Article
Plant Sciences
Hu Sun, Yu-Qi Zhang, Shi-Bao Zhang, Wei Huang
Summary: This study reveals that the decrease in leaf N content delays the induction speeds of net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, and mesophyll conductance upon transition from low to high light in tomato seedlings. The photosynthetic induction kinetics are mainly affected by the induction response of mesophyll conductance rather than stomatal conductance.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dongliang Xiong, Jaume Flexas
Summary: This study assessed the impact of N supply on leaf anatomical, biochemical, and photosynthetic features in tobacco, revealing that high N treatment led to enhanced photosynthesis due to increased CO2 diffusion conductance and photosynthetic biochemical capacity. The increase in gm in leaves treated with high N was related to changes in leaf anatomy, but the rapid response to N top-dressing could not be fully explained by leaf anatomical modifications.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miao Ye, Zhengcan Zhang, Guanjun Huang, Yong Li
Summary: This study investigated the effects of leaf anatomical traits and environmental stimuli on the photosynthesis of rice plants. It found that the response of mesophyll conductance to temperature was stronger at the mid-tillering stage and with high nitrogen treatment, which could be attributed to a higher activation energy of the membrane.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jie Zou, Wei Hu, Yuxia Li, Honghai Zhu, Jiaqi He, Youhua Wang, Yali Meng, Binglin Chen, Wenqing Zhao, Shanshan Wang, Zhiguo Zhou
Summary: Drought stress negatively affects cotton's photosynthesis by reducing stomatal and mesophyll conductance and perturbing biochemical processes. Increasing mesophyll conductance under dynamic drought conditions can enhance photosynthesis.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yansen Xu, Zhaozhong Feng, Jinlong Peng, Johan Uddling
Summary: The decline in mesophyll conductance (g(m)) is crucial in limiting photosynthesis in plants exposed to elevated ozone (O-3) levels. Leaf anatomical traits have been known to impact g(m), but the potential effects of O-3-induced changes in leaf anatomy on g(m) are still unclear. In this study, two poplar clones were exposed to elevated O-3 levels. The impacts of O-3 on photosynthetic capacity and anatomical characteristics were assessed to investigate the leaf anatomical properties that potentially affect g(m). Additionally, a global meta-analysis was conducted to explore the general response patterns of g(m) and leaf anatomy to O-3 exposure. The findings suggest that O-3-induced reduction in g(m) is critical in limiting leaf photosynthesis, and the changes in liquid-phase conductance, cell wall thickness, and chloroplast size contribute to this decline under elevated O-3 conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Faliang Zeng, Lin Zhu, Guojiao Wang, Yinpei Liang, Dianrong Ma, Jiayu Wang
Summary: Leaf anatomy plays a crucial role in determining photosynthesis performance. In this study, two rice recombinant inbred lines, H138 and H217, showed higher net CO2 assimilation compared to their parent Sasanishiki, mainly due to improved leaf anatomy. The improvement in leaf anatomy was associated with increased mesophyll cell number and area, higher chlorophyll content, and increased expression of genes involved in light-harvesting. Furthermore, higher stomatal and mesophyll conductance in H138 and H217 contributed to improved leaf photosynthesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wenshi Hu, Zhifeng Lu, Hehe Gu, Xiaolei Ye, Xiaokun Li, Rihuan Cong, Tao Ren, Jianwei Lu
Summary: Leaf growth depends on photosynthesis and hydraulics for carbohydrates and expansion power. Under potassium deficiency, leaf area, photosynthesis, and hydraulics are affected by changes in leaf structure. This study observed the leaf hydraulic conductance and photosynthetic rate of Brassica napus during leaf growth under different levels of potassium supply. The results showed that potassium deficiency decreased leaf hydraulic conductance and photosynthetic rate. It also led to an increase in mesophyll cell investment and a decrease in the volume fraction of intercellular air-space, resulting in reduced leaf expansion rate.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
