Contrasting anatomical and biochemical controls on mesophyll conductance across plant functional types

Abstract: Mesophyll conductance (gm) limits photosynthesis by restricting CO2 diffusion between the substomatal cavities and chloroplasts. Although it is known that gm is determined by both leaf anatomical and biochemical traits, their relative contribution across plant functional types (PFTs) is still unclear.
We compiled a dataset of gm measurements and concomitant leaf traits in unstressed plants comprising 563 studies and 617 species from all major PFTs. We investigated to what extent gm limits photosynthesis across PFTs, how gm relates to structural, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological leaf properties, and whether these relationships differ among PFTs.
We found that gm imposes a significant limitation to photosynthesis in all C3 PFTs, ranging from 10–30% in most herbaceous annuals to 25–50% in woody evergreens. Anatomical leaf traits explained a significant proportion of the variation in gm (R2 > 0.3) in all PFTs except annual herbs, in which gm is more strongly related to biochemical factors associated with leaf nitrogen and potassium content.
Our results underline the need to elucidate mechanisms underlying the global variability of gm. We emphasise the underestimated potential of gm for improving photosynthesis in crops and identify modifications in leaf biochemistry as the most promising pathway for increasing gm in these species

Standort
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Umfang
Online-Ressource
Sprache
Englisch
Anmerkungen
The new phytologist. - 236, 2 (2022) , 357-368, ISSN: 1469-8137

Ereignis
Veröffentlichung
(wo)
Freiburg
(wer)
Universität
(wann)
2023
Urheber
Knauer, Jürgen
Cuntz, Matthias
Evans, John R.
Niinemets, Ülo
Tosens, Tiina
Veromann‐Jürgenson, Linda‐Liisa
Werner, Christiane
Zaehle, Sönke

DOI
10.1111/nph.18363
URN
urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2362884
Rechteinformation
Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
Letzte Aktualisierung
14.08.2025, 10:45 MESZ

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  • 2023

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