Differential sensitivity to humidity of daily photosynthesis in the field in C₃ and C₄ species

Summary

Net photosynthesis was measured under field conditions in Maryland, U.S.A. on several days in the C₄ species Amaranthus hybridus and Portulaca oleracea, and the C₃ species Chenopodium album. Two similar fully exposed canopy leavesof the same specieswere measured each day, following ambient patterns of air temperature and irradiance. One leaf of the pair was exposed to air at the ambient humidity, while the other leaf was exposed to wetter air, such that the leaf to air water vapor pressure difference was 0.5 to 0.6 of that of the leaf at ambient humidity. Daily totals of net photosynthesis were consistently higher for leaves at increased humidity in C. album, with a mean ratio of 1.17. In contrast, daily totals of net photosynthesis in the two C₄ species were at most 1.06 times higher for leaves at increased humidity, with a mean ratio of 1.03. Leaf conductance to water vapor increased as water vapor pressure differences decreased in C. album and A. hybridus. In A. hybridus increased sub-stomatal CO₂ concentrations resulting from increased humidity only slightly increased net photosynthesis.