ALBERT

Description: Carbon isotope ratios ( delta 13C) of canopy air and carbon isotope discrimination at the ecosystem level were studied in three montane Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Dougl. ex J. Forbes) stands, an old-growth and two younger stands. Spatial and temporal variations of canopy CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) and their delta 13C were strongly related to stand structure. Within the old-growth stand, both daytime canopy [CO2] and canopy delta 13C stayed close to those of the troposphere, either indicating low overall photosynthetic rates or high turbulent mixing. Pronounced periods of photosynthetic drawdown below baseline [CO2] accompanied by more enriched canopy delta 13C were observed for the two younger and denser stands. Canopy [CO2] profiles seemed closely related to changes in soil conditions. Soil respiration rates were positively related to soil temperature, but negatively to soil moisture. delta 13C of soil-respired CO2 stayed relatively constant at -24.55 ± 0.20%oduring the growing season. Significant relationships existed between canopy delta 13C and 1/[CO2] in all three stands. Using the intercepts of these regressions, we calculated an average delta 13C for ecosystem respiration of -26.4 ± 0.1%o. Ecosystem carbon isotope discrimination ( DELTA e), an integrating measure for carbon exchange between the troposphere and the entire ecosystem, stayed relatively constant through time. DELTA e showed no significant stand structure effect (leaf area index, density) and averaged 18.9%o for the old-growth and 19.2 ± 0.2%ofor the two younger stands.

Description: SUMMARYAlthough direct selection for seed yield under water deficit can result in genetic gains in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), progress could be enhanced through selection for additional traits that are related to underlying mechanisms of adaptation to water deficit. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has received considerable attention as an indicator of water use efficiency and adaptation to water deficit. To test the utility of Δ as a selection criterion, Δ and other traits were measured in F2 and F3 generations of a nine-parent diallel grown under rainfed conditions at two locations in Colombia with contrasting soil types. An irrigated trial was also conducted at one location. Significant (P 0·05) differences among parents, F2 and F3 were found for carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), leaf optical density (OD), leaf nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) concentrations, relative duration of pod-filling period (RDPF), shoot dry weight (SDW) and harvest index (HI). Effect of location and water regime and their interactions with genotype were also frequently significant. Heritability estimates, determined by regressing the F3 on the F2, ranged from 0·11±011 (S.E.) to 0·33 ±0·10 for OD, 0·22 ± 0·07 to 0·44±0·09 for N, 0·04±0·05 to 0·29±0·08 for K, 0·40 ± 0·08 to 0·43 ± 0·15 for RDPF and 0·30±0·22 to 1·00±0·24 for SDW. All values for Δ and HI did not differ significantly from zero. Correlations between seed yield and OD and RDPF were negative, whereas those with N, K, SDW, and HI were positive. For all traits, mean square values for general combining ability (GCA) were usuall significant and larger than those for specific combining ability (SCA). All significant GCA effects for Δ for ‘Rio Tibagi’, ‘San Cristobal 83’ and ‘Apetito’ were negative, while those for ‘Bayo Rio Grande’, ‘Bayo Criollo del Llano’, ‘Durango 222’ and BAT1224 were positive. Although Δappears unsuitable as an indirect criterion for selection for yield under water deficit, further study of genotypes exhibiting contrasting values of A might reveal differences in mechanisms of adaptation to water deficits, thus leading to other selection criteria or identification of valuable parental lines.