Determination of the Rate of CO2 Evolution by Green Leaves in Light

Abstract
The rate of CO(2) evolution in light by green leaves was determined by 2 methods in a closed system of gas analysis and by measuring the amount of CO(2) evolved into a CO(2) free air stream in an open system. All methods gave similar results under comparable conditions.A light stimulated CO(2) evolution from green leaves was found in all the plant species studied except corn where there was no apparent CO(2) evolution in the light.The magnitude of CO(2) evolution in light was markedly dependent on air flow rate and light intensity. At high light intensity and high flow rate, the rate of CO(2) evolution from green leaves was 1.4 to 1.7 times greater than that in darkness.