Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Vapour pressure deficit'

Increases in photosynthetic rates (A), biomass production and grain yield have been measured across a range of C₃ plants under elevated atmospheric [CO₂] ('eCO₂'). However, decreases in the nutritional status of many C₃ plants growing at eCO₂ often occur concurrently with these increases. Several mechanisms have been proposed for these eCO₂-induced decreases, such as dilution effects due to enhanced carbohydrate production, down-regulation of photosynthesis, reduced root development, and decreased transpiration-driven mass flow delivery of nutrients. Reduced mass flow at eCO₂ is generally accepted as one cause for altered nutrient status in C₃ plants. However, eCO₂-induced reductions in mass flow remain understudied in C₄ plants, even though they account for about 18% of the total global net primary productivity and represent a large food source globally (e.g. maize and sorghum). This thesis investigated how mass flow reductions affect the nutrient status of wheat (C₃) and maize (C₄) plants. Reduced mass flow in both maize and wheat plants was induced with eCO₂ and by varying leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficits (VPD). I hypothesised that reduced mass flow at eCO₂ and at low VPD will negatively affect nutrient status in both the C₃ (wheat) and the C₄ (maize) species. In the first experiment, maize and wheat plants were grown at 400 and 800 ppm [CO₂], in three well-watered soils, ranging from sandy to clayey, with and without fertilisation. In the second experiment, plants were grown at three VPD levels, namely 1.613 kPa, 0.773 kPa and 0.350 kPa, in well-watered soil and sand. In the latter experiment, to demonstrate the importance of mass flow, plants grown in sand were supplied nutrients in such a way that they had to rely exclusively on mass flow or diffusive processes (i.e. limited interception) for nutrient delivery to their rhizosphere. eCO₂ stimulated A on average by 22% in maize and by 50% in wheat, while stomatal conductance (ɡₛ) and cumulative water loss (CWL) were respectively decreased by 35% and 31% in maize, and by 26% and 37% in wheat. eCO₂ reduced mass flow delivery of most nutrients on average by 32% in maize, and by 38% in wheat. The hypothesis that eCO₂-induced reductions in mass flow negatively affect nutrient status in maize 33 and wheat was however not supported. This was attributed to the well-watered conditions of the soils, which may have allowed for other processes (e.g. diffusion) to make up for the mass flow reductions. From 0.773 kPa to 0.350 kPa VPD, CWL was decreased on average by 14% and 20% in the maize and wheat plants, respectively. A and ɡₛ were little affected by VPD, but plants of both species always accumulated more biomass at 0.773 kPa. Consequently, there was little evidence to suggest that VPD-induced reductions in mass flow negatively affect nutrient status in maize and wheat. Reduced CWL may have impeded root-to-shoot transport of ions and reduced dry biomass accumulation in the maize and wheat plants at 0.350 kPa (-40% and -22% on average respectively, relative to 0.773 kPa plants). Tissue [NPK] was also decreased (-13%, -41% and -47% respectively) in the 0.350 kPa VPD sand wheat plants, while increases in the proportion of finer roots may have alleviated effects of reduced CWL on tissue [NPK] in the C₄ species. The findings from both experiments imply a decrease in the importance of mass flow for the delivery of nutrients to the rhizosphere under well-watered conditions. However, reductions in mass flow to a similar extent in both species at eCO₂ and low VPD - measured in the present study - suggest that under conditions of low water and nutrient availability, tissue nutrient concentrations could be negatively affected when transpiration is reduced.

Realizaram-se campanhas em árvores de cinco anos de idade de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis e Pinus taeda em parcelas controle (sem fertilização e sem irrigação) e parcelas fertilizadas e irrigadas, durante o verão e o inverno de 2012 visando caracterizar as seguintes variáveis fisiológicas: i) Capacidade máxima fotossintética (Amax); ii) Fotossíntese ao longo do dia (A); iii) Variação da condutância estomática (gs) em relação ao aumento do déficit de pressão de vapor (DPV); e iv) Taxas máximas de carboxilização (Vcmax) e de transporte de elétrons (Jmax) via curvas A/Ci. O estudo foi realizado no projeto Produtividade Potencial do Pinus no Brasil, localizado na Estação Experimental da ESALQ/USP em Itatinga-SP.Foram escolhidas três árvores médias por parcela para as avaliações fisiológicas, realizadas com o LiCor 6400XT. A mensuração da Amax foi realizada no terço médio da copa, em dois galhos por árvore e em duas posições por galho, sendo realizada das 8 às 10 horas, e o comportamento da A, gs com o aumento do DPV, ocorreram de hora em hora, das 11 às 15 horas. Ao final, as acículas foram coletadas para a determinação da área foliar específica (AFE) e do nitrogênio foliar. As curvas A/Ci foram realizadas nas três árvores, um galho por árvore e duas posições por galho, entre 8 e 12 horas. Aos cinco anos o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis apresenta o dobro do volume de madeira do que o Pinus taeda. As duas avaliações fisiológicas mostraram valores similares entre tratamentos, para cada espécie. Os valores de Amax foram maiores durante o verão e o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis mostrou grande sensibilidade, comparativamente ao Pinus taeda. Ao analisar os dados de A e gs ao longo do dia, observa-se também maiores variações do Pinus caribaea var. honduresis. Os valores médios de Amax para o verão e o inverno foram 8,2 e 4,8 ?mol m-2 s-1 e 6,8 e 6,3 ?mol m-2 s-1 para o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis e o Pinus taeda, respectivamente. Ocorreu redução dos valores de A e gs com o aumento do DPV, para ambas as campanhas em relação ao Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis e somente no inverno para o Pinus taeda. As duas espécies apresentaram relação positiva entre fotossíntese e transpiração, sendo que o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis apresenta maior eficiência no uso da água. As médias da AFE e nitrogênio foliar foram de 9,6 m²kg-1, 10,1g Kg-1 e 10,0 m²kg-1, 13,4g Kg-1, para o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis e Pinus taeda, respectivamente. Em relação aos parâmetros fotossintéticos o Pinus taeda se destacou em ambas as campanhas, com valores médios de Vcmax e Jmax maiores que o Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, relacionado à maiores concentrações de nitrogênio foliar. Não houve relação entre o crescimento em biomassa das árvores e as medições da fotossíntese a nível foliar, indicando que outros processos a nível de copa, uso e alocação de fotossintetizados devem ser investigados para explicar a diferença de crescimento.
