The cause of the difference in leaf net photosynthetic rate between two soybean cultivars

Abstract

To explore the cause of difference in photosynthetic performance between different cultivars of crops, leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) and photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), apparent quantum yield of carbon assimilation (φc), electron transport rate, photophosphorylation activity, etc. were measured in two soybean cultivars, Heinong 42 and Heinong 37. At pod setting and filling, significant differences in PN between them were observed. The former with a higher PN (from 7 to 38 %) had a significantly higher leaf thickness, leaf dry mass/area (LMA), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, apparent quantum yield of electron transport through PS2 (φe), carboxylation efficiency (CE), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC) activity. The significantly higher PN of Heinong 42 is mainly due to its higher content and activity of RuBPC.