Photosynthetica 2008, 46(2):202 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-008-0033-9

Leaf characteristics and diurnal variation of chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of the 'bana' vegetation of the amazon region

M. A. Sobrado1,*
1 Laboratorio de Biología Ambiental de Plantas, Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela

In six dominant species of the Amazonian 'Bana' vegetation, leaf blade characteristics, pigment composition, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters were measured in young and mature leaves under field conditions. Leaf δ13C was comparable in the six species, which suggested that both expanding and expanded leaves contained organic matter fixed under similar intercellular and ambient CO2 concentration (C i/C a). High leaf C/N and negative δ15N values found in this habitat were consistent with the extreme soil N-deficiency. Analysis of Chl and carotenoids showed that expanding leaves had an incomplete development of photosynthetic antenna when compared to adult leaves. Dynamic inactivation of photosystem 2 (PS2) at midday was observed at both leaf ages as Fv/Fm decreased compared to predawn values. Adult leaves reached overnight Fv/Fm ratios typical of healthy leaves. Overnight recovery of Fv/Fm in expanding leaves was incomplete. F0 remained unchanged from midday to predawn and Fv tended to increase from midday to predawn. The recovery from midday depression observed in adult leaves suggested an acclimatory down-regulation associated with photo-protection and non-damage of PS2.

Additional key words: acclimation; down regulation; leaf C, N; nitrogen deficiency; photo-protection; sclerophyllous leaves; species differences; δ13C; δ15N

Received: September 20, 2007; Accepted: November 23, 2007; Published: June 1, 2008  Show citation

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Sobrado, M.A. (2008). Leaf characteristics and diurnal variation of chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of the 'bana' vegetation of the amazon region. Photosynthetica, 46(2), 202. doi: 10.1007/s11099-008-0033-9
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