Relation of CO₂ Compensation Concentration to Apparent Photosynthesis in Maize

Abstract

Significant differences in CO(2) compensation concentration measured in the field among varieties of the species Zea mays L. are reported for the first time. CO(2) compensation concentrations were significantly (P</= 0.01) and negatively correlated with apparent photosynthesis at 300 mul CO(2)/liter air. The Michaelis constant (as defined) for a leaf was significantly (P</= 0.01) and positively correlated with apparent photosynthesis among varieties. While the first correlation is similar to behavior of CO(2) compensation among species of different photosynthetic efficiency, the latter correlation is the converse of the behavior of Km among species.