Incorporation of 14C-photosynthate into major chemical fractions of leaves and bark of Ceratonia siliqua L. at different seasons

Abstract

Parts of branches of Ceratonia siliqua (L.) were exposed to 14CO2 for 3h during the growth period in April, after termination of growth (end of May), in the summer drought period (August) and in the cool winter (February). Twigs were harvested immediately after the end of the feeding period as well as after 48 and 144h. Simultaneously with the last harvest of exposed plant parts, controls from outside the exposure-chamber were also gathered. The total 14C-incorporation into leaves and bark as well as the labelling and contents of soluble sugars, starch, total lipids and other precipitable soluble compounds were determined. Total 14C-incorporation immediately after termination of 14CO2 application is a measure of the assimilation rate; it was high and nearly identical in April and May, but low (only about 5% of the April value) in summer ;and winter. The incorporation of 14C into soluble structural components was highest in April. Uptake of total 14C and labelling of soluble compounds during the 6-day period of the experiments show that metabolic rates were very low in summer but high during spring. The turnover of soluble compounds in February was remarkably high regarding the low CO2-fixation rate. The labelling of soluble sugars in leaves decreased in all experiments; the specific activity of starch remained rather stable. The incorporation of 14C into the lipid fraction was weak in all seasons and significant alterations took place only during the growing period. Variation in assimilation rates of Ceratonia at different seasons was comparable to that found for other mediterranean species using IRGA methods. There was no indication that lipids in Ceratonia are true storage compounds and participate in cyclic metabolic processes preventing stress effects. The weak turnover of lipids leads to the conclusion that maintenance costs for these compounds, as calculated by Merino et al. (1984). perhaps are too high, at least for Ceratonia. Our results do not suggest a specific adaptation of the metabolism of storage compounds to summer drought in Ceratonia.