银叶病对西葫芦叶片光合特性和叶绿体超微结构的影响

以西葫芦杂交种‘硕丰早玉’为材料, 烟粉虱诱导西葫芦银叶病, 研究了其对叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和叶绿体超微结构的影响。结果表明, 西葫芦发生银叶病后, 叶片光合速率降低, 气孔导度降低, 胞间CO2浓度增加。与健康叶片相比, 发病叶片叶绿体膜受损, 叶绿体数量和体积均减少, 基粒数和片层数减少, 淀粉粒数量和大小减少。西葫芦发生银叶病后, 叶绿体超微结构的变化可能是导致发病叶片叶绿素含量降低和光合速率下降的重要原因。     

Modelling the effect of air vapour pressure deficit on leaf photosynthesis of greenhouse tomatoes: The importance of leaf conductance to CO2

Summary

The response of photosynthesis of leaves of greenhouse tomato plants to leaf position and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) was studied by modelling the effect of these on leaf conductance to CO₂. The study was carried out in Avignon (southern France) on well-irrigated plants during spring and summer seasons, with VPD ranging from 0.7 to 3.4 kPa at midday, while the 24 h mean ranged from 0.6 to 1.8 kPa. Net photosynthesis (Pn) was measured on single leaves placed at three levels defined by the leaf position, and under different CO₂ concentrations in the range of 200 to 1100 µmol mol^–1. A model for leaf photosynthesis was used to evaluate the leaf conductance to CO₂ transfer. The leaf conductance to CO₂ transfer was maximum for top level leaves, and decreased with leaf depth in the canopy. Leaf conductance at the upper level was reduced when air VPD exceeded a threshold value of 1 kPa.     

Effects of CO2 on greenhouse grown eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) II. Leaf tip chlorosis and fruit production

The effect of CO, on leaf boron content, Leaf Tip Chlorosis (LTC) and fruit production of eggplant (Solanum melongena L., cv. Cosmos) was investigated in the spring of 1991. Two levels of CO₂ (413 and 663 (xmol mol^-1) were maintained in duplicate, in four glasshouse compartments (16 m x 16 m). LTC was significantly more severe at high than at low CO₂. Leaf boron content was lower in leaves with LTC than in other leaves and was lower in leaves from high CO₂ than in those from low CO₂. These results, in combination with observed reduction in leaf conductance (part I), support the hypothesis that LTC is caused by reduced boron translocation to young, fast growing leaves, because of reduced transpiration. More specific research on boron is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. Fruit production was significantly higher (24%) at high CO₂ than low CO₂, despite more severe LTC.     

绿斑病藻寄生对夏橙光合日变化的影响

 以盆栽的2年生‘奥灵达’夏橙为试材, 用LI-6400型便携式光合测定系统研究了绿斑病藻寄生的夏橙叶片光合日变化规律。结果表明: 轻度病叶(严重度为5% ) 净光合速率( Pn) 、气孔导度(Gs) 、蒸腾速率( Tr) 和胞间CO₂ 浓度(Ci) 的日变化与健康叶片相似, Pn和Gs日变化呈双峰型曲线,Tr日变化呈单峰型曲线, Ci在午前直线下降, 午后维持一段时间的较低水平, 而后逐渐回升, 光合作用有明显的“午休”现象, 主要受气孔因素控制; 中度病叶(严重度为40% ) 和重度病叶(严重度为80% )的光合日变化与健康叶片明显不同, Pn、Gs和Tr的日变化曲线整体大幅度下降, 变幅和峰值均小, 而Ci在午前下降缓慢, 午后一直保持较高水平, 光合作用主要受非气孔因素控制。     

Diurnal variations in gas exchange,chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and light allocation in soybean leaves: The cause for midday depression in CO2 assimilation

Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching analysis were carried out to investigate the diurnal variations in photosynthesis and light allocation in leaves of soybean. Leaf net CO₂ assimilation rate showed a bimodal diurnal pattern and midday depression of CO₂ assimilation was observed at 13:00 h. Depression in CO₂ assimilation at midday was mostly attributed to non-stomatal limitation since the reduction in net CO₂ assimilation rate was not followed by significant reductions in stomatal conductance and intracellular CO₂ concentration. Midday depression in CO₂ assimilation was found to be associated with reversible inactivation of photosystem II reaction centers and increases of antenna heat dissipation and photorespiration in response to the high light intensity. It is likely that PS II down-regulation, heat dissipation and photorespiration co-operated together to prevent the chloroplast from photodamage.     

