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Crassulacean acid metabolism in the Basellaceae (Caryophyllales)
Author(s) -
Holtum J. A. M.,
Hancock L. P.,
Edwards E. J.,
Winter K.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/plb.12698
Subject(s) - crassulacean acid metabolism , biology , photosynthesis , botany , nocturnal , facultative , titratable acid , horticulture , ecology
C 4 and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) have evolved in the order Caryophyllales many times but neither C 4 nor CAM have been recorded for the Basellaceae, a small family in the CAM‐rich sub‐order Portulacineae. 24 h gas exchange and day–night changes in titratable acidity were measured in leaves of Anredera baselloides exposed to wet–dry–wet cycles. While net CO 2 uptake was restricted to the light period in well‐watered plants, net CO 2 fixation in the dark, accompanied by significant nocturnal increases in leaf acidity, developed in droughted plants. Plants reverted to solely C 3 photosynthesis upon rewatering. The reversible induction of nocturnal net CO 2 uptake by drought stress indicates that this species is able to exhibit CAM in a facultative manner. This is the first report of CAM in a member of the Basellaceae.