Photosynthesis Optimized across Land Plant Phylogeny

Photosynthesis and photosynthetic efficiencies along the terrestrial plant’s phylogeny: lessons for improving crop photosynthesis

“…In fact, using the photosynthetic relative limitation model by Grassi and Magnani () we have recently shown that the relative photosynthetic limitations also change along the phylogeny, from predominant mesophyll conductance limitations in bryophytes and lycophytes, to co‐limitation by stomatal and mesophyll conductance limitations in pteridophytes and gymnosperms and a very well balanced co‐limitation by the three factors– stomata, mesophyll and photochemical/biochemical limitations – in angiosperms (Gago et al ., ). We have also shown that this transition is associated with another progressive phylogenetic trend in some key anatomical parameters: from very low S c and very large CWT in bryophytes to very large S c and low CWT in angiosperms (Gago et al ., ).…”

“…This observation has sometimes been attributed to a partial compensation of their low g s and g m by a high carboxylation capacity ( V c,max ), but nevertheless may deserve better attention in future studies (Veromann‐Jürgenson et al ., ; Yiotis and McElwain, ). Increasing LMA (Figure ), A mass and PNUE levels along the phylogeny were expected because the typical leaf economics spectrum (LES) relationships – such as those between A mass and LMA on the one hand, and between A mass and leaf N content on the other hand – present identical slopes but very different intercepts among phylogenetic groups, so that the more basal the group the less A mass achieved per either LMA or N (Gago et al ., ; Carriquí et al ., ). However, and in addition, the gymnosperm deviation from the rule, the overall positive scaling of all these parameters also with WUE, was somewhat unexpected and the results were quite interesting.…”

“…what it is called mesophyll conductance); and (iii) the velocity of RuBisCO reactions with CO 2 to produce organic molecules, the latter being strongly interconnected with the operation of thylakoid reactions and the Calvin cycle (Foyer et al ., ). While it has been demonstrated that all these three limitations have a similar quantitative importance in limiting photosynthesis in C3 plants (Flexas et al ., ; Gago et al ., ), each of these is very complex and could be further dissected into different factors. For instance, the photosynthetic limitation imposed by stomata depends on stomatal size and density, and both active and hydro‐passive regulation of their aperture (Drake et al ., ; Franks et al ., ).…”

How do vascular plants perform photosynthesis in extreme environments? An integrative ecophysiological and biochemical story

“…This diffusive pathway is facilitated by several specific enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrases and aquaporins (AQP) (Flexas et al , and references therein). Another important anatomical trait related to g m is the degree of chloroplast surface that is directly exposed to the mesophyll airspaces ( S c / S ) (Gago et al , ).…”

Mesophyll conductance in land surface models: effects on photosynthesis and transpiration

“…While this seems to be the case for well studied PFTs, more measurements are needed for deciduous needle‐leaf trees, tropical trees (both deciduous and evergreen), as well as C4 plants. The magnitude of g m in other plant groups such as bryophytes and ferns is relatively well constrained and lower compared with those shown in Figure [bryophytes: 0.005 ± 0.004 mol m −2 sec −1 (median ± standard error of the median), ferns: 0.05 ± 0.013 mol m −2 sec −1 (Gago et al , )]. These plant groups are usually not considered in LSMs, despite their potentially significant contributions to terrestrial carbon uptake, especially at higher latitudes (Sjögersten et al , ; Turetsky et al , ).…”