Growth and photosynthesis of Oncidium ‘Goldiana’

SUMMARY

The growth and photosynthesis of Oncidium ‘Goldiana’, a popular tropical orchid for cut flower production, were studied. Four main developmental stages were identified: bud stage, plantlet stage, unsheathing stage and pseudobulb stage. Pseudobulb formation occurred during the unsheathing stage which was closely followed by the formation of an inflorescence. The pseudobulb is of the heteroblastic type (arising from a single node) and lacks stomata. It is a G, shade plant based on chlorophyll a/b ratio, C0₂ compensation point, post-illumination C0₂ outburst and light response curves. The formation of new sinks such as inflorescence and axillary bud have a significant effect on the rate of photosynthesis of certain leaves. The photosynthetic rates of leaves L₂ and L₃ increased during the development of the axillary bud and inflorescence respectively. Pseudobulbs have high water content and contain chlorophyll but show no sign of gas exchange in light and dark. However, fixation of C0₂ is possible in light with partial removal of the underlying cuticle.     

缺镁对菜薹光合作用特性的影响

 研究了缺镁对菜薹光合作用特性的影响, 结果表明, 菜薹叶片净光合速率( Pn) 、气孔导度和蒸腾速率的日变化均呈单峰曲线变化, 且均随缺镁程度的加大而降低, 缺镁还使Pn的高峰提早出现; 缺镁降低了叶片的光补偿点、光饱和点和饱和光强下的Pn max; 缺镁使叶片的CO₂ 补偿点提高, CO₂ 饱和点下降(Mg 1 mmol·L ^{- 1} ) 或提高(Mg 0) , 饱和CO₂ 下的Pn max下降。菜薹叶片细胞间隙CO₂ 浓度的日变化、对光强和外界CO₂ 浓度的响应受缺镁处理的影响很小, 表明缺镁菜薹光合作用主要是受非气孔限制。     

葡萄试管苗不同叶位叶片光合与呼吸的特性

 用CIRA - 2 型光合测定仪, 采用密闭系统落差法测定‘红地球’葡萄试管苗不同叶位的净光合速率(Pn) 和呼吸速率(Rd) 。结果表明, 葡萄试管苗具有一定的光合能力, Pn 值随叶位的升高而降低, Rd 随叶位的升高而升高, CO₂浓度的升高具有提高叶片光合速率和抑制呼吸作用的双重作用。随光强度的增大, 叶片的光合能力明显提高; 随温度的升高, 叶片的Rd 均呈上升趋势, 但Pn 呈现出先升后降的趋势。不同叶位的CO₂补偿点随温度的升高而提高。     

The influence of irradiance and external CO2-concentration on photosynthesis of different tomato genotypes

With 4 genotypes of tomato, irradiance and CO₂-response curves of net photosynthesis were analysed by means of curve fitting. Estimated values of the light compensation point I_c showed small but significant differences between the genotypes, the overall value being in the order of 8 W m^?2. The photochemical efficiency (α_n) and the maximum net photosynthesis per unit leaf area basis (P_nm) reached the highest values for ‘F6 IVT’ (13.3 μg CO₂ J^?1 resp. 0.549 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1), the lowest value of α_n with ‘Bonabel’ (9.9 μg CO₂ J^?1), and the lowest value of P_nm with ‘PI 114969’ (0.424 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1). The CO₂-compensation point (C_c) was relatively high (177–245 mg m^?3). ‘F6 IVT’ demonstrated the highest value of C_c, the lowest carboxylation efficiency and the highest maximum rate of net photosynthesis. The results clearly demonstrate that the latter genotype requires a much higher external CO₂-concentration than the other genotypes in order to exhibit the highest rate of net photosynthesis.     

Leaf gas exchange of green dwarf coconut (Cocos nucifera L. var. nana) in two contrasting environments of the Brazilian north-east region

Summary

Leaf gas exchange characteristics of green dwarf coconut were studied in two contrasting environments highlighting the technical aspects of construction of light-response curves in field conditions and its mathematical approach. Site I is at the south-east region of Bahia State in a hot and humid climate area. The contrasting Site II is located at the Pernambuco State in a semi-arid type of climate. Measurements of leaf gas exchange were accomplished using a portable photosynthesis system equipped with an artificial light source. Significant differences were observed between the two sites for the leaf-to-air water vapour pressure deficit and light-saturated (Qi ≥800.μmol m^–2 s^–1) net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Mean values of these variables, in that order, were 1.4 and 2.1 kPa, 12.7 and 8.3.μmol CO₂ m^–2 s^–1 and 0.36 and 0.13 mol H₂Om^–2 s^–1 at Sites I and II, respectively. Eight mathematical models relating both net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance with photosynthetically active radiation, were adjusted from the field data. Good results were obtained with the models, mainly when a linear function of leaf-to-air water vapour pressure deficit was included, indicating that the green dwarf coconut stomata show a strong dependence on water vapour pressure deficit.     

