Photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Mosla chinensis and M. scabra were compared at three irradiances similar to shaded forest understory, forest edge, and open land. At 25 % full ambient irradiance, M. chinensis and M. scabra had similar photosynthetic characteristics, but saturation irradiance, compensation irradiance, and apparent quantum yield of M. chinensis were higher than those of M. scabra at full ambient irradiance and 70 % full ambient irradiance. At the same irradiance treatment, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio of M. chinensis were lower than those of M. scabra. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of M. chinensis, however, were not significantly higher than those of M. scabra, and the leaf area and total biomass were lower than those of M. scabra. As a sun-acclimated plant, the not enough high photosynthetic capacity and lower biomass accumulation may cause that M. chinensis has weak capability to extend its population and hence be concomitant in the community. and J.-X. Liao ... [et al.].
The effects of N and P deficiency, isolated or in combination, on leaf gas exchange and fast chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence emission were studied in common bean cv. Negrito. 10-d-old plants grown in aerated nutrient solution were supplied with high N (HN, 7.5 mol m-3) or low N (LN, 0.5 mol m-3), and also with high P (HP, 0.5 mol m-3) or low P (LP, 0.005 mol m-3). Regardless of the external P supply, in LN plants the initial fluorescence (F0) increased 12 % in parallel to a quenching of about 14 % in maximum fluorescence (Fm). As a consequence, the variable to maximum fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) decreased by about 7 %, and the variable to initial fluorescence ratio (Fv/F0) was lowered by 25 % in relation to control plants. In LP plants, Fv/Fm remained unchanged whilst Fv/F0 decreased slightly as a result of 5 % decline in Fm. Under N deficiency, the net photosynthetic rate (P N) halved at 6 d after imposition of treatment and so remained afterwards. As compared to LN plants, P N declined in LP plants latter and to a less extent. From 12 d of P deprivation onwards. P N fell down progressively to display rates similar to those of LN plants only at the end of the experiment. The greater P N in LP plants was not reflected in larger biomass accumulation in relation to LN beans. In general, P and N limitation affected photosynthesis parameters and growth without showing any synergistic or additive effect between deficiency of both nutrients. and J. D. Lima, P. R. Mosquim, F. M. da Matta.