Response of gas exchange and yield components of field-grown Triticum aestivum L. to elevated ozone in China

Abstract

To assess photosynthesis and yield components' response of field-grown wheat to increasing ozone (O3) concentration (based on diurnal pattern of ambient O3) in China, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Jia 403 was planted in open top chambers and exposed to three different O3 concentrations: O3-free air (CF), ambient air (NF), and O3-free air with additional O3 (CF+O3). Diurnal changes of gas exchange and net photosynthetic rate (P N) in response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of flag leaves were measured at the filling grain stage, and yield components were investigated at harvest. High O3 concentration altered diurnal course of gas exchange [P N, stomatal conductance (g s), and intercellular CO2 concentration (C i)] and decreased significantly their values except for C i. Apparent quantum yield (AQY), compensation irradiance (CI), and saturation irradiance (SI) were significantly decreased, suggesting photosynthetic capacity was also altered, characterized as reduced photon-saturated photosynthetic rate (P Nmax). The limit of photosynthetic activity was probably dominated by non-stomatal factors in combination with stomatal closure. The significant reduction in yield was observed in CF+O3 treatment as a result of a marked decrease in the ear length and the number of grains per ear, and a significant increase in the number of infertile florets per ear. Even though similar responses were also observed in plants exposed to ambient O3 concentration, no statistical difference was observed at current ambient O3 concentration in China.