Effect of Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density on Carboxylation Efficiency

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on photosynthetic response (A) to CO2 partial pressures between 35 pascals and CO2 compensation point (.GAMMA.) was investigated, especially below PPFD saturation. Spinacia olearacea cv ''Atlanta'', Glycine max cv ''Clark,'' and Arbutus unedo were studied in detail. The initial slope of the photosynthetic response to CO2 (.vdelta.A/.vdelta.C[.GAMMA.]) was constant above a PPFD of about 500 to 600 micromoles per square meter per second for all three species; but declined rapidly with PPFD below this critical level. For .GAMMA. there was also a critical PPFD (approximately 200 micromoles per square meter per second for S. oleracea and G. max; 100 for A. unedo) above which .GAMMA. was essentially constant, but below which .GAMMA. increased with decreasing PPFD. All three species showed a dependence of .vdelta.A/.vdelta.C(.GAMMA.) on PPFD at low PPFD. Simulated photosynthetic responses obtained with a biochemically based model of whole-leaf photosynthesis were similar to measured responses.