Does the photosynthetic light‐acclimation need change in leaf anatomy?

TLDR

Leaf thickness is strongly correlated with light‑saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax), yet mature leaves can raise Pmax under higher light without becoming thicker. The study aimed to determine how mature Chenopodium album leaves increase Pmax when moved from low to high light. Researchers examined anatomical and physiological changes in mature leaves after the light shift. Leaves transferred from low to high light exhibited a significant Pmax increase associated with greater chloroplast‑facing area (Sc) and a maintained Pmax–Sc correlation, but insufficient leaf thickness capped Pmax below that of fully high‑light leaves, showing that thickness limits the upper bound of Pmax during light acclimation.

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a strong correlation between leaf thickness and the light‐saturated rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area ( P max ). However, when leaves are exposed to higher light intensities after maturation, P max often increases without increasing leaf thickness. To elucidate the mechanism with which mature leaves increase P max , the change in anatomical and physiological characteristics of mature leaves of Chenopodium album, which was transferred from low to high light condition, were examined. When compared with leaves subjected to low light continuously (LL leaves), the leaves transferred from low to high light (LH leaves) significantly increased P max . The transfer also increased the area of chloroplasts facing the intercellular space ( S c ) and maintained a strong correlation between P max and S c . The mesophyll cells of LL leaves had open spaces along cell walls where chloroplasts were absent, which enabled the leaves to increase P max when they were exposed to high light (LH). However, the LH leaves were not thick enough to allow further increase in P max to the level in HH leaves. Thus leaf thickness determines an upper limit of P max of leaves subjected to a change from low to high light conditions. Shade leaves would only increase P max when they have open space to accommodate chloroplasts which elongate after light conditions improve.