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Photosynthetic activity of chloroembryos of a few selected tropical plants
Author(s) -
ANTOSZEWSKI R.,
DABYDEEN S.,
LALLA A.
Publication year - 1989
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.1365-3040.1989.tb01636.x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , syzygium , rutaceae , myrtaceae , botany , biology , horticulture
The role of chlorophyll in the mature embryos of several tropical plants ( Phthirusa pyrifolia [H.B.K.] Eichl. [Loranthaceae]. Murraya koenigia Kurz. [Rutaceae], Murraya paniculata Jack. [Rutaceae], Syzygium cuminii [L.] Skeels [Myrtaceae]) was investigated. Extracted chloroembryos of all species do photosynthesize when illuminated. Whole mature fruits of M. koeningii, M. paniculata and Syzygium cuminii exhibited some photosynthetic activity, but pericarps of none of the fruits photosynthesized when exposed to light. Thus the photosynthetic activity of fruits may be ascribed to CO 2 uptake by chloroembryos embedded in the fruits. A specific aspect of plant physiology, namely the re‐utilization of respired CO 2 in the process of photosynthesis is emphasized. It is postulated that within embedded chloroembryos, conditions such as high CO 2 concentration, high light intensity, and low oxygen concentration are favourable for conducting intensive photosynthesis. Photosynthesis within enclosed organs has an additional advantage in that is does not expose the plant to any risk of water loss usually associated with photosynthesis.