David Alonso-Forn, Jose Javier Peguero-Pina, Juan Pedro Ferrio, Jose Ignacio Garcia-Plazaola, Ruben Martin-Sanchez, Ulo Niinemets, Domingo Sancho-Knapik, Eustaquio Gil-Pelegrin
Summary: The study demonstrates that leaves of Mediterranean evergreen tree species undergo a series of morphological, anatomical, chemical, and photosynthetic trait changes as they age, with alterations in leaf cell anatomy and nitrogen content influencing CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance. Changes in leaf cell anatomical and physiological characteristics in aging leaves contribute to the gradual dismantling of photosynthetic apparatus.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohamad Abdallah, Cyril Douthe, Jaume Flexas
Summary: The study reveals that non-native plant species on Mediterranean islands possess distinct leaf morphological and physiological traits compared to co-occurring native species, which increases their chances of a successful invasion.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guanjun Huang, Yu Shu, Shaobing Peng, Yong Li
Summary: Leaf structural traits, particularly the size of xylem and phloem in the leaf veins, have a significant impact on leaf photosynthesis and hydraulic conductance in rice plants, highlighting the importance of manipulating these overlooked leaf traits to improve photosynthetic efficiency.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi Xiao, Jen Sloan, Chris Hepworth, Marc Fradera-Soler, Andrew Mathers, Rachel Thorley, Alice Baillie, Hannah Jones, Tiangen Chang, Xingyuan Chen, Nazmin Yaapar, Colin P. Osborne, Craig Sturrock, Sacha. J. J. Mooney, Andrew. J. J. Fleming, Xin-Guang Zhu
Summary: Leaf structure plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, but the relationship between a single structural parameter and the overall photosynthetic performance is still debated. In this study, a mechanistic model called eLeaf was developed to capture the photosynthetic performance of rice leaves under various environmental conditions. The model successfully quantified the importance of different elements by analyzing imaging data and biochemical measurements. The results showed that photosynthetic metabolism was the major driver of increased carbon assimilation under elevated CO2 levels, and various structural elements made positive and negative contributions. The findings provide theoretical support for experimental data and highlight the significance of leaf structural plasticity in improving crop photosynthesis.
Review
Agronomy
Miao Ye, Meng Wu, Yu Zhang, Zeyu Wang, Hao Zhang, Zujian Zhang
Summary: Improving leaf photosynthetic capacity is crucial for increasing crop yield. In C-3 crops, factors limiting leaf photosynthetic capacity include Rubisco activity, CO2 concentration, leaf nitrogen content, leaf morphology and anatomy. Strategies to enhance leaf photosynthetic capacity involve introducing high-activity Rubisco, optimizing leaf nitrogen allocation, modifying leaf structure for better CO2 diffusion, improving sugar transportation and utilization, and introducing C-4 photosynthetic mechanisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaolei Ye, Ziyi Gao, Ke Xu, Binglin Li, Tao Ren, Xiaokun Li, Rihuan Cong, Zhifeng Lu, Ismail Cakmak, Jianwei Lu
Summary: Magnesium deficiency negatively affects rapeseed growth and photosynthesis, particularly under high light conditions. The deficiency reduces dark reaction and mesophyll conductance to CO2, resulting in photooxidative damage. Additionally, magnesium deficiency leads to changes in leaf structure, further impacting CO2 diffusion rate and substrate availability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Varsha S. Pathare, Rahele Panahabadi, Balasaheb Sonawane, Anthony Jude Apalla, Nuria Koteyeva, Laura E. Bartley, Asaph B. Cousins
Summary: Changes in hydroxycinnamic acid content can decrease cell wall thickness, increase mesophyll conductance and photosynthesis in C-3 cereals. However, increases in stomatal conductance negate the increased photosynthesis, resulting in no change in intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE). Alteration of hydroxycinnamic acid content can also improve canopy-level WUE and aboveground biomass in rice plants under low water levels.
