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Enhancement of leaf photosynthetic capacity through increased stomatal density in Arabidopsis
Author(s) -
Tanaka Yu,
Sugano Shigeo S.,
Shimada Tomoo,
HaraNishimura Ikuko
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12186
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , stomatal conductance , photosynthetic capacity , biology , botany , stomatal density , transpiration
Summary Photosynthetic rate is determined by CO 2 fixation and CO 2 entry into the plant through pores in the leaf epidermis called stomata. However, the effect of increased stomatal density on photosynthetic rate remains unclear. This work investigated the effect of alteration of stomatal density on leaf photosynthetic capacity in Arabidopsis thaliana . Stomatal density was modulated by overexpressing or silencing STOMAGEN , a positive regulator of stomatal development. Leaf photosynthetic capacity and plant growth were examined in transgenic plants. Increased stomatal density in STOMAGEN ‐overexpressing plants enhanced the photosynthetic rate by 30% compared to wild‐type plants. Transgenic plants showed increased stomatal conductance under ambient CO 2 conditions and did not show alterations in the maximum rate of carboxylation, indicating that the enhancement of photosynthetic rate was caused by gas diffusion changes. A leaf photosynthesis‐intercellular CO 2 concentration response curve showed that photosynthetic rate was increased under high CO 2 conditions in association with increased stomatal density. STOMAGEN overexpression did not alter whole plant biomass, whereas its silencing caused biomass reduction. Our results indicate that increased stomatal density enhanced leaf photosynthetic capacity by modulating gas diffusion. Stomatal density may be a target trait for plant engineering to improve photosynthetic capacity.