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Caught between two states: the compromise of leaf acclimation under fluctuating light.
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  • Maxime Durand,
  • Xin Zhuang,
  • Yann Salmon,
  • T. Matthew Robson
Maxime Durand
Helsingin yliopisto viikki Plant Science Centre

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Xin Zhuang
Helsingin yliopiston Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research
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Yann Salmon
Helsingin yliopiston Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research
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T. Matthew Robson
Helsingin yliopisto viikki Plant Science Centre
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Abstract

While dynamic regulation of photosynthesis in fluctuating light is increasingly recognized as an important driver of carbon uptake, acclimation to realistic patterns of light fluctuations is still largely unexplored. We subjected Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) plants to light fluctuations with distinct amplitudes and average irradiance. Using gas-exchange and thermal imaging, we examined how light fluctuations affected leaf structure, photosynthetic capacity, and water relations. We found a wider amplitude of fluctuations produced a stronger acclimation response. Large reductions of leaf mass per area under fluctuating light framed our interpretation of changes in pigment content and photosynthetic capacity, in that photosynthetic investment increased markedly on a mass basis, but only a little on an area basis. Moreover, leaf transpiration rose sharply, being nearly four times under fluctuating light. Our findings indicate that leaves growing under fluctuating light, although thinner, maintained their photosynthetic capacity; suggesting their photosynthesis may be more cost-efficient than those under steady light, but overall may incur increased maintenance costs. This is especially relevant for plant performance globally, because naturally fluctuating light created conflicting acclimation cues for photosynthesis and transpiration that may hinder progress towards ensuring food security under climate-related extremes of water stress.
25 Jan 2024Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
27 Jan 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Jan 2024Assigned to Editor
29 Jan 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Mar 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Mar 2024Assigned to Editor
28 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Jul 20242nd Revision Received
26 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
26 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
26 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept