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Published June 1982 | public
Journal Article

Re-evaluation of proposed C_4 photosynthetic characteristics in the genus Larix

Abstract

It has been suggested previously that Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) exhibits characteristics of C_4 photosynthesis. To further evaluate this suggestion, stable carbon isotope ratios were determined for leaf and bark tissue of Larix gmelini, L. kaempferi, L. laricina, L. Iyallii, L. occidentalis, and L. sibirica. All δ^(13)C values were more negative than –22‰. Short-term labeling with ^(14)CO_2 showed that phosphoglyceric acid and other phosphorylated compounds were the first products of photosynthesis in L. sibirica. Both of these results strongly suggest that the initial fixation of atmospheric CO_2 in these six Larix species is accomplished solely via the C_3 photosynthetic pathway.

Additional Information

© 1982 Physiologia Plantarum. Received 15 December, 1981; revised 11 February, 1982. We thank E. van Santen, D. Schoeller, P. Klein, T. Teeri, and R. Wyse for helpful discussion and technical assistance and E. A. Cosins for advice and laboratory space during first product extractions. This research was supported in part by the DeKalb Foundation, the National Science Foundation (DEB-8021270), and the National Institute of Health (AM 18741).

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023