Photosynthesis of herbaceous plants from nutrient-poor tropical forests

Photosynthetic characteristics, specific leaf mass, chlorophyll and total leaf nitrogen concentrations of four herbaceous plants (Dicranopteris linearis, Hanguana malayana, Pentaphragma ellipticum, Tacca integrifolia) from nutrient-poor tropical forests showed that all these plants were well-adapted to their natural growth environments. No photoinhibition was observed even in the understorey plants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A METHOD OF OBTAINING AXENIC CULTURES OF TRENTEPOHLIA SPP. (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Axenic cultures of Trentepohlia species are necessary for the study of growth and hysiological characters of the algae. We describe the use of a Sherman micromanipulator to isolate filaments from samples of T. aurea and T. odorata collected from their natural habitats. These filaments were then used as inocula for the establishment of axenic cultures. In the case of T. aurea, further treatment with lactic acid was necessary.     

Photosynthesis of herbaceous plants from nutrient-poor tropical forests

Photosynthetic characteristics, specific leaf mass, chlorophyll and total leaf nitrogen concentrations of four herbaceous plants (Dicranopteris linearis, Hanguana malayana, Pentaphragma ellipticum, Tacca integrifolia) from nutrient-poor tropical forests showed that all these plants were well-adapted to their natural growth environments. No photoinhibition was observed even in the understorey plants.     

Effect of varying co2 and light levels on growth of hedyotis and sugarcane shoot cultures

Summary Shoot cultures of Hedyotis corymbosa, a C3 species, and sugarcane, a C4 species, were used to examine the effects of various CO₂ concentrations and two light intensities on growth and photosynthetic rates. The fresh and dry weights of new growth of Hedyotis shoots were higher when grown under the higher light intensity, while differences among shoots grown under different CO₂ levels were marginal. After 14 d of growth in various CO₂ concentrations, no significant differences could be observed in the newly produced leaves of Hedyotis with respect to stomatal distribution and number of mesophyll cell layers. Shoots grown under high light intensity did not show higher rates of photosynthesis than those grown under low light intensity. Also, sugarcane shoots grown in a CO₂-enriched environment did not have higher photosynthetic rates, perhaps because the C4 pathway is less sensitive to the ambient CO₂ concentration. The quantum yield of Hedyotis shoots grown on medium with 20 g l⁻¹ sucrose was lower than that of shoots on lower sucrose concentrations, supporting the view that photosynthesis is inhibited by high levels of sucrose. Our results suggest that Hedyotis shoots in culture exhibit some form of acclimation to high CO₂. so that there is no net gain in productivity by photosynthesis.     

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum (L.) to salinity and water stress

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum to NaCl and dehydration was investigated under controlled conditions following the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, qP, qN). Salt tolerance was increased by growing gametophytes in low concentrations of NaCl. However, such treatment could not increase the tolerance of gametophytes to dehydration. Under water stress, a decrease in photochemical quenching (qP) was accompanied by an increase in non-photochemical quenching (qN). Under salt stress, qP also decreased, but qN did not change significantly in salt-hardened gametophytes.     

Effects of CO2 on growth and photosynthesis of Pyrrosia piloselloides (L.) Price gametophytes

The effects of CO2 concentration on spore germination, growth, and net photosynthetic rate (PN) of gametophytes of a tropical epiphytic fern, Pyrrosia piloselloides, were investigated over a 100-d period. Increasing CO2 concentration stimulated spore germination and enhanced gametophytic growth. The appearance of sexual organs and formation of sporophytes were accelerated with higher CO2 during growth. Radiant energy saturated PN and dark respiration rate also increased with increasing CO2 concentrations during growth.     

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum (L.) to salinity and water stress

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum to NaCl and dehydration was investigated under controlled conditions following the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, qP, qN). Salt tolerance was increased by growing gametophytes in low concentrations of NaCl. However, such treatment could not increase the tolerance of gametophytes to dehydration. Under water stress, a decrease in photochemical quenching (qP) was accompanied by an increase in non-photochemical quenching (qN). Under salt stress, qP also decreased, but qN did not change significantly in salt-hardened gametophytes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Radiation Quality on Growth and Photosynthesis of Acacia mangium Seedlings

Radiation quality was an important environmental cue to stimulate seed germination in Acacia mangium. The photo-synthetic CO₂ assimilation rate, dark respiration rate, total biomass, and relative growth rate of seedlings grown under monochromatic radiation were significantly lower than those of seedlings grown under full spectrum radiation. Blue and red radiation induced shade-avoidance and shade-tolerant responses of A. mangium seedlings, respectively.     

Responses of Acacia Mangium Seedlings to Different Irradiances

The photosynthetic and growth responses of A. mangium to different photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) during early seedling establishment (36 d after sowing) were investigated. Shade-grown A. mangium seedlings exhibited lower chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio, higher Chl and carotenoid (Car) contents, and higher total Chl/Car ratio than sun-grown seedlings. Sun-grown seedlings showed significantly higher photosynthetic capacity and total plant dry mass. High PPFD was crucial for the successful early establishment and robust growth of A. mangium seedlings.     

The Effect of Phyllode Temperature on Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Acacia mangium

The optimum temperature for photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation of A. mangium phyllodes was 30–32 °C. Photosystem 2 (PS 2) exhibited high tolerance to high temperature. Gas exchange and the function of PS2 of A. mangium were adapted to the temperature regime of the tropical environment and this might be the contributing factor to their fast growth under tropical conditions.