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- Title
Seasonal changes in some photosynthetic properties of Ceratonia siliqua (carob tree) leaves under natural conditions.
- Authors
Nunes, Maria Antonieta; Ramalho, José Domingos Cochicho; Rijo, Paula da Silva
- Abstract
Rates of photosynthesis and leaf conductance of the leaves of carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua L.) growing in natural conditions were measured during the course of the seasons to define the effects of the main climatic factors limiting growth in the region: temperature during the winter and water in the summer. The highest photosynthetic rates were measured in spring and autumn and could reach 25 μmol m-2 s-1 with optimal temperature and available water. Due to lower temperatures (4 to 6°C in the night) these values were frequently around 15 μmol m-2 s-1 during winter, but the strongest depression was due to prolonged drought in summer. However a reduction in photosynthesis rate down to 5 μmol m-2 s-1 occurred only after depletion of all the available water in the soil layer up to a depth of 50 cm. In the end of the summer, leaf conductance and water potential were in the order of 20 mmol m-2 s-1 and -3 MPa respectively. Compared to other trees that make up the Mediterranean sclerophyll forest, the photosynthetic activity of carob is high, and the tree tolerates a considerable depletion of soil water.
- Subjects
PHOTOSYNTHESIS; CAROB; EFFECT of drought on plants; SOIL moisture; TEMPERATURE; LEAVES
- Publication
Physiologia Plantarum, 1992, Vol 86, Issue 3, p381
- ISSN
0031-9317
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1399-3054.1992.tb01333.x