Photosynthetica, 2011 (vol. 49), issue 4

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):581-592 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0066-3

Light acclimation at the end of the growing season in two broadleaved oak species

F. J. Cano1,2, D. Sánchez-Gómez1,2, A. Gascó1, J. Rodríguez-Calcerrada3, L. Gil2, C. R. Warren4, I. Aranda1,*
1 Centro de Investigación Forestal (CIFOR), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
2 Unidad Docente de Anatomía, Fisiología y Genética Forestal, E.T.S.I. Montes, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
3 Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive CEFE - UMR 5175, Montpellier cedex 5, France
4 School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

The ability of plants to increase their net CO2 assimilation rate in response to increased irradiance is due to morphological and physiological changes, which might be related to their shade tolerance and leaf ontogeny, but few studies have considered morphology and physiology. Two sympatric oak species (the shade-tolerant Q. petraea and the comparatively shade-intolerant Q. pyrenaica) were grown in hydroponic solution in low-light (LL) and high-light (HL) conditions. 5 months after leaf expansion under these conditions, half of the LL plants were transferred to high light (TLH). Transfer of Q. pyrenaica, from low- to high light led to photoinhibition and after 21 days in higher light there was little acclimation of the maximum rate of carboxylation (VCmax) or the maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax). Q. pyrenaica TLH plants showed lower stomatal conductance at all times compared to plants growing in LL. Stomatal closure was the main limitation to photosynthesis after transfer in Q. pyrenaica. The increase in evaporative demand upon TLH did not affect hydraulic conductivity of Q. pyrenaica. In contrast, the more shade-tolerant Q. petraea showed a greater degree of acclimation of gas exchange in TLH than Q. pyrenaica and two weeks after transfer gas-exchange rates were as high as in LL plants. In Q. petraea, the most important changes occurred at the level of leaf biochemistry with significant increase in VCmax that decreased the Jmax/VCmax ratio below values recorded in HL plants. However, this potential increase in photosynthesis was at least partially hamstrung by a decrease in internal conductance, which highlights the importance of internal conductance in acclimation to higher light in mature leaves. Neither oak species reached the photosynthetic rates of HL plants; however a trend towards leaf acclimation was observed in Q. petraea while the transfer was harmful to the leaves of Q. pyrenaica developed in the shade.

Keywords: hydraulic conductivity; internal conductance; light acclimation; mature leaves; Quercus petraea; Quercus pyrenaica

