Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of oxygen concentration on leaf photosynthesis and resistances to carbon dioxide diffusion

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Net photosynthesis of tropical legume leaves increased by 44% and that of tropical grass leaves was unaffected when oxygen concentration was reduced from 21 to 0.2%. Stomatal resistance to carbon dioxide diffusion was unaltered in both cases but mesophyll resistance of legume leaves decreased with oxygen concentration. It is proposed that the decrease in mesophyll resistance is accompanied by decreases in excitation and carboxylation resistances.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

References

  • Björkman, O.: The effect of oxygen concentration on photosynthesis in higher plants. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 19, 618–633 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Further studies of the effect of oxygen concentration on photosynthetic CO2 uptake in higher plants. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book 66, 220–228 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Gauhl, E.; Effect of temperature and oxygen concentration on photosynthesis in Marchantia polymorpha. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book 67, 479–482 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Holmgren, P.: Adaptability of the photosynthetic apparatus to light intensity in ecotypes from exposed and shaded habitats. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 16, 889–914 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bull, T. A.: Photosynthetic efficiencies and photorespiration in Calvin cycle and C4-dicarboxylic acid plants. Crop Sci. 9, 126–129 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Collander, R.: Cell membranes, their resistance to penetration and their capacity for transport (F. C. Steward, ed.), p. 3–102. New York-London: Academic Press 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downes, R. W., Hesketh, J.: Enhanced photosynthesis at low oxygen concentrations: differential response of temperature and tropical grasses. Planta (Berl.) 78, 79–84 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Downton, W. J. S., Tregunna, E. B.: Photorespiration and glycollate metabolism: a re-examination and correlation of some previous studies. Pl. Physiol. (Lancaster) 43, 923–929 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester, M. L., Krotkov, G., Nelson, C. D.: Effect of oxygen on photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration in detached leaves. I. Soybean. Pl. Physiol. (Lancaster) 41, 422–427 (1966a).

    Google Scholar 

  • ———: Effect of oxygen on photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration in detached leaves. II. Corn and other monocotyledons. Pl. Physiol. (Lancaster) 41, 428–431 (1966b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauhl, E., Björkman, O.: Simultaneous measurements on the effect of oxygen concentration on water vapour and carbon dioxide exchange in leaves. Planta (Berl.) 88, 187–191 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hesketh, J. D.: Enhancement of photosynthetic CO2-assimilation in the absence of oxygen, as affected by species and temperature. Planta (Berl.) 76, 371–374 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstra, G., Hesketh, J. D.: Effects of temperature on the gas exchange of leaves in the light and dark. Planta (Berl.) 85, 228–237 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmgren, P.: Leaf factors affecting light-saturated photosynthesis in ecotypes of Solidago virgaurea from exposed and shaded habitats. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 21, 676–698 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lake, J. V.: Respiration of leaves during photosynthesis. II. Effects on the estimation of mesophyll resistance. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 20, 495–499 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ludlow, M. M., Jarvis, P. G.: Methods of measuring photorespiration rates of leaves. Plant photosynthetic production, a manual of methods (Z. Sestak, J. Catsky and P. G. Jarvis, eds.). The Hague: Dr. W. Junk 1970 (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, B. S., Anderson, D. B., Böhning, R. H.: Introduction to plant physiology, p. 38. New Jersey: D. van Nostrand 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteith, J. L.: Gas exchange on plant communities. Environmental control of plant growth (L. T. Evans, ed.), p. 95–112. New York-London: Academic Press 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozbun, J. L., Volk, R. J., Jackson, W. A.: Effect of potassium deficiency on photosynthesis, respiration and the utilization of photosynthetic reductant by immature bean leaves. Pl. Physiol. (Lancaster) 5, 69–75 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Poskuta, J.: Photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration of detached spruce twigs as influenced by oxygen concentration and light intensity. Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 21, 1129–1136 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. L., Ludlow, M. M.: Leaf photosynthetic rates of tropical grasses and legumes. XIth Int. Grassld. Congr. Surfers Paradise, Australia. In press (1970).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, University of Queensland, Australia

    M. M. Ludlow

  2. Division of Tropical Pastures, CSIRO, Mill Road, 4067, St. Lucia, Q'ld, Australia

    M. M. Ludlow

Authors
  1. M. M. Ludlow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ludlow, M.M. Effect of oxygen concentration on leaf photosynthesis and resistances to carbon dioxide diffusion. Planta 91, 285–290 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387501

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387501

Keywords

Search

Navigation