Photosynthetic and Stomatal Responses of the Grey Mangrove, Avicennia marina, to Transient Salinity Conditions

Abstract

Measurements of gas exchange characteristics were made on intact, attached leaves of hydroponically grown seedlings of A. marina (Forstk.) Vierh. var. australasica (Walp.) Moldenke as the NaCl concentration of the culture solution was varied by step changes of 50 mM NaCl every 2nd day from 50 to 500 to 50 mM NaCl. The CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and evaporation rate decreased at salinities above 250 mM NaCl and recovered substantially upon return to the original salinity. The assimilation rate was measured as a function of the intercellular CO2 concentration [A(ci) curve]. The lower linear portion of this curve was insensitive to variation in salinity, whereas the upper nonlinear portion declined with increasing salinity, indicating a reduction in the capacity for CO2 assimilation which recovered upon return to the original salinity. Stomatal conductance changed such that the intercellular CO2 concentration measured under normal atmospheric conditions occurred in the transition between the lower, linear and upper nonlinear portions of the A(ci) curve. Thus, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic capacity together co-limited the assimilation rate. The changes in gas exchange characteristics were such that water loss was minimal relative to C gain.