Photosynthetic gas exchange responses to light, temperature, carbon dioxide and water stress, and changes in photosynthetic pigments to light and water stress in two cultivars of Hordeum vulgare L
- Authors: Logie, Malcolme Ronald Ruxton
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Plants -- Photorespiration , Plants -- Transpiration , Botanical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003779
- Description: The gas exchange responses of two cultivars of Hordeum vulgare L., to light, temperature, CO₂ and water stress were investigated in the laboratory. The optimum temperature for net CO₂ assimilation was found to be 25°C and 22.5°C for cv. Clipper and cv. Dayan respectively. Net CO₂ assimilation was reduced at 30°C in cv. Dayan. At low light intensity the highest quantum yield efficiency was 0.051 mol.mol⁻¹ at 30°C for cv. Clipper, and 0.066 mol.mol⁻¹ at 20°C for cv. Dayan. At the same temperature, cv. Clipper had a higher water use efficiency than cv. Dayan, but stomatal conductance for cv. Dayan was higher than cv. Clipper. Stomatal limitation to CO₂ was lowest at the optimum temperature for CO₂ assimilation in both cultivars. Stomata limited CO₂ assimilation in cv. Clipper to a larger degree than in cv. Dayan. Relative stomatal limitation for cv. Clipper at 25°C was 0.280 ± 0.010, and for cv. Dayan at 22.5°C was 0.028 ± 0.011. Short-term exposure to elevated CO₂ concentrations increased CO₂ assimilation in both cultivars, but more so for cv. Clipper. Transpiration rate at elevated CO₂ partial pressures were higher in cv. Dayan than in cv. Clipper. At very high CO₂ (860 μmol.m⁻²s⁻¹) partial pressure water use efficiency in cv. Clipper was higher than cv. Dayan, but at low CO₂ partial pressures water use efficiency in cv. Dayan was higher than cv. Clipper. Water stress reduced the relative leaf water content and net CO₂ assimilation in both cultivars. Cultivar Dayan was more tolerant to water stress, and CO₂ assimilation in this cultivar was less affected by water stress. In both cultivars water stress increased the concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and chlorophyll a+b. The chlorophyll a:b ratio remained relatively constant throughout the stress period. No correlation between relative leaf water content and total carotenoid concentration was observed.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The anatomy and ecophysiology of Mariscus congestus from three different habitats in the Albany and Bathurst districts of the Eastern Cape, investigated under field and laboratory conditions
- Authors: Sonnenberg, Bernd Jürgen
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Cyperaceae -- South Africa , Plant anatomy , Plant physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003798 , Cyperaceae -- South Africa , Plant anatomy , Plant physiology
- Description: An investigation of the anatomy and gas exchange characteristics of Mariscus congestus in three different habitats was undertaken in order to establish whether M. congestus from the three different habitats displayed any ecotypic responses when placed in a new similar environment. It was hoped that the results of this investigation would yield evidence that would support the ecotype concept similar to the investigations of Milner and Hiesey (1964), Green (1969) and Slayter and Ferrar (1977). On the basis of the site leaf anatomy, M. congestus investigated at the coast (site 1) differed in many respects from the inland plants (sites 2 and 3). These differences suggest that the coastal plants may have undergone a slight ecotypic divergence from the inland plants. The anatomical investigation also suggested that the leaves of M. congestus from all three sites may either be C₄ NADP-ME or PCK and that all had typical Chlorocyperiod anatomy. The habitat microclimates at sites 1-3 had different light and water regimes. There were no significant differences between the 12 month temperature environments of the three sites. There was however, a minor difference between the coastal (high temperature) and the inland (lower temperature) sites. M. congestus at the three sites had significantly different CO₂ assimilation rates, transpiration and stomatal conductance in response to the differing habitat microclimates. The water use efficiency of the sites were however, similar. Site 1 attained the highest CO₂ assimilation rates, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency and site 3 the lowest. Under similar conditions the gas exchange data for the potted plants indicated that M. congestus from the different sites was typically C₄. The optimal photosynthetic temperatures of all the sites was above 30°C and they did not show significant inhibition of CO₂ assimilation by different oxygen concentrations. The results of the laboratory investigation of the potted plants suggested that the only site-specific (ecotypic) response of M. eongestus was the light intensity at which the plants from the different sites were light saturated. The light and temperature response of field plants under field conditions was not comparable to the light and temperature response of potted plants under laboratory conditions. This may have been due to the field results being obtained under differing water and soil nutrient regimes. The potted plants may also have had a reduced root mass compared to their field counterparts and the potted plants may have also have become root bound. Under field conditions the plants had differing light saturation points and optimal photosynthetic temperatures compared to the potted plants. This investigation thus did not support the hypothesis stated in this thesis. The data in this investigation thus may indicate that plants with as diverse habitats as Mariscus congestus that are removed from their natural habitats display rapid changes in gas exchange characteristics in response to their new microclimates, with few ecotypic physiological characteristics of the old habitat being retained.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The conservation status of subtropical transitional thicket, and regeneration through seeding of shrubs in the Xeric succulent thicket of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: La Cock, Graeme Dennis
