Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of partial defoliation, changes of irradiance during growth, short-term water stress and growth at enhanced p(CO2) on the photosynthetic capacity of leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The response of CO2-assimilation rate to the intercellular partial pressure of CO2 (p(CO2)) is used to analyse the effects of various growth treatments on the photosynthetic characteristics of P. vulgaris. Partial defoliation caused an increase in CO2-assimilation rate at all intercellular p(CO2). A change in the light regime for growth from high to low light levels caused a decrease of CO2-assimilation rate at all intercellular p(CO2). Growth in a CO2-enriched atmosphere resulted in lowered assimilation assimilation rates compared with controls at comparable intercellular p(CO2). Short-term water stress initially caused only a decline in the CO2-assimilation rate at high intercellular p(CO2), but not at low intercellular p(CO2). Except under severe water stress, changes in the initial slope of the response of CO2-assimilation rate to intercellular p(CO2) were in parallel to those of the in-vitro activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase. From the results, we infer that partial defoliation, changes in the light regime for growth, and growth in a CO2-enriched atmosphere cause parallel changes in RuBP-carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity and the “capacity for RuBP regeneration”, whereas short-term water stress initially causes only a decline in the RuBP-regeneration capacity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

p(CO2):

partial pressure(s) of carbon dioxide

RuBP:

ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

References

  • Alderfer, R.G., Eagles, C.F. (1976) The effect of partial defoliation on the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of bean leaves. Bot. Gaz. (Chicago) 137, 351–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Badger, M.R., Collatz, G.J. (1977) Studies on the kinetic mechanism of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and oxygenase reactions, with particular reference to the effect of temperature on kinetic parameters. Carnegie Inst. Washington Yearb. 76, 355–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, M.C., Farquhar, G.D. (1984a) Photosynthetic and stomatal responses of two mangrove species, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina, to long term salinity and humidity conditions. Plant Physiol. (in press)

  • Ball, M.C., Farquhar, G.D. (1984b) Photosynthetic and stomatal responses of the grey mangrove, Avicennia marina, to transient salinity conditions. Plant Physiol. (in press)

  • Björkman, O. (1982) Responses to different quantum flux densities. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, N.S., vol. 12A: Physiological plant ecology I. Responses to the physical environment, pp. 57–107, Lange, O.L., Nobel, P.S., Osmond, C.B., Ziegler, H., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Blenkinsop, P.G., Dale, J.E. (1974) The effects of shade treatment and light intensity on ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity and fraction I protein level in the first leaf of barley. J. Exp. Bot. 25, 899–912

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, J.S. (1971) Non-stomatal inhibition of photosynthesis in sunflower at low leaf water potentials and high light intensities. Plant Physiol. 48, 532–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, J.S. (1976) Water deficiets and photosynthesis. In: Water deficits and plant growth, vol. IV, pp. 153–190, Kozlowski, T.T., ed. Academic Press, New York San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunce, J.A., Patterson, D.T., Peet, M.M., Randall, S.A. (1977) Light acclimation during and after leaf expansion in soybean. Plant Physiol. 60, 255–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Caemmerer, S. von (1981) On the relationship between chloroplast biochemistry and gas exchange of leaves. Ph.D. thesis, Australian National University, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Caemmerer, S. von, Farquhar, G.D. (1981) Some relationships between the biochemistry of photosynthesis and the gas exchange of leaves. Planta 153, 376–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmi, A., Koller, D. (1979) Regulation of photosynthetic activity in the primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by materials moving in the water conducting system. Plant Physiol. 64, 285–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Collatz, G.J. (1977) Influence of certain environmental factors on photosynthesis and photorespiration in Simmondsia chinensis. Planta 134, 127–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Downton, W.J.S., Björkman, O., Pike, C. (1980) Consequences of increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide for growth and photosynthesis of higher plants. In: Carbon dioxide and climate: Australian research, pp. 143–151, Pearman, G.I., ed. Australian Academy of Sciences, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, J.R. (1983) Nitrogen and photosynthesis in the flag leaf of wheat (Triticum aestivum) L. Plant Physiol. 72, 297–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, G.D., Caemmerer, S. von (1981) Electron transport limitations on the CO2 assimilation rate of leaves: a model and some observations in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Proc. Vth Int. Congr. on Photosynthesis, Halkidiki, Greece, vol. IV, pp. 163–175, Akoyunoglou, G., ed. Balaban, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, G.D., Caemmerer, S. von (1982) Modelling of photosynthetic response to environmental conditions. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, N.S., vol. 12B: Physiological plant ecology II. Water relations and carbon assimilation, pp. 549–588, Lange, O.L., Nobel, P.S., Osmond, C.B., Ziegler, H., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, G.D., Caemmerer, S. von, Berry, J.A. (1980) A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 species. Planta 149, 78–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, D.R. (1976) Effects of translocation and assimilate demand on photosynthesis. Can. J. Bot. 54, 2337–2345

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M.D., Slack, C.R., Bull, T.A. (1969) Light induced changes in the content of some enzymes of the C4-dicarboxylic acid pathway of photosynthesis and its effect on other characteristics of photosynthesis. Phytochemistry 3, 697–706

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, E.J., Smith, T.A. (1975) Plant mineral nutrition. English University Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson, K.C. (1974) Influence of partial defoliation on photosynthesis, photorespiration and transpiration by lucerne leaves of different ages. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 1, 561–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstra, G., Hesketh, J.D. (1975) The effects of temperature and CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis in soybean. In: Environmental and biological control of photosynthesis, pp. 71–80, Marcelle, R., ed. Junk, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, G.I., Woolhouse, H.W. (1981) Photosynthetic electron transport during senescence of the primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. I. Non-cyclic electron transport. J. Exp. Bot. 32, 467–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, H.G. (1973) Moderate term water stress and associated changes in some photosynthetic parameters in cotton. New Phytol. 72, 1095–1105

