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Effect of inorganic carbon supply on the photosynthetic physiology of Gracilaria tenuistipitata

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Abstract

Gracilaria tenuistipitata Zhang et Xia was cultured for 15 d at low, normal and high inorganic carbon concentrations under constant light, temperature and nutrient conditons. Carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1.) activity, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.39) content, pigment content and C/N ratio were measured, and also the photosynthesis and growth rates. Both Rubisco content and CA activity increased under conditions of low inorganic carbon (Ci) but decreased at high Ci with respect to the control. The amount of pigments declined considerably at high Ci and was slightly higher at low Ci. The maximum rate of photosynthesis and the photosynthetic efficiency increased in low Ci and the opposite was found at high Ci concentration. The effects of Ci concentration on maximum rate of photosynthesis and photosynthetic efficiency are discussed in relation to the variation in pigment and Rubisco contents and CA activity. The data indicate that Ci may be an important factor controlling the photosynthetic physiology of G. tenuistipitata with regard, not only to the enzymes of Ci metabolism, but also to the pigment content.

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Abbreviations

APSmax :

maximum apparent photosynthetic rate

CA:

carbonic anhydrase

Chl:

chlorophyll

Ci :

inorganic carbon

Rubisco:

ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, E-29071, Málaga, Spain

    María J. García-Sánchez & José A. Fernández

  2. Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, E-29071, Málaga, Spain

    Xavier Niell

Authors
  1. María J. García-Sánchez
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  2. José A. Fernández
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  3. Xavier Niell
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Additional information

This work has been supported by grants No. PB91-0962 and No. MAR90-0365 from Spanish Direction for Science and Technology (DIGICYT). M.J. G-S holds a fellowship from the DIGICYT.

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García-Sánchez, M.J., Fernández, J.A. & Niell, X. Effect of inorganic carbon supply on the photosynthetic physiology of Gracilaria tenuistipitata . Planta 194, 55–61 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201034

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