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Abiotic stress, acclimation, and adaptation in carbon fixation processes

Murchie, Erik H.; McAusland, Lorna; Burgess, Alexandra J.

Authors

Dr ERIK MURCHIE erik.murchie@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Applied Plant Physiology

Profile image of ALEXANDRA GIBBS

ALEXANDRA GIBBS Alexandra.Gibbs1@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor in Agriculture and The Environment



Contributors

Alexander Ruban
Editor

Christine H. Foyer
Editor

Abstract

Chloroplast CO2 assimilation rate is highly sensitive to environmental changes, and this has a great influence on productivity. Changes in temperature, light, humidity, nutrients, and salinity can all affect processes that limit photosynthesis. In this chapter, we provide a summary of the key processes involved in the response of photosynthesis to abiotic stress while emphasising the importance of integration across scales, in realistic fluctuating environments and the relevance to agriculture. The activity of enzymes of the Calvin-Benson cycle, and especially the enzyme Rubisco can be directly inhibited by high and low temperature and indirectly by activation mechanisms arising from regulation by Rubisco activase and electron transport. Stomatal conductance is a critical process for preventing excessive water loss during suboptimal conditions but also reduces CO2 uptake as a tradeoff. Dynamic photoprotection and long term photoinhibition can indirectly result in compromised CO2 assimilation rates in fluctuating (but otherwise favourable) conditions. Changes in light and temperature induce acclimation of photosynthetic components, which shifts photosynthesis optima and improves CO2 assimilation rates. Finally, we consider whole plant processes and the effect this has on leaf CO2 assimilation in the field.

Citation

Murchie, E. H., McAusland, L., & Burgess, A. J. (2022). Abiotic stress, acclimation, and adaptation in carbon fixation processes. In A. Ruban, C. H. Foyer, & E. H. Murchie (Eds.), Photosynthesis in Action: Harvesting Light, Generating Electrons, Fixing Carbon (103-132). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-823781-6.00011-3

Online Publication Date Jan 21, 2022
Publication Date 2022
Deposit Date Feb 23, 2023
Pages 103-132
Book Title Photosynthesis in Action: Harvesting Light, Generating Electrons, Fixing Carbon
Chapter Number 6
ISBN 9780128237816
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-823781-6.00011-3
Keywords CO2; Optimality; Stress; Fluctuating; Environment; Metabolism; Enzyme
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7651393
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128237816000113?via%3Dihub