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. 1983 Nov;73(3):718–723. doi: 10.1104/pp.73.3.718

C3 Photosynthesis and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in a Kansas Rock Outcrop Succulent, Talinum calycinum Engelm. (Portulacaceae) 1

Craig E Martin 1, Aaron Klaas Zee 1
PMCID: PMC1066537  PMID: 16663289

Abstract

The potential for Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in the sandstone outcrop succulent Talinum calycinum in central Kansas. Field studies revealed CAM-like diurnal acid fluctuations in these plants. These fluctuations persisted under all moisture and temperature regimes in the laboratory. Despite this CAM-like acid metabolism, simultaneous gravimetric determinations of day- and nighttime transpiration rates indicated the presence of a C3 gas exchange pattern. Subsequent analyses of diurnal CO2 and H2O exchange patterns under well-watered conditions and after 3, 5, and 7 days of drought confirmed these findings, though low rates of nocturnal CO2 uptake were observed on the fifth night after continuous drought. Finally, the δ13C/12C value of this succulent, −27.8‰, emphasizes the insignificance of any nocturnal CO2 uptake in the lifelong accumulation of carbon in this species. Thus, it is proposed that T. calycinum is a C3 plant with some CAM characteristics, including the ability to re-fix respiratory CO2 at night under all moisture regimes, potentially resulting in a conservation of carbon, and occasionally to fix atmospheric CO2 at night. These findings may prove to be common among rock outcrop succulents.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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