with CO(2) assimilation, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F(v)/F(m)) was relatively insensitive to leaf temperatures up to 45 degrees C. The activation state of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase decreased marginally at leaf temperatures above 40 degrees C, and the activity of pyruvate phosphate dikinase was insensitive to temperature up to 45 degrees C. The activation state of Rubisco decreased at temperatures exceeding 32.5 degrees C, with nearly complete inactivation at 45 degrees C. Levels of 3-phosphoglyceric acid and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate decreased and increased, respectively, as leaf temperature increased, consistent with the decrease in Rubisco activation. When leaf temperature was increased gradually, Rubisco activation acclimated in a similar manner as Pn, and acclimation was associated with the expression of a new activase polypeptide. Rates of Pn calculated solely from the kinetics of Rubisco were remarkably similar to measured rates if the calculation included adjustment for temperature effects on Rubisco activation. We conclude that inactivation of Rubisco was the primary constraint on the rate of Pn of maize leaves as leaf temperature increased above 30 degrees C.

Diurnal and Seasonal Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics in Different Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars

Diurnal and seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics, leaf area dry mass (ADM), and reducing sugar and total chlorophyll (Chl) contents of leaves of Frantoio, Leccino, and Maurino olive cultivars were investigated in Central Italy. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) per unit leaf area changed during the growing season and during the day, but the cultivar did not significantly influence the changes. In both young and one-year-old leaves the highest PN values were observed in October, while the lowest values were recorded in August and December; during the day the highest PN values were generally found in the morning. The pattern of photosynthetic response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of leaves was similar in the three genotypes. Sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (CI) tended to increase when PN decreased. The increase in CI was accompanied by a stomatal conductance to water vapor (gS) decrease. In general, PN and dark respiration rate (RD) were correlated. Transpiration rate (E), with no differences between the cultivars, increased from April to July, decreased greatly in August, then increased in October and finally decreased again in December. Leaf water content increased from April to June, remained high until mid July, decreased significantly in August, remaining constant until December with no differences associated with the cultivar. In both young and one-year-old leaves, the leaf water content per unit leaf area was slightly greater in Frantoio than in the other two cultivars. The one-year-old leaves had a higher Chl content than the young ones. The cultivar did not substantially influence the leaf reducing sugar content which decreased from April to August, when it reached the lowest level, then increased rapidly until October. During the day the reducing sugar content did not change significantly. The leaf ADM was slightly higher in Frantoio than in the other cultivars and one-year-old leaves had higher values than the young ones. Leaf ADM decreased from April to June and then tended to increase until December. During the day there were no substantial variations.

Adjustments of net photosynthesis in Solanum tuberosum in response to reciprocal changes in ambient and elevated growth CO2 partial pressures.

Single leaf photosynthetic rates and various leaf components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were studied 1-3 days after reciprocally transferring plants between the ambient and elevated growth CO2 treatments. Plants were raised from individual tuber sections in controlled environment chambers at either ambient (36 Pa) or elevated (72 Pa) CO2. One half of the plants in each growth CO2 treatment were transferred to the opposite CO2 treatment 34 days after sowing (DAS). Net photosynthesis (Pn) rates and various leaf components were then measured 34, 35 and 37 DAS at both 36 and 72 Pa CO2. Three-day means of single leaf Pn rates, leaf starch, glucose, initial and total Rubisco activity, Rubisco protein, chlorophyll (a+b), chlorophyll (a/b), alpha-amino N, and nitrate levels differed significantly in the continuous ambient and elevated CO2 treatments. Acclimation of single leaf Pn rates was partially to completely reversed 3 days after elevated CO2-grown plants were shifted to ambient CO2, whereas there was little evidence of photosynthetic acclimation 3 days after ambient CO2-grown plants were shifted to elevated CO2. In a four-way comparison of the 36, 72, 36 to 72 (shifted up) and 72 to 36 (shifted down) Pa CO2 treatments 37 DAS, leaf starch, soluble carbohydrates, Rubisco protein and nitrate were the only photosynthetic factors that differed significantly. Simple and multiple regression analyses suggested that negative changes of Pn in response to growth CO2 treatment were most closely correlated with increased leaf starch levels.

Effect of Nitrogen and Water Stress on Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Content in Wheat

The relationships between photosynthesis, leaf nitrogen content and water stress were studied in ten genotypes of wheat differing in the presence of dwarfing genes. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) was mostly higher at ear emergence stage than at anthesis stage. PN decreased with water stress (leaf water potential from −2.0 to −2.5 MPa), and with reduced leaf N content in all genotypes studied. Among the various genotypes, single dwarf and wild types showed higher PN rate and maintained higher leaf N content under different N doses and water supply as compared to the other types studied.

