Respiration of Leaves During Photosynthesis II. Effects on the Estimation of Mesophyll Resistance

Abstract

Neglect of respiration has led to errors in estimation of the mesophyll resistance to CO2 transport. All current methods lead to overestimation if an increase in photosynthesis is accompanied by an immediate increase in respiration, but two methods are valid if the respiration rate remains constant. An improved method is proposed, in which air of known CO2 content is made to pass through the leaf.