Separating the effects of hypobaria and hypoxia on lettuce: growth and gas exchange

• Published in: Physiologia plantarum 2007-10, Vol.131 (2), p.226-240
• Main Authors: He, Chuanjiu, Davies Jr, Fred T., Lacey, Ronald E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Atmospheric Pressure; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Cell Respiration - physiology; Chlorophyll - metabolism; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth and development; Lactuca - growth & development; Lactuca - metabolism; Morphogenesis, differentiation, rhizogenesis, tuberization. Senescence; Oxygen - metabolism; Partial Pressure; Plant Leaves - growth & development; Plant Leaves - metabolism
• ISSN: 0031-9317; 1399-3054
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.00946.x

The objectives of this research were to determine the influence of hypobaria (reduced atmospheric pressure) and reduced partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) [hypoxia] on carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation (CA), dark‐period respiration (DPR) and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Buttercrunch). Lettuce plants were grown under variable total gas pressures [25 and 101 kPa (ambient)] at 6, 12 or 21 kPa pO2 (approximately the partial pressure in air at normal pressure). Growth of lettuce was comparable between ambient and low total pressure but lower at 6 kPa pO2 (hypoxic) than at 12 or 21 kPa pO2. The specific leaf area of 6 kPa pO2 plants was lower, indicating thicker leaves associated with hypoxia. Roots were most sensitive to hypoxia, with a 50–70% growth reduction. Leaf chlorophyll levels were greater at low than at ambient pressure. Hypobaria and hypoxia did not affect plant water relations. While hypobaria did not adversely affect plant growth or CA, hypoxia did. There was comparable CA and a lower DPR in low than in ambient total pressure plants under non‐limiting CO2 levels (100 Pa pCO2, nearly three‐fold that in normal air). The CA/DPR ratio was higher at low than at ambient total pressure, particularly at 6 kPa pO2– indicating a greater efficiency of CA/DPR in low‐pressure plants. There was generally no significant interaction between hypoxia and hypobaria. We conclude that lettuce can be grown under subambient pressure (≅25% of normal earth ambient total pressure) without adverse effects on plant growth or gas exchange. Furthermore, hypobaric plants were more resistant to hypoxic conditions that reduced gas exchange and plant growth.