Stomatal closure fully accounts for the inhibition of photosynthesis by abscisic acid

Abstract

The partial pressure of intercellular CO2 calculated from gas exchange data for abscisic-treated leaves of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) does not indicate the average intercellular CO2 of the leaf. The latter can be determined from chlorophyll fluorescence quenching information and accurately modelled from gas exchange data. Stomatal closure can fully account for previously assumed non-stomatl inhibition of photosynthesis. Autoradiograms show that abscisic acid induces non-uniform gas exchange over small areas of the leaf.