Photoinhibition of the CAM succulent Opuntia basilaris growing in Death Valley: Evidence from 77K fluorescence and quantum yield

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1987

Publication Title

Oecologia

Volume

71

Issue

2

First page number:

221

Last page number:

228

Abstract

Diurnal measurements of low temperature (77K) fluorescence at 690 nm (PS II) from north, south, east, and west facing cladode surfaces of Opuntia basilaris in Death Valley, California were made on six occasions during 1985. The absolute levels of Fo (instantaneous fluorescence) and Fm (maximum fluorescence), as well as the ratio Fv/Fm (variable fluorescence, Fm-Fo, over maximum fluorescence), were greater in the north face relative to the other faces. Diurnal decreases in Fo, Fm, and Fv/Fm were found concomitant with increases in incident photon flux area density (PFD). Fv/Fm was fairly low throughout the year, indicative of photoinhibition, but became somewhat elevated after a spring rain. In early fall the quantum yield of the south face was considerably depressed relative to that of the north face, and corresponding differences were observed in Fv/Fm. A decrease in PFD during growth of glasshouse plants led to an increase in chlorophyll concentration, Fo, and Fm, but not Fv/Fm. Although there was some variability in the quantum yield of well watered glasshouse cladodes, a correlation was found between quantum yield and the light and CO2 saturated rate of photosynthesis. When O. basilaris was water stressed under glasshouse conditions, reductions in quantum yield, Fm, and Fv/Fm were observed. Reductions in Fv/Fm always indicated a reduced quantum yield, although the converse was not necessarily so in well watered glasshouse plants. The results of this study indicate that O. basilaris is likely to experience photoinhibition throughout much of its life in Death Valley.

Keywords

77K fluorescence; Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM); Death Valley; Photoinhibition; Photon flux area density (PFD); Quantum yield; Stress physiology

Disciplines

Plant Biology

Language

English

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