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Photosynthetic and anatomical responses ofEucalyptus grandisleaves to potassium and sodium supply in a field experiment
- Source :
- Plant, Cell & Environment. 37:70-81
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2013.
-
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.
- 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
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01407791
- Volume :
- 37
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Plant, Cell & Environment
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........9ef30cab0ecad1219eaad7e4b437a060