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Woody plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4208 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003777 , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Woody plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Description: The historically poorly conserved subtropical transitional thicket (STT) of the Eastern Cape is overutilised by domestic stock and game in the more xeric areas, and has shown no signs of recovery from this grazing pressure. It has been postulated that no regeneration through seeding occurs. This project was undertaken to determine: 1) how much STT has disappeared between 1950 and present, and what the current conservation status is; and 2) whether regeneration of the xeric succulent thicket is taking place through seeding, and if so, where. The study was conducted at the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve near Grahamstown. Approximately one-third less STT was mapped in this study, based on 1981 Landsat images, than was mapped in 1950. Approximately 10 % of all remaining STT is conserved. The order Kaffrarian thicket is poorly conserved. Newly germinated seedlings of a wide range of shrub species occurred under the canopies of a wide range of shrubs which served as nurse plants, throughout a gradient of veld condition. Seedlings of Portulacaria afra, the dominant shrub in xeric succulent thicket, were most common. Similarly all saplings recorded in a survey of saplings were associated with bushclumps. One-third of all saplings have the potential to contribute to the spread of bushclumps. Regeneration of xeric succulent thicket through seeding probably does occur, contrary to current ideas. Ptareoxylon obliquum was the most common sapling, despite mature trees now being scarce following earlier heavier utilisation . P. obliquum was also the nurse plant which supported the highest density of newly germinated seedlings. The possible role of P. obliquum in the functioning of xeric succulent thicket is discussed. The confinement of seedlings and saplings to areas under the canopies of trees and shrubs implies that the xeric succulent thicket will not recover rapidly if allowed to rest. Active management techniques will be necessary if rapid recovery is required. Bare areas between bushclumps may no longer be suitable germination habitats because of high Al concentrations. There was no evidence to support the idea that germination and establishment of shrubs in clear areas is linked to episodic climatic events. Dung middens of recently reintroduced black rhinoceros may however aid in germination of seeds and establishment of seedlings under certain climatic conditions. Recommendations for further studies, based on the findings of this project, are made. Possible management techniques aimed at the rapid recovery of this veld are suggested, and management proposals for the Sam Knott Nature Reserve/Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve complex are made.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The interactive effects of light, temperature and CO₂/O₂ ratios in photosynthesis of Coix lachryma-jobi L
- Authors: Mjwara, Jabulani Michael
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Coix , Plants -- Effect of light on , Plants -- Effect of oxygen on , Plants -- Effect of carbon dioxide on , Photosynthesis , Plants -- Effect of temperature on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4216 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003785
- Description: A portable infra red gas analyzer was used to investigate the interactive effects of light, temperature, and CO,jO, ratios under controlled environmental conditions in an attempt to model gas exchange characteristics of Coix Iachryma-jobi L. Plotting light response curves as a function of temperature (20, 25 30 and 35°C) revealed no sign of light saturation even at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) close to 2000 !Lmol m-' sol. High net assimilation rates (A) of approximately 24 !Lmol CO, m"s'! were realized at 30-35°C. Assimilation (A) versus internal CO, partial pressure (C,) curves showed a steep rise with increase in C, but saturated at approximately 150 (JLII-!) and all the results, either in the absence or presence of 0" showed a similar response under all temperature regimes. C. Iachryma-jobi exhibited low CO, compensation points cr ) between 0 and 10 JLlI-! under similar experimental temperatures and either at 0 or 21%0,. The slopes of double reciprocal plots of llA versus llCi, were nearly identical and crossed the yintercept at almost identical points under all 0, concentrations. These data indicate first; that there was no apparent 0, inhibition and second; indicated that the apparent inhIbitor constant (K,) for 0, at the site of carboxylation did not change with increase in [OJ from 0 to 21% oxygen. These observations were further confirmed by results obtained from the analysis of apparent carboxylation efficiency (CE, as defined as the slope of response of A to increasing CO,), as no inhibition of A with increase of [OJ occurred. These characteristics were consistent with typical features of C,photosynthesis. The absence of 0, inhibition and low r values indicated that an efficient CO, concentrating mechanism which eliminates photorespiration exists in C. Iachryma-jobi. At the light microscope level, leaf anatomy exhibited typical C, structure viz. bundle sheath with large chloroplasts and this sheath is further surrounded by a radiate Kranz mesophyU cells. Furthermore the anatomical features suggested that C. wchryma-jobi was an NADP-ME species. Stomatal conductance (g,) to assimilation (g,/A) indicated an increase in A with decrease in g" an essential feature of improving water use efficiency (WUE), but one which drastically reduces CO, diffusion rate. The physical lintitation (stomatal lintitation, t) to CO, diffusion under various [0,] and temperatures, but constant PPFD, did not exhibit statistically significant change in t values at either 0 or 21% a, within each temperature regime, however there was a marked decrease in t as the plant approached its optimum photosynthetic temperature.
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- Date Issued: 1992