Photosynthetica, 2008 (vol. 46), issue 1

Photosynthetica 2008, 46(1):91 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-008-0016-x

Source-to-sink relationship between green leaves and green petals of different ages of the CAM orchid Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade

J. He1,*, W. L. Woon1
1 Natural Sciences and Science Education Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Photosynthetic capacities of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of different ages of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade were studied through chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence characteristic Fv/Fm, maximal photosynthetic O2 evolution rates (P max), and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity (TA)]. All these photosynthetic parameters were higher in GL than in GFP. Among the different ages of GFP, the young GFP had significant higher readings of all photosynthetic parameters than the oldest GFP, indicating that reduced photosynthesis occurred in the senesced GFP. The source-to-sink relationship between GL and GFP was also studied by comparing the diurnal changes in contents of total soluble and insoluble sugars and TA between the fully irradiated (FI) control (with both irradiated GL and GFP) and GL-darkened plants (covering all GL with aluminium foils, leaving only the GFP exposed to radiation). CAM acidities were much lower in GL darkened with aluminium foils compared to those of FI-GL while there were no differences in CAM acidities of their GFP. The contents of total soluble and insoluble sugars and the CAM acidities of GL towards the end of the day were lower in GL-darkened plants compared to that of FI-plants. Hence CAM acidities of GL depended on their saccharide contents. However, diurnal changes of TA in GFP were similar in all GFP regardless of their ages, with or without GL photosynthetic sources. Thus CAM acidities of GFP are independent of GL saccharides. However, lower saccharide content in GFP (especially the oldest GFP) of GL-darkened plants implies that GFP function as sinks and depend on saccharides exported from GL for its development and growth.

Keywords: CAM acidity; chlorophyll fluorescence induction; photosynthetic O2 evolution; saccharides

Received: May 4, 2007; Accepted: July 16, 2007; Published: March 1, 2008Show citation

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He, J., & Woon, W.L. (2008). Source-to-sink relationship between green leaves and green petals of different ages of the CAM orchid Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade. Photosynthetica, 46(1), 91. doi: 10.1007/s11099-008-0016-x.
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