Photosynthetica 1997, 33(1):113-123 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022135507700

Photosynthesis in leaves, fruits, stem and petioles of greenhouse-grown tomato plants

Hui-Lian Xu1, L. Gauthier2, Y. Desjardins2, A. Gosselin2
1 International Nature Farming Research Centre, Hata-machi, Nagano, Japan
2 Horticultural Research Centre, Faculty of Agriculture and Food, Laval University, Quebec, Canada

Gross photosynthetic capacity (P G ) of greenhouse-grown tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) decreased as the leaf aged. The P G of the 10th, 15th and 18th leaves from the top was only 76, 37, and 18 % of P G of the 5th leaf, respectively. Quantum yield (Y Q ) and dark respiration rate (R D ) were also lower in older leaves than in the younger ones. Net photosynthetic rate (P G ) was apparent in young fruits (about 10 g FM) or young petioles but no P N was found in large fruits (40 g or more FM) and stems because of high R D . Both P G and R D were lower in older fruits and petioles or in lower parts of the stem compared to the younger ones or upper parts of stem. A sharp decrease in chlorophyll (Chl) content was only measured in the senescing 18th leaf. The Chl content in petioles, stems and fruits was proportional to P G . Decreases in P G of older leaves were attributed to decreases in content rather than activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) since soluble protein content was lower in older leaves than in the younger ones but the specific activity (activity per unit of protein) of RuBPCO was not so. The estimated values of P N of the 10th, 15th and 18th leaves inside the canopy were only 50, 21, and 7 % of that in the 5th leaf. Therefore, leaves below the 18th can be removed in order to ensure a good air circulation and prevent diseases. The significance of photosynthesis in fruit, stem and petioles is not negligible because photosynthesis re-fixes the respired CO2.

Additional key words: chlorophyll; gross and net photosynthesis; Lycopersicon esculentum; quantum yield; respiration rate; ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase; oxygenase

