Decomposition of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in Colobanthus quitensis under CO₂ Limiting Conditions

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are widespread among plant species. Their functions are not yet completely understood; however, they can provide tolerance against multiple environmental stress factors. Recent evidence suggested that CaOx crystals function as carbon reservoirs since its decomposition provides CO₂ that may be used as carbon source for photosynthesis. This might be advantageous in plants with reduced mesophyll conductance, such as the Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis, which have shown CO₂ diffusion limitations. In this study, we evaluate the effect of two CO₂ concentrations in the CaOx crystals decomposition and chlorophyll fluorescence of C. quitensis. Plants were exposed to airflows with 400 ppm and 11.5 ppm CO₂ and the number and relative size of crystals, electron transport rate (ETR), and oxalate oxidase (OxO) activity were monitored along time (10 h). Here we showed that leaf crystal area decreases over time in plants with 11.5 ppm CO₂, which was accompanied by increased OxO activity and only a slight decrease in the ETR. These results suggested a relation between CO₂ limiting conditions and the CaOx crystals decomposition in C. quitensis. Hence, crystal decomposition could be a complementary endogenous mechanism for CO₂ supply in plants facing the Antarctic stressful habitat.