High photosynthetic capacity of a winter annual in Death Valley
Mooney HA, Ehleringer JR, Berry JA. 1976. High photosynthetic capacity of a winter annual in Death Valley. Science. 194(4262):322-324
The Death Valley winter annual Camissonia claviformis has a surprisingly high rate of photosynthesis. The authors made field measurements on intact plants, finding that this species is capable of transforming noon sunlight into chemical energy at 80 percent of the theoretical maximum rate. This desert plant has an unusual ability to use high irradiances. "Factors associated with this include a high stomatal conductance to carbon dioxide and high levels of soluble protein and ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase," notes the authors' abstract. While C3 plants are expected generally to have photosynthetic rates far lower than C4 plants, the C3 Camissonia claviformis is an exception. The plant's ability to continue to absorb and use intense radiation, beyond the saturation point of other plants, appears to be important in the increased productivity. Two graphs show photosynthetic responses.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mooney, Harold; Ehleringer, James; Berry, Joseph
- Units
- DEVA
- Keywords
- browneyes (Camissonia claviformis), Death Valley National Park CA NV, Irradiance, Photosynthesis, Plant Studies