Can CO₂ assimilation in maize leaves be predicted accurately from chlorophyll fluorescence analysis?

Abstract

Analysis is made of the energetics of CO₂ fixation, the photochemical quantum requirement per CO₂ fixed, and sinks for utilising reductive power in the C₄ plant maize. CO₂ assimilation is the primary sink for energy derived from photochemistry, whereas photorespiration and nitrogen assimilation are relatively small sinks, particularly in developed leaves. Measurement of O₂ exchange by mass spectrometry and CO₂ exchange by infrared gas analysis under varying levels of CO₂ indicate that there is a very close relationship between the true rate of O₂ evolution from PS II and the net rate of CO₂ fixation. Consideration is given to measurements of the quantum yields of PS II (φ _{PS II}) from fluorescence analysis and of CO₂ assimilation ($\phi _{CO_2 }$) in maize over a wide range of conditions. The${{\phi _{PSII} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\phi _{PSII} } {\phi _{CO_2 } }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\phi _{CO_2 } }}$ ratio was found to remain reasonably constant (ca. 12) over a range of physiological conditions in developed leaves, with varying temperature, CO₂ concentrations, light intensities (from 5% to 100% of full sunlight), and following photoinhibition under high light and low temperature. A simple model for predicting CO₂ assimilation from fluorescence parameters is presented and evaluated. It is concluded that under a wide range of conditions fluorescence parameters can be used to predict accurately and rapidly CO₂ assimilation rates in maize.