A leaf gas exchange model that accounts for intra-canopy variability by considering leaf nitrogen content and local acclimation to radiation in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

• Published in: Plant, cell and environment Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 1313 - 1328
• Main Authors: PRIETO, JORGE A., LOUARN, GAËTAN, PEREZ PEÑA, JORGE, OJEDA, HERNÁN, SIMONNEAU, THIERRY, LEBON, ERIC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2012; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: 3D structure; acclimation; Acclimatization; analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Canopies; canopy; canopy variability; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas exchange; leaf acclimation; Leaves; Life Sciences; light intensity; light interception; Microclimate; Models, Biological; Nitrogen; Nitrogen - analysis; nitrogen content; nitrogen distribution; Photosynthesis; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves - radiation effects; Plant Stomata; Plant Stomata - radiation effects; Plant Transpiration; radiation effects; simulation models; Stomatal conductance; transpiration; Vegetal Biology; vines; Vitis; Vitis - radiation effects; Vitis vinifera; Radiation; nitrogen distribution; Modeling; Vitis vinifera; Light interception; Transpiration; Three dimensional structure; Vitidaceae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; canopy variability; Adaptation; Nitrogen content; Stomatal conductance; Plant ecology; leaf acclimation; Plant leaf; 3D structure; Nitrogen; Fruit crop; Distribution; Spermatophyta; Gas exchange; Photosynthesis; Canopy(vegetation); stomatal conductance; transpiration; photosynthesis; light interception
• ISSN: 0140-7791; 1365-3040; 1365-3040
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2012.02491.x

ABSTRACT Understanding the distribution of gas exchange within a plant is a prerequisite for scaling up from leaves to canopies. We evaluated whether leaf traits were reliable predictors of the effects of leaf ageing and leaf irradiance on leaf photosynthetic capacity (Vcmax, Jmax) in field‐grown vines (Vitis vinifera L). Simultaneously, we measured gas exchange, leaf mass per area (LMA) and nitrogen content (Nm) of leaves at different positions within the canopy and at different phenological stages. Daily mean leaf irradiance cumulated over 10 d (PPFD10) was obtained by 3D modelling of the canopy structure. Nm decreased over the season in parallel to leaf ageing while LMA was mainly affected by leaf position. PPFD10 explained 66, 28 and 73% of the variation of LMA, Nm and nitrogen content per area (Na), respectively. Nitrogen content per unit area (Na = LMA × Nm) was the best predictor of the intra‐canopy variability of leaf photosynthetic capacity. Finally, we developed a classical photosynthesis‐stomatal conductance submodel and by introducing Na as an input, the model accurately simulated the daily pattern of gas exchange for leaves at different positions in the canopy and at different phenological stages during the season. The model presented here integrates the effects of canopy structure on leaf functioning through acclimation to microclimate. It was developed for grapevine; a species usually trained with highly contrasting canopy structures, and will be used to assess the impact of plant architecture on gas‐exchange. This approach will be useful to increase knowledge about the interactions and feedbacks between plant functioning and structure.