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C 4 photosynthesis in Cyperus longus L., a species occurring in temperate climates
Author(s) -
JONES M. B.,
HAN G. E.,
COFFEY M. D.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1981.tb01038.x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , temperate climate , botany , compensation point , biology , horticulture , transpiration
. Cyperus longus L. , which has a widespread but disjunct distribution throughout Europe and extends northwards into Britain, was found to be a C 4 species based upon its Kranz leaf anatomy, low CO 2 compensation point and the labelling of malate as an early product of 14 CO 2 fixation. The photosynthetic characteristics of C. longus are similar to many other C 4 species with a high maximum rate of photosynthesis (> 1.5 mg CO 2 m −2 s −1 ) and a relatively high temperature optimum (30–35°C), but unlike many C 4 species the rate of photosynthesis does not decline rapidly below the optimum temperature and a substantial rate (0.6 mgCO 2 m −2 s −1 )occursat 15°C. Leaf extension is very slow at 15°C and shows a curvilinear response to temperatures between 15 and 25°C. Leaves extend at a rate of almost 4 cm d −1 at 25°C.