Triose phosphate utilization in leaves is modulated by whole-plant sink–source ratios and nitrogen budgets in rice

Triose phosphate utilization (TPU) is a biochemical process indicating carbon sink–source (im)balance within leaves. When TPU limits leaf photosynthesis, photorespiration-associated amino acid exports probably provide an additional carbon outlet and increase leaf CO2 uptake. However, whether TPU is modulated by whole-plant sink–source relations and nitrogen (N) budgets remains unclear. We address this question by model analyses of gas-exchange data measured on leaves at three growth stages of rice plants grown at two N levels. Sink–source ratio was manipulated by panicle pruning, by using yellower-leaf variant genotypes, and by measuring photosynthesis on adaxial and abaxial leaf sides. Across all these treatments, higher leaf N content resulted in the occurrence of TPU limitation at lower intercellular CO2 concentrations. Photorespiration-associated amino acid export was greater in high-N leaves, but was smaller in yellower-leaf genotypes, panicle-pruned plants, and for abaxial measurement. The feedback inhibition of panicle pruning on rates of TPU was not always observed, presumably because panicle pruning blocked N remobilization from leaves to grains and the increased leaf N content masked feedback inhibition. The leaf-level TPU limitation was thus modulated by whole-plant sink–source relations and N budgets during rice grain filling, suggesting a close link between within-leaf and whole-plant sink limitations.