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Photosynthetic Response of Peanut 1
Author(s) -
Pallas J. E.,
Samish Y. B.
Publication year - 1974
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/cropsci1974.0011183x001400030042x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , biology , arachis hypogaea , light intensity , botany , horticulture , optics , physics
The net photosynthetic rates of nine genotypes of the cultivated peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) grown under controlled conditions were measured at six different light intensities: 180, 255, 526, 784, 1098, and 1546 µE m −2 sec −1 (E = einsteins). All genotypes evidenced an endogenous, circadian rhythm in photosynthetic rate. No genotype photosaturated at the highest intensity used, which was slightly less than full sunlight. Genotypes differed significantly in photosynthetic rate at similar light intensities; net photosynthetic rates of several of the genotypes exceeded 50 mg dm −2 hr −1 . Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr., cv. ‘Bragg’) and tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum L., cv. ‘Marion’), grown similarly to peanut in growth chambers, showed considerably lower photosynthetic potential and photosaturated at much lower light levels (~250 to 500 µE m −2 sec −1 ). The peanut's photosynthetic response can help explain its adaptation to the dissimiliar light conditions in humid, semihumid, and arid regions. Its high rate of photosynthesis at any light level indicates that it is one of the more efficient species in converting solar energy to fixed carbon. Lowering ambient oxygen concentration to 1.5% increased net photosynthetic rate 35%. No correlation between specific leaf weight and net photosynthesis of the peanut was found.