The campaigns were conducted in trees with five years old of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and Pinus taeda in control plots (no fertilization and no irrigation) and fertilized and irrigated plots during summer and winter of 2012 to characterize the physiological variables: i) maximum photosynthetic capacity (Amax), ii) Photosynthesis throughout the day (A); iii) Changes in stomatal conductance (gs) in relation to the increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and iv) Maximum rates of carboxilization (Vcmax) and maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax) based on A/Ci curves. The study was conducted in the project Potential Productivity of Pinus in Brazil, located at the Experimental Station of ESALQ/USP in Itatinga-SP. Three average trees per plot were chosen for physiological evaluations, performed with the LiCor 6400XT. The Amax measurement was performed in the middle third of the crown, in two branches per tree and two positions per branch, taken from 8 to 10am. To get the response of A and gs with increasing VPD, the measurements continued every hour, from 11 am to 3 pm. At the end of the measurements, the needles were collected for determination of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen (N). The A/Ci curves were performed in three trees, one branch per tree and two positions per branch were taken from 8 am to 12 pm. At five years, the Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis showed two-fold the wood volume of Pinus taeda. Both physiological measurements showed similar results between treatments for each species. Amax values were higher during summer, and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis shower greater sensitivity compared to Pinus taeda. A and gs throughout the day showed higher variation in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis. The average values of Amax for summer and winter were 8.2, 4.8 ?mol m-2 s-1 and 6.75, 6.3 ?mol m-2 s-1 for Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and Pinus taeda, respectively. There was a reduction of A and gs with the increasing of DPV, for both campaigns for the Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and only in winter campaign for Pinus taeda. Thus, the two species have different behaviors in response to climatic changes. The two species showed a positive relationship between photosynthesis and transpiration, with Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis showing greater water use efficiency. The average SLA and needle nitrogen were 9.6 m² kg-1, 10.1g kg-1 and 10 m² kg-1, 13.4g kg-1 for Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and Pinus taeda, respectively. Photosynthetic parameters in Pinus taeda was higher in both campaigns, with average values of Vcmax and Jmax greater than in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, related to higher concentration of needle nitrogen. There was no relationship between tree biomass growth and leaf-level measurements of photosynthesis, indicating that other processes at crown level, use and allocation of photosynthates should be investigated to explain the difference in growth.

