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Photosynthetic Characteristics of Several C₃ and C₄ Plant Species Grown Under Different Light Intensities¹

In 8 of 10 C₃ and C₄ species examined, photosynthetic rate and extractable ribulose diphosphate carboxylase activity per unit leaf area increased as light intensity received during growth was increased. These increases were associated with increased specific leaf weight. The rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf dry weight appeared to fall into 4 classes for 8 of the 10 species studied. The classes are in order of increasing photosynthetic efficiency: C₃ grasses < C₃ dicots < C₄ aspartate-formers < C₄ malate-formers. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and Panicurn copillare L. were exceptions in that growth under differing light regimes did not result in appreciable changes in rate of photosynthesis, light saturation, extracted ribulose diphosphate carboxylase activities, or photosynthesis rate per unit dry weight.

Key Words: Light saturation • RuDP carboxylase

² Graduate student, Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana; Plant Physiologist, North Central Region, ARS, USDA, Urbana, Illinois; and Associate Professor of Plant Physiology, Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana.

Received for publication January 24, 1974.