Gaseous NO2 effects on stomatal behavior, photosynthesis and respiration of hybrid poplar leaves

• DOI: 10.1007/s11738-014-1749-8
• Publication Date: 2015-01-29T13:32:13Z
• Authors: Yanbo Hu; Nacer Bellaloui; Mulualem Tigabu; Jinghong Wang; Jian Diao; Ke Wang; Rui Yang; Guangyu Sun
• Keywords: Photorespiration; Stomatal Conductance; Plant Physiology

In this study, we used poplar as a model plant and investigated the effects of gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2, 4 µl 1−1) on stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, dark- and photorespiration of Populus alba × Populus berolinensis hybrid leaves using the photosynthesis system and scanning electron microscope technique. The results showed that net photosynthetic rates were significantly reduced in leaves exposed to 4 µl 1−1 NO2 for 48 h as compared with leaves exposed to ambient carbon dioxide 380 µl 1−1 and ambient NO2 <0.1 µl 1−1 (the control) and the leaves exposed for 14 h. The decline of net photosynthetic rate was caused mainly by NO2 treatment. Dark respiration rates were dependent on co-action of the two factors (leaf temperature and NO2 treatment time). Post-illumination carbon dioxide burst in the exposed leaves occurred at 13–15 s after turning the light off, whereas this phenomenon was absent in the control leaves.