Received: December 13, 2010; Accepted: September 25, 2011; Published: December 1, 2011Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Cano, F.J., Sánchez-Gómez, D., Gascó, A., Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J., Gil, L., Warren, C.R., & Aranda, I. (2011). Light acclimation at the end of the growing season in two broadleaved oak species. Photosynthetica, 49(4), 581-592. doi: 10.1007/s11099-011-0066-3.
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Baker, N.R., Harbinson, J., Kramer, D.M.: Determining the limitations and regulation of photosynthetic energy transduction in leaves. - Plant Cell Environ. 30: 1107-1125, 2007. Go to original source...
    2. Barigah, T., Ibrahim, T., Bogard, A., Faivre-Vuillin, B., Lagneau, L., Montpied, P., Dreyer, E.: Irradiance-induced plasticity in the hydraulic properties of saplings of different temperate broad-leaved forest tree species. - Tree Physiol. 26: 1505-1516, 2006. Go to original source...
    3. Bazzaz, F.A., Wayne, P.M.: Coping with environmental heterogeneity: The physiological ecology of tree seedling regeneration across the gap-understorey continuum. - In: Caldwell, M.M., Pearcy, R.W. (ed.): Exploitation of Environmental Heterogeneity by Plants: Ecophysiological Processes Above- and Belowground. Pp. 349-390. Academic Press, San Diego - New York - Boston - London - Sydney - Tokyo - Toronto 1994. Go to original source...
    4. Brodribb, T.J.: Xylem hydraulic physiology: The functional backbone of terrestrial plant productivity. - Plant Sci. 177: 245-251, 2009. Go to original source...
    5. Canham, C.D.: Growth and canopy architecture of shadetolerant trees: response to canopy gaps. - Ecology 69: 786-795, 1988. Go to original source...
    6. Centritto, M., Lauteri, M., Monteverdi, M.C., Serraj, R.: Leaf gas exchange, carbon isotope discrimination, and grain yield in contrasting rice genotypes subjected to water deficits during the reproductive stage. - J. Exp. Bot. 60: 2325-2339, 2009. Go to original source...
    7. Cochard, H., Lemoine, D., Dreyer, E.: The effects of acclimation to sunlight on the xylem vulnerability to embolism in Fagus sylvatica L. - Plant Cell Environ. 22: 101-108, 1999. Go to original source...
    8. Cochard, H., Lemoine, D., Dreyer, E.: XYL'EM instruction manual and tutorial for xylem embolism measurements. Version 1.1.. Bronkhorst High-Tech., Ruurlo 2008.
    9. Corcuera, L., Camarero, J.J., Sisó, S., Gil-Pelegrín, E.: Radialgrowth and wood-anatomical changes in overaged Quercus pyrenaica coppice stands: functional responses in a new Mediterranean landscape. - Trees - Struct. Funct. 20: 91-98, 2006. Go to original source...
    10. Ellsworth, D.S., Reich, P.B.: Leaf mass per area, nitrogen content and photosynthetic carbon gain in Acer saccharum seedlings in contrasting forest light environments. - Funct. Ecol. 6: 423-435, 1992. Go to original source...
    11. Epron, D., Godard, D., Cornic, G., Genty, B.: Limitation of net CO2 assimilation rate by internal resistances to CO2 transfer in the leaves of two tree species (Fagus sylvatica L. and Castanea sativa Mill.). - Plant Cell Environ. 18: 43-51, 1995. Go to original source...
    12. Evans, J.R.: Photosynthesis and nitrogen relationships in leaves of C3 plants. - Oecologia 78: 9-19, 1989. Go to original source...
    13. Evans, J.R., von Caemmerer, S., Setchell, B.A., Hudson, G.S.: The relationship between CO2 transfer conductance and leaf anatomy in transgenic tobacco with a reduced content of Rubisco. - Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 21: 475-495, 1994. Go to original source...
    14. Farquhar, G.D., von Caemmerer, S., Berry, J.A.: A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 species. - Planta 149: 78-90, 1980. Go to original source...
    15. Flexas, J., Diaz-Espejo, A., Galmés, J., Kaldenhoff, R., Medrano, H., Ribas-Carbo, M.: Rapid variations of mesophyll conductance in response to changes in CO2 concentration around leaves. - Plant Cell Environ. 30: 1284-1298, 2007. Go to original source...
    16. Flexas, J., Ribas-Carbó, M., Diaz-Espejo, A., Galmés, J., Medrano, H.: Mesophyll conductance to CO2: current knowledge and future prospects. - Plant Cell Environ. 31: 602-621, 2008. Go to original source...
    17. Galle, A., Florez-Sarasa, I., Tomas, M., Pou, A., Medrano, H., Ribas-Carbo, M., Flexas, J.: The role of mesophyll conductance during water stress and recovery in tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris): acclimation or limitation? - J. Exp. Bot. 60: 2379-2390, 2009. Go to original source...
    18. Gascó, A., Salleo, S., Gortan, E., Nardini, A.: Seasonal changes in the ion-mediated increase of xylem hydraulic conductivity in stems of three evergreens: any functional role? - Physiol. Plant. 129: 597-606, 2007. Go to original source...
    19. Givnish, T.J.: Adaptation to sun and shade: a whole-plant perspective. - Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 15: 63-92, 1988. Go to original source...
