Chlorophyll fluorescence of submerged and floating leaves of the aquatic resurrection plant Chamaegigas intrepidus

Abstract

The role of submerged and floating leaves in plant photosynthetic performance of the aquatic resurrection plant Chamaegigas intrepidus Dinter was investigated by monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence under the fluctuating natural field conditions that characterise the extreme habitat of this species. The performance of the two different leaf types during desiccation–rehydration cycles in the field was examined. PSII quantum efficiency indicates a similar regeneration capacity in both leaf types after water stress. Electron transport rates under controlled light conditions were 3–4 times higher in floating leaves than in submerged leaves. The two leaf types showed specific adaptations to their ambient photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD), shade tolerance in the submerged leaves and adaptation to high PPFD in floating leaves. These results imply a significant role of the floating leaves for total plant carbon gain. It is concluded that the combination of high N content of floating leaves and a high availability of CO₂ and light at the water surface contributes to the importance of this leaf type for photosynthesis in C. intrepidus.