Abstract
The photosynthetic pathway of the roots (both the white velamentous main portions and the green, nonvelamentous tips) was investigated in twelve taxa (natural species and intergeneric hybrid cultivars) of epiphytic orchids having CAM leaves. All organs contained chlorophyll, and the a/b ratios indicate that the organs, especially the roots, are likely shade-adapted. Stable carbon isotope ratios of the tissues were near −15‰ for all organs, a value typical of obligate (constitutive) CAM plants. Values for root tissues were slightly lower (more negative) than those of the leaves. The presence of CAM in the leaves of these orchids did not ensure that their roots performed CAM photosynthesis. Further work is needed to address the questions raised in this study and to determine if the photosynthetic roots of these taxa are capable of assimilating atmospheric CO2.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Abbreviations
- CAM:
-
crassulacean acid metabolism
- Chl:
-
chlorophyll
- DM:
-
dry mass
- FM:
-
fresh mass
- PDB:
-
Pee Dee belemnite
References
Ando, T.: Occurrence of two different modes of photosynthesis in Dendrobium cultivars. — Sci. Hort. 17: 169–175, 1982. Arditti J., Dueker J.: Photosynthesis by various organs of orchid plants. — Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 37: 862–865, 1968.
Avadhani, P.N., Goh, C.J., Arditti, J.: Stomatal and acidity rhythms in orchids: practical implications. — Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 47: 131–134, 1978.
Avadhani, P.N., Goh, C.J., Rao, A.N., Arditti, J.: Carbon fixation in orchids. — In: Arditti, J. (ed.): Orchid Biology. Reviews and Perspectives, II. Pp. 174–192. Cornell University Press, Ithaca 1982.
Benzing, D.H., Bent, A., Moscow, D., Peterson, G., Renfrow, A.: Functional correlates of deciduousness in Catasetum integerrimum (Orchidaceae). — Selbyana 7: 1–9, 1982.
Benzing, D.H., Ott, D.W.: Vegetative reduction in epiphytic Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae — its origin and significance. — Biotropica 13: 131–140, 1981.
Benzing, D.H., Ott, D.W., Friedman, W.E.: Roots of Sobralia macrantha (Orchidaceae): structure and function of the velamen-exodermis complex. — Amer. J. Bot. 69: 608–614, 1982.
Benzing, D.H., Pockman, W.T.: Why do nonfoliar green organs of leafy orchids fail to exhibit net photosynthesis? — Lindleyana 4: 53–60, 1989.
Boardman, N.K.: Comparative photosynthesis of sun and shade plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. — 28: 355–377, 1977.
Bowling, D.R., Pataki, D.E., Randerson, J.T.: Carbon isotopes in terrestrial ecosystem pools and CO2 fluxes. — New Phytol. 178: 2440, 2008.
Cockburn, W., Goh, C.J., Avadhani, P.N.: Photosynthetic carbon assimilation in a shootless orchid, Chiloschista usneoides (Don) LDL. A variant on Crassulacean acid metabolism. — Plant Physiol. 77: 83–86, 1985.
Coutinho, L.M.: [Algumas informaçŏes sŏbre a ocorrěncia do “Efeito de De Saussure” em epífitas e erbáceas terrestres da mata pluvial.] — Botânica 20: 83–98, 1963. [In Portugese]
Earnshaw, M.J., Winter, K., Ziegler, H., Stichler, W., Cruttwell, N.E.G., Kerenga, K., Cribb, P.J., Wood, J., Croft, J.R., Carver, K.A., Gunn, T.C.: Altitudinal changes in the incidence of Crassulacean acid metabolism in vascular epiphytes and selected life forms in Papua New Guinea. — Oecologia 73: 566–572, 1987.
Endo, M., Ikusima, I.: Diurnal rhythm and characteristics of photosynthesis and respiration in the leaf and root of a Phalaenopsis plant. — Plant Cell Physiol. 30: 43–47, 1989.
Erickson, L.C.: Respiration and photosynthesis in Cattleya roots. — Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 26: 401–402, 1957.
Gehrig, H., Faist, K., Kluge, M.: Identification of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase isoforms in leaf, stem and roots of the obligate CAM plant Vanilla planifolia Salib. (Orchidaceae): a physiological and molecular approach. — Plant Molec. Biol. 38: 1215–1223, 1998.
