Leaf photosynthesis in the C4-grass Miscanthus x giganteus, growing in the cool temperate climate of southern England

Previous studies have shown that both photoinhibition and low temperature impairment of leaf development occur in C4 species growing in temperate climates. These result in reductions in the maximum quantum efficiency (phi) and the light-saturated rate of CO2 uptake (Asat). The perennial C4-grass Mis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of experimental botany Vol. 47; no. 295; pp. 267 - 273
Main Authors Beale, C.V, Bint, D.A, Long, S.P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1996
Subjects
air temperature
ambient temperature
C4 photosynthesis
carbon dioxide
Cooling
Crops
Energy crops
gas exchange
light intensity
Low temperature
maximum quantum efficiency
Miscanthus
Nitrogen
Photoinhibition
Photons
Photosynthesis
Plants
Quantum efficiency
Research Papers
south east england
temperate zones
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Summary:Previous studies have shown that both photoinhibition and low temperature impairment of leaf development occur in C4 species growing in temperate climates. These result in reductions in the maximum quantum efficiency (phi) and the light-saturated rate of CO2 uptake (Asat). The perennial C4-grass Miscanthus X giganteus has been shown to attain high productivity in northern Europe. This study examines and analyses the seasonal variation in photosynthetic gas exchange of M. X giganteus grown in southern England. Although the crop was exposed to chilling temperatures at the start of the season neither Asat nor phi were impaired, when assessed at a measurement temperature of 24 degrees C. Between May and July the mean values of Asat and phi were 34 micromoles m-2 s-1 and 0.067, respectively, declining to 20 micromoles m-2 s-1 and 0.045 in October. In the field, on clear days between May and July, the typical midday rates of CO2 uptake ranged between 20-27 micromoles m-2 s-1, although in late-June a peak mean value of 35 micromoles m-2 s-1 was attained. The study shows that under the cool temperate conditions of southern England, M. X giganteus, unlike all C4 species previously examined, is able to realize the photosynthetic potential of the C4 process without suffering any apparent low temperature impairment, except possibly at the very end of the growing season.
ISSN:0022-0957
1460-2431