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Comparative Photosynthesis of Quebec and California Ecotypes of Typha Latifolia
Author(s) -
McNaughton S. J.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1934188
Subject(s) - ecotype , typha , photosynthesis , transpiration , biology , growing season , botany , acclimatization , environmental science , agronomy , ecology , wetland
Photosynthesis and transpiration were examined in detached leaves of broad—leaved cattail (Typha latifolia L.) ecotypes from a long growing season continental climate in California's central valley and a short growing season continental in northwestern Quebec when grown under identical conditions. The principal difference between the ecotypes were (a) greater temperature dependence of net photosynthesis in the Quebec ecotype, particularly when young leaves were compared, (b) a decline in temperature dependence of Quebec leaves as they aged, but not of California leaves, (c) a downward shift in the photosynthetic temperature curve when California plants were transferred to cooler growing conditions, while the curve was stable in Quebec plants, (d) an increase in photosynthetic rate at the optimum temperature when Quebec plants were transferred to cooler conditions, but a decline in California plants, (e) a more phenotypically plastic acclimation response in the California ecotype, and(f) greater sensitivity to photosynthesis inhibition by high oxygen in Quebec leaves. Differences in net assimilation rates were less than would be expected from previous studies of other species.