Dans les régions tropicales semi-arides, le sorgho et le mil sont des sources essentielles de revenus et de calories. Une intensification durable est donc nécessaire pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire. Ces deux céréales sont en grande partie cultivées dans des systèmes de petites exploitations et cultivées à faible densité, ce qui ouvre la voie à une augmentation du rendement grâce à cette gestion agronomique. A travers des essais au champ et des essais lysimétriques réalisés en Inde et au Sénégal, ce travail a montré la possibilité d'augmenter significativement la biomasse et le rendement en grain des deux espèces, avec le même régime d'irrigation et la même fertilisation. Nous avons mis en évidence une diminution du déficit de pression de vapeur (VPD) dans les canopées de haute densité, résultant en une augmentation de l'efficacité d'utilisation de l'eau des cultures. Alors que les deux cultures ont répondu positivement à l'augmentation de la densité, il y avait également de grandes différences entre les espèces dans la variation génotypique de la réponse à la densité, à savoir une forte interaction génotype x densité dans le sorgho pour la biomasse et la WUE, mais aucune dans le millet perlé. La variation génotypique dans le degré de réponse pour WUE trouvée chez le sorgho et son lien avec l'accumulation de biomasse ont conduit à étudier les différences putatives dans la réponse de transpiration des cultures à la demande evaporative. Nous avons testé cette hypothèse en plein air avec des plants de sorgho cultivés en canopée dans des expériences en champ et en lysimètre. La réponse de l'évapotranspiration a été mesurée en fonction de la demande evaporative. Cette réponse était linéaire et, avec le WUE, a montré une grande variation génétique. Le WUE était étonnamment plus élevé dans les génotypes avec la réponse de transpiration la plus élevée à la demande evaporative (Penman-Monteith). Ces génotypes étaient également ceux qui permettaient une pénétration maximale de la lumière dans la canopée. Ce travail ouvre la porte à l'intensification, à court terme en augmentant la densité de semis dans les zones sèches en utilisant des cultivars de sorgho et de millet perlé qui montrent une forte réponse à la densité, et à moyen terme en sélectionnant des cultivars de sorgho adaptés à une densité élevée
In the semi-arid tropics, sorghum and pearl millet or key source of income and calories. Sustainable intensification is therefore needed to ensure food security. These two cereals are largely grown in smallholder farming system and cultivated at low density, opening an avenue to increase yield through this agronomic management. Through field and lysimetric trials carried out in India and Senegal this work showed the possibility to increase significantly, the biomass and grain yield in both species, with the same irrigation regime and fertilization. We highlighted a lowering of the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in the canopies of high density, resulting in an increase in water use efficiency of the crops. While both crops responded positively to increased density, there were also large specie differences in the genotypic variation of the response to density, namely a strong genotype x density interaction in sorghum for biomass and WUE, but none in pearl millet. The genotypic variation in the degree of WUE response found in sorghum and its link with biomass accumulation led to investigate putative differences in the transpiration response of the crops to the evaporative demand. We tested this hypothesis outdoors with canopy-grown sorghum plants in field and lysimeter experiments. The response of the evapotranspiration was measured against the evaporative demand. This response was linear and, with WUE, showed large genetic variation. WUE was surprisingly higher in genotypes with the highest transpiration response to the evaporative demand (Penman-Monteith). These genotypes were also those that allowed maximum light penetration into the canopy. This work opens the door to intensification, in the short term by increasing sowing density in drylands using sorghum and pearl millet cultivars that show a strong response to density, and in the medium term by selecting sorghum cultivars adapted to high density

Rain forest canopies are renowned for their very high biodiversity and the critical role they play in key ecological processes and their influence on global climate. Despite that New Zealand supports one of the most diverse and extensive epiphyte flora of any temperate forest system, few studies have investigated epiphyte communities and their invertebrate fauna along with factors that influence their distribution and composition. This thesis represents the first comprehensive study of entire epiphyte communities and their resident invertebrate fauna in the canopy of New Zealand’s indigenous forests. The aim of this study was to determine spatial patterns of epiphyte and invertebrate species richness, abundance and community composition in relation to abiotic variables, and in particular, the responses of these communities to elevated temperature and rainfall. This study was carried out in coastal lowland podocarp-broadleaved forests at two sites on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Samples from 120 mat-forming epiphyte assemblages located on inner canopy branches of 40 northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) trees were studied to characterise the component flora and fauna. Additionally, biomass, branch and tree characteristics and community responses to treatments designed to elevate temperature and rainfall to simulate predicted climate change were measured. This investigation revealed astonishing diversity and functional complexity of epiphyte and invertebrate life in this ecosystem. The 30.6 kg (dry weight) of epiphyte material collected contained a total of 567 species, 170 epiphyte and 397 invertebrate (excluding immature specimens and mites) species, including at least 10 species new to science and many undescribed species Epiphyte communities were found to be dominated by non-vascular plants (80 % of the total species richness), particularly liverworts and invertebrate communities were dominated with respect to abundance (~ 80 % of the total individuals) by Acari, Collembola and Hymenoptera (primarily ants) and functionally by scavengers and ants. Epiphyte and invertebrate communities were highly variable with respect to spatial patterning of species richness, abundance and composition across sites, among trees within sites and among branches within trees. Overall, a highly significant proportion, > 75 %, of the variance could be attributed to differences at the branch level, but these differences could not be explained by the environmental factors measured. There were no consistent relationships between the spatial pattern of epiphytes and invertebrates, or between vascular and non-vascular plants. However, there were significant positive correlations between epiphyte biomass and invertebrate species richness (r = 0.472; p < 0.0001) and abundance (r = -0.395; p < 0.0001), as well as non-living epiphyte biomass and scavenger species richness (r = 0.4; p < 0.0001). Microclimatic measurements taken on epiphyte mats were also highly variable with respect to temperature and relative humidity at similar physical locations within the same tree as well as across trees within sites. There was also considerable variation in the intensity and frequency of climatic extremes, although potentially harmful climatic conditions were experienced by all the epiphyte mats for which weather variables were measured. Negative correlations existed between both epiphyte and invertebrate community composition and increased temperatures expressed as cumulative degree days above 5˚C. However, variability was such that there was no direct evidence that increased temperature and rainfall treatments had an effect on invertebrate species richness, abundance or diversity. Northern rata host trees harbour an astonishingly diverse and complex canopy flora and fauna that is characterised by high spatial variability. Such variability highlights that to determine species distribution and community dynamics in canopy habitats in response to disturbance caused either by climate change or invasive species the structure of entire communities at different taxonomic and spatial scales, along with their responses to microclimatic factors, need to be studied. If such complexities are not taken into account, inappropriate interpretation may result in poor decisions concerning the conservation status, vulnerability and subsequent management of such unique ecosystems.

