Productivity of Vegetable Crops in a Region of High Solar Input. III. Carbon Balance of Potato Crops

1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 283 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJM Sale

The carbon balance of potato crops has been studied by measuring canopy net photosynthesis and dark respiration losses with a field assimilation chamber and semi-closed gas analysis system. Results are given for the latter part of growth in both a spring-planted and a summer-planted crop. Net CO2 uptake increased with solar input to reach 35–40mg dm-2 (ground area) h-1 at 400–450 W m-2, but light saturation then occurred and little or no further uptake resulted from increases in solar input up to 1000 W m-2. This supports the previous conclusion that net photosynthesis in the potato is determined by the size of the 'sink' provided by the developing tubers. The imposed experimental variables of reduced solar input (21 and 34% shade) and soil moisture were found not to affect the relation between solar input and CO2 uptake, and the effect of chamber temperature was also very small. Dark respiration rates of the canopy were markedly sensitive to temperature, and also to the solar input prior to measurement. Respiration from the below-ground plant parts accounted for a considerable part of the total plant respiration. In all, 15–20 % of the net assimilation during daylight hours was lost by night respiration. There was little variation in CO2 efflux from uncropped soil during the experiments. Dry weight changes calculated from the gasometric measurements were in accordance with those found from previous growth analysis. * Part II, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 1973, 24, 751–62.

1975 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJM Sale

Net CO2 uptakes have been measured for crop canopies of French beans and cabbages, sown at two plant densities, using a large field assimilation chamber and a semi-closed gas-analysis system. For both species, the maximum rates of uptake were a little less than 40 mg CO2 dm-2 (ground area) h-1, and light saturation of the canopy occurred at 600-650 W m-2 (French beans) or about 800 W m-2 (cabbages). Net CO2 uptake decreased with leaf area index at values below about 5, but was relatively insensitive to temperature over the range used. Once this leaf area index was reached, the relationship between net uptake and solar radiation remained fairly constant throughout the growth period. For both species, dark respiration rates were markedly dependent on temperature, and also were lower at night than during the day when measured at the same temperature. For both French beans and cabbages, growth analyses showed the maximum growth rates to be 18-19 g dry weight m-2 (ground area) day-1. The mean growth rate from emergence to harvest for an overwintered cabbage crop was 5.5 g m-2 day-1. It is suggested that the main advantage of the region in terms of plant productivity lies in the long frost-free growing season and the ability of frost-tolerant crops to maintain fairly high growth rates throughout a mild and comparatively sunny winter.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219-2226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ah-Sing Chia-Looi ◽  
Bruce G. Gumming

There are circadian rhythmic changes in dark respiration, net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and dry weight in Chenopodium rubrum, ecotype 60°47′ N, 137°32′ W. The rhythm in dark respiration has a period of about 27 h and its phasing is quite closely correlated with the rhythm in flowering response, which has a period of about 30 h. A close similarity in the periodicity (21 h) and phasing of the rhythms in net photosynthesis and chlorophyll content suggests that the photosynthetic rhythm may be partly attributed to rhythmic changes in chlorophyll content. The rhythmic changes in dry weight, with a period of 18 h, could be due to a rhythm in dark fixation of carbon dioxide. The possible relationship of rhythmicity in these processes to other circadian rhythms that occur in C. rubrum is discussed. The concurrent existence of various rhythms in biochemical and physiological processes that differ in period and phase within a single ecotype of C. rubrum clearly reflects the possible involvement of metabolic activity in circadian rhythms.


1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
EY Sambo ◽  
J Moorby ◽  
FL Milthorpe

Net CO2 uptake by soybean pods in the light was much less and output in darkness much greater than from equal areas of leaves. The net photosynthesis decreased, becoming negative, and dark respiration increased as seed filling progressed. The photochemical efficiency was the same but the diffusive resistance of pods was about twice and the internal resistance two to three times those of leaves. Fluxes into open deseeded pods were initially much greater than into intact pods but drying out of the tissue soon led to fluxes only about three times greater. From these measurements and light- and CO2-response curves of intact pods, estimates of gross photosynthesis, photorespiration and dark respiration of seeds and hulls were made. These indicated that seed reassimilated slightly more CO2 than they respired when young and about two-thirds thereof at a later stage. Hulls fixed about similar amounts but these were insufficient to prevent net effluxes from pods during the later stages of their development, even at irradiances of 190 W m-2. On a daily basis, direct uptake of CO2 made a negligible contribution to the total import of dry weight by the pod; nevertheless, photosynthesis in the seeds and hulls refixed some 50-70% of the CO2 respired by these tissues.


HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1165g-1166
Author(s):  
Keith Birkhold ◽  
Rebecca Darnell ◽  
Karen Koch

Carbon exchange and content of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) fruit were measured from anthesis through fruit ripening in order to determine the amount of imported carbon required for fruit development. Net photosynthesis occurred in blueberry fruit from petal fall through color break. During this time, gross photosynthesis of fruit decreased from 30.1 μmol CO2·g fw-1·hr-1 to 4.8 μmol CO2·g fw-1·hr-1, and dark respiration decreased from 14.3 μmol CO2·g fw-1·hr-1 to 4.6 μmol CO2·g fw-1·hr-1. After color break, the photosynthetic rate fell to zero, and the respiration rate increased to 8.0 μmol CO2·g fw-1·hr-1, before decreasing. Preliminary data suggest that fruit photosynthesis contributes 11% of the total carbon required (dry weight gain + respiratory loss) during fruit development however, it supplies 50% of the total carbon required during the first 5 days after petal fall. This contribution of carbon from fruit photosynthesis may be critical in initial fruit development since the current season's vegetative growth is not yet providing carbohydrates.


1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 604-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Vowinckel ◽  
W. C. Oechel ◽  
W. G. Boll

Field measurements of the diurnal rates of photosynthesis of Picea mariana, the dominant tree species at the subarctic tree line, were made during the summers of 1972 and 1973 at Schefferville, Quebec (latitude 55° N). All relevant plant physiological and environmental parameters were also monitored. Photosynthesis was measured with an open gas analysis system with temperature-controlled cuvettes. Maximum daily rates were 2.0–3.5 mg CO2 g−1 dry weight h−1. Daily totals were between 15 and 30 mg CO2 g−1 dry weight. Temperature was unimportant in affecting daily photosynthesis totals during the summer months. The photosynthesis vs. needle temperature curve had an optimum of 15C. Dark respiration rates were 0.2–0.4 mg CO2 g−1 dry weight h−1 at 15C. The photosynthesis vs. light intensity curve was saturated at 0.8 ly min−1 (1.0 μE cm−2 s−1 PhAR.). As a result, heavy cloud cover considerably reduced daily photosynthesis. No seasonal variations in photosynthesis over June, July, and August were observed. No differences in maximum rates occurred between the three experimental sites. Needle temperatures within the cuvettes were 2–4C above air temperature under full sunlight (1.2 ly min−1). Needle temperatures under natural conditions were up to 7C above Stevenson screen temperatures and fluctuated rapidly with changes in turbulence.


1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Loach ◽  
C. H. A. Little

Rates of net photosynthesis and dark respiration of 1-year-old and currently developing foliage were measured in the uppermost (i.e. 1-year-old) whorl of branches of 6-year-old balsam fir trees (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) during the period of extension growth of the current shoot. The rates were integrated to estimate net dry matter production by the two ages of foliage, and compared with dry matter requirements for growth of the new shoot (estimated from a regression equation of length over dry weight), and with cambial growth in the 1-year-old shoot (estimated from periodic harvests). The surplus of production over use in these two sinks was stored temporarily in the 1-year-old foliage or exported from the branch, the latter predominating. Two periods in which a large proportion of the photosynthetic production was exported (corresponding roughly to the months of May and July) were separated by a period when export was relatively low. At this intermediate time, current photosynthetic production was minimal and local growth demands were at their highest. Photosynthates stored in the 1-year-old foliage before budbreak supplemented current photosynthesis and permitted export to continue, except for a few days at the end of June. The contribution from stores in the old foliage, however, never exceeded one-third of current photosynthetic production. When extension growth terminated, a second transient storage peak occurred in the 1-year-old foliage for about 2 weeks. These observations explain the commonly observed reduction in root growth during current shoot extension, and corroborate results from studies made by other investigators using radioactive tracers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Wannicke ◽  
Achim Herrmann ◽  
Michelle M. Gehringer

AbstractHeterocystous Cyanobacteria of the genus Nodularia form major blooms in brackish waters, while terrestrial Nostoc species occur worldwide, often associated in biological soil crusts. Both genera, by virtue of their ability to fix N2 and conduct oxygenic photosynthesis, contribute significantly to global primary productivity. Select Nostoc and Nodularia species produce the hepatotoxin nodularin and whether its production will change under climate change conditions needs to be assessed. In light of this, the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 availability on growth, carbon and N2 fixation as well as nodularin production were investigated in toxin and non-toxin producing species of both genera. Results highlighted the following: Biomass and volume specific biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) rates were respectively almost six and 17 fold higher in the aquatic Nodularia species compared to the terrestrial Nostoc species tested, under elevated CO2 conditions. There was a direct correlation between elevated CO2 and decreased dry weight specific cellular nodularin content in a diazotrophically grown terrestrial Nostoc species, and the aquatic Nodularia species, regardless of nitrogen availability. Elevated atmospheric CO2 levels were correlated to a reduction in biomass specific BNF rates in non-toxic Nodularia species. Nodularin producers exhibited stronger stimulation of net photosynthesis rates (NP) and growth (more positive Cohen’s d) and less stimulation of dark respiration and BNF per volume compared to non-nodularin producers under elevated CO2 levels. This study is the first to provide information on NP and nodularin production under elevated atmospheric CO2 levels for Nodularia and Nostoc species under nitrogen replete and diazotrophic conditions.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
W. Louwerse ◽  
L. Sibma ◽  
J. van Kleef