Photosynthesis and its related physiological variables in the leaves of Brassica genotypes as influenced by sulphur fertilization

In the present investigation, we examined the effect of sulphur fertilization on photosynthesis (Pn) and its related physiological variables in the leaves of field grown Brassica genotypes (Brassica juncea [L.] Czern. and Coss. cv. Pusa Jai Kisan and Brassica campestris L. cv. Pusa Gold) over a whole growing season. Sulphur fertilization significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the Pn rate on leaf area basis at all the growth stages over −S treatment. The photosynthesis related variables such as soluble protein and Rubisco (ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) protein were significantly higher in the leaves of plants grown with +S treatment, when compared to −S treatment. Sulphur fertilization also improved the chlorophyll, N and S content in the leaves of +S treated plants over −S treatment. Leaf‐S content was linearly correlated with Pn rate, N‐content and Rubisco protein in the leaves of both genotypes. An interesting relationship between N‐content and Pn rate in the leaves of −S and +S treated plants was observed. In −S plants, the relationship between Pn rate and N‐content per unit area of fully matured leaves became non‐linear when leaf‐N exceeded 1.5 g m−2, while in +S plants the same remained linear. Rubisco protein was linearly related to Pn rate and leaf‐N content. The ratio of Rubisco/soluble protein was lesser in the leaves of −S treated plants than +S treated plants. The effect of sulphur fertilization on Pn is discussed in relation to improved nitrogen utilization efficiency of the plants that leads to incorporation of reduced‐N into the protein, especially in Rubisco protein rather than the non‐protein compounds.

Gas exchange, water relations, and Ion concentrations of salt‐stressed tomato and melon plants

Tomato and melon plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with nutrient solution having an EC of 2 dS m−1 (control treatment) and 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1, produced by adding NaCl to the control nutrient solution. After 84 days, leaf water relations, gas exchange parameters, and ion concentrations, as well as plant growth, were measured. Melon plants showed a greater reduction in shoot weight and leaf area than tomato at the two highest salinity levels used (6 and 8 dS m−1). Net photosynthesis (Pn) in melon plants tended to be lower than in tomato, for all saline treatments tested. Pn was reduced by 32% in melon plants grown in nutrient solution having an EC of 4 dS m−1, relative to control plants, and no further decline occurred at higher EC levels. In tomato plants, the Pn decline occurred at EC of 6 dS m−1, and no further reduction was detected at EC of 8 dS m−1. The significant reductions in Pn corresponded to similar leaf Cl− concentrations (around 409 mmol kg−1 dry weight) in both plant species. Net Pn and stomatal conductance were linearly correlated in both tomato and melon plants, Pn being more sensitive to changes in stomatal conductance (gs) in melon than in tomato leaves. The decline in the growth parameters caused by salinity in melon and tomato plants was influenced by other factors in addition to reduction in Pn rates. Melon leaves accumulated larger amounts of Cl− than tomato, which caused a greater reduction in growth and a reduction in Pn at lower salinity levels than in tomato plants. These facts indicate that tomato is more salt‐tolerant than melon.

Response of Alfalfa Genotypes to Saline Water Irrigation

The influence of saline water (4, 8, 12 dS m-1) irrigation on gas exchange and growth response of alfalfa genotypes Anand-2, T-9 and IL-112 was studied. T-9 and IL-112 showed a significant increase in net photosynthetic rate (PN) at low salinity (4 dS m-1) compared to the control whereas Anand-2 maintained an unaltered PN. Reduction in PN at higher salinities was primarily due to reduction of stomatal conductance. There was a greater reduction in transpiration rate as compared to PN rate, which resulted in an increase in water use efficiency (WUE). High WUE may serve as one of the strategies of the plant to withstand saline environment. However, the slight increase in WUE in Anand-2 could not help in maintaining its growth. Increase in Na+ concentration in comparison to K+ concentration may also contribute to the inhibition in growth.

Photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation and growth response of Antarctic vascular plants to contrasting temperature regimes

Air temperatures have risen over the past 50 yr along the Antarctic Peninsula, and it is unclear what impact this is having on Antarctic plants. We examined the growth response of the Antarctic vascular plants Colobanthus quitensis (Caryophyllaceae) and Deschampsia antarctica (Poaceae) to temperature and also assessed their ability for thermal acclimation, in terms of whole-canopy net photosynthesis (P(n)) and dark respiration (R(d)), by growing plants for 90 d under three contrasting temperature regimes: 7°C day/7°C night, 12°C day/7°C night, and 20°C day/7°C night (18 h/6 h). These daytime temperatures represent suboptimal (7°C), near-optimal (12°C), and supraoptimal (20°C) temperatures for P(n) based on field measurements at the collection site near Palmer Station along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Plants of both species grown at a daytime temperature of 20°C had greater RGR (relative growth rate) and produced 2.2-3.3 times as much total biomass as plants grown at daytime temperatures of 12° or 7°C. Plants grown at 20°C also produced 2.0-4.1 times as many leaves, 3.4-5.5 times as much total leaf area, and had 1.5-1.6 times the LAR (leaf area ratio; leaf area:total biomass) and 1.1-1.4 times the LMR (leaf mass ratio; leaf mass:total biomass) of plants grown at 12° or 7°C. Greater RGR and biomass production at 20°C appeared primarily due to greater biomass allocation to leaf production in these plants. Rates of P(n) (leaf-area basis), when measured at their respective daytime growth temperatures, were highest in plants grown at 12°C, and rates of plants grown at 20°C were only 58 (C. quitensis) or 64% (D. antarctica) of the rates in plants grown at 12°C. Thus, lower P(n) per leaf area in plants grown at 20°C was more than offset by much greater leaf-area production. Rates of whole-canopy P(n) (per plant), when measured at their respective daytime growth temperatures, were highest in plants grown at 20°C, and appeared well correlated with differences in RGR and total biomass among treatments. Colobanthus quitensis exhibited only a slight ability for relative acclimation of P(n) (leaf-area basis) as the optimal temperature for P(n) increased from 8.4° to 10.3° to 11.5°C as daytime growth temperatures increased from 7° to 12° to 20°C. There was no evidence for relative acclimation of P(n) in D. antarctica, as plants grown at all three temperature regimes had a similar optimal temperature (10°C) for P(n). There was no evidence for absolute acclimation of P(n) in either species, as rates of P(n) in plants grown at a daytime temperature of 12°C were higher than those of plants grown at daytime temperatures of 7° or 20°C, when measured at their respective growth temperatures. The poor ability for photosynthetic acclimation in these species may be associated with the relatively stable maritime temperature regime during the growing season along the Peninsula. In contrast to P(n), both species exhibited full acclimation of R(d), and rates of R(d) on a leaf-area basis were similar among treatments when measured at their respective daytime growth temperature. Our results suggest that in the absence of interspecific competition, continued warming along the Peninsula will lead to improved vegetative growth of these species due to (1) greater biomass allocation to leaf-area production (as opposed to improved rates of P(n) per leaf area) and (2) their ability to acclimate R(d), such that respiratory losses per leaf area do not increase under higher temperature regimes.

Photosynthesis as a temperature indicator in Quercus ilex L.

Net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), leaf temperature (LT), transpiration rate ( E) and in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored February 1996–February 1997 in Quercus ilex plants growing in the climax area (Rome) and in the Garda lake region. Photosynthetic activity is an appropriate temperature-dependent functional trait linked to plant metabolism and performance. We employed photosynthesis as a stress temperature indicator. Regression analysis showed that in such regional climatic conditions, net photosynthetic rates were primarily correlated with temperature. The introduction of rainfall in the function did not significantly improve the theoretical prevision, in the range of temperature and rainfall analysed. The favourable leaf temperatures allowing 90–100% of the highest photosynthetic rates were 14–28°C, decreasing over 50% when leaf temperature were respectively below 6°C and over 37°C: the low potential photochemical efficiency of 0.71 PSII (Fv/Fm) at Castelporziano during summer, confirmed the state of stress. Transpiration rates remained high with the increase of leaf temperature in summer, in spite of the 46% decrease of stomatal conductance. Nevertheless, this decrease allowed the maintenance of acceptable Pn rates in stressful conditions. The potential productivity of Q. ilex lied on high peaks of activity during periods of lower evaporative demand and a rapid stomatal response to an increase in air temperature and soil water deficit. Although it is difficult to forecast Q. ilex productivity and plant structure, we may hypothesize its future presence in the Mediterranean Basin by the capability of vegetative activity in a wide range of temperatures, the high stomatal control in stressful conditions, the high plasticity index and water use efficiency (WUE).