Balancing plant growth between vegetative and reproductive status is crucial for producing high quality greenhouse tomatoes while maintaining high productivity in long crop production seasons. In the tomato industry, certain plant morphological characteristics are used to classify plant growth status as vegetative, reproductive or balanced. Each growth status has been associated with distinct greenhouse environments which reduce or enhance transpiration.The effect of different transpiration on vegetative, reproductive or balanced plant growth status as defined by a set of plant morphological characteristics was investigated. To validate the practical significance of such classification, growth status was quantified as the relationship between variations in morphological characteristics and the fresh weight distributed between reproductive and vegetative organs.Two electrical conductivity (EC) levels of the nutrient solution, high and standard EC, were combined with two potential transpiration environments, low and high potential transpiration. All treatment combinations were contrasted with a reference greenhouse environment similar to the industry standard.Electrical conductivity had the greatest effect on morphological characteristics which were reduced in size with high EC. For each EC level, the response decreased for increasing potential transpiration. Stem diameter had the greatest sensitivity to the different treatment combinations. For the standard EC and for the range of potential transpirations achieved, stem diameter varied within a relatively narrow range, close to the industry standard 'threshold' used to classify a balanced tomato plant. A reproductive plant growth status, as evaluated by a smaller value than this threshold, was observed only with high EC. No vegetative plants were produced within any potential transpiration or EC treatment combination.High EC decreased the cumulative total fresh weight production by the same magnitude for all potential transpirations. Potential transpiration had a minimal effect on the total fresh weight production or on its components. As a result, the fresh weight ratio between reproductive and vegetative plant organs was similar for most potential transpiration environments, regardless of variations in stem diameter. Therefore, within the range of potential transpiration environments achieved, the distinction between vegetative and reproductive growth status as an indicator of fresh weight distribution and fruit yields could not be quantitatively validated.

The seasonal pattern of the carbon isotope content (delta C-13) of atmospheric CO2 depends on local and nonlocal land-atmosphere exchange and atmospheric transport. Previous studies suggested that the delta C-13 of the net land-atmosphere CO2 flux (delta(source)) varies seasonally as stomatal conductance of plants responds to vapor pressure deficit of air (VPD). We studied the variation of (source) at seven sites across the United States representing forests, grasslands, and an urban center. Using a two-part mixing model, we calculated the seasonal delta(source) for each site after removing background influence and, when possible, removing delta C-13 variation of nonlocal sources. Compared to previous analyses, we found a reduced seasonal (March-September) variation in delta(source) at the forest sites (0.5 parts per thousand variation). We did not find a consistent seasonal relationship between VPD and delta(source) across forest (or other) sites, providing evidence that stomatal response to VPD was not the cause of the global, coherent seasonal pattern in (source). In contrast to the forest sites, grassland and urban sites had a larger seasonal variation in (source) (5) dominated by seasonal transitions in C-3/C-4 grass productivity and in fossil fuel emissions, respectively. Our findings were sensitive to the location used to account for atmospheric background variation within the mixing model method that determined (source). Special consideration should be given to background location depending on whether the intent is to understand site level dynamics or regional scale impacts of land-atmosphere exchange. The seasonal amplitude in delta C-13 of land-atmosphere CO2 exchange (delta(source)) varied across land cover types and was not driven by seasonal changes in vapor pressure deficit. The largest seasonal amplitudes of delta(source) were at grassland and urban sites, driven by changes in C-3/C-4 grass productivity and fossil fuel emissions, respectively. Mixing model approaches may incorrectly calculate delta(source) when background atmospheric observations are remote and/or prone to anthropogenic influence.

The arrival of the North American Monsoon System (NAMS) terminates a presummer hyperarid period in the southwestern United States (U.S.), providing summer moisture that is favorable for forest growth. Montane forests in this region rely on winter snowpack to drive much of their growth; the extent to which they use NAMS moisture is uncertain. We addressed this by studying stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in earlywood and latewood from 11 sites along a latitudinal gradient extending from Arizona and New Mexico to Utah. This study provides the first regional perspective on the relative roles of winter versus summer precipitation as an ecophysiological resource. Here we present evidence that Ponderosa pine uses NAMS moisture differentially across this gradient. C-13/C-12 ratios suggest that photosynthetic water use efficiency during latewood formation is more sensitive to summer precipitation at the northern than at the southern sites. This is likely due to the fact that NAMS moisture provides sufficiently favorable conditions for tree photosynthesis and growth during most years in the southern sites, whereas the northern sites experience larger summer moisture variability, which in some years is limiting growth. Cellulose O-18 and C-13 values revealed that photoassimilates in the southern sites were produced under higher vapor pressure deficit conditions during spring compared to summer, demonstrating a previously underappreciated effect of seasonal differences in atmospheric humidity on tree ring isotope ratios. Our findings suggest that future changes in NAMS will potentially alter productivity and photosynthetic water use dynamics differentially along latitudinal gradients in southwestern U.S. montane forests.

