Environmental Effects on Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). II. Effects of Temperature on Photosynthesis, Photorespiration and Dark Respiration in Peppermint With Reference to Oil Composition

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Net CO2 exchange was investigated at several photon flux densities and day temperatures in both 21% and 2% O2. Light saturation occurred between 400 and 500 .mu.Em-2 s-1 in attached, fully expanded leaves of peppermint. Maximum rates of apparent photosynthesis occurred at 20.degree. C. The important determinants of apparent photosynthesis were an increase in true photosynthesis when temperature was increased to 25.degree. C, a steady increase in dark respiration with increased temperature and a rapid increase in photorespiration between 15 and 30.degree. C. Such net CO2 exchange characteristics of peppermint support the photosynthate model proposed to explain environmental effects on oil composition.