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Contrasting anatomical and biochemical controls on mesophyll conductance across plant functional types

J. Knauer,M. Cuntz,John R. Evans,Ü. Niinemets,T. Tosens,Linda-Liisa Veromann-Jürgenson,C. Werner,S. Zaehle

Published 2022 in New Phytologist

ABSTRACT

Summary Mesophyll conductance (g m) limits photosynthesis by restricting CO2 diffusion between the substomatal cavities and chloroplasts. Although it is known that g m is determined by both leaf anatomical and biochemical traits, their relative contribution across plant functional types (PFTs) is still unclear. We compiled a dataset of g m measurements and concomitant leaf traits in unstressed plants comprising 563 studies and 617 species from all major PFTs. We investigated to what extent g m limits photosynthesis across PFTs, how g m relates to structural, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological leaf properties, and whether these relationships differ among PFTs. We found that g m imposes a significant limitation to photosynthesis in all C3 PFTs, ranging from 10–30% in most herbaceous annuals to 25–50% in woody evergreens. Anatomical leaf traits explained a significant proportion of the variation in g m (R 2 > 0.3) in all PFTs except annual herbs, in which g m is more strongly related to biochemical factors associated with leaf nitrogen and potassium content. Our results underline the need to elucidate mechanisms underlying the global variability of g m. We emphasise the underestimated potential of g m for improving photosynthesis in crops and identify modifications in leaf biochemistry as the most promising pathway for increasing g m in these species.

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