Aboveground net photosynthesis and respiration of maize cv. LG11 was determined in the field between mid-June and end-Oct. at regular intervals (1-2 weeks) at 12.5 and 22.5 degrees C by measuring the CO2 uptake or release in mobile crop enclosures. The actual growth rate of the crop was determined from fortnightly harvests. Temp. dependence of photosynthesis was highest in the early (until mid-July) and very late (early Oct.) stages of crop growth, showing a reduction of about 50% at the higher irradiances (>400 W/msuperscript 2). In the period of major DM production (mid-July to Sep.) the reduction was only 12-15%. Assuming maintenance respiration to become constant for cobs and grain exceeding a yield of 1000 kg/ha and for stems exceeding 2500 kg/ha, the measured and calculated dark respiration at 22.5 degrees matched fairly well. At 12.5 degrees the calculation, using the same assumptions, significantly overestimated dark respiration during the first part of the growing period. The carbon balance sheet showed that from the total amount of CO2 absorbed by the crop (equivalent to 30.7 t DM/ha), 30% was lost by aboveground respiration and 50% was invested in aboveground harvestable material. The remaining 20% was assumed to be transported to plant parts below ground. Substantial losses of DM at the end of the growing season did not occur. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)


1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia Y. Wolff ◽  
Robert R. Coltman

`Green Mignonette', `Salinas', `Parris Island Cos', and `Amaral 400' lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.); `WR-55 Days' Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Pekinensis Group); Waianae Strain' green mustard cabbage [Brassica juncea (L.) Czerniak]; `Tastie Hybrid' head cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Group); and an unnamed local selection of green bunching onions (Allium fistulosum L.) were field-grown during Fall 1987 and Spring 1988 at Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii, in full-sun and with four artificially produced levels of shade (30%, 47%, 63%, and 73%). Yields of cos lettuce, green mustard cabbage, and green bunching onions were irresponsive to shade or negatively affected by shade in both seasons. Yield responses of the other crops to shade varied seasonally. Optimum shading of 30% to 47% increased `Green Mignonette', `Salinas', and `Amaral 400' lettuce yields by 36% and head cabbage and Chinese cabbage yields by 23% and 21%, respectively, compared to full-sun plots in one or both seasons. Leaf areas similar to unshaded controls were maintained as shade intensity increased, while leaf dry weight decreased in all crops except `Salinas' and `Parris Island Cos' lettuce. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis (Pn) were attained at 1500 umol·s-1·m-2, which was about two-thirds of full sunlight.


1997 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Sancho ◽  
B. Schroeter ◽  
F. Valladares

AbstractNet photosynthesis (NP) and dark respiration (DR) of thalli of the lichen species Umbilicaria grisea and U. freyi growing together in the same habitat the Sierra de Guadarrama, central Spain, were measured under controlled conditions in the laboratory and under natural conditions in the field over a range of photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD), thallus temperatures and thallus water contents. Laboratory experiments revealed that the photosynthetic response to PPFD at optimum thallus water content is very similar in both species. The light compensation points of NP increased from PPFD of c. 20 µmol m−2 s−1 at 0°C up to c. 100 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD at 25°C. In both species light saturation was not reached up to 700 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD except at 0°C. By contrast, the temperature dependence of CO2 gas exchange differed substantially between U. grisea and U. freyi. Both species gave significant rates at 0°C. Optimal temperatures of NP were always higher in U. grisea at various PPFD levels if the samples were kept at optimal thallus water content. NP showed maximal rates at 95% dw in U. grisea and 110% dw in U. freyi respectively. In U. grisea a much stronger depression of NP was observed with only 5% of maximal NP reached at 180% dw. At all PPFD and temperature combinations U. freyi showed higher rates of NP and more negative rates of DR if calculated on a dry weight basis. This was also true under natural conditions at the same site, when U. freyi was always more productive than U. grisea. The differences in the photosynthetic response to temperature between both species correlated well with the different distribution patterns of both species. The possibility of genetic control of the physiological performance of these species and its influence on their distribution patterns and autecology is discussed.


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