Photosynthetica 2010, 48(4):596-609 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-010-0077-5

Modelling photosynthetic photon flux density and maximum potential gross photosynthesis

R. J. Ritchie1,*
1 Faculty of Technology and Environment, Prince Songkla University, Phuket, Thailand

Irradiance data software developed by the NREL Solar Radiation Laboratory (Simple Model of Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine, SMARTS) has been used for modelling photosynthesis. Spectra and total irradiance were expressed in terms of quanta [mol m-2 s-1, photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD (400-700 nm)]. Using the SMARTS software it is possible to (1) calculate the solar spectrum for a planar surface for any given solar elevation angle, allowing for the attenuating effects of the atmosphere on extraterrestrial irradiance at each wavelength in the 400-700 nm range and for the thickness of atmosphere the light must pass through during the course of a day, (2) calculate PPFD vs. solar time for any latitude and date and (3) estimate total daily irradiance for any latitude and date and hence calculate the total photon irradiance for a whole year or for a growing season. Models of photosynthetic activity vs. PPFD are discussed. Gross photosynthesis (P g) vs. photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) (P g vs. I) characteristics of single leaves compared to that of a canopy of leaves are different. It is shown that that the optimum irradiance for a leaf (Iopt) is the half-saturation irradiance for a battery of leaves in series. A C3 plant, with leaves having an optimum photosynthetic rate at 700 μmol m-2 s-1 PPFD, was used as a realistic worked example. The model gives good estimates of gross photosynthesis (P g) for a given date and latitude. Seasonal and annual estimates of P g can be made. Taking cloudiness into account, the model predicts maximum P g rates of about 10 g(C) m-2 d-1, which is close to the maximum reported P g experimental measurements.

Additional key words: global models; gross photosynthesis; irradiance; light saturation curves; modelling; photoinhibition; photosynthetically active radiation; photosynthetic photon flux density; primary productivity

Received: March 25, 2010; Accepted: October 15, 2010; Published: December 1, 2010  Show citation

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Ritchie, R.J. (2010). Modelling photosynthetic photon flux density and maximum potential gross photosynthesis. Photosynthetica, 48(4), 596-609. doi: 10.1007/s11099-010-0077-5
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