Abstract
Photosynthetic irradiance response of vegetative and reproductive structures of the green-flowered deciduous perennial green hellebore was studied by the comparative use of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence techniques and gas exchange measurements. All the Chl-containing organs (leaves, sepals, stalks, and fruits) examined were photosynthetically active showing high intrinsic efficiencies of photosystem 2 (Fv/Fm: 0.75–0.79) after dark adaptation. Even in the smaller fertile and sterile parts of the flower (nectaries and anthers) a remarkable photosynthetic competence was detected. With increasing photon flux densities (PFD) electron transport rates, actual quantum yields, and photochemical quenching coefficients of the main photosynthetic organs decreased in the order: leaf>sepal>fruit>stalk. At moderate to high PFDs the sepals achieved maximum electron transport rates corresponding to about 80 % of concomitant mature leaves. In contrast, maximum net photosynthetic rate of the sepals [2.3 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1] were less than one fourth of the leaves [10.6 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1]. This difference is explained by a 70–80 % lower stomatal density of sepals in comparison to leaves. As the basal leaves emerge late during fruit development, the photosynthetically active sepals are a major source of assimilates, contributing more than 60 % of whole-plant CO2 gain in early spring. The ripening dehiscent fruits are characterized by an effective internal re-fixation of the respirational carbon loss and thus additionally improve the overall carbon budget.
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Aschan, G., Pfanz, H., Vodnik, D. et al. Photosynthetic performance of vegetative and reproductive structures of green hellebore (Helleborus viridis L. agg.). Photosynthetica 43, 55–64 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-005-5064-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-005-5064-x