O estudo caracterizou as variáveis fisiológicas da fotossíntese, em 7 clones de Eucalyptus de alta produtividade, determinando-se as capacidades fotossintéticas máximas (Amax), e o comportamento da fotossíntese (A), condutância (gs) e transpiração (E) em relação ao Déficit de Pressão de Vapor (DPV). Para isso, um ensaio foi instalado em 2004, na ESALQ/USP, contendo os clones do Projeto BEPP (Brasil Eucalyptus Produtividade Potencial), sendo cada parcela composta de 49 plantas (7x7) no espaçamento de 3,0m x 2,7m. Mediram-se as alturas ou DAPs e selecionaram-se 3 árvores médias para as mensurações fisiológicas, aos 16 e 36 meses. A amostragem para Amax foi composta de duas posições superiores da copa (2 e 3), dois galhos por posição e duas folhas por galho. As medições foram feitas das 8 às 10 horas (baixo DPV). Para o comportamento de A e gs frente ao DPV, as medições continuaram, de hora em hora, das 11 às 15 horas, nas folhas do primeiro galho da posição 2. Ao final as folhas foram coletadas para determinação da área foliar específica (AFE) e do nitrogênio (N). Aos 16 meses, foram feitas curvas A/Ci, para posterior cálculo de Vcmax (taxa máxima de carboxilação), Jmax (taxa máxima de transporte de elétrons) e VTPU (utilização da triose fosfato), pelo programa Photosyn Assistant. As curvas foram feitas em 2 árvores por clone, nas posições superiores e inferiores da copa. Todas mensurações foram realizadas com o aparelho LiCor-6400. Os resultados mostraram que Amax foi similar para as posições 2 e 3. Entre os clones, houve variação, porém não consistente entre idades, e todos mostraram altos valores de Amax na idade de 16 meses (entre 26 e 31, com média de 29 µmol m-2s-1), reduzindo-se aos 36 meses (entre 19 e 26, com média de 22 µmol m-2s-1). A AFE e o N também foram similares entre as posições 2 e 3 e maiores na idade mais jovem (11 versus 8 m²kg-1, 29 versus 21 gN kg-1), podendo estar associados à queda de Amax. A, gs e E também apresentaram menores valores aos 36 meses, para todos os clones (23 versus 18 µmol m-2s-1; 0,41 versus 0,26 mol m-2s-1; 9,2 versus 6,1 mmol m-2s-1). Os clones mostraram sensibilidade ao DPV, reduzindo os valores de gs e A ao longo do dia, sendo a sensibilidade menor aos 36 meses. As sensibilidades foram distintas, evidenciando potencial de seleção de materiais mais aptos a tolerarem estresse hídrico. Em geral, maiores valores de fotossíntese estão relacionados a maiores valores de transpiração, evidenciando a necessidade de se conhecer a disponibilidade hídrica local quando do uso de clones de alta produtividade. Vcmax, Jmax e VTPU foram maiores para as posições superiores da copa, e não diferiram entre os clones. Devido à semelhança fisiológica entre as posições 2 e 3, pode-se sugerir que não haja distinção entre elas em futuras medições de fotossíntese, essenciais para a parametrização de modelos. Não houve relação direta entre crescimento do tronco e fotossíntese, evidenciando a necessidade de integração com estudos relacionados à alocação do carbono dentro da planta.
This study aimed to characterize the physiological variables related to photosynthesis, in seven commercial Eucalyptus clones with high productivity, by evaluating maximum photosynthetic capacity (Amax), and the response of photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) to Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD). A trial was installed in 2004, at ESALQ/USP, with the clones that were part of BEPP Project (Brazil Eucalyptus Potential Productivity), and each plot had 49 plants (7x7) in a 3 m x 2.7m spacing. We measured tree height or DBHs and three average trees were selected for measurements, at 16 and 36 months. The sample to estimate Amax was: two crown positions (2 and 3), two branches per tree and two leaves per branch. The measurements which were taken from 8 to 10 am (low VPD). To get the response of A and gs to VPD measurements continued hourly, from 11 am to 3 pm, on the leaves from the first branch and position 2. At the end of the measurements leaves were collected for specific leaf area (SLA) and nitrogen (N) determination. Additionally, at 16 months, A/Ci curves were established, and parameters Vcmax, Jmax and VTPU were estimated through the program Photosyn Assistant. The curves were done for 2 trees per clone, at superior crown positions (2 and 3) and inferior ones (4 and 5). The physiological measurements and A/Ci curves were made using LiCor-6400. The results showed that Amax was similar for positions 2 and 3. There was variation among clones, but not consistent between ages, and all the clones had high Amax at 16 months (between 26 and 31 µmol m-2s-1, with an average of 29 µmol m-2s-1), decreasing at 36 months (between 19 and 26 µmol m-2s-1, with an average of 22 µmol m-2s-1). SLA and N were also similar between positions 2 and 3 and higher at younger age (11,1 versus 8,3 m²kg-1, 29,6 versus 21,1 gN kg-1;), what may be associate with Amax decrease. A, gs and E also showed lower values at age 36, for all the clones (23 versus 18 µmol m-2s-1; 0,41 versus 0,26 mol m-2s-1; 9,2 versus 6,1 mmol m-2s-1). All clones showed sensitivity to VPD, reducing gs and A with increasing VPD. However, the clones showed different sensitivities and all of them were less sensitive to VPD at age 36, highlighting a selection potential of genetic materials for water stress. In general, higher photosynthesis values were associated with higher transpiration, showing the necessity to know the water conditions of sites when planting genetic materials with high productivity. Vcmax, Jmax and VTPU were greater for superior positions compared to inferior ones, and were not different among clones. Due to a similarity in SLA, N and physiological and biochemical traits between positions 2 and 3, no distinction on future photosynthesis measurements between these positions is needed. Finally, there was not a direct relation between stem growth and photosynthesis, at both ages, showing that photosynthesis at crown level by itself can not capture all the ecophysiological processes related to wood productivity, being necessary the integration with studies related to carbon allocation inside the plant.

