1. Photosynthetic and anatomical responses ofEucalyptus grandisleaves to potassium and sodium supply in a field experiment
- Author
-
Marta R. Almeida Muniz, Jean-Paul Laclau, Constance Beri, Lionel Jordan-Meille, Bruna C. Arenque, Marisa de Cássia Piccolo, Patricia Battie-Laclau, Yann Nouvellon, Lauriane Mietton, and Jean-Pierre Bouillet
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0303 health sciences ,Stomatal conductance ,Specific leaf area ,Physiology ,Potassium ,Sodium ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Plant Science ,15. Life on land ,Biology ,Photosynthesis ,01 natural sciences ,Photosynthetic capacity ,03 medical and health sciences ,Horticulture ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Nutrient ,chemistry ,Chlorophyll ,Botany ,030304 developmental biology ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Although vast areas in tropical regions have weathered soils with low potassium (K) levels, little is known about the effects of K supply on the photosynthetic physiology of trees. This study assessed the effects of K and sodium (Na) supply on the diffusional and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis in Eucalyptus grandis leaves. A field experiment comparing treatments receiving K (+K) or Na (+Na) with a control treatment (C) was set up in a K-deficient soil. The net CO2 assimilation rates were twice as high in +K and 1.6 times higher in +Na than in the C as a result of lower stomatal and mesophyll resistance to CO2 diffusion and higher photosynthetic capacity. The starch content was higher and soluble sugar was lower in +K than in C and +Na, suggesting that K starvation disturbed carbon storage and transport. The specific leaf area, leaf thickness, parenchyma thickness, stomatal size and intercellular air spaces increased in +K and +Na compared to C. Nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations were also higher in +K and +Na than in C. These results suggest a strong relationship between the K and Na supply to E. grandis trees and the functional and structural limitations to CO2 assimilation rates.
- Published
- 2013