Abstract
The quantum yield for CO2 uptake was measured in C3 and C4 monocot species from several different grassland habitats. When the quantum yield was measured in the presence of 21% O2 and 340 cm3 m-3 CO2, values were very similar in C3 monocots, C3 dicots, and C4 monocots (0.045–0.056 mole CO2 · mole-1 quanta absorbed). In the presence of 2% O2 and 800 cm3 m-3 CO2, enhancements of the quantum yield values occurred for the C3 plants (both monocots and dicots), but not for C4 monocots. A dependence of the quantum yield on leaf temperature was observed in the C3 grass, Agropyron smithii, but not in the C4 grass, Bouteloua gracilis, in 21% O2 and 340 cm3 m-3 CO2. At leaf temperatures between 22–25°C the quantum yield values were approximately equal in the two species.
References
Birkebak R and Birkebak R (1964) Solar radiation characteristics of tree leaves. Ecology 45:646–649.
Bull TA (1969) Photosynthetic efficiencies and photorespiration in Calvin cycle and C4-dicarboxylic acid plants. Crop Sci 9:726–729.
Ehleringer JR (1978) Implications of quantum yield differences on the distributions of C3 and C4 grasses. Oecologia 31:255–267.
Ehleringer JR and Björkman O (1977) Quantum yields for CO2 uptake in C3 and C4 plants: dependence on temperature, CO2, and O2 concentration. Plant Physiol 59:86–90.
Ku SB and Edwards GE (1978) Oxygen inhibition of photosynthesis. III. Temperature dependence of quantum yield and its relation to O2/CO2 solubility ratio. Planta 140:1–6.
Ludlow MM (1981) Effect of temperature on light utilization efficiency of leaves in C3 legumes and C4 grasses. Photosynthesis Res 1:243–249.
Monson RK, Stidham MA, Williams GJIII, Edwards GE and Uribe EG (1982). The temperature dependence of photosynthesis in Agropyron smithii Rydb. I. Factors affecting net CO2 uptake in intact leaves and contribution from ribulose-1, 5-bis-phosphate carboxylase measured in vivo and in vitro. Plant Physiol 69:921–928.
Robberecht R and Caldwell MM (1978) Leaf epidermal transmittance of ultraviolet radiation and its implications for plant sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation induced injury. Oecologia 32:277–287.
Robichaux RH and Pearcy RW (1980) Photosynthetic responses of C3 and C4 species from cool shaded habitats in Hawaii. Oecologia 47:106: 109.
Tieszen LL, Senyimba MM, Imbamba SK and Troughton JH (1979). The distribution of C3 and C4 grasses and carbon isotope discrimination along an altitudinal and moisture gradient in Kenya. Oecologia 37:337–350.
Waller SS and Lewis JK (1979) Occurence of C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways in North American grasses. J Range Management 32:12–28.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Monson, R.K., Littlejohn, R.O. & Williams, G.J. The quantum yield for CO2 uptake in C3 and C4 grasses. Photosynth Res 3, 153–159 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00040713
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00040713