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01:27C4 Pathway and CAM
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C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
02:16Light Acquisition
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02:00Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
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01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
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Acclimation to low light by C4 maize: implications for bundle sheath leakiness.
Chandra Bellasio1, Howard Griffiths
1Physiological Ecology Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|September 6, 2013
Summary
Maize plants under low light showed constant CO2 leakiness (Φ) by down-regulating their carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM). High light plants increased leakiness, revealing contrasting acclimation strategies to optimize ATP supply.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Photosynthesis Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- C4 plants utilize a carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) to enhance CO2 around Rubisco.
- Light intensity influences CCM activity and CO2 leakiness (Φ) in C4 leaves.
- Understanding acclimation to varying light is crucial for crop productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate short-term acclimation of CO2 leakiness (Φ) in maize under different light regimes.
- Compare acclimation strategies of high light (HL) and low light (LL) grown plants.
- Elucidate the impact of light on CCM activity and photosynthetic efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Maize plants were grown under high light (HL) and low light (LL) conditions.
- CO2 leakiness (Φ) was assessed using isotopic discrimination (Δ) and gas exchange.
- Respiration and ATP production rates were directly measured to derive Φ.
Main Results:
- HL-grown plants exhibited increased Φ under decreasing light, consistent with known responses.
- LL-grown plants maintained a constant Φ, a novel observation.
- Contrasting acclimation strategies were identified: HL plants overcycled CCM, LL plants down-regulated it.
Conclusions:
- LL-grown plants optimize ATP supply by down-regulating the CCM, maintaining stable CO2 leakiness.
- HL-grown plants maintain high CCM activity, leading to increased leakiness under low light.
- This plasticity in acclimation strategies may mitigate carbon loss in shaded leaves.