Developmental Changes in Photosynthetic Gas Exchange in the Polyol-Synthesizing Species, Apium graveolens L. (Celery)

Developmental changes in photosynthetic gas exchange were investigated in the mannitol synthesizing plant celery (Apium graveolens L. ;Giant Pascal'). Greenhouse-grown plants had unusually high photosynthetic rates for a C(3) plant, but consistent with field productivity data reported elsewhere for this plant. In most respects, celery exhibited typical C(3) photosynthetic characteristics; light saturation occurred at 600 micromoles photons per square meter per second, with a broad temperature optimum, peaking at 26 degrees C. At 2% O(2), photosynthesis was enhanced 15 to 25% compared to rates at 21% O(2). However, celery had low CO(2) compensation points, averaging 7 to 20 microliters per liter throughout the canopy. Conventional mechanisms for concentrating CO(2) were not detectable.