Glyphosate Effects on Carbon Assimilation and Gas Exchange in Sugar Beet Leaves

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1987

Publication Source

Plant Physiology

Abstract

The mechanism responsible for the inhibition of net carbon exchange (NCE) which was reported previously (DR Geiger et al. 1986 Plant Physiol 82: 468-472) was investigated by applying glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] to exporting leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci) remained constant despite Dec.reases in stomatal conductance and NCE following glyphosate treatment, indicating that the cause of the inhibition was a slowing of carbon assimilation rather than Dec.reased conductance of CO2. Throughout a range of CO2 concentrations, NCE rate at a given Ci Dec.lined gradually, with the time-series of response curves remaining parallel. Gas exchange measurements revealed that disruption of chloroplast carbon metabolism was an early and important factor in mediating these glyphosate effects, perhaps by slowing the rate of ribulose bisphosphate regeneration. An increase in the CO2 compensation point accompanied the Dec.rease in NCE and this increase was hastened by stepwise lowering of the ambient CO2 concentration. Eventually the CO2compensation point approached the CO2 level of air and the difference between internal and external CO2 concentrations Dec.reased. In control and in glyphosate-treated plants, both carbon assimilation and photorespiration at atmospheric CO2level were inhibited to a similar extent of air level of O2. Maintaining leaves in low O2 concentration did not prevent the Dec.line in NCE rate.

Inclusive pages

365-369

ISBN/ISSN

0032-0889

Publisher

American Society of Plant Biologists

Volume

85

Peer Reviewed

yes

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