
%0 Journal Article
%A Lovelock, C. E. 
%A Kyllo, D. 
%A Popp, M. 
%A Isopp, H. 
%A Virgo, A. 
%A Winter, K. 
%T Symbiotic Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Influence Maximum Rates of Photosynthesis in Tropical Tree Seedlings Grown Under Elevated CO<sub>2</sub>
%J Functional Plant Biology
%D 1997/05/08
%V 24
%N 2
%P 185-194
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/PP96089
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/PP96089 
%X To investigate the importance of phosphorus and carbohydrate concentrations in influencing photosynthetic capacity of tropical forest tree seedlings under elevated CO2, we grew seedlings of Beilschmiedia pendula (Sw.) Hemsl. (Lauraceae) under elevated CO2 concentrations either with or without vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae. VA-mycorrhizae increased phosphorus concentrations in all plant organs (leaves, stems and roots). Maximum rates of photosynthesis (Amax) measured under saturating levels of CO2 and light were correlated with leaf phosphorus concentrations. VA-mycorrhizae also increased leaf carbohydrate concentrations, particularly under elevated CO2, but levels were low and within the range observed in naturally occurring forest species. Root carbohydrate concentrations were reduced in VA-mycorrhizal plants relative to non-mycorrhizal plants. These results indicate an important role for VA-mycorrhizae in controlling photosynthetic rates and sink strength in tropical trees, and thus in determining their response to future increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. 
