ISSN:
1432-2285
Keywords:
Forest decline
;
Photosynthetic capacity
;
Picea abies
;
Stomatal conductance
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Routine field determination of the parameters characterizing the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus is often difficult when attached branches of tall trees have to be used for gas exchange measurement. If severed twigs could be used, determining these parameters would be greatly facilitated. Because stomatal conductance changes when twigs or leaves are detached, CO2 assimilation is usually altered. Thus, measurements made at ambient CO2 concentration fail to accurately assess the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus because photosynthetic rates greatly depend on the supply of carbon dioxide. However, when photosynthetic carboxylation reactions are saturated by increased CO2 partial pressure in the mesophyll, CO2 assimilation rates no longer depend on instantaneous stomatal conductance, as shown by gas exchange measurements of spruce (Picea abies) twigs prior to and following detachment. Because net photosynthesis following detachment at saturating CO2 remains constant for a minimum of 15 min, photosynthetic measurements of severed twigs may be reliable. This length of time is sufficient for detaching and recutting the twig, assembling a portable minicuvette system, re-establishing steady-state conditions with the gas analyser system, and reading the data over a reasonable period of time. The method described measures the maximal photosynthetic CO2 assimilation of spruce needles of a single age-class from detached spruce twigs under the following conditions: saturating light, saturating external CO2-partial pressure, standardized temperature and air humidity in the field. The method is applicable as a routine procedure to characterize the status of the photosynthetic apparatus of spruce trees that may be damaged in the process of forest decline.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00197027
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