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Low salinities adversely affect photosynthetic performance of the mangrove, Avicennia marina

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Abstract

Photosynthetic performance of the highly salt tolerant mangrove, Avicennia marina, was compared at two sites differing insubstrate soil salinities. Carbon dioxide exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence weremonitored at a high salinity site in Durban Bay (35‰) and at a low salinitysite in Beachwood (< 12‰). Mean CO2 exchange, conductanceand transpiration were consistently higher at the high salinity site. Carbondioxide response curves indicated that carboxylation efficiency was higherand stomatal limitation lower at the Durban Bay site. PSII quantum yield,electron transport rates (ETR) and intrinsic PSII efficiency(Fv/Fm) were significantly higher at the high salinity site.Quenching analysis indicated a higher degree ofphotoinhibition/photoprotection in leaves at the low salinity site. Predawnand midday leaf water potentials were –1.6 and –3.1 MPa at Beachwood,compared to –2.6 and –3.8 MPa, respectively, at Durban Bay. Leafconcentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+,Cl- and N were significantly higher at Durban Bay. Photosyntheticperformance is apparently impaired at the low salinity site in Beachwood asa result of K+ and N deficiencies in the leaves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plant Ecology, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143, Münster, Germany

    A. Tuffers & D.J. von Willert

  2. Department of Botany, University of Durban-Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    G. Naidoo

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  1. A. Tuffers
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  2. G. Naidoo
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  3. D.J. von Willert
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Tuffers, A., Naidoo, G. & von Willert, D. Low salinities adversely affect photosynthetic performance of the mangrove, Avicennia marina . Wetlands Ecology and Management 9, 235–242 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011164924907

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