PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN HIGHER PLANTS 149
11.10 FACTORS AFFECTING PHOTOSYNTHESIS
An understanding of the factors that affect photosynthesis is necessary.
The rate of photosynthesis is very important in determining the yield of
plants including crop plants. Photosynthesis is under the influence of
several factors, both internal (plant) and external. The plant factors include
the number, size, age and orientation of leaves, mesophyll cells and
chloroplasts, internal CO2 concentration and the amount of chlorophyll.
The plant or internal factors are dependent on the genetic predisposition
and the growth of the plant.
The external factors would include the availability of sunlight,
temperature, CO2 concentration and water. As a plant photosynthesises,
all these factors will simultaneously affect its rate. Hence, though several
factors interact and simultaneously affect photosynthesis or CO2 fixation,
usually one factor is the major cause or is the one that limits the rate.
Hence, at any point the rate will be determined by the factor available at
sub-optimal levels.
When several factors affect any [bio] chemical process, Blackman’s
(1905) Law of Limiting Factors comes into effect. This states the following:
If a chemical process is affected by more than one factor, then its
rate will be determined by the factor which is nearest to its minimal
value: it is the factor which directly affects the process if its quantity is
changed.
For example, despite the presence of a green
leaf and optimal light and CO2 conditions, the
plant may not photosynthesise if the temperature
is very low. This leaf, if given the optimal
temperature, will start photosynthesising.
Rate of photosynthesis
11.10.1 Light C
B
We need to distinguish between light quality, light E
intensity and the duration of exposure to light,
while discussing light as a factor that affects A
photosynthesis. There is a linear relationship
between incident light and CO2 fixation rates at
low light intensities. At higher light intensities,
gradually the rate does not show further increase
as other factors become limiting (Figure 11.10). D
What is interesting to note is that light saturation Light intensity
occurs at 10 per cent of the full sunlight. Hence,
except for plants in shade or in dense forests, light Figure 11.10 Graph of light intensity on the
is rarely a limiting factor in nature. Increase in rate of photosynthesis
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150 BIOLOGY
incident light beyond a point causes the breakdown of chlorophyll and a
decrease in photosynthesis.
11.10.2 Carbon dioxide Concentration
Carbon dioxide is the major limiting factor for photosynthesis. The
concentration of CO2 is very low in the atmosphere (between 0.03 and
0.04 per cent). Increase in concentration upto 0.05 per cent can cause an
increase in CO2 fixation rates; beyond this the levels can become damaging
over longer periods.
The C3 and C4 plants respond differently to CO2 concentrations. At
low light conditions neither group responds to high CO2 conditions. At
high light intensities, both C3 and C4 plants show increase in the rates of
photosynthesis. What is important to note is that the C4 plants show
saturation at about 360 µlL-1 while C3 responds to increased CO2
concentration and saturation is seen only beyond 450 µlL-1. Thus, current
availability of CO2 levels is limiting to the C3 plants.
The fact that C3 plants respond to higher CO2 concentration by
showing increased rates of photosynthesis leading to higher productivity
has been used for some greenhouse crops such as tomatoes and bell
pepper. They are allowed to grow in carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere
that leads to higher yields.
11.10.3 Temperature
The dark reactions being enzymatic are temperature controlled. Though
the light reactions are also temperature sensitive they are affected to a
much lesser extent. The C4 plants respond to higher temperatures and
show higher rate of photosynthesis while C3 plants have a much lower
temperature optimum.
The temperature optimum for photosynthesis of different plants also
depends on the habitat that they are adapted to. Tropical plants have a
higher temperature optimum than the plants adapted to temperate
climates.
11.10.4 Water
Even though water is one of the reactants in the light reaction, the effect of
water as a factor is more through its effect on the plant, rather than directly
on photosynthesis. Water stress causes the stomata to close hence reducing
the CO2 availability. Besides, water stress also makes leaves wilt, thus,
reducing the surface area of the leaves and their metabolic activity as well.
Rationalised 2023-24