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Photosynthetic and Morphological Adaptation of Alfalfa Leaves to Light Intensity at Different Stages of Maturity 1
Author(s) -
Pearce R. B.,
Lee D. R.
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/cropsci1969.0011183x000900060036x
Subject(s) - biology , photosynthesis , light intensity , medicago sativa , dry weight , botany , horticulture , agronomy , optics , physics
Leaves of individual alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) plants were developed under light intensities which were either high (32 to 43 klux) or low (13 to 14 klux). One week after leaf unfolding, half of the plants in each growth chamber were transferred to the other. At 3 weeks, plants were again transferred so that the treatments included all combinations of light intensities and leaf age. Specific leaf weight (SLW = dry weight per unit leaf area) and net photosynthesis (Pn) were determined on leaves at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after leaf unfolding. Both SLW and Pn were higher under high light than low light. The major light intensity effect was that which the leaf had most recently been exposed to. Another was a carryover effect of the light intensity under which the leaf had developed. The SLW and Pn of alfalfa leaves changed with changes in light intensity at all the stages of maturity measured.