Acclimation of Photosynthesis to Light and Canopy Nitrogen Distribution: an Interpretation

摘要

• Background and Aims Acclimation of photosynthesis to light and its connection with canopy nitrogen (N) distribution are considered. An interpretation of a proportionality between light‐saturated photosynthesis and local averaged leaf irradiance is proposed by means of a simple model.• Model The model assumes (a) local irradiance drives synthesis of photosynthetic protein from metabolic N; (b) photosynthetic N is slowly degraded over approx. 5–7 d; (c) metabolic N is equally available through the canopy.• Conclusions The kinetics of acclimation at different light levels may provide a way of parameterizing and testing the model. The model provides a rationale for the proportionality assumption mentioned above, which, while it is consistent with much experimental work, is valuable because it allows canopy photosynthesis to be calculated analytically.