Photosynthetic adaptation of Solanum dulcamara L. to sun and shade Environments

Abstract

Clonal replicates of six genotypes of Solanum dulcamara L. grown in eight different environments were compared for photosynthesis and growth. Four of the genotypes were native to shaded habitats, two to sun habitats. The experimental growth environments differed in light level, daily temperature amplitude and substrate moisture availability. Treatments elicited large differences in lightsaturated photosynthetic rates and growth. Genotypic differences in response to the treatments were identified. However, when genotypes native to sun and shade habitats were compared, there were no consistent differences in photosynthesis or total plant dry weight. It was concluded that previously reported differences in the photosynthetic response of genotypes native to sun and shade habitats to treatment light level may have been the result of the persistent after-effects to changes in leaf water potential and not an adaptive response to growth light level.