PLANTS UNDER CLIMATIC STRESS

Abstract

S ummary The composition of the atmosphere influenced the apparent photosynthetic rate of Sorghum bicolor and the degree of permanent damage to the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves when plants were transferred to low‐temperature, high‐light (10° C; 170 W m ‐2 ) environmental stress. High CO 2 (1000 μl/l) or low O 2 (3%) both partially protect the plants compared to normal atmospheric levels, while low CO 2 (30 μl/l) or O 2 (50%) enhanced the damaging effects of stress. Oxygen levels are the more significant in control of permanent photosynthetic damage.