Effects of Salinity on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Photosynthesis of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Grown Under a Triple-Line-Source Sprinkler System in the Field

In flag leaves of four cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in the field under a triple-line-source sprinkler system, that produces a linear soil salinity gradient, a decrease in net carbon dioxide assimilation rate (PN) and stomatal conductance for water vapour (gs) was found. These changes were related to salinity tolerance at moderate salinity. With increasing salinity, PN was saturated at low irradiances and stomatal frequencies increased. A decrease in photosystem 2 (PS2) efficiency was not found in the field after dark adaptation even at high salinity. Salinity induced only small decreases in the actual PS2 efficiency at midday steady-state photosynthesis, indicating that the photosynthetic electron transport was little affected by salinity. Therefore, using PS2 efficiency estimates in attached leaves is probably not a useful tool to screen barley genotypes grown under saline conditions in the field for salinity tolerance. In contrast, excised flag leaves from high salinity plots, once in the laboratory, exhibited a decrease in the variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence ratio as compared to excised leaves from control plants. On the other hand, the PN rate might allow for a good discrimination between tolerant and non-tolerant cultivars.

SEASONAL VARIATION IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF YOUNG TEA

Photosynthetic rates (Pn) of China-type high quality tea (Camellia sinensis), clone T78, 44–68 months after field planting, were monitored during the different seasons of 1996 and 1997. The maximum value of Pn (11.9 μmol m−2 s−1) was recorded in October when humidity was very high, temperature, sunshine hours and soil moisture were moderate and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was highest. Low temperature accompanied by low soil moisture reduced Pn during the winter (February). An important limiting factor for Pn was observed to be moisture stress. An apparent relationship between Pn and relative humidity was observed. In general, higher rates of Pn were recorded during periods of low evaporative demand (low VPD).

Carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of defruited and fruiting pistachio (Pistacia vera L) branches in relation to biennial bearing

SummaryChanges in carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of fruiting and defruited branches of the same tree were measured in 1994 and 1995 in the period before and during bud abscission in pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Aegenes) to investigate its relationship to inflorescent bud abscission. HPLC was used for soluble sugar analysis, while starch was hydrolyzed to glucose enzymatically and the amount of glucose was then determined using the glucose oxidaseperoxidase method. The effect of fruit on leaf net photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll a and b (Chl (a+b)) in leaves and specific leaf weight (SLW) was also investigated in 1995. Starch concentration was initially similar in buds of fruiting and defruited branches but became greater in buds of defruited branches from early June 1994 (57 d after full bloom (AFB)) and 20 June 1995 (61 dAFB), resulting in higher starch contents. Glucose and fructose concentrations were similar in flower buds throughout the whole period of measurement; inositol and sucrose (the most abundant sugar in flower buds) both became much lower in fruiting branches from early July 1994 (83 dAFB) and mid July 1995 (88 dAFB). The rapid decrease in sucrose concentration coincided with rapid seed growth and the greatest period of bud abscission in fruiting branches. During the same period, total sugar and total carbohydrate concentrations and contents were greater in buds of defruited branches. The presence of fruit increased Chl (a+b) content in leaves while decreasing SLW between 43 and 61 dAFB. During this same period, leaf Pn rates were greater in fruiting shoots than in defruited ones.

Differential Response of Two Wheat Genotypes to Nitrogen Supply. II. Mesophyll Cell Characteristics and Photosynthesis of Laminae at Full Expansion

AbstractTwo wheat genotypes, viz. Uniculm ‘Gigas’ (V1) and Kalyansona (V2) were raised to maturity under two levels of nitrogen supply @ 30 (N1) and 120 (N2) kg ha−1, under pot culture conditions. Laminae numbering 1 to 8 on the shoot were examined for area, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and mesophyll cell characteristics, at full expansion. N1 resulted in greater reduction in the area of upper laminae in V1 than in V2. The flag and penultimate laminae maintained similar Pn rates at both N levels in V1 despite a large reduction in area at N1. However, V2 exhibited about 25% reduction in Pn rates of the flag laminae at N1 as compared with N2. Mesophyll cell number per unit area gradually increased with laminae order in the genotypes. The greater number of mesophyll cells in the upper laminae was essentially due to a reduction in cell size and surface area as a result of low N availability. The large differences in laminae size due to N treatments, particularly in V1, are attributed to mesophyll cell numbers. However, the maintenance of Pn rates in V1, even at low N supply, is a possible outcome of higher activity of the mesophyll cell constituents in this genotype.

