Asymmetrical effects of mesophyll conductance on fundamental photosynthetic parameters and their relationships estimated from leaf gas exchange measurements.

Worldwide measurements of nearly 130 C3 species covering all major plant functional types are analysed in conjunction with model simulations to determine the effects of mesophyll conductance (g(m)) on photosynthetic parameters and their relationships estimated from A/Ci curves. We find that an assumption of infinite g(m) results in up to 75% underestimation for maximum carboxylation rate V(cmax), 60% for maximum electron transport rate J(max), and 40% for triose phosphate utilization rate T(u) . V(cmax) is most sensitive, J(max) is less sensitive, and T(u) has the least sensitivity to the variation of g(m). Because of this asymmetrical effect of g(m), the ratios of J(max) to V(cmax), T(u) to V(cmax) and T(u) to J(max) are all overestimated. An infinite g(m) assumption also limits the freedom of variation of estimated parameters and artificially constrains parameter relationships to stronger shapes. These findings suggest the importance of quantifying g(m) for understanding in situ photosynthetic machinery functioning. We show that a nonzero resistance to CO2 movement in chloroplasts has small effects on estimated parameters. A non-linear function with gm as input is developed to convert the parameters estimated under an assumption of infinite gm to proper values. This function will facilitate gm representation in global carbon cycle models.

Enxertia, produção e qualidade de tomateiros cultivados em ambiente protegido / Grafting, production and quality of tomato growth in protected environment

Com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos da enxertia na produção e qualidade de tomateiros cultivados em ambiente protegido, conduziu-se um experimento em Viçosa, Minas Gerais (MG). Seis tratamentos foram avaliados no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, resultantes da combinação de duas cultivares de tomate 'Débora' e 'Sta. Clara', enxertadas sobre os porta-enxertos 'Anchor T' e 'BGH 3472', além das duas cultivares de pés francos. A enxertia foi realizada por encostia. Os tratamentos enxertados com 'BGH 3472' e os pés francos Débora e Sta. Clara apresentaram as maiores produtividades comerciais. Não houve variação no teor de SST dos frutos, e o pH da polpa dos frutos foi menor nas combinações 'Anchor T'/Sta. Clara e 'BGH 3472'/Débora. Observou-se maior ATT nos frutos de Débora e menor nos frutos de Sta. Clara. A relação SST/ATT foi maior nos frutos da combinação 'Anchor T'/Sta. Clara, comparados aos frutos das combinações 'BGH 3472'/Débora e 'Anchor T'/Débora.

In order to check the effects of grafting in the production and quality of tomato grown in unheated greenhouse, an experiment was conducted in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Six treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications, resulting from the combination of two tomato cultivars Débora and Sta. Clara, grafted on two rootstocks 'Anchor T' and 'BGH 3472' in addition of the two ungrafted cultivars. The grafting method utilized was used. The treatments with the rootstock 'BGH 3472' and the cultivars 'Débora' and 'Sta. Clara' presented greatest commercial yields. There was no change in the content of SST. Fruit pH was smaller at the combinations 'Anchor T'/Sta.Clara and 'BGH 3472'/Débora Clara. It was observed greater ATT in the pulp of the fruits of Débora and smaller in the fruits of Sta. Clara. SST/ATT ratio was greater in fruits of the combination 'Anchor T'/Sta.Clara when compared with the fruits of the combinations between BGH 3472/Débora and BGH and 'Anchor T'/Débora.