Article
Forestry
Yasutomo Hoshika, Lorenzo Cotrozzi, Olga Gavrichkova, Cristina Nali, Elisa Pellegrini, Andrea Scartazza, Elena Paoletti
Summary: The functional responses of two Mediterranean pine species, P. halepensis and P. pinea, to long-term ozone exposure were examined. It was found that P. halepensis, with thin needles, was sensitive to ozone and showed a significant decrease in photosynthesis, while P. pinea, with thicker needles, was resistant to ozone and did not show clear effects on photosynthesis. These findings are important for understanding the response mechanisms and adaptability of Mediterranean pine forests to ozone pollution.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
William M. Hammond, Daniel M. Johnson, Frederick C. Meinzer
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Assaad Mrad, Daniel M. Johnson, David M. Love, Jean-Christophe Domec
Summary: Wood anatomical traits significantly impact the hydraulic efficiency and resistance of xylem segments. An increase in conduit connectivity may enhance resistance to embolism spread, but could also decrease resistance due to faster spread of embolism. Variations in conduit connectivity may be a key factor in explaining weaker-than-expected trends among woody species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Santiago Trueba, Guillaume Theroux-Rancourt, J. Mason Earles, Thomas N. Buckley, David Love, Daniel M. Johnson, Craig Brodersen
Summary: The study identified leaf vein volume as a crucial factor influencing water use efficiency in coniferous plants. Needle-like leaves of Pinus exhibited lower mesophyll porosity, leading to increased ratios of stomatal pore number per mesophyll or intercellular airspace volume, which effectively predicted stomatal conductance and water use efficiency.
Article
Plant Sciences
Michael C. Benson, Chelcy F. Miniat, Andrew C. Oishi, Sander O. Denham, Jean-Christophe Domec, Daniel M. Johnson, Justine E. Missik, Richard P. Phillips, Jeffrey D. Wood, Kimberly A. Novick
Summary: Contrary to conventional wisdom, the study found that tree species with vulnerable xylem regulate leaf water potential less strictly than those with resistant xylem, indicating potential risks in hydraulic performance. This relationship was consistent across different climates and stand ages.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Bharat Rastogi, Andres Schmidt, Max Berkelhammer, David Noone, Frederick C. Meinzer, John Kim, Christopher J. Still
Summary: This study documents the response of a moist temperate coniferous old-growth forest in the western U.S. to a 2 day wildfire smoke event. Despite the increase in air temperature and decrease in relative humidity and total incoming radiation caused by the smoke, the ecosystem photosynthesis increased by about 10%. This was explained by a large increase in ecosystem-scale stomatal conductance, likely due to an increase in diffuse light.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Daniel M. Johnson, Gabriel Katul, Jean-Christophe Domec
Summary: Water circulation inside plants is crucial for their physiological functions, and failures in this circulation can lead to reduced transpiration and photosynthesis. By applying catastrophe theory, the study of plant hydraulics can help us better understand these phenomena and provide a framework for investigating transpiration, hydraulic function, and hydraulic safety-efficiency tradeoff.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Cabon, Steven A. Kannenberg, Altaf Arain, Flurin Babst, Dennis Baldocchi, Soumaya Belmecheri, Nicolas Delpierre, Rossella Guerrieri, Justin T. Maxwell, Shawn McKenzie, Frederick C. Meinzer, David J. P. Moore, Christoforos Pappas, Adrian Rocha, Paul Szejner, Masahito Ueyama, Danielle Ulrich, Caroline Vincke, Steven L. Voelker, Jingshu Wei, David Woodruff, William R. L. Anderegg
Summary: Uncertainties in tree carbon allocation to growth limit projections of forest carbon sequestration and response to climate change. Our study reveals widespread decoupling between carbon assimilation and tree growth, driven by varying climatic sensitivities and tree species. Sink control over tree growth becomes more prominent with canopy closure, aridity, and decreasing temperatures.
