Co-Authors:
Enoch, H.Z., Division of Agricultural Meteorology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. B.6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Hurd, R.G., Division of Agricultural Meteorology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. B.6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
The rates of CO 2 assimilation by potted spray carnation plants (cv. Cerise Royalette) were determined over a wide range of light intensities (45-450 W m -2 PAR), CO 2 concentrations (200-3100 vpm), and leaf temperatures (5-35 °C). Assimilation rates varied with these factors in a way similar to the response of single leaves of other temperate crops, although the absolute values were lower. The optimal temperature for CO 2 assimilation was between 5 and 10 °C at 45 W m -2 PAR but it increased progressively with increasing light intensity and CO 2 concentration up to 27 °C at 450 W m -2 PAR and 3100 vpm CO 2 as expressed by the equation TOpt = -6.47 -h 2.336 In G + 0.031951 where C is CO 2 concentration in vpm and I is photo-synthetically active radiation in W m -2. CO 2 enrichment also increased stomatal resistance, especially at high light intensities.The influence of these results on optimalization of temperatures and CO 2 concentrations for carnation crops subjected to daily light variation, and the discrepancy between optimal temperatures for growth and net photosynthesis, are discussed briefly © 1977 Oxford University Press.