Short-term acclimation to warmer temperatures accelerates leaf carbon exchange processes across plant types

Area of Science:

• Plant physiology
• Ecology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Temperature acclimation of photosynthesis and respiration is known but poorly compared across plant types.
• Understanding acclimation capacity is crucial for predicting plant responses to climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare short-term temperature acclimation of key photosynthetic and respiration processes across diverse plant types.
• To investigate how acclimation capacity differs based on lifespan, photosynthetic pathway, and climate of origin.

Main Methods:

• Assessed acclimation of Vcmax, Jmax, Vpmax, and Rd in 22 species over 7 days.
• Species varied in lifespan (annual/perennial), photosynthetic pathway (C3/C4), and origin (tropical/nontropical).
• Plants were grown under optimal fertilized and well-watered conditions.

Main Results:

• Warmer temperature acclimation generally increased rates of photosynthesis and respiration.
• C3 species preferentially accelerated CO2-limited processes and respiration; C4 species accelerated light-limited processes.
• Dark respiration (Rd) acclimation reduced temperature sensitivity, with similar responses across plant types.

Conclusions:

• Temperature acclimation of plant carbon exchange processes is widespread across plant types.
• Warmer acclimation positively impacts limiting processes differently based on plant type.
• Under non-limiting conditions, warmer temperatures are expected to increase carbon assimilation rates.