    20. Gorton, H.L., Herbert, S.K., Vogelmann, T.C.: Photoacoustic analysis indicates that chloroplast movement does not alter liquid-phase CO2 diffusion in leaves of Alocasia brisbanensis. - Plant Physiol 132: 1529-1539, 2003. Go to original source...
    21. Grassi, G., Magnani, F.: Stomatal, mesophyll conductance and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis as affected by drought and leaf ontogeny in ash and oak trees. - Plant Cell Environ. 28: 834-849, 2005. Go to original source...
    22. Hanba, Y.T., Kogami, H., Terashima, I.: The effect of growth irradiance on leaf anatomy and photosynthesis in Acer species differing in light demand. - Plant Cell Environ. 25: 1021-1030, 2002. Go to original source...
    23. Harley, P.C., Loreto, F., Dimarco, G., Sharkey, TD.: Theoretical considerations when estimating the mesophyll conductance to CO2 flux by analysis of the response of photosynthesis to CO2. - Plant Physiol. 98: 1429-1436, 1992. Go to original source...
    24. Igboanugo, A.B.: Effects of shading on shoot morphology, wood production and structure of Quercus petraea seedlings. - For. Ecol. Manage. 38: 27-36, 1990. Go to original source...
    25. Laisk, A.K.: Kinetics of Photosynthesis and Photorespiration in C3-plants. - Nauka Publishing, Moscow 1977.
    26. Lloyd, J., Syvertsen, J.P., Kriedemann, P.E., Farquhar, G.D.: Low conductances for CO2 diffusion from stomata to the sites of carboxylation in leaves of woody species. - Plant Cell Environ. 15: 873-899, 1992. Go to original source...
    27. Long, S.P., Bernacchi, C.J.: Gas exchange measurements, what can they tell us about the underlying limitations to photosynthesis? Procedures and sources of error. - J. Exp. Bot. 54: 2393-2401, 2003. Go to original source...
    28. Loreto, F., Di Marco, C., Tricoli, D., Sharkey, T.D.: Measurements of mesophyll conductance, photosynthetic electron transport and alternative electron sinks of field grown wheat leaves. - Photosynth. Res. 41: 397-403, 1994. Go to original source...
    29. Miao, Z., Xu, M., Lathrop Jr., R.G., Wang, Y.: Comparison of the A-Cc curve fitting methods in determining maximum ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase carboxylation rate, potential light saturated electron transport rate and leaf dark respiration. - Plant Cell Environ. 32: 109-122, 2009. Go to original source...
    30. Miyazawa, S-I., Terashima, I.: Slow development of leaf photosynthesis in an evergreen broad-leaved tree, Castanopsis sieboldii: relationships between leaf anatomical characteristics and photosynthetic rate. - Plant Cell Environ. 24: 279-291, 2001. Go to original source...
    31. Monti, A., Bezzi, G., Venturi, G.: Internal conductance under different light conditions along the plant profile of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Brown). - J. Exp. Bot. 60: 2341-2350, 2009. Go to original source...
    32. Müller, P., Li, X-P., Niyogi, K.K.: Non-photochemical quenching. A response to excess light energy. - Plant Physiol. 125: 1558-1566, 2001. Go to original source...
    33. Naidu, S.L., DeLucia, E.H.: Physiological and morphological acclimation of shade-grown tree seedlings to late-season canopy gap formation. - Plant Ecol. 138: 27-40, 1998. Go to original source...
    34. Nanos, N., Pardo, F., Nager, J.A., Pardos, J.A., Gil L.: Using multivariate factorial kriging for multiscale ordination: a case study. - Can. J. For. Res. 35: 2860-2874, 2005. Go to original source...
    35. Oguchi, R., Hikosaka, K., Hiura, T., Hirose, T.: Leaf anatomy and light acclimation in woody seedlings after gap formation in a cool-temperate deciduous forest. - Oecologia 149: 571-582, 2006. Go to original source...
    36. Pearcy, R.W., Sims, D.A.: Photosynthetic acclimation to changing light environments: scaling from the leaf to the whole plant. - In: Caldwell, M.M., Pearcy, R.W. (ed.): Exploitation of Environmental Heterogeneity by Plants: Ecophysiological Processes Above and Belowground. Pp. 145-174. Academic Press, San Diego Diego - New York - Boston - London - Sydney - Tokyo - Toronto 1994. Go to original source...
    37. Piel, C., Frak, E., Le Roux, X., Genty. B.: Effect of local irradiance on CO2 transfer conductance of mesophyll in walnut. - J. Exp. Bot. 53: 1-8, 2002. Go to original source...
    38. Prioul, J.L., Brangeon, A., Reyss, A.: Interaction between external and internal conditions in the development of the photosynthetic features in a grass leaf. II. Reversibility of light-induced responses as a function of developmental stages. - Plant Physiol. 66: 770-774, 1980. Go to original source...
    39. Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J., Pardos, J.A., Gil, L., Aranda, I.: Acclimation to light in seedlings of Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. and Quercus pyrenaica Willd. planted along a forest-edge gradient. - Trees - Struct. Funct. 21: 45-54, 2007. Go to original source...
    40. Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J., Reich, P.B., Rosenqvist, E., Pardos, J.A., Cano, F.J., Aranda I.: Leaf physiological versus morphological acclimation to high-light exposure at different stages of foliar development in oak. - Tree Physiol. 28: 761-771, 2008a. Go to original source...
    41. Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J., Pardos, J.A., Gil, L., Reich, P.B., Aranda, I.; Light response in seedlings of a temperate (Quercus petraea) and a sub-Mediterranean species (Quercus pyrenaica): contrasting ecological strategies as potential keys to regeneration performance in mixed marginal populations. - Plant Ecol. 195: 273-285, 2008b. Go to original source...
    42. Rodríguez-Calcerrada, J., Cano, F.J., Valbuena-Carabaña, M., Gil, L., Aranda, I.: Functional performance of oak seedlings naturally regenerated across microhabitats of distinct overstorey canopy closure. - New For. 39: 245-259, 2010. Go to original source...
    43. Ruuska, S.A., Vapaavuori, E.M., Laisk, A.: Reactions of birch leaves to changes in light during early ontogeny: comparison between in vivo and in vitro techniques to measure carbon uptake. - J. Exp. Bot. 45: 343-353, 1994. Go to original source...
    44. Sharkey, T.D., Bernacchi, C.J., Farquhar, G.D., Singsaas, E.L.: Fitting photosynthetic carbon dioxide response curve for C3 leaves. - Plant Cell Environ. 30: 1035-1040, 2007. Go to original source...
    45. Sims, D.A., Pearcy, R.W.: Response of leaf anatomy and photosynthetic capacity in Alocasia macrorhiza (Araceae) to a transfer from low to high light. - Am. J. Bot. 79: 449-455, 1992. Go to original source...
    46. Sipe, T.W., Bazzaz, F.A.: Gap Partitioning Among Maples (Acer) in Central New England: Survival and Growth. - Ecology 76: 1587-1602, 1995. Go to original source...
    47. Sperry, J.S., Donnelly, J.R., Tyree, M.T.: A method for measuring hydraulic conductivity and embolism in xylem. - Plant Cell Environ. 11: 35-40, 1988. Go to original source...
    48. Sperry, J.S., Nichols, K.L., Sullivan, J.E.M., Eastlack, S.E.: Xylem embolism in ring-porous, diffuse-porous, and coniferous trees of northern Utah and interior Alaska. - Ecology 75: 1736-1752, 1994. Go to original source...
    49. Tazoe, Y., von Caemmerer, S., Badger, M., Evans, J.R.: Light and CO2 do not affect the mesophyll conductance to CO2 diffusion in wheat leaves. - J. Exp. Bot. 60: 2291-2301, 2009. Go to original source...
    50. Terashima, I., Hikosaka, K.: Comparative ecophysiology of leaf and canopy photosynthesis. - Plant Cell Environ. 18: 1111-1128, 1995. Go to original source...
    51. Tognetti, R., Minotta, G., Pinzauti, S., Michelozzi, M., Borghetti, M.: Acclimation to changing light conditions of long-term shade-grown beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings of different geographic origins. - Trees - Struct. Funct. 12: 326-333, 1998.
    52. Valladares, F., Chico, J.M., Aranda, I., Balaguer, L., Dizengremel, P., Manrique, E., Dreyer, E.: The greater seedling highlight tolerant of Quercus robur over Fagus sylvatica is linked to a greater physiological plasticity. - Trees-Struct. Funct. 16: 395-403, 2002a.
    53. Valladares, F., Skillman, J., Pearcy, R.W.: Convergence in light capture efficiencies among tropical forest understory plants with contrasting crown architectures: a case of morphological compensation. - Am. J. Bot. 89: 1275-1284, 2002b. Go to original source...
    54. von Caemmerer, S., Evans, J.R.: Determination of the average partial pressure of CO2 in chloroplasts from leaves of several C3 plants. - Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 18: 287-305, 1991. Go to original source...
    55. Warren, C.R., Löw, M., Matyssek, R., Tausz, M.: Internal conductance to CO2 transfer of adult Fagus sylvatica: variation between sun and shade leaves and due to free-air ozone fumigation. - Environ. Exp. Bot. 59: 130-138, 2007. Go to original source...
    56. Warren, C.R.: Soil water deficit decreases the internal conductance to CO2 transfer but atmospheric water deficits do not. - J. Exp. Bot. 59: 327-334, 2008. Go to original source...
    57. Wellburn, A.R.: The spectral determination of chlorophylls a and b, as well as total carotenoids, using various solvents with spectrophotometers of different resolution. - J. Plant Physiol. 144: 307-313, 1994. Go to original source...
    58. Wong, S.C., Cowan, I.R., Farquhar, G.D.: Leaf conductance in relation to rate of CO2 assimilation. II. Influence of water stress and photoinhibition. - Plant Physiol. 78: 830-834, 1985. Go to original source...
    59. Yamashita, N., Koike, N., Ishida, A.: Leaf ontogenetic dependence of light acclimation in invasive and native subtropical trees of different successional status. - Plant Cell Environ. 25: 1341-1356, 2002. Go to original source...

    Return to the content