Goh, C.J., Arditti, J., Avadhani, P.N.: Carbon fixation in orchid aerial roots. — New Phytol. 95: 367–374, 1983.
Goh, C.J., Avadhani, P.N., Loh, C.S., Hanegraaf, C., Arditti, J.: Diurnal stomatal and acidity rhythms in orchid leaves. — New Phytol. 78: 365–372, 1977.
Goh, C.J., Kluge, M.: Gas exchange and water relations in epiphytic orchids. — In: Lüttge U. (ed.): Vascular Plants as Epiphytes. Evolution and Ecophysiology. Pp. 139–166. Springer, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York — London — Paris — Tokyo — Hong Kong 1989.
Griffiths, H.: Carbon balance during CAM — an assessment of respiratory CO2 recycling in the epiphytic bromeliads Aechmea nudicaulis and Aechmea fendleri. — Plant Cell Environ. 11: 603–611, 1988a.
Griffiths, H.: Crassulacean acid metabolism — a re-appraisal of physiological plasticity in form and function. — Adv. Bot. Res. 15: 43–92, 1988b.
Griffiths, H.: Carbon dioxide concentrating mechanisms and the evolution of CAM in vascular epiphytes. — In: Lüttge, U. (ed.): Vascular Plants as Epiphytes. Evolution and Ecophysiology. Pp. 42–86. Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York — London — Paris -Tokyo — Hong Kong 1989.
Griffiths, H.: Carbon isotope discrimination and the integration of carbon assimilation pathways in terrestrial CAM plants. — Plant Cell Environ. 15: 1051–1062, 1992.
Griffiths, H.: Carbon isotope discrimination. — In: Hall, D.O., Scurlock, J.M.O., Bolhàr-Nordenkampf, H.R., Leegood, R.C., Long, S.P. (ed.): Photosynthesis and Production in a Changing Environment: A Field and Laboratory Manual. Pp. 181–192. Chapman & Hall, London — Glasgow — New York -Tokyo — Melbourne — Madras 1993.
He, J., Khoo, G.H., Hew, C.S.: Susceptibility of CAM Dendrobium leaves and flowers to high light and high temperature under natural tropical conditions. — Environ. Exper. Bot. 40: 255–264, 1998.
Hew, C.-S.: Patterns of CO2 fixation in tropical orchid species. — Proc 8th World Orchid Conf. 1975: 426–430, 1976.
Hew, C.S.: CO2 fixation in orchids. — Acta Phytophysiol. Sin. 15: 217–222, 1989.
Hew, C.S., Ng, C.K.Y., Gouk, S.S., Yong, J.W.H., Wong, S.C.: Variation in δ13C values for different plant parts of an Oncidium orchid. — Photosynthetica 32: 135–139, 1996.
Hew, C.S., Ng, Y.W., Wong, S.C., Yeoh, H.H., Ho, K.K.: Carbon-dioxide fixation in orchid aerial roots. — Physiol. Plant. 60: 154–158, 1984.
Hew, C.S., Ye, Q.S., Pan, R.C.: Relation of respiration to CO2 fixation by Aranda orchid roots. — Environ. Exper. Bot. 31: 327–331, 1991.
Hew, C.S., Yong, J.W.H.: Growth and photosynthesis of Oncidium goldiana. — J. Hort. Sci. 69: 809–819, 1994.
Hew, C.S., Yong, J.W.H.: The Physiology of Tropical Orchids in Relation to the Industry. — World Scientific, Singapore 1997.
Ho, K., Yeoh, H.-H., Hew, C.-S.: The presence of photosynthetic machinery in aerial roots of leafy orchids. — Plant Cell Physiol. 24: 1317–1321, 1983.
Hsu, C.-C., Lin, T.-C., Chiou, W.-L., Lin, S.-H., Lin, K.-C., Martin, C.E.: Canopy CO2 concentrations and Crassulacean acid metabolism in Hoya carnosa in a subtropical rain forest in Taiwan: consideration of CO2 availability and the evolution of CAM in epiphytes. — Photosynthetica 44: 130–135, 2006.
