Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):217-221 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0036-8

Leaf characteristics and gas exchange of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa as affected by salinity

M. A. Sobrado1,*
1 Laboratorio de Biologia Ambiental de Plantas, Departamento de Biologia de Organismos, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela

Under constant salinity we analysed the leaf characteristics of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. in combination with gas exchange and carbon isotopic composition to estimate leaf water-use efficiency (WUE) and potential nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). NaCl was not added to the control plants and the others were maintained at salinities of 15 and 30 ‰ (S0, S15, and S30, respectively). Leaf succulence, sodium (Na), nitrogen (N), and chlorophyll (Chl) contents increased under salinity. Salinity had a negative impact on net photosynthetic rate (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs) at high and moderated irradiances. Potential NUE declined significantly (p<0.05) with salinity by 37 and 58 % at S15 and S30, respectively, compared to S0 plants. Conversely, compared to S0 plants, PN/gs increased under saline conditions by 12 % (S15) and 50 % (S30). Thus, WUE inferred from PN/gs was consistent with salinity improved short-term WUE. Long-term leaf WUE was also enhanced by salinity as suggested by significantly increased leaf δ13C with salinity. Improved WUE under salinity explains the eco-physiological success of mangrove species under increasing salinity. Conversely, decline in NUE may pose a problem for L. racemosa under hyper-saline environments regardless of N availability.

Additional key words: leaf succulence; net photosynthetic rate; nitrogen use efficiency; sodium accumulation; stomatal conductance; water use efficiency; δ13C

Received: September 20, 2004; Accepted: January 17, 2005; Published: June 1, 2005  Show citation

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Sobrado, M.A. (2005). Leaf characteristics and gas exchange of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa as affected by salinity. Photosynthetica, 43(2), 217-221. doi: 10.1007/s11099-005-0036-8
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