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Plant function and evolutionary biology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Leaf shape influences spatial variation in photosynthetic function in Lomatia tinctoria

Andrea Leigh A D , Ross Hill B and Marilyn C. Ball C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

B Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation and Sydney Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

C Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: andrea.leigh@uts.edu.au

Functional Plant Biology 41(8) 833-842 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP13334
Submitted: 14 November 2013  Accepted: 25 February 2014   Published: 22 April 2014

Abstract

A relationship exists between the two-dimensional shape of leaves and their venation architecture, such that broad or broad-lobed leaves can have leaf tissue far from major veins, potentially creating stronger gradients in water potential – and associated photosynthetic function – than found across narrow counterparts. We examined the spatial patterns of photosynthetic efficiency (ΔF/Fm′) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in response to increased vapour pressure deficit (VPD) using two morphs of Lomatia tinctoria (Labill.) R.Br: those with broad-lobed and those with narrow-lobed leaves. Stomatal conductance (gs), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal and minor veins density also were measured. ΔF/Fm′ decreased with stress but was higher and less spatially heterogeneous across broad than narrow lobes. The strongest depression in ΔF/Fm′ in broad lobes was at the edges and in narrow lobes, the tips. Non-photochemical quenching was spatially more varied in broad lobes, increasing at the edges and tips. Variation in photosynthetic function could not be explained by gs, WUE or minor vein density, whereas proximity to major veins appeared to mitigate water stress at the tips only for broad lobes. Our findings indicate that the relationship between venation architecture and water delivery alone can partially explain the spatial pattern of photosynthetic function.

Additional keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf morphology, leaf shape, leaf venation, photoprotection, water stress.


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