Simultaneous Effects of Foliar Nitrogen, Temperature, and Humidity on Gas Exchange in Pinus radiata

Abstract

Seedlings of Pinus radiata were grown in a glasshouse in large pots with sand as the potting mix. They were kept well-watered and frequently supplied with nutrient solutions which contained different amounts of nitrogen for different treatments. Carbon assimilation and diffusive conductance of the foliage were measured under steady-state conditions at saturating light in all treatments. Experimental variables were leaf-air vapour pressure difference and leaf temperature at time of measurement. Data were fitted to a non-linear regression equation to examine responses of carbon assimilation, diffusive conductance, transpiration, assimilatory nitrogen-use efficiency, and assimilatory transpiration efficiency to foliar nitrogen concentration expressed on a leaf area basis ([N]), to leaf temperature, and to leaf-air vapour pressure (D). Parameters from the regression have been used to plot three-dimensional surfaces, so that simultaneous effects of experimental variables can be easily visualised. Carbon assimilation increased linearly with foliar [N], declined exponentially as D increased, and had a broad temperature optimum between c. 14 and 38ºC. Diffusive conductance increased linearly with foliar [N], was related to the reciprocal of D, and declined as temperature increased. Using climatic vapour pressure deficit and air temperature data for Canberra, ACT, and for Mount Gambier, SA, and with the functions that had been fitted to experimental data, it was found that these regional climatic differences have potential for appreciably affecting carbon gain and water loss in the regions, which have P. radiata plantations. Predicted differences in carbon gain are of the order of reported differences in stem growth in the regions. This shows the need to take into account regional variation in climatic variables that strongly affect gas exchange when investigating regional differences in productivity.