Ecophysiological Significance of CO2-Recycling via Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in Talinum calycinum Engelm. (Portulacaceae)

Abstract

High levels of variability in gas exchange characteristics and degree of CAM-cycling were found in the same and different individuals of Talinum calycinum Engelm. collected from rock outcrops in Missouri [USA]. Differences in CO2 assimilation were mostly correlated with differences in shoot conductance to CO2 not shoot internal CO2 concentration. As found previously, CAM acid fluctuations were evident in well-watered plants exhibiting C3 gas exchange patterns (CAM-cycling) and also in drought-stressed plants with stomata closed, or nearly so, day and night (CAM-idling). Drought stress also resulted in rapid stomatal closure, conserving water during droughts. Maximal CO2 uptake rates occurred below 35.degree. C; higher temperatures induced decreases in CO2 assimilation and conductance while shoot internal CO2 concentrations remained similar. Plant water-use-efficiency was severely curtailed at temperatures above 30.degree. C. Tissue acid fluctuations were the result of changes in malic acid concentrations. Calculations of the amount of water potentially conserved by CAM-cycling yielded values of approximately 5 to 44% of daytime water loss. Thus, CAM-cycling may be an important adaptation minimizing water loss by perennial succulents growing in shallow soil on rock outcrops.