Photosynthetic and anatomical responses of #Eucalyptus grandis# leaves to potassium and sodium supply in a field experiment
2014
Battie Laclau P. | Laclau J.P. | Beri C. | Mietton L. | Almeida Muniz M.R. | Cersózimo Arenque B. | De Cassia Piccolo M. | Jordan-Meille L. | Bouillet J.P. | Nouvellon Y.
Although vast areas in tropical regions have weathered soils with low potassium (K) levels, little is known about the effects of K supply on the photosynthetic physiology of trees. This study assessed the effects of K and sodium (Na) supply on the diffusional and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis in Eucalyptus grandis leaves. A field experiment comparing treatments receiving K (+K) or Na (+Na) with a control treatment (C) was set up in a K-deficient soil. The net CO2 assimilation rates were twice as high in +K and 1.6 times higher in +Na than in the C as a result of lower stomatal and mesophyll resistance to CO2 diffusion and higher photosynthetic capacity. The starch content was higher and soluble sugar was lower in +K than in C and +Na, suggesting that K starvation disturbed carbon storage and transport. The specific leaf area, leaf thickness, parenchyma thickness, stomatal size and intercellular air spaces increased in +K and +Na compared to C. Nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations were also higher in +K and +Na than in C. These results suggest a strong relationship between the K and Na supply to E.?grandis trees and the functional and structural limitations to CO2 assimilation rates. (Résumé d'auteur)
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