Leaf anatomical properties in relation to differences in mesophyll conductance to CO₂ and photosynthesis in two related Mediterranean Abies species

Abies alba and Abies pinsapo are closely related species with the same ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (rbcL) but contrasting hydraulic traits and mesophyll structure occurring in the Iberian Peninsula under contrasting conditions. As photosynthesis and hydrau...

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Published in:Plant, cell and environment cell and environment, 2012-12, Vol.35 (12), p.2121-2129
Main Authors: PEGUERO‐PINA, JOSÉ JAVIER, FLEXAS, JAUME, GALMÉS, JERONI, NIINEMETS, ÜLO, SANCHO‐KNAPIK, DOMINGO, BARREDO, GONZALO, VILLARROYA, DIDO, GIL‐PELEGRÍN, EUSTAQUIO
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abies alba
Abies pinsapo
Biological and medical sciences
carbon dioxide
case studies
cell wall
cell walls
chloroplast thickness
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
gas exchange
leaves
mesophyll
photosynthesis
ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase
stomatal conductance
water use efficiency
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Summary:Abies alba and Abies pinsapo are closely related species with the same ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (rbcL) but contrasting hydraulic traits and mesophyll structure occurring in the Iberian Peninsula under contrasting conditions. As photosynthesis and hydraulic capacities often co‐scale, we hypothesize that these species differ in mesophyll conductance to CO₂ (gₘ). gₘ and key anatomical traits were measured in both species. Drought‐adapted population of A. pinsapo has higher photosynthesis than the more mesic population of A. alba, in agreement with its higher hydraulic capacity. However, A. alba exhibits the largest stomatal conductance (gₛ), and so water use efficiency (WUE) is much higher in A. pinsapo. The differences in photosynthesis were explained by differences in gₘ, indicating a correlation between hydraulic capacity and gₘ. We report a case where gₘ is the main factor limiting photosynthesis in one species (A. alba) when compared with the other one (A. pinsapo). The results also highlight the discrepancy between gₘ estimates based on anatomical measurements and those based on gas exchange methods, probably due to the very large resistance exerted by cell walls and the stroma in both species. Thus, the cell wall and chloroplast properties in relation to CO₂ diffusion constitute a near‐future research priority.
ISSN:0140-7791
1365-3040
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3040.2012.02540.x