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This study was carried out in order to examine (i) the diurnal changes in photosynthesis rates under low atmospheric evaporative demand, and (ii) the relationship between the rate of net photosynthesis (A) and carbon (C) metabolism in experimentally-manipulated branches through girdling. Two experiments were separately conducted and so analyzed. In both experiments, plants of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) were grown in 12-L pots during approximately eight months. Then, gas exchanges (measured using an infrared gas analyzer), the rate of uptake of 14CO2 and the partitioning of the recently fixed 14C through the major photosynthetic routes were analyzed; leaf material was also harvested for biochemical assays. In Experiment I, plants were grown in a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions (diurnal values of vapor pressure deficit, VPD, ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 kPa). There was a decrease (20%) in A paralleling a reduction (35%) in stomatal conductance (gs) at 16:00 h as compared with the values of these traits obtained at 08:00 and 12:00 h. The narrow diurnal fluctuations in A were apparently coupled with the maintenance of low VPD throughout the day. Simple and canonical correlations evidenced a lack of feedback inhibition to photosynthesis, a fact further supported by the (i) lack of diurnal changes in carbohydrate and amino acid levels and (ii) unchanging rate of 14CO2 uptake and the partitioning of the recently fixed 14C during the day. In addition, the activity of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and the initial and total activities of Rubisco (as well as its activation state) did not change during the day. In fact, diurnal variations in A were largely explained by diffusive limitations. In Experiment II, gas exchange was measured at 08:00 h during 11 days in girdled and non-girdled (control) branches. There was a remarkable decrease in A and especially in gs. In girdled branches, starch levels increased by 271% and 203%, respectively at the 4th and 10th days after applying the treatments. The hexose-to-amino acid ratio increased in girdled branches at the 10th day of girdling, but the concentrations of other soluble sugars and amino acids did no change in response to the treatments, as also did the activity of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and the initial and total activities of Rubisco. Moreover, the potential photosynthetic capacity also remained unchanged after girdling, suggesting that changes in A were marginally affected, if so, by biochemical constraints to the photosynthetic machinery. As in Experiment I, changes in A were largely explained by diffusive limitations. In summary, it is proposed that diurnal oscillations in A during the day, as well as between leaves from girdled and non-girdled branches were merely a consequence from diffusive, rather than from biochemical, limitations to photosynthesis.