Published: March 1, 1997  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Xu, H., Gauthier, L., Desjardins, Y., & Gosselin, A. (1997). Photosynthesis in leaves, fruits, stem and petioles of greenhouse-grown tomato plants. Photosynthetica, 33(1), 113-123. doi: 10.1023/A:1022135507700
Share...
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. Atherton, J.G., Rudich, J.: The Tomato Crop: A Scientific Basis for Improvement.-Chapman & Hall, London-New York 1986. Go to original source...
    2. Bhagsari, A.S.: Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of selected root crops as related to leaf age.-Crop Sci. 28: 902-906, 1988. Go to original source...
    3. Bradford, M.M.: A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilising the principle of protein-dye binding.-Anal. Biochem. 72: 248-254, 1976. Go to original source...
    4. Camp, P.J., Huber, S.C., Burke, J.J., Moreland, D.E.: Biochemical changes that occur during senescence of wheat leaves. I. Basis for the reduction of photosynthesis.-Plant Physiol. 70: 1641-1646, 1982. Go to original source...
    5. Čatský, J., Šesták, Z.: Photosynthesis during leaf development.-In: Pessarakli, M. (ed.): Handbook of Photosynthesis. Pp. 633-660. Marcel Dekker, New York 1996.
    6. Čatský, J., Solárová, J., Pospíšilová, J., Tichá, I.: Conductances for carbon dioxide transfer in the leaf.-In: Šesták, Z. (ed.): Photosynthesis During Leaf Development. Pp. 217-249. Academia, Praha; Dr W. Junk Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-Lancaster 1985. Go to original source...
    7. Charles-Edwards, D.A.: The Mathematics of Photosynthesis and Productivity.-Academic Press, London-New York 1981.
    8. Dai, Z., Ku, M.S.B., Edwards, G.E.: C4 photosynthesis. The effects of leaf development on the CO2 concentrating mechanism and photorespiration in maize.-Plant Physiol. 107: 815-825, 1995. Go to original source...
    9. Dwyer, L.M., Stewart, D.W., Balchin, D., Houwing, L., Marur, C.J., Hamilton, R.I.: Photosynthetic rates of six maize cultivars during development.-Agron. J. 81: 597-602, 1989. Go to original source...
    10. Friedrich, J.W., Huffaker, R.C.: Photosynthesis, leaf resistances, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase degradation in senescing barley leaves.-Plant Physiol. 65: 1103-1107, 1980. Go to original source...
    11. Hartman, F.C., Harpel, M.R.: Structure, function, regulation, and assembly of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.-Annu. Rev. Biochem. 63: 197-234, 1994. Go to original source...
    12. Hokujoh, Y., Ishitsuka, J.: Experimental Methods in Crop Physiology.-Assoc. Agr. Technol., Tokyo 1988.
    13. Jiang, C.Z., Rodermel, S.R., Shibles, R.M.: Photosynthesis, Rubisco activity and amount, and their regulation by transcription in senescing soybean leaves.-Plant Physiol. 101: 105-112, 1993. Go to original source...
    14. Jones, H.G.: Plants and Microclimate, A Quantitative Approach to Environmental Plant Physiology.-Cambridge Univ. Press, London-New York 1992.
    15. Mokronosov, A.T., Nekrasova, G.F.: [Ontogenic aspect of photosynthesis studied with potato leaf.]-Fiziol. Rast. 24: 458-465, 1977. [In Russ.]
    16. Perchorovicz, J.H., Raynes, D.A., Jensen, R.G.: Measurement and preservation of the in vivo activation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in leaf extracts.-Plant Physiol. 69: 1165-1168, 1982. Go to original source...
    17. Pettigrew, W.T., Meredith, W.R., Jr.: Leaf gas exchange parameters vary among cotton genotypes.-Crop Sci. 34: 700-705, 1994. Go to original source...
    18. Rawson, H.M., Constable, G.A.: Carbon production of sunflower cultivars in field and controlled environments I. Photosynthesis and transpiration of leaves, stems and heads.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 7: 555-573, 1980. Go to original source...
    19. Saitoh, H., Shimoda, H., Ishihara, K.: [Characteristics of dry matter production process in high yielding rice varieties. V. Model simulation of canopy photosynthesis.]-Jap. J. Crop Sci. 61: 62-73, 1992. Go to original source...
    20. Šesták, Z.: Chlorophylls and carotenoids during leaf ontogeny.-In Šesták, Z. (ed.): Photosynthesis During Leaf Development. Pp. 76-106. Academia, Praha; Dr W. Junk Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-Lancaster 1985a. Go to original source...
    21. Šesták, Z. (ed.): Photosynthesis During Leaf Development.-Academia, Praha; Dr W. Junk Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-Lancaster 1985b.
    22. Simpson, G.M.: Association between grain yield per plant and photosynthetic area above the flag leaf node in wheat.-Can. J. Plant Sci. 48: 235-260, 1968. Go to original source...
    23. Teare, I.D., Sij, J.W., Waldren, R.P., Goltz, S.M.: Comparative data on the rate of photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration of different organs in awned and awnless isogenic lines of wheat.-Can. J. Plant Sci. 52: 965-971, 1972. Go to original source...
    24. Thomas, H., Stoddart, J.L.: Leaf senescence.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31: 83-111, 1980. Go to original source...
    25. Wada, Y.: Changes with senescence in photosynthetic characteristics of a rice leaf.-Bull. Coll. Agr. Utsunomiya Univ. 49: 1-44, 1988.
    26. Whitehead, W.F., Singh, B.P.: Leaf age affects gas exchange in okra.-HortScience 30: 1017-1019, 1995. Go to original source...
    27. Wullschleger, S.D., Oosterhuis, D.M.: Photosynthesis of individual field-grown cotton leaves during ontogeny.-Photosynth. Res. 23: 163-170, 1990. Go to original source...
    28. Xu, H.-L., Gauthier, L., Gosselin, A.: Effects of fertigation management on growth and photosynthesis of tomato plants grown in peat, rockwool and NFT.-Scientia Hort. 63: 11-20, 1995. Go to original source...
    29. Yue, D., Desjardins, Y., Lamarre, M., Gosselin, A.: Photosynthesis and transpiration of in vitro cultured asparagus plants.-Scientia Hort. 49: 9-16, 1992. Go to original source...

    Return to the content