Leaf structure and photosynthesis in <i>Populus alba</i> under naturally fluctuating environments.

ABSTRACT: The ability to modulate photosynthesis is essential for plants to adapt to fluctuating growing conditions. Populus species show high tolerance to various and highly variable environments. To understand their response strategies against fluctuating environments, this study investigated the morphological and physiological differences of white poplar (Populus alba) leaves when grown in a phytotron, glasshouse, and field. Our results show that the palisade cells were elongated in the field, which would enhance intercellular CO₂ exchange. Photosynthetic capacity was the highest in the field leaves, as shown by higher electron transport rates (1.8 to 6.5 times) and carbon assimilation rates (2.7 to 4.2 times). The decrease of PSI acceptor-side limitation and increase of

SUBMITTER: Lin XY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11558500 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature