| Abstract Detail
Ecophysiology Huber, John A. [1], Villanueva, Antonio [2], Mena, Nicolas [1], Rencher, Benjamin [1], Stewart, J. Ryan [3]. Exploring the possibility of photosynthetic plasticity in Agave sensu lato. Several succulent species exhibit the capability to shift from CAM to C3 photosynthesis under changing environmental conditions. Such plasticity could enable plants native to harsh desert environments, such as agaves, to take advantage of seasonally abundant yet ephemeral water sources for growth and development. While this capacity was observed in Agave deserti, it has not been observed in any other species within Agave sensu lato. In order to determine the prevalence of CAM plasticity in species within Agave sensu lato, this study subjected seedlings and mature plants from multiple species within the clade to soil moisture levels ranging from dry to saturated conditions. These experiments found that young tissues primarily use the C3 photosynthetic pathway, and transition to CAM as development progresses. It was also found that species within Agave sensu lato responded differently to moisture treatments, with some species exhibiting flexibility in CAM expression and others remaining obligate in the expression of CAM. The ability to shift from the relatively costly CAM pathway to C3 photosynthesis may account for reports of high production rates in some Agave species, despite the perceived restrictions to growth rates imposed by their high water-use efficiency.
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1 - 4105 Life Sciences Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
2 - Carretera México-Texcoco Km. 38.5, Texcoco, Mexico, 56230, Mexico
3 - 2124 Life Sciences Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
Keywords:
Ecophysiology
photosynthesis
Succulent
Agave.
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecophysiology Poster Session
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEP013
Abstract ID:785
Candidate for Awards:None |
