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Ecophysiological traits in C3 and C4 grasses: a phylogenetically controlled screening experiment.

Samuel H Taylor¹, Stephen P Hulme, Mark Rees

¹Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.

The New Phytologist

|December 17, 2009

Summary

C4 plants exhibit superior water and nitrogen use efficiency compared to C3 plants. However, phylogenetic diversity significantly influences ecophysiological traits and biomass allocation in grasses, challenging previous comparisons.

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Area of Science:

Plant physiology
Ecology
Evolutionary biology

Background:

C4 plants are known for higher water and nitrogen use efficiency than C3 plants, influencing biomass allocation.
Previous studies comparing C3 and C4 grasses may lack phylogenetic control, potentially misinterpreting ecophysiological differences.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate consistent ecophysiological trait differences between C3 and C4 grasses.
To determine which traits vary among different lineages within a monophyletic clade.
To assess the impact of phylogenetic diversity on C4 photosynthesis and its functional consequences.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of leaf physiology and growth in multiple C3 and C4 grass lineages.
Sampling from a monophyletic clade to control for phylogenetic effects.
Quantification of stomatal conductance, water potential, water-use efficiency, photosynthesis, nitrogen-use efficiency, leaf nitrogen concentration, canopy mass and area, and root mass.

Main Results:

C4 species showed lower stomatal conductance, water potential deficits, and higher water-use efficiency than C3 species.
Photosynthesis and nitrogen-use efficiency were greater in C4 species but varied significantly among clades.
Leaf nitrogen concentration was similar between C3 and C4 types, contrary to prior research.
The tribe Paniceae exhibited greater canopy mass and area, and smaller root mass, with a notable phylogenetic effect on biomass partitioning in C4 NADP-me species.

Conclusions:

Phylogenetic diversity is critical for understanding the functional consequences of C4 photosynthesis.
Phylogenetic bias must be considered when comparing the ecophysiology of C3 and C4 species.
Ecophysiological differences between C3 and C4 grasses are influenced by both photosynthetic type and lineage-specific traits.