O presente estudo foi conduzido procurando-se analisar (i) as variações diurnas da fotossíntese numa condição de baixa demanda evaporativa e (ii) as relações entre A e o metabolismo do carbono em ramos experimentalmente manipulados, via anelamento. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos isoladamente e analisados como tal. Em ambos, plantas de café arábica (Coffea arabica L.) foram cultivadas em vasos de doze litros, por aproximadamente oito meses, quando, então, foram avaliadas as trocas gasosas (usando-se de um analisador de gases a infravermelho), a taxa de fixação de 14CO2 e a partição de [14C]-assimilados entre as principais rotas biossintéticas associadas à fotossíntese; adicionalmente, foi coletado material foliar para análises bioquímicas posteriores. No primeiro experimento, as plantas foram cultivadas em uma casa de vegetação sob condições semi-controladas, com valores diurnos do déficit de pressão de vapor (DPV) variando de 1,0 a 1,6 kPa. Houve uma redução (20%) da taxa de fotossíntese líquida (A) em paralelo a um decréscimo (35%) na condutância estomática (gs), às 16:00 h, em comparação com os valores dessas variáveis obtidos às 08:00 e 12:00 h. As pequenas flutuações diurnas de A parecem ter sido resultantes da manutenção artificial do DPV em níveis relativamente baixos. As correlações simples e canônicas sugeriram que não houve retroinibição da fotossíntese, fato suportado pela ausência de variações diurnas nas concentrações de carboidratos e aminoácidos e pela constância da taxa de absorção de 14CO2 e da partição de [14C]-assimilados, ao longo do dia. Em adição, não se observou aumento na atividade da AGPase, tampouco decréscimo nas atividades inicial e total e no estado de ativação da Rubisco ao final da tarde. Com efeito, as variações diurnas em A foram largamente explicáveis por limitações difusivas à fotossíntese. No segundo experimento, as trocas gasosas foram analisadas ao longo de onze dias após o anelamento dos ramos, às 08:00 h, observando-se um acentuado decréscimo em A e, principalmente, em gs. Nos ramos anelados, os teores de amido aumentaram 271% e 203%, respectivamente, no quarto e no décimo dias após o anelamento, enquanto a razão hexoses:aminoácidos aumentou no décimo dia após a implantação dos tratamentos, em relação aos ramos-controle. Os teores dos demais carboidratos e dos aminoácidos mantiveram-se inalterados. As atividades inicial e total e o estado de ativação da Rubisco, bem como a atividade da AGPase, não foram alteradas com o anelamento. Adicionalmente, a capacidade fotossintética potencial não variou, em resposta ao anelamento, provendo, por conseguinte, forte evidência de que as variações em A foram pouco afetadas por limitações bioquímicas à maquinaria fotossintética. Os decréscimos em A foram explicados principalmente por alterações em gs e não por alterações no metabolismo do carbono, conforme sugere a análise de correlações canônicas. Conclui-se, pois, que as variações nas trocas gasosas ao longo do dia, bem como as variações entre folhas de ramos anelados e não anelados, em café, foram decorrentes meramente de limitações difusivas, e não de possíveis alterações no metabolismo do carbono.

Avaliou-se o desempenho de um modelo numérico de previsão do tempo (GFS - Global Forecast System – antigo AVN – AViatioN model - do Centro Nacional para Previsão Ambiental – NCEP) no prognóstico de variáveis meteorológicas temperatura, déficit de pressão de vapor do ar, saldo de radiação e velocidade do vento, e da evapotranspiração de referência calculada pelos métodos de Thornthwaite (1948) e de Penman-Monteith (Allen et al., 1998). O desempenho foi avaliado por comparação com dados provenientes de uma estação meteorológica, situada em Piracicaba, São Paulo. A temperatura e o déficit de pressão de vapor do ar foram os elementos melhor prognosticados, com desempenho "muito bom" e "bom", de acordo com o índice de desempenho proposto por Camargo e Sentelhas (1997), para no máximo quatro e três dia de antecedência, respectivamente, durante o período seco. Para o período úmido, somente o prognóstico do déficit de pressão de vapor do ar para o primeiro dia mostrou-se "bom". Os prognósticos de saldo de radiação e velocidade do vento foram ruins para ambos os períodos. Em decorrência do bom desempenho do modelo para prognosticar a temperatura, verificou-se que a estimativa de ETo pelo método de Thornthwaite teve boa concordância com o calculado a partir dos dados da estação meteorológica, com antecedência de até três dias para o período seco. Para o úmido, este fato foi observado apenas para o primeiro dia de antecedência. A concordância entre os valores estimados pelo modelo e a partir da estação para o método de Penman-Monteith foi muito baixa, em conseqüência do desempenho do modelo de previsão do tempo em prognosticar o saldo de radiação e a velocidade do vento.
The performance of a numeric weather forecast model (GFS- Forecast System, former AVN - AvatioN model, National Center for Environmental Prediction-NCEP) was evaluated for predicting weather variables, like air temperature and vapor pressure deficit, net radiation and wind speed, as well as reference evapotranspiration calculated by Thornthwaite (1948) and Penman-Monteith (Allen et al., 1948) methods, by the comparison with data obtained by an automatic weather station, in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Temperature and vapor pressure deficit were the variables predicted with the best accuracy, with a "very good" and "good" performance, according to the index of confidence proposed by Camargo and Sentelhas (1997), for the maximum of four and three days in advance, respectively, during the dry season. For the wet season, only vapor pressure deficit was predicted with a "good" performance of the model. The predictions of net radiation and wind speed were very poor for both seasons. As the weather forecast model predicted temperature well, ETo estimated by Thornthwaite method showed a good agreement with ETo values estimated by observed data from the weather station, with till three days in advance for the dry season. For the wet season, such agreement was observed just for one day in advance. When ETo estimated by Penman-Monteith method with data from the weather forecast model and from weather station were compared any agreement was observed, which was caused by the poor performance of the numeric weather forecast model to predict net radiation and wind speed.

