Growth Versus Net Photosynthesis in Clones of Ficus benjamina

Abstract

Clones of Ficus benjamina L. differed by up to 18% in leaf net photosynthetic rates (P N ) measured at various leaf positions. Differences in stomatal conductance (G s ), internal CO 2 concentration (C I ), and transpiration (T) were observed in one study. The uppermost leaves showed lower P N and higher T rates than lower leaves. Total leaf area, total fresh or dry leaf weight, and total biomass above soil differed among clones. The difference in above-ground dry weight between the fastest- and slowest-growing clones increased during growth, reaching 37% at the end of the experiments. Photosynthetic measurements could not be correlated with growth, although, in one study, the fastest-growing clones also had the highest P N rates.