Photosynthetica 2002, 40(4):625-628 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024372623650

Photosynthetic Response to Irradiance in Valeriana jatamansi Jones, a Threatened Understorey Medicinal Herb of Western Himalaya

S.K. Vats1, S. Pandey1, P.K. Nagar1,*
1 Biotechnology Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, India

Net photosynthetic rate (PN) of Valeriana jatamansi plants, grown under nylon net shade or under different tree canopies, was saturated with photons at 1 000 μmol m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon-flux-density (PPFD), whereas open-grown plants were able to photosynthesise even at higher PPFD, e.g. of 2 000 μmol m-2 s-1. Plants grown under net shade had higher total chlorophyll (Chl) content per unit area of leaf surface. However, Chl a/b ratio was maximal in open-grown plants, but remained unchanged in plants grown in nylon net shade and under different tree canopies. Sun-grown plants had thicker leaves (higher leaf mass per leaf area unit), higher wax content, and higher PN than shade grown plants. Thus V. jatamansi is able to acclimate to high PPFD and therefore this Himalayan species may be cultivated in open habitat to meet the ever-increasing industrial demand.

Additional key words: acclimation; chlorophyll; photosynthetic photon flux density; shade

Published: December 1, 2002  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Vats, S.K., Pandey, S., & Nagar, P.K. (2002). Photosynthetic Response to Irradiance in Valeriana jatamansi Jones, a Threatened Understorey Medicinal Herb of Western Himalaya. Photosynthetica, 40(4), 625-628. doi: 10.1023/A:1024372623650
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. Anderson, J.M.: Photoregulation of the composition, function, and structure of thylakoid membranes.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 37: 93-136, 1986. Go to original source...
    2. Anonymous: The Wealth of India. A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products. Vol. X.-Publication and Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi 1976.
    3. AOAC: Official Methods of Analysis.-Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Virginia 1990.
    4. Barnes, J.D., Percy, K.E., Nigel, P.D., Jones, P., Mclaughlin, C.K., Mullineaux, P.M., Creissen, G., Wellburn, A.R.: The influence of UV-B radiation on the physiochemical nature of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf surfaces.-J. exp. Bot. 47: 99-109, 1996. Go to original source...
    5. Björkman, O.: Responses to different quantum flux densities.-In: Lange, O.L., Nobel, P.S., Osmond, C.B., Ziegler, H. (ed.): Physiological Plant Ecology I. Pp. 57-107. Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York 1981. Go to original source...
    6. Evans, J.R., Poorter, H.: Photosynthetic acclimation of plants to growth irradiance: the relative importance of specific leaf area and nitrogen partitioning in maximizing carbon gain.-Plant Cell Environ. 24: 755-767, 2001. Go to original source...
    7. Foss, R., Houghton, P.J.: Valeriana products.-In: Houghton, P.J. (ed.): Valerian, the Genus Valeriana. Pp. 129-137. Harwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam 1997. Go to original source...
    8. Genty, B., Harbinson, J.: Regulation of light utilisation for photosynthetic electron transport.-In: Baker, N.R. (ed.): Photosynthesis and the Environment. Pp. 67-99. Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-London 1996. Go to original source...
    9. Grant, R.H., Jenks, M.A., Rich, P.J., Peters, P.J., Ashworth, E.N.: Scattering of ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation by Sorghum bicolor: influence of epicuticular wax.-Agr. Forest Meteorol. 75: 263-281, 1995. Go to original source...
    10. Han, Q., Yamaguchi, E., Odaka, N., Kakubari, Y.: Photosynthetic induction responses to variable light under field conditions in three species grown in the gap and understorey of a Fagus crenata forest.-Tree Physiol. 19: 625-634, 1999. Go to original source...
    11. Hanson, H.C.: Leaf structure as related to environment.-Amer. J. Bot. 4: 533-560, 1917. Go to original source...
    12. Hauke, V., Schreiber, L.: Ontogenetic and seasonal development of wax composition and cuticular transpiration of ivy (Hedera helix L.) sun and shade leaves.-Planta 207: 67-75, 1998. Go to original source...
    13. Higuchi, H., Sakuratni, T., Utsunomiya, N.: Photosynthesis, leaf morphology, and shoot growth as affected by temperatures in cherimoya (Annona cherimoya Mill.) trees.-Sci. Hort. 80: 91-104, 1999. Go to original source...
    14. Kaul, M.K., Handa, S.S.: Response of medicinal plants to changed habitats and altitudes.-J. trop. med. Plants 1: 125-137, 2000.
    15. Körner, C., Diemer, M.: In situ photosynthetic responses to light, temperature and carbon dioxide in herbaceous plants from low and high altitude.-Funct. Ecol. 1: 179-194, 1987. Go to original source...
    16. Larcher, W. (ed.): Physiological Plant Ecology.-Springer, Berlin 1995. Go to original source...
    17. Nishio, J.N., Sun, J., Vogelmann, T.C.: Photoinhibition and the light environment within leaves.-In: Baker, N.R., Bowyer, J.R. (ed.): Photoinhibition of Photosynthesis from Molecular Mechanisms to the Field. Pp. 221-237. Bios Scientific Publ., Oxford 1994.
    18. Pandey, S., Nagar, P.K.: Leaf surface wetness and morphological characteristics of Valeriana jatamansi grown under open and shade habitat.-Biol. Plant. 45: 291-294, 2002. Go to original source...
    19. Percy, K.E., Cape, J.N., Jagels, R., Simpson, C.J.: Air pollutants and the leaf cuticle.-Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1994. Go to original source...
    20. Rama Das, V.S., Vats, S.K.: A Himalayan monsoonal location exhibiting unusually high preponderance of C4 grasses.-Photosynthetica 28: 91-97, 1993.
    21. Schiefthaler, U., Russell, A.W., Bolhàr-Nordenkampf, H.R., Critchley, C.: Photoregulation and photodamage in Schefflera arboricola leaves adapted to different light environments.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 26: 485-494, 1999. Go to original source...
    22. Singh, A.K., Singhal, G.S.: Effect of irradiance on the thermal stability of thylakoid membrane isolated from acclimated wheat leaves.-Photosynthetica 39: 23-27, 2001. Go to original source...

    Return to the content