C4 Pathway Photosynthesis at Low Temperature in Cold-tolerant Atriplex Species

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Abstract
Two species of Atriplex were grown under low temperature (8.degree. C day/6.degree. C night) and high temperature (28.degree. C day/20.degree. C night) regimes. The photosynthetic capacity of these plants was studied as a function of temperature in a leaf gas exchange cuvette. Both species showed substantial photosynthetic capacity between 4.degree.-10.degree. C. This was not enhanced by growth at low temperatures but was somewhat greater in plants grown at higher temperature. Photosynthetic capacity of low temperature-grown plants at high temperature was greater in A. confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Watts., a native of cool deserts, than in A. vesicaria (Hew. ex. Benth.) from warmer desert areas. Leaves of both species were subjected to 14CO2 pulse-chase and steady-state feeding experiments under controlled temperature conditions. These experiments revealed that the kinetics of C assimilation through the intermediates of the C4 pathway are not substantially disrupted at low temperature in either species. There was a substantial interchange of label between aspartate and malate at low temperature which was not evident at high temperature. There was also an increase in the pool sizes of the C4 acids involved in photosynthesis of A. confertifolia. The apparent explanation of these changes and their possible significance in promoting low temperature C4 photosynthesis in these plants is presented.