Suspended particulate nitrogen δ15N versus nitrate utilization: observations in Monterey Bay, CA

Over a four-year period the δ 15N values of particulate nitrogen, PN, suspended in surface waters at several sites in Monterey Bay were observed to vary between 1.3 and 7.6‰, a significant portion of the known oceanic δ 15N PN range. δ 15N PN generally increased as [NO 3 - ] declined, in keeping with the hypothesis that δ 15N PN rises with increased NO 3 - utilization. Previously reported measurements conducted elsewhere in the Pacific and Indian oceans generally match this trend. The distinctly non-linear relationship between δ 15N PN and ln[NO 3 - ] is consistent with a closed-system, Rayleigh fractionation model where: NO 3 - is the reactant, PN is the accumulating end product, initial [NO 3 - ]=30 μM, initial δ 15 N NO 3 - =7‰ , and biological fractionation, ε=9‰. There is, however, considerable scatter in the data about this trend ( r 2=0.37), with the uncertainty (±1 standard deviation) of empirically estimating nitrate utilization from δ 15N PN of ±4.3 μM. Also, the ε required to fit the model to observed δ 15N PN variations produces δ 15N NO 3 - at intermediate and low [NO 3 - ] that is much higher than has thus far been observed in the ocean. One way to rectify this discrepancy would be if ε declined as [NO 3 - ] decreased. Lack of significant linear correlation between δ 15N PN and phytoplankton growth rate, cell size, and 1/[NO 3 - ] argues against δ being influenced by limitations imposed by diffusive NO 3 - transport. However, logarithmic functions of these factors can explain up to 50% of the observed δ 15N PN variability, suggesting that active NO 3 - transport or species-specific effects may be influencing ε and hence δ 15N PN in Monterey Bay.

Differential Response of Two Wheat Genotypes to Nitrogen Supply. I. Ontogenic Changes in Laminae Growth and Photosynthesis

AbstractTwo wheat genotypes viz. Uniculm ‘gigas’ (VI) and Kalyansona (V2) were raised till maturity with low (N1) and adequate (N2) nitrogen levels supplied at 30 and 120kg ha−1, respectively. Laminae, numbering 1–8 on the main shoot, were examined for various parameters at weekly intervals from emergence through senescence. N1 resulted in gradual reduction in laminae growth from 5th leaf onwards with maximum effect on flag and penultimate laminae of both the genotypes. Chlorophyll concentration, soluble protein, rubisco concentration and rubisco activity in response to low N supply was reduced in the top two laminae in V2. Pn rate varied little with leaf position in wheat at adequate N supply. In V2, low N supply resulted in the reduction of laminae N content by about 25% with corresponding reduction in Pn rates in the penultimate and flag laminae. VI, in contrast, exhibited no significant change in leaf N concentration and hence maintained similar Pn rates at both levels of N supply throughout the ontogeny.It is concluded that the two genotypes responded differently to N supply in relation to laminae growth and photosynthesis. Uniculm ‘Gigas’ (VI) responded to low N with large reduction in laminae size, adequately maintaining the metabolic constituents such as chlorophyll, soluble protein, rubisco and laminae N concentration and Kalyansona (V2), in contrast, responded with small changes in laminae size and greater reduction in synthesis and maintenance of the metabolic constituents.

Genetic variation in summer gas exchange patterns of interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss times Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.)

Interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss x Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) somatic seedlings from a range of clones were measured for gas exchange processes in relation to summer atmospheric parameters. Carbon isotope composition ( delta 13C) of needles was compared with gas exchange parameters and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi). Needle conductance (gwv) decreased as vapour pressure deficit (VPD) increased. Clone T703 had the lowest gwv level across all VPD conditions, with clones G351, N366, and W460 having significantly greater gwv than clone T703 at VPD levels &lt;2.0 kPa. Response of net photosynthesis (Pn) to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for all clones showed Pn to increase to PAR levels of around 1000 µmol ·m-2 ·s-1 and then, Pn rates were stable at higher PAR levels. Clones N366 and W460 had significantly greater Pn than clone T703 at all PAR levels. All clones showed Pn to decline as VPD increased, with clone W460 having the highest predicted Pn level across all VPD conditions and significantly greater Pn than clone T703. Higher WUEi was related to an increase in delta 13C, with clone T703 having the highest WUEi and delta 13C, followed by clone W460. Changes in delta 13C, for all clones, indicated a stronger relationship with gwv than with Pn.