Kluge, M., Brulfert, J., Rauh, W., Ravelomanana, D., Ziegler, H.: Ecophysiological studies on the vegetation of Madagascar: A δ13C and δD survey for incidence of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) among orchids from montane forests and succulents from the xerophytic thorn-bush. — Isotopes Environ. Health Stud. 31: 191–210, 1995.
Kluge, M., Ting, I.P.: Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. Analysis of an Ecological Adaptation. — Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York 1978.
Knauft, R.L., Arditti, J.: Partial identification of dark 14CO2 fixation products in leaves of Cattleya (Orchidaceae). — New Phytol. 68: 657–661, 1969.
Konow, E.A., Wang, Y.-T.: Irradiance levels affect in vitro and greenhouse growth, flowering, and photosynthetic behavior of a hybrid Phalaenopsis orchid. — J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126: 531–536, 2001.
Lootens, P., Heursel, J.: Irradiance, temperature, and carbon dioxide enrichment affect photosynthesis in Phalaenopsis hybrids. — HortSci. 33: 1183–1185, 1998.
Martin, C.E.: Physiological ecology of the Bromeliaceae. — Bot. Rev. 60: 1–82, 1994.
Martin, C.E.: Putative causes and consequences of recycling CO2 via Crassulacean acid metabolism. — In: Winter, K., Smith, J.A.C. (ed.): Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. Biochemistry, Ecophysiology and Evolution. Pp. 192–203. Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York 1996.
Martin, C.E., Higley, M., Wang, W.-Z.: Ecophysiological significance of CO2-recycling via Crassulacean acid metabolism in Talinum calycinum Engelm (Portulacaceae). — Plant Physiol. 86: 562–568, 1988.
Martin, S.L., Davis, R., Protti, P., Lin, T.-C., Lin, S.-H., and Martin, C.E.: The occurrence of Crassulacean acid metabolism in epiphytic ferns, with an emphasis on the Vittariaceae. — Int. J. Plant Sci. 166: 623–630, 2005.
Martin, C.E., Hsu, R.(C.-C.), Lin, T.-C.: The relationship between CAM and leaf succulence in two epiphytic vines, Hoya carnosa and Dischidia formosana (Asclepiadaceae), in a subtropical rainforest in northeastern Taiwan. — Photosynthetica 47: 445–450, 2009.
Medina, E., Olivares, E., Díaz, M., van der Merwe, N.: [Metabolismo de Crassulaceas en bosques humedos tropicales.] — Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 27: 56–67, 1986. [In Span.]
Milburn, T.R., Pearson, D.J., Ndegwe, N.A.: Crassulacean acid metabolism under natural tropical conditions. — New Phytol. 67: 883–897, 1968.
Miura, Y.: Changes in the CO2 evolution rate in cattleya roots during alternating light and dark periods as related to changes in the CO2 absorption rate of cattleya leaves. — Plant Cell Physiol. 25: 1567–1569, 1984.
Miura, Y., Murakami, T., Kobayashi, H.: [Dark 14CO2 fixation and translocation of 14C assimilates in cattleya plants.] — J. Jap. Soc. Hort. Sci. 58: 181–186, 1989. [In Japan.]
Motomura, H., Ueno, O., Kagawa, A., Yukawa, T.: Carbon isotope ratios and the variation in the diurnal pattern of malate accumulation in aerial roots of CAM species of Phalaenopsis (Orchidaceae). — Photosynthetica 46: 531–536, 2008.
Neales, T.F., Hew, C.S.: Two types of carbon fixation in tropical orchids. — Planta 123: 303–306, 1975.
Nuernbergk, E.L.: [Endogener Rhythmus und CO2-Stoffwechsel bei Pflanzen mit diurnalem Säurerhythmus.] — Planta 56: 28–70, 1960. [In Germ.]
Nowak, E.J., Martin, C.E.: Physiological and anatomical responses to water deficits in the CAM epiphyte Tillandsia ionantha (Bromeliaceae). — Int. J. Plant Sci. 158: 818–826, 1997.
Ong, B.L., Kluge, M., Friemert, V.: Crassulacean acid metabolism in the epiphytic ferns Drymoglossum piloselloides and Pyrrosia longifolia — studies on responses to environmental signals. — Plant Cell Environ. 9: 547–557, 1986.
Osmond, C.B.: Crassulacean acid metabolism — curiosity in context. — Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 29: 379–414, 1978.
