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Modelling photosynthetic photon flux density and maximum potential gross photosynthesis

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

Irradiance data software developed by the NREL Solar Radiation Laboratory (Simple Model of Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine, SMARTS) has been used for modelling photosynthesis. Spectra and total irradiance were expressed in terms of quanta [mol m−2 s−1, photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD (400–700 nm)]. Using the SMARTS software it is possible to (1) calculate the solar spectrum for a planar surface for any given solar elevation angle, allowing for the attenuating effects of the atmosphere on extraterrestrial irradiance at each wavelength in the 400–700 nm range and for the thickness of atmosphere the light must pass through during the course of a day, (2) calculate PPFD vs. solar time for any latitude and date and (3) estimate total daily irradiance for any latitude and date and hence calculate the total photon irradiance for a whole year or for a growing season. Models of photosynthetic activity vs. PPFD are discussed. Gross photosynthesis (P g) vs. photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) (P g vs. I) characteristics of single leaves compared to that of a canopy of leaves are different. It is shown that that the optimum irradiance for a leaf (Iopt) is the half-saturation irradiance for a battery of leaves in series. A C3 plant, with leaves having an optimum photosynthetic rate at 700 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD, was used as a realistic worked example. The model gives good estimates of gross photosynthesis (P g) for a given date and latitude. Seasonal and annual estimates of P g can be made. Taking cloudiness into account, the model predicts maximum P g rates of about 10 g(C) m−2 d−1, which is close to the maximum reported P g experimental measurements.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

ETI:

extraterrestrial irradiance

ETR:

electron transport rate

I:

irradiance PPFD

Id :

daily irradiance PPFD

P g :

gross photosynthesis

PAR:

photosynthetically active radiation

PPFD:

photosynthetic photon flux density

PS:

photosystem

SMARTS :

Simple Model of Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine

αp :

photosynthetic efficiency

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Dr John W. Runcie (University of Sydney), Emeritus Prof Tony Larkum and Mr Mark Curran (ret.) (University of Sydney) for their interest in this study and helpful comments on the paper. I especially wish to thank Dr Christian Gueymard for help in using the SMARTS software (NREL and Solar Consulting Services http://www.SolarConsultingServices.com

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  1. R. J. Ritchie

    Present address: School of Biological Sciences A-08, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

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  1. Faculty of Technology and Environment, Prince Songkla University, Phuket, Thailand, 83120

    R. J. Ritchie

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Ritchie, R.J. Modelling photosynthetic photon flux density and maximum potential gross photosynthesis. Photosynthetica 48, 596–609 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-010-0077-5

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