The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide ([CO2]) and oxygen ([O2]) directly influence rates of photosynthesis(PN) and photorespiration (RPR) through the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO).Levels of [CO2] and [O2] have varied over Earth history affecting rates of both CO2 uptake and loss, alongside associated transpirative water-loss. The availability of CO2 has likely acted as a stronger selective pressure than [O2] due tothe greater specificity of RubisCO for CO2. The role of [O2], and the interaction of [O2] and [CO2], in plant evolutionary history is less understood. We exposed twelve phylogenetically diverse species to combinations of sub-ambient,ambient and super-ambient [O2] and [CO2] to examine the biochemical and diffusive components of PN and the possible role of [O2] as a selective pressure. Photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity and stomatal, mesophyll and totalconductance to CO2 were higher in the derived eudicot and monocot angiosperms than the more basal ferns, gymnosperms and basal angiosperms which originated in atmospheres characterised by higher CO2:O2 ratios. The ratio ofRPR:PN was lower in the monocots, consistent with greater carboxylation capacity and higher stomatal and mesophyllconductance making easier CO2 delivery to chloroplasts. The effect of [O2] and [CO2] on PN/RPR was less evident inmore derived species with a higher conductance to CO2. The effect of [O2] was less apparent at high [CO2], suggestingthat atmospheric [O2] may only have exerted a strong selective pressure on plant photosynthetic processes during periods characterised by low atmospheric CO2:O2 ratios. Current rising [CO2] will predominantly enhance PN rates inspecies with low diffusive conductance to CO2.

The evolution of diffusive and biochemical capacities for photosynthesis was predominantly shaped by [CO2] with a smaller contribution from [O2]

Haworth M;Marino G;Loreto F;Centritto M
2022

Abstract

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide ([CO2]) and oxygen ([O2]) directly influence rates of photosynthesis(PN) and photorespiration (RPR) through the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO).Levels of [CO2] and [O2] have varied over Earth history affecting rates of both CO2 uptake and loss, alongside associated transpirative water-loss. The availability of CO2 has likely acted as a stronger selective pressure than [O2] due tothe greater specificity of RubisCO for CO2. The role of [O2], and the interaction of [O2] and [CO2], in plant evolutionary history is less understood. We exposed twelve phylogenetically diverse species to combinations of sub-ambient,ambient and super-ambient [O2] and [CO2] to examine the biochemical and diffusive components of PN and the possible role of [O2] as a selective pressure. Photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity and stomatal, mesophyll and totalconductance to CO2 were higher in the derived eudicot and monocot angiosperms than the more basal ferns, gymnosperms and basal angiosperms which originated in atmospheres characterised by higher CO2:O2 ratios. The ratio ofRPR:PN was lower in the monocots, consistent with greater carboxylation capacity and higher stomatal and mesophyllconductance making easier CO2 delivery to chloroplasts. The effect of [O2] and [CO2] on PN/RPR was less evident inmore derived species with a higher conductance to CO2. The effect of [O2] was less apparent at high [CO2], suggestingthat atmospheric [O2] may only have exerted a strong selective pressure on plant photosynthetic processes during periods characterised by low atmospheric CO2:O2 ratios. Current rising [CO2] will predominantly enhance PN rates inspecies with low diffusive conductance to CO2.
2022
Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante - IPSP
Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante - IPSP - Sede Secondaria Sesto Fiorentino (FI)
Mesophyll conductance Stomatal conductance Oxygen Carbon dioxide Photosynthetic capacity Plant evolution RubisCO
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/418285
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