Photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange of in vitro grown tobacco plants as affected by CO2 supply

Abstract

Contents and functioning of photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange of Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves were studied in plantlets cultivated in vitro under different CO2 supply. The plantlets were grown for six weeks either in glass vessels tightly closed with aluminium foil (G-plants) or in polycarbonate Magenta GA-7 vessels covered with closures with microporous vents (M-plants). M-plants (better supplied with CO2) had higher contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and β-carotene, higher photochemical activities of photosystem 2 and whole electron transport chain, and lower contents of xanthophyll cycle pigments. Differences in Chl a fluorescence kinetic parameters between G-plants and M-plants were not statistically significant. M-plants had higher net photosynthetic rate, and lower transpiration rate and stomatal conductance than G-plants.