Influence of Light Intensity at Different Temperatures on Rate of Respiration of Douglas-Fir Seedlings

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The rate of photorespiration of Douglas-fir seedlings was measured under different light intensities by: (1) extrapolating the curve for CO2 uptake in relation to atmospheric CO2 content to zero CO2 content, and (2) measuring CO2 evolution of the plants into a CO2-free airstream. Different results, obtained from these techniques, were believed to be caused by a severe restriction of the photosynthetic activity when the latter was used. With the first method, CO2 evolution was lower than the dark respiration rate at low light intensity. For all temperatures studied (6°, 20°, 28°) a further increase in light intensity raised the CO2 evolution above dark respiration before it leveled off. The rate of CO2 evolution was stimulated by increase in temperature at all light intensities. With the CO2-free air method, CO2 evolution in the light was less than dark respiration at all light intensities.