Gas exchange response of barley and pea cultivars to altitude variation in Himalaya

Abstract

Leaf stomatal density (SD), net photosynthetic rates (P N), and stomatal conductance (g s) of Hordeum vulgare and Pisum sativum cultivars in Himalaya increased with altitude. Higher P N and leaf temperature under low CO2 partial pressure at high altitudes could evoke a higher g s and SD to allow sufficient influx of CO 2 as well as more efficient leaf cooling through transpiration. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.