Carbon dioxide exchange in lichens. Relationship between net photosynthetic rate and CO2 concentration

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) Vol. 68; no. 1; pp. 199 - 201
• Main Authors: Green, T.G.A, Snelgar, W.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Plant Physiologists 01.07.1981
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Ecophysiology; Gas samples; Lichens; Moisture content; Photosynthesis; Physiology; Plants; Thallus; Ventilation systems
• ISSN: 0032-0889; 1532-2548
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.68.1.199

The relationship between net photosynthesis and CO2 concentration was investigated for four species of lichen using an infrared gas analyzer operating in a closed loop system. All species showed a linear relationship at low CO2 levels (100 microliters per liter) with CO2 saturation levels being in excess of 400 microliters per liter. Detailed studies of Sticta latifrons showed a strong influence of thallus water content which resulted in the net photosynthetic response at high water contents still being nearly linear at 1000 microliters per liter CO2. Very low CO2 compensation values (5 microliters per liter) were obtained under some conditions but the value varied between thalli and with thallus water content. The results differ from previous studies which reported low CO2 saturation levels (200 microliters per liter) and no apparent effect of water content. It is suggested that some of these differences may result from the use of a discrete sampling injection infrared gas analyzer system in the earlier studies and an assessment is made of the influence of nonsaturating CO2 levels, lack of cuvette ventilation, and data presentation for this technique.