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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

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Published on: June 1, 2018
Corrigendum to: Estimating the internal conductance to CO2 movement
1School of Forest and Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Water Street, Creswick, Vic. 3363, Australia.
Internal conductance (gi) limits photosynthesis by reducing chloroplast CO2. This study details methods for measuring gi, highlighting challenges in accuracy and precision for plant research.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Photosynthesis Research
- Biophysical Chemistry
Background:
- Chloroplast CO2 concentration is lower than atmospheric due to gas and liquid phase resistances.
- Internal conductance (gi) quantifies CO2 decrease from intercellular spaces to chloroplasts.
- gi is a significant limitation to photosynthesis, comparable to stomatal conductance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the theoretical basis and protocols for estimating internal conductance (gi).
- To review common and alternative methods for measuring gi.
- To discuss the precision, accuracy, and assumptions of gi estimation methods.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence.
- Instantaneous discrimination against 13CO2.
- Alternative methods: CO2 photocompensation points, A/Ci curve curvature, and initial A/Ci slope vs. A/Cc slope.
Main Results:
- Common gi estimation methods exhibit poor precision (RSD > 10%).
- Precision of alternative methods is less understood.
- Accuracy of all methods is largely unknown due to shared assumptions.
Conclusions:
- Accurate gi estimation requires careful consideration of method assumptions and parameter values.
- Using multiple methods with fewer shared assumptions can improve confidence in gi estimates.
- Precise measurements of net photosynthesis (A) and intercellular CO2 (Ci) are crucial for all gi estimation techniques.
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