Abstract
Under well-watered conditions in the laboratory, Sedum pulchellum assimilated CO2 only during the day, yet exhibited small nocturnal increases in tissue acid content followed by deacidification in the light (CAM-cycling). When drought-stressed, little CO2 was fixed in the day and none at night, yet even greater acid fluctuations were observed (CAM-idling). Calculations indicate that water savings associated with CAM-cycling when water is available are small. Water saving is more likely to be significant during CAM-idling when water supply is limited and stomata are closed day and night. Thus, in this species, CAM-idling may be of greater benefit to the plant, relative to CAM-cycling, in surviving habitats prone to frequent drought stress.
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Abbreviations
- A:
-
CO2 exchange rate
- CAM:
-
Crassulacean acid metabolism
- ci :
-
shoot internal CO2 concentration
- gc :
-
shoot conductance to CO2
- PPFD:
-
photosynthetic photon flux density
- WUE:
-
water-use efficiency
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Supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. DMB 8506093.
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Martin, C.E., Higley, M. & Wang, WZ. Recycling of CO2 via Crassulacean acid metabolism in the rock outcrop succulent Sedum pulchellum Michx. (Crassulaceae). Photosynth Res 18, 337–343 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034838
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034838