Comparative analyses of the effect of triacontanol on photosynthesis, photorespiration and growth of tomato (C3-plant) and maize (C4-plant)

Abstract

Tomato (C₃-plants) and maize (C₄-plants) were grown in a nutrient solution to which triacontanol was added twice a week. After about 4 weeks the triacontanol treatment caused a significant increase in the dry weight of the tomato plants. Leaf area and dry weight measurements of tomato leaves at different stages of development showed that the largest increase in growth was obtained when triacontanol treatment was initiated before bud formation. In maize, no effect of the triacontanol treatment on dry wieght was observed. Photosynthesis was inhibited by 27% in young leaves from triacontanol-treated tomato plants and 39% in the controls, when the oxygen concentration was raised from 2% to 21%. In maize no change in photosynthesis could be observed, neither after altered oxygen concentration nor after triacontanol treatment. The difference in the response of C₃- and C₄-plants to triacontanol indicates that it regulates processes related to photosynthesis.