Article
Agronomy
Steven A. Kannenberg, Antoine Cabon, Flurin Babst, Soumaya Belmecheri, Nicolas Delpierre, Rossella Guerrieri, Justin T. Maxwell, Frederick C. Meinzer, David J. P. Moore, Christoforos Pappas, Masahito Ueyama, Danielle E. M. Ulrich, Steven L. Voelker, David R. Woodruff, William R. L. Anderegg
Summary: This study quantified the sensitivity of tree growth and gross primary productivity (GPP) during and following drought using tree-ring chronologies data from North America and Europe. The results showed that GPP was relatively resistant to water stress despite reductions in tree growth. This decoupling effect also lasted in the year following drought.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Peipei Jiang, Frederick C. Meinzer, Huimin Wang, Xiaoqin Dai, Shengwang Meng, Liang Kou, Yifan Chen, Xiaoli Fu
Summary: Understorey layers play a significant role in driving the temporal dynamics of deep soil water in forests, and the patterns of deep soil water use among different life-forms shape community assembly in forests.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Raquel Partelli-Feltrin, Alistair M. S. Smith, Henry D. Adams, R. Alex Thompson, Crystal A. Kolden, Kara M. Yedinak, Daniel M. Johnson
Summary: Disruption of photosynthesis and carbon transport due to fire can lead to tree mortality. This study found that a lethal fire dose had an impact on nonstructural carbohydrates and xylem hydraulics in Pinus ponderosa saplings. While photosynthesis and whole plant nonstructural carbohydrates declined postfire, water transport remained unchanged, and the cause of death was likely phloem and cambium necrosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher J. Still, Gerald Page, Bharat Rastogi, Daniel M. Griffith, Donald M. Aubrecht, Youngil Kim, Sean P. Burns, Chad V. Hanson, Hyojung Kwon, Linnia Hawkins, Frederick C. Meinzer, Sanna Sevanto, Dar Roberts, Mike Goulden, Stephanie Pau, Matteo Detto, Brent Helliker, Andrew D. Richardson
Summary: Understanding the relationship between leaf temperature and air temperature is crucial for predicting forest responses to climate warming. Previous hypotheses suggest that leaves should cool below air temperature at higher temperatures, but new research shows that canopy leaves are usually warmer than air. Future climate warming may lead to even higher canopy leaf temperatures, affecting forest carbon cycling and mortality risk.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Aaron M. Sparks, Alexander S. Blanco, David R. Wilson, Dylan W. Schwilk, Daniel M. Johnson, Henry D. Adams, David M. J. S. Bowman, Douglas D. Hardman, Alistair M. S. Smith
Summary: Fire is a major cause of tree injury and mortality worldwide, and accurate quantification of physiological performance is important for understanding its impacts. In this study, Pinus monticola and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings were subjected to surface fires of varying intensity doses to evaluate their short-term post-fire physiological performance. The results showed that P. monticola had higher photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence at higher doses, and higher fire resistance at this life stage compared to P. menziesii. Spectral indices were effective in quantifying physiological performance at both individual tree crown and stand scales. The comparison with other conifer species highlighted the close evolutionary relationship between fire and Pinus species.
Article
Ecology
Luke A. Wilson, Robert N. Spencer, Doug P. Aubrey, Joseph J. O'Brien, Alistair M. S. Smith, Ream W. Thomas, Daniel M. Johnson
Summary: The longleaf pine ecosystem is dependent on frequent fire, but this study shows that longleaf pine seedlings have relatively low mortality rates when exposed to high surface fire intensity and drought.
Article
Forestry
Peipei Jiang, Frederick C. Meinzer, Xiaoli Fu, Liang Kou, Xiaoqin Dai, Huimin Wang
Summary: The study reveals a trade-off between xylem water and carbohydrate storage in woody angiosperms, with different species' degrees of isohydry influencing the balance. Species with lower isohydry tend to deplete more NSC in the dry season and have more drought-tolerant leaves, while species with higher isohydry have higher hydraulic capacitance, enhancing their drought avoidance.
Article
Forestry
Mark E. De Guzman, Aleyda Acosta-Rangel, Klaus Winter, Frederick C. Meinzer, Damien Bonal, Louis S. Santiago
Summary: Wood density (WD) is often used as a proxy for hydraulic traits, but its relationships with traits in tropical forests are not well established. Some parameters from sapwood water release curves are related to WD, while stem vulnerability curve parameters are not. Species with lower water potential show greater drought resistance.