Climate change factors such as rising temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] and increased drought frequency and intensity have been shown to affect cotton physiology and productivity. To investigate the effect of climate change on cotton, we divided our study into two parts, of which the first study focused on the effect of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and soil water deficit (SWD) on stomatal response and the second study focused on the effect of increased temperature (TE) and elevated [CO2] (CE) on cotton growth and physiology. We conducted both experiments in an environmentally controlled glasshouse to imitate the projected drier, warmer and increased [CO2] conditions. Our goal was to use cotton to improve the understanding of the physiological and growth response of C3 crops to changing climate. Our study expands the understanding of how VPD affected plant physiology by separating temperature and RH and whether SWD has a role in altering this relationship. We found that rising VPD reduced gs, A and E. However, the key finding of this study was that SWD decreased gs and rising VPD exacerbated this reduction. We also found that SWD did not affect the relationship between VPD components and that each VPD component can affect plant physiology, either individually or combined. The results further indicated that the reduction in RH had a stronger effect on gs than temperature, regardless of soil water content. In addition, the stomatal model indicated that WUE in well-watered cotton was reduced at high temperature at given VPD levels. The SWD treatment did not alter plant hydraulic status, but significantly reduced height and number of nodes. This type of study should be further investigated as it has the potential to further our understanding of crop adaptation to drier and warmer climates, particularly in dry-land irrigation cotton farming systems.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology)
Fog and dew interception and utilization by plant canopies remains one of the least considered aspects of vegetation studies at any scale yet the few studies that have been conducted point to their considerable influence on ecological processes and a critical role in modulating climate in southern African arid ecosystems. Their relevance to succulent plant hydrology was investigated in this study.The first study measured stable 18O and 2H isotope ratios in samples of rain, fog and dew water and compared these with those assayed monthly in stem xylem water of six succulent shrub species over a one year period. Negative 18O and 2H ratios were observed in the stem xylem water of all six species signifying a predominance of water derived from fog and dew precipitation which was most conspicuous during the wet winter. This implied that fog and dew are even more important sources of water than rain and corroborated by significant correspondence found between fog and dew frequencies, succulent foliar water contents and quantum yields of photochemistry.The second study monitored variations in stem diameter at 2-hourly intervals in 8 succulent shrub species of diverse growth form over a 9-month period. Two groups of species were distinguished based on whether their daily amplitudes in stem diameter were consistently positively correlated with daily fluxes in vapour pressure deficit, which were indicative of a persistent CAM photosynthetic mode, or intermittently correlated with daily fluxes in vapour pressure deficit, which were indicative of mixed CAM and C3 photosynthetic modes. Among species displaying a persistent CAM photosynthetic mode, high nocturnal fog and dew precipitation amounts corresponded with low daily amplitudes in stem diameter, and vice versa, which pointed to reduced nocturnal stomatal water loss. These patterns, which were indistinct among species displaying mixed CAM and C3 photosynthetic modes, were corroborated by small daily amplitudes in stem diameter also consistently observed in one species displaying a CAM photosynthetic mode in ambient than artificially fog and dew excluded environments.The third study monitored changes in water mass at hourly intervals of quartz gravel substrates with different dwarf succulent species assemblages over an 8-month period.Consistently greater net amounts of water were intercepted daily by quartz gravel substrates containing Agyroderma pearsonii than Cephalophylum spissum plants as well as those without plants. These attributed to a high water repellence of A. pearsonii leaves and less radiation absorbed by the paler silvery to grey-green leaves of A. pearsonii leaves than the dark green leaves of C. spissum resulting in lower leaf temperatures and less water loss by transpiration. Quartz gravel soils devoid of plants intercepted nearly 5-times greater amounts of precipitation contributed by fog and dew than that contributed by rain. These precipitation amounts exceeding the high percentages of total hydrological input contributed by fog and dew reported in other ecosystems.The study concludes that fog and dew are a vital source of water for succulent shrubs in arid South African ecosystems and imply that diminished fog and dew frequencies associated with elevated night time temperatures accompanying global warming could exacerbate plant drought stress.

碩士
中原大學
土木工程研究所
95
Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is a significant index for the capacity of evaporation, and also plays an important parameter in estimating evapotranspiration, particularly in the combination or Penman-Monteith type equations. Due to the difference on the environmental climate characteristic, climate variables selected, number of records sampled, averaging means and compoundable ways, there are 3 types 26 VPD calculation methods which were widespreadly used for estimating evapotranspiration around the world. Those methods for VPD calculation were analyzed and compared using 2002-2003 data from meteorological stations to determine the most appropriate method that can be applied in Taiwan. Frequency Approach (FA) and Statistical Index Approach (SIA) were used to evaluate and compare the results and applicability among these methods in Taiwan. Error, range, frequency, and weighted index (WI) were used in FA. Three objective statistical indexes, root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of correlation (R2), and coefficient of efficiency (CE), were used in SIA. For the FA, the results indicated that the VPD calculation using mean of 24 hourly temperature values as saturation vapor pressure, and wet-bulb depression as actual vapor pressure yielded the lowest error, the least range, and the most frequency with the highest WI. These outcomes were as well as the SIA with the lowest RMSE, R2 higher than 0.99 and the highest CE. The performance of this VPD method was proved better than all other VPD methods. The findings were not only consistent with attempts at FA and SIA in this paper, but also belonged to a hybrid type VPD method. Accordingly, this VPD method was recommended to apply in Taiwan. However, the other VPD calculation methods in literature were not recommended to be used in Taiwan.