functional comparison of acclimation to shade and submergence in two terrestrial plant species

• Published in: The New phytologist 2005-07, Vol.167 (1), p.197-206
• Main Authors: Mommer, L, Kroon, H. de, Pierik, R, Bogemann, G.M, Visser, E.J.W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acclimation; acclimation responses; Acclimatization; Acclimatization - physiology; amphibious plants; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; aquatic macrophytes; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon dioxide; cell respiration; chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; convergence; differential ability; elodea-densa; flooded conditions; flooding; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gas‐diffusion resistance; inorganic carbon; leaf area; Leaves; Light; light responses; Luminous intensity; morphological adaptations; Petioles; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - physiology; Photosynthesis - radiation effects; photosynthetic rates; Physical agents; plant ecology; plant growth; Plant Leaves - physiology; Plant morphology; plant physiology; Plant physiology and development; plant response; plant stress; Plants; Plants and fungi; Respiration; Rumex; Rumex - physiology; Rumex palustris; Rumex thyrsiflorus; shade; Species Specificity; stress; stress tolerance; submergence; underwater photosynthesis; Vegetative apparatus, growth and morphogenesis. Senescence; water; Water - metabolism
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01404.x

• Terrestrial plants experience multiple stresses when they are submerged, caused both by oxygen deficiency due to reduced gas diffusion in water, and by shade due to high turbidity of the floodwater. It has been suggested that responses to submergence are de facto responses to low light intensity. • We investigated the extent to which submergence and shade induce similar acclimation responses by comparing two terrestrial Rumex species that differ in their responses to flooding. • Our study confirms that there are strong similarities between acclimation responses to shade and submergence. Petiole length, specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll parameters and underwater light-compensation points changed at least qualitatively in the same direction. Maximum underwater photosynthesis rate, however, did discriminate between the functionality of the responses, as the acclimation to submergence appeared to be more effective than acclimation to shade at saturating light. • We conclude that acclimation to submergence involves more than an increase in SLA to achieve the significant reduction of diffusion resistance for gas exchange between leaves and the water column.