Diurnal Time Course of Leaf Gas Exchange Rates and Related Characters in Drought-Acclimated and Irrigated Trifolium Subterraneum.

Abstract

The effects of drought acclimation on the diurnal time courses of photosynthesis and related characters were studied in Trifolium subterraneum L. leaves during two consecutive late spring days. Leaf CO2 assimilation rate and transpiration rate followed irradiance variations in irrigated plants. Under drought, a bimodal pattern of leaf CO2 assimilation rate developed although stomatal conductance remained uniform and low. Instantaneous water-use efficiency was much higher in droughted plants during the early morning and late evening, while during the middle of the day it was close to the value of irrigated plants. Net carbon gain in plants under drought reached 40% of the carbon gain in irrigated plants with a significant saving of water (80%). Average data derived from midday values of leaf CO2 assimilation rates and instantaneous water-use efficiency did not provide good estimates of the daily carbon gain and water-use efficiency for droughted leaves. Coupled with the morphological changes as a result of acclimation to progressive drought, modifications of diurnal patterns of leaf gas exchange rates effectively contribute to a sustained carbon gain during drought. These modifications significantly improve water-use efficiency, mainly by enabling the plant to take advantage of morning and evening hours with high air humidity.