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, D.B., Ogren, W.L. (1981) Species variation in the specificity of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Nature (London) 291, 513–515

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurik, W.T., Chabot, J.F., Chabot, B.F. (1979) Ontogeny of photosynthetic performance in Fragaria virginiana under changing light regimes. Plant Physiol. 63, 542–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, W.M., Kaiser, G., Prachuab, P.K., Wildman, S.G., Heber, U. (1981) Photosynthesis of isolated chloroplasts and protoplasts under osmotic stress. Inhibition of photosynthesis of intact chloroplasts, protoplasts and leaf slices at low water potentials. Planta 153, 416–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Keck, R.W., Boyer, J.S. (1974) Chloroplast response to low leaf water potentials. III. Differing inhibition of electron transport and photophosphorylation. Plant Physiol. 53, 474–429

    Google Scholar 

  • King, R.W., Wardlaw, I.F., Evans, L.T. (1967) Effect of assimilate utilization on photosynthetic rate in wheat. Planta 77, 261–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriedemann, P.E., Sward, R.J., Downton, W.J.S. (1976) Vine response to carbon dioxide enrichment during heat therapy. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 3, 605–618

    Google Scholar 

  • Laisk, A., Oya, V. (1971) Changed resistance of aspen mesophyll as a response to rapid leaf drying (in Russian with English summ.). Fiziol. Rast. 18, 553–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorimer, G.H., Badger, M.R., Andrews, T.J. (1977) D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase: improved methods for the activation and assay of catalytic activities. Anal. Biochem. 78, 66–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Louwerse, W., van der Zweerde, W. (1977) Photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf morphology of Phaseolus vulgaris and Zea mays grown at different irradiances in artificial and sunlight. Photosynthetica 11, 11–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Medina, E. (1969) Relationships between nitrogen level, photosynthetic capacity and carboxy-dismutase activity in Atriplex patula leaves. Carnegic Inst. Washington Yearb. 68, 655–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Moldau, H. (1973) Effects of various water regimes on stomatal and mesophyll conductances of bean leaves. Photosynthetica 7, 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A., Björkman, O., Collatz, G.J. (1977) Photosynthetic acclimation to temperature and water stress in the desert shrub Larrea divaricata. Carnegie Inst. Washington Yearb. 76, 328–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Neales, T.F., Treharne, K.J., Wareing, P.F. (1971) A relationship between net photosynthesis, diffusive resistance, and carboxylating enzyme activity in bean leaves. In: Photosynthesis and photorespiration, pp. 89–96, Hatch, M., Osmond, C.B., Slatyer, R.O., eds. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nevins, D.J., Loomis, R.S. (1970) Nitrogen nutrition and photosynthesis in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Crop Sci. 10, 21–25

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Toole, J.C., Crookston, R.K., Treharne, K.J., Ozbun, J.L. (1976) Mesophyll resistance and carboxylase activity. Comparison under water stress conditions. Plant Physiol. 57, 465–468

    Google Scholar 

  • Peet, M.M., Kramer, P.J. (1981) Effects of decreasing source/sink ratio in soybeans on photosynthesis, photorespiration, transpiration and yield. Plant Cell Environ. 3, 201–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Powles, S.B., Critchley, C. (1980) Effect of light intensity during growth on photoinhibition of intact attached bean leaflets. Plant Physiol. 65, 1181–1187

    Google Scholar 

  • Radin, J.W., Ackerson, R.C. (1981) Water relations of cotton plants under nitrogen dificiency. III. Stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and abscisic acid accumulation during drought. Plant Physiol. 67, 115–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Seemann, J.R., Berry, J.A. (1982) Interspecific differences in the kinetic properties of RuBP carboxylase protein. Carnegie Inst. Washington Yearb. 81, 78–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Seemann, J.R., Tepperman, J.M., Berry, J.A. (1981) The relationship between photosynthetic performance and the levels and kinetic properties of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase from desert winter-annuals. Carnegie Inst. Washington Yearb. 80, 67–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharkey, T.D., Badger, M.R. (1982) Effects of waterstress on photosynthetic electron transport, photophosphorylation, and metabolite levels of Xanthium strumarium mesophyll cells. Planta 156, 199–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, E. (1978) Biochemical and genetic studies of the synthesis and degradation of RuP2 carboxylase. In: Photosynthetic carbon assimilation, pp. 113–125, Siegelmann, H.W., Hind, G., eds. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, J.H., Koller, H.R. (1974) Influence of assimilate demand on photosynthesis, diffusive resistance, translocation, and carbohydrate levels of soybean leaves. Plant Physiol. 54, 201–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Troughton, J.H., Slatyer, R.O. (1969) Plant water status, leaf temperature and the calculated mesophyll resistance to carbon dioxide of cotton leaves. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 22, 815–827

    Google Scholar 

  • Wareing, P.F., Khalifa, M.M., Treharne, K.J. (1968) Rate-limiting processes in photosynthesis at saturating light intensities. Nature (London) 220, 453–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Wild, A., Rühle, W., Grahl, H. (1975) The effect of light intensity during growth of Sinapis alba on the electron transport and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. In: Environmental and biological control of photosynthesis, pp. 115–121, Marcelle, R., ed. Junk, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S.C. (1979) Elevated atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 and plant growth. I. Interactions of nitrogen and photosynthetic capacity and C3 and C4 plants. Oecologia 44, 68–74

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

von Caemmerer, S., Farquhar, G.D. Effects of partial defoliation, changes of irradiance during growth, short-term water stress and growth at enhanced p(CO2) on the photosynthetic capacity of leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.. Planta 160, 320–329 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393413

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393413

Key words

Navigation