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iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

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Wintertime photosynthesis and spring recovery of Ilex aquifolium L.

Magnus Wachendorf (1)   , Mona Schloz (1), Manfred Küppers (1), Aylin Güney (1), Maik Veste (1-2)

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 12, Issue 4, Pages 389-396 (2019)
doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor2983-012
Published: Jul 31, 2019 - Copyright © 2019 SISEF

Research Articles


Former studies using the chlorophyll fluorescence technique on evergreen Ilex aquifolium L. showed that its photosynthetic potential for electron transport in winter recovers quickly when exposed to more favorable conditions. Since little is known, however, about its photosynthetic carbon gain in winter, we investigated its leaf gas exchange over an entire winter and spring period. Measurements were made rotationally in the field and in the laboratory to also investigate if I. aquifolium profits from warmer phases during winter in terms of net carbon gain. From the end of autumn until the end of spring, three different climate-driven phases of photosynthetic responses could be distinguished: first, an acclimation phase which lasted until February and was characterized by a gradually decreasing light-saturated gross photosynthesis (Amax(gross)), decreasing apparent quantum yield of CO2-assimilation (ΦΦi) and a decreasing ability of these parameters to recover overnight inside the laboratory. At the same time, maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) could fully regenerate. In this phase, single warmer days had a positive effect on carbon assimilation. Second, a phase of relatively constant but low photosynthesis which was virtually unaffected by temperature, lasting for almost two months occurred. Here, Amax(gross) and Φi had lost their ability to recover from winter conditions in the field, while Fv/Fm was much less affected. I. aquifolium was still able to conduct positive light-saturated net photosynthesis at a leaf temperature of -0.5 °C, but during this time it could not profit from milder temperatures in terms of carbon gain. Third, a phase of increasing photosynthesis (spring recovery) occurred, starting in March when the 5-day average temperature was above 5 °C and radiation in the field increased, and where all parameters slowly recovered from winter depressions. Our findings show that I. aquifolium is photosynthetically active over the whole winter, even at temperatures around 0 °C. In terms of carbon gain, however, I. aquifolium does not profit from warmer phases during winter, despite the fast recovery seen in chlorophyll fluorescence measurements.

  Keywords


Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Frost, Leaf Gas Exchange, Photosynthetic Induction, Quantum Yield, Respiration

Authors’ address

(1)
Magnus Wachendorf 0000-0002-9591-6788
Mona Schloz
Manfred Küppers
Aylin Güney 0000-0002-8955-2770
Maik Veste 0000-0003-2704-2588
Universität Hohenheim, Institut für Botanik 210a, Garbenstraße 30, D-70599 Stuttgart (Germany)
(2)
Maik Veste 0000-0003-2704-2588
CEBra - Centrum für Energietechnologie Brandenburg e.v., Friedlieb-Runge-Straße 3, D-03046 Cottbus (Germany)

Corresponding author

 

Citation

Wachendorf M, Schloz M, Küppers M, Güney A, Veste M (2019). Wintertime photosynthesis and spring recovery of Ilex aquifolium L.. iForest 12: 389-396. - doi: 10.3832/ifor2983-012

Academic Editor

Claudia Cocozza

Paper history

Received: Oct 23, 2018
Accepted: May 21, 2019

First online: Jul 31, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 31, 2019
Publication Time: 2.37 months

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