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Ecotypic differences in the C3 and C4 photosynthetic activity in Mollugo verticillata, a C3−C4 intermediate

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Abstract

Four populations of Mollugo verticillata L. were compared on the basis of their photosynthetic products, photosynthetic rates, enhancement under low oxygen concentration, and CO2 compensation points. In addition, pulse-chase labeling experiments were conducted using one of the four populations. Depending on the plant population, C4 acids ranged from 40% to 11% of the primary products under short-term exposure to 14CO2. These compounds were also metabolized during pulse-chase experiments. All four populations had significantly different photosynthetic rates and those rates were correlated with the amounts of labelled C4 acids produced and C4-acid turnover. Three populations of M. verticillata had similar compensation points (40 μl/l) and degrees of photosynthetic enhancement under low [O2] (20%), the fourth population was much lower in both characteristics (CO2 compensation, 25 μl/l; low-O2 enhancement, 12%). The results verify the intermediate nature of photosynthesis in this species, and illustrate populational differences in its photosynthetic and photorespiratory carbon metabolism.

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Abbreviations

PGA:

3-phosphoglyceric acid

Kan:

Kansas

Mass:

Massachusetts

Mex:

Mexico

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA

    R. T. Sayre & R. A. Kennedy

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  1. R. T. Sayre
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  2. R. A. Kennedy
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Sayre, R.T., Kennedy, R.A. Ecotypic differences in the C3 and C4 photosynthetic activity in Mollugo verticillata, a C3−C4 intermediate. Planta 134, 257–262 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384190

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384190

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