Thermal acclimation of respiration but not photosynthesis in Pinus radiata
Lai Fern Ow A D , David Whitehead B , Adrian S. Walcroft C and Matthew H. Turnbull AA School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
B Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.
C Landcare Research, Private Bag 11052, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
D Corresponding author. Email: genow@starhub.net.sg
E This paper originates from a presentation at EcoFIZZ 2007, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia, September 2007.
Functional Plant Biology 35(6) 448-461 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP08104
Submitted: 1 April 2008 Accepted: 7 May 2008 Published: 4 August 2008
Abstract
Pinus radiata L. were grown in climate-controlled cabinets under three night/day temperature treatments, and transferred between treatments to mimic changes in growth temperature. The objective was to determine the extent to which dark respiration and photosynthesis in pre-existing and new needles acclimate to changes in growth temperatures. We also assessed whether needle nitrogen influenced the potential for photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation, and further assessed if short-term (instantaneous, measured over a few hours) respiratory responses are accurate predictors of long-term (acclimated, achieved in days–weeks) responses of respiration to changing temperature. Results show that respiration displayed considerable potential for acclimation. Cold and warm transfers resulted in some acclimation of respiration in pre-existing needles, but full acclimation was displayed only in new needles formed at the new growth temperature. Short-term respiratory responses were poor predictors of the long-term response of respiration due to acclimation. There was no evidence that photosynthesis in pre-existing or new needles acclimated to changes in growth temperature. N status of leaves had little impact on the extent of acclimation. Collectively, our results indicate that there is little likelihood that respiration would be significantly stimulated in this species as night temperatures increase over the range of 10–20°C, but that inclusion of temperature acclimation of respiration would in fact lead to a shift in the balance between photosynthesis and respiration in favour of carbon uptake.
Additional keywords: N availability, Monterrey (radiata) pine, temperature, thermal homeostasis.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship to L. F. O. and also funding provided by the New Zealand Ministry for Research, Science and Technology and the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand. We extend our gratitude to Eugenie Chan for data collection and acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Dave Conder.
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