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Screening for Photosynthetic Efficiency 1
Author(s) -
Menz Kenneth M.,
Moss Dale N.,
Cannell Robert Q.,
Brun Wllliam A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1969.0011183x000900060004x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , sorghum , biology , poaceae , zea mays , sorghum bicolor , botany , agronomy , horticulture
Maize ( Zea mays L.), sorghum ( Sorghum vulgare L.) and several other plants have maximum rates of photosynthesis of 50 to 60 mg CO 2 dm −2 hr −1 and have CO 2 compensation concentrations (Γ) near 0 ppm. In contrast, small grains and many other plants have maximum rates of photosynthesis of 20 to 30 mg CO 2 dm −2 hr −1 and Γ values near 60 ppm. By growing a mixture of these high and low Γ plants together in a closed chamber, a CO 2 concentration below that necessary for survival of the high Γ plants was obtained. Only low Γ plants remained alive after 5 to 8 days in the chamber. This is a rapid and simple method for screening populations of plants for high photosynthetic rates.