Ota, K., Morioka, K., Yamamoto, Y.: [Effects of leaf age, inflorescence, temperature, light-intensity and moisture conditions on CAM photosynthesis in Phalaenopsis.] — J. Jap. Soc. Hort. Sci. 60: 125–132, 1991. [In Japan.]
Patel, A., Ting, I.P.: Relationship between respiration and CAM-cycling in Peperomia camptotricha. — Plant Physiol. 84: 640–642, 1987.
Sanders, D.J.: Crassulacean acid metabolism and its possible occurrence in the plant family Orchidaceae. — Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 48: 796–798, 1979.
Sekizuka, F., Kawamitsu, Y., Nose, A., Murayama. S., Shinjo, C.-Y.: Effects of water-stress on gas-exchange characteristics in Crassulacean acid metabolism plant, Dendrobium ekapol cv. Panda. — Jap. J. Crop Sci. 64: 235–242, 1995.
Šesták, Z.: Determination of chlorophylls a and b. — In: Šesták, Z., Čatský, J., Jarvis, P.G. (ed.): Plant Photosynthetic Production. Manual of Methods. Pp. 672–701. Dr. W. Junk N.V. Publ., The Hague 1971.
Sinclair, R.: Water relations of tropical epiphytes. III. Evidence for Crassulacean acid metabolism. — J. Exp. Bot. 35: 1–7, 1984.
Smith, J.A.C.: Epiphytic bromeliads. — In: Lüttge, U. (ed.): Vascular Plants as Epiphytes. Evolution and Ecophysiology. Pp. 109–138. Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York — London — Paris -Tokyo — Hong Kong 1989.
Sokal, R.R., Rohlf, F.J.: Biometry. The Principles and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research. 2nd Ed. — WH Freeman & Co, New York 1981.
Stiles, K.C., Martin CE.: Effects of drought stress on CO2 exchange and water relations in the CAM epiphyte Tillandsia utriculata (Bromeliaceae). — J. Plant Physiol. 149: 721–728, 1996.
Stuntz, S., Zotz, G.: Photosynthesis in vascular epiphytes: A survey of 27 species of diverse taxonomic origin. — Flora 196: 132–141, 2001.
Teeri, J.A., Tonsor, S.J., Turner, M.: Leaf thickness and carbon isotope composition in the Crassulaceae. — Oecologia 50: 367–369, 1981.
Ting, I.P.: Crassulacean acid metabolism. — Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 36: 595–622, 1985.
Winter, K., Osmond, C.B., Hubick, K.T.: Crassulacean acid metabolism in the shade. Studies on an epiphytic fern, Pyrrosia longifolia, and other rainforest species from Australia. — Oecologia 68: 224–230, 1986.
Winter, K., Smith, J.A.C.: Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. Biochemistry, Ecophysiology and Evolution. — Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York 1996a.
Winter, K., Smith, J.A.C.: Crassulacean acid metabolism: Current status and perspectives. — In: Winter, K., Smith, J.A.C. (ed.): Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. Biochemistry, Ecophysiology and Evolution. Pp. 389–426. Springer-Verlag, Berlin — Heidelberg — New York 1996b.
Winter, K., Wallace, B.J., Stocker, G.C., Roksandic, Z.: Crassulacean acid metabolism in Australian vascular epiphytes and some related species. — Oecologia 57: 129–141, 1983.
Zimmerman, J.K., Ehleringer, J.R.: Carbon isotope ratios are correlated with irradiance levels in the Panamanian orchid Catasetum viridiflavum. — Oecologia 83: 247–249, 1990.
Zotz, G.: How prevalent is crassulacean acid metabolism among vascular epiphytes? — Oecologia 138: 184–192, 2004.
Zotz, G., Ziegler, H.: The occurrence of crassulacean acid metabolism among vascular epiphytes from Central Panama. — New Phytol. 137: 223–229, 1997.
Acknowledgments
We are exceedingly grateful to Mr. Teo Peng Seng of the Woon Leng Nursery in Singapore for allowing us to sample the orchids in his greenhouses for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Martin, C., Mas, E., Lu, C. et al. The photosynthetic pathway of the roots of twelve epiphytic orchids with CAM leaves. Photosynthetica 48, 42–50 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-010-0007-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-010-0007-6