Abstract
We measured the diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate (P N) and stomatal conductance (g s) of the leaves of a liana, Enkleia malaccensis Griff. (Thymelaeaceae), at the canopy level in the lowland tropical rainforest at Pasoh, Peninsular Malaysia. The measurements were made from a canopy walkway system, 30 m from the ground for 3 d in March 2003. P N increased with increasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) before noon, though P N was not enhanced by the strong radiation hit in the afternoon. Plotting g s at saturating PAR (>0.5 mmol m−2 s−1) against the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) failed to reveal a significant correlation between VPD and g s, and g s became very low at VPD >2.5 kPa. The relationship between P N and g s was fitted on the same regression line irrespective of measuring day, indicating that this relationship was not influenced by either VPD or leaf temperature (T L). Therefore, in the liana E. malaccensis, an increase in VPD leads to partial stomatal closure and, subsequently, reductions in P N and the midday depression of P N of this plant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ball, J.T.: Calculations related to gas exchange.-In: Zeiger, E., Farquhar, G.D., Cowan, I.R. (ed.): Stomatal Function. Pp. 445–476. Stanford University Press, Stanford 1987.
Berry, J., Björkman, O.: Photosynthetic response and adaptation to temperature in higher plants.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31: 491–543, 1980.
Boyer, J.S.: Water transport in plants: mechanism of apparent changes in resistance during absorption.-Planta 117: 187–207, 1974.
Brodribb, T.J., Holbrook, N.M.: Diurnal depression of leaf hydraulic conductance in a tropical tree species.-Plant Cell Environ. 27: 820–827, 2004.
Ewers, F.W., Fisher, J.B., Fichtner, K.: Water flux and xylem structure in vines.-In: Putz, F.E., Mooney, H.A. (ed.): The Biology of Vines. Pp. 127–160. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1991.
Field, C.B., Ball, J.T., Berry, J.A.: Photosynthesis: principles and field techniques.-In: Pearcy, R.W., Ehleringer, J., Mooney, H.A., Rundel, P.W. (ed.): Plant Physiological Ecology: Field Methods and Instrumentation. Pp. 209–253. Chapman and Hall, London 1989.
Granados, J., Körner, C.: In deep shade, elevated CO2 increased the vigor of tropical climbing plants.-Global Change Biol. 8: 1109–1117, 2002.
Hegarty, E.E., Caballé, G.: Distribution and abundance of vines in forest communities.-In: Putz, F.E., Mooney, H.A. (ed.): The Biology of Vines. Pp. 313–335. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge 1991.
Herzog, K.M., Häsler, R., Thum, R.: Diurnal changes in the radius of a subalpine Norway spruce stem: their relation to the sap flow and their use to estimate transpiration.-Trees 10: 94–101, 1995.
Ishida, A., Toma, T., Marjenah: Limitation of leaf carbon gain by stomatal and photochemical processes in the top canopy of Macaranga conifera, a tropical pioneer tree.-Tree Physiol. 19: 467–473, 1999.
Kato, R., Tadaki, Y., Ogawa, H.: Plant biomass and growth increment studies in Pasoh forest.-Malayan Nature J. 30: 211–224, 1978.
Kochummen, K.M.: Tree Flora of Pasoh Forest.-Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 1997.
Manokaran, N., LaFrankie, J.V.: Stand structure in Pasoh Forest Reserve, a lowland rain forest in peninsular Malaysia.-J. trop. Forest Sci. 3: 14–24, 1990.
Muraoka, H., Tang, Y., Terashima, I., Koizumi, H., Washitani, I.: Contributions of diffusional limitation, photoinhibition and photorespiration to midday depression of photosynthesis in Arisaema heterophyllum in the natural high light.-Plant Cell Environ. 23: 235–250, 2000.
Roumet, C., Garnier, E., Suzor, H., Salager, J.-L., Roy, J.: Short and long-term responses of whole-plant gas exchange to elevated CO2 in four herbaceous species.-Environ. exp. Bot. 43: 155–169, 2000.
Sawada, S., Hayakawa, T., Fukushi, K., Kasai, M.: Influence of carbohydrates on photosynthesis in single, rooted soybean leaves used as a source-sink model.-Plant Cell Physiol. 27: 591–600, 1986.
Schnitzer, S.A., Bongers, F.: The ecology of lianas and their role in forests.-Trends Ecol. Evol. 17: 223–230, 2002.
Zweifel, R., Item, H., Häsler, R.: Stem radius changes and their relation to stored water in stems of young Norway spruce trees.-Trees 15: 50–57, 2000.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tay, A.C., Abdullah, A.M., Awang, M. et al. Midday depression of photosynthesis in Enkleia malaccensis, a woody climber in a tropical rainforest. Photosynthetica 45, 189–193 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-007-0031-3
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-007-0031-3