Nitric oxide alleviates adverse salt-induced effects by improving the photosynthetic performance and increasing the anti-oxidant capacity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) is an active molecule involved in many physiological functions in plants. To characterise the roles of NO in the tolerance of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to salt stress, the protective effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of NO, applied at different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mM), on plant biomass, photosynthesis, and anti-oxidant capacity were evaluated. The application of SNP alleviated the suppression of growth in eggplant under salt stress, as reflected by a higher accumulation of biomass. In parallel with growth, the application of SNP to salt-stressed plants resulted in enhanced photosynthetic parameters such as the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (T_r), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), as well as an increased quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), efficiency of excitation capture of open PSII centres (F_v’/F_m’), quantum yield of PSII ( _psii) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP). Furthermore, exogenous SNP also reduced significantly the rate of production of O₂^{? –} radicals and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂. It also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in eggplant leaves grown under salt stress. The results indicated that the protective effects of NO against salt stress in eggplant seedlings were most likely mediated through improvements in photosynthetic performance and the stimulation of anti-oxidant capacity.     

Photosynthesis and assimilate partitioning during rhythmic growth of green tea (Camellia sinensis var sinensis)

Summary

Shoot morphogenesis in green tea was used to define key events in development which occur during rhythmic growth. These stages are: stage I, no shoot extension or leaf expansion with a maximum number of leaf primordia in the apical bud; stage II, maximum shoot extension and leaf expansion; stage III, cessation of shoot extension and leaf initiation; and stage IV, cessation of leaf expansion while leaf initiation in the apical bud recommences. The apical bud appears dormant during both stages III and IV. Leaf primordia initiated during stage IV expand to form the new shoot during stages I to III. The newly expanded leaves are harvested, forming the green tea crop. Photosynthetic capacity and the pattern of carbohydrate partitioning vary during shoot growth, as defined by the stages of development. Net photosynthesis of mature, fully expanded leaves was highest (18.0 ;C;mol C0₂ m^–2s^–1) during stage I, at the beginning shoot growth and lowest (13.2 μmol C0₂ m^–2s^–1) during stage III, at the cessation of shoot extension. Maximum starch reserves in leaves and internodes of 12.5% (dw) and 22% respectively were reached at the cessation of shoot extension, during stage III, and declined significantly to 0% and 9% respectively at the start of shoot growth during stage I. At the start of shoot growth, the major part of ¹⁴C label was partitioned to the bud, with the developing leaf primordia assumed to be the major sink organs as leaf initiation had ceased. Changes in sink activity with ontogeny are linked to changes in both photosynthesis and partitioning of assimilates during shoot growth and culminate in rhythmic growth of tea.     

Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Bluecrop) under various shade levels

Blueberry can readily be shaded as a bush type plant, maybe affecting its growth and photosynthesis. Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry grown under various shade levels were investigated to understand acclimation under shade conditions and to determine the optimal light conditions for agricultural purpose. Shade decreased the number of shoots per shrub, but increased shoot length. However, shade did not affect the number of leaves on the main axis. With increasing shade level, leaf length, width and area increased, but leaf thickness decreased. However, there was no obvious tendency in leaf length/width ratio with increasing shade level. Shade leaves had less dense stomata than sun leaves, but stoma was bigger in shade leaves than in sun leaves. With increasing shade level, non-photochemical quenching in blueberry leaves increased and the values were higher at low photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) in shade leaves than in sun leaves, resulting in the decreases in quantum yield, electron transport rate and net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_n). The maximum A_n at 31, 60, 73 and 83% shade levels was 11.8, 11.0, 8.4 and 7.5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. Following the slight decrease up to 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD, stomatal conductance (g_s) linearly increased up to 600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD and became saturated at all shade levels. The leaves of the shrubs grown under the 83% shade level had a significantly lower g_s as compared to the leaves of the shrubs grown under the 31, 60 and 73% shade levels. Transpiration rate (E) linearly increased up to 600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD and was saturated at the 73 and 83% shade levels. However, E increased linearly at both 31 and 60% shade levels with increasing PPFD. The reproductive growth characteristics such as number of flowers, fruit set rate per flower bud and fruit yield also significantly decreased with increasing shade level. For agricultural purpose, therefore, shade level above approximately 60% of full sunlight must be avoided for optimal photosynthesis and growth of the ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry.     

Response of tomato plants to saline water as affected by carbon dioxide supplementation. II. Physiological responses

Summary

Photosynthesis of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. cv. F144) was studied under conditions of CO₂ supplementation and salinity. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of salinity on the acclimation of tomato plants to CO₂ supplementation. Plants were grown under either low (355.mmol mol^–1) or elevated (1200.6.50 mmol mol^–1) CO₂ and were irrigated with low concentrations of mixed salts. The highest salinity level (E.C. 7 dS m–1) was that used to produce quality tomatoes in the Negev highlands, in Israel. During early development (three weeks after planting), the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves was much higher under elevated CO₂, and other than a slight decrease in quantum yield efficiency as measured by fluorescence (DF/F 9 ^m ), no signs of acclimation to high levels of CO₂ were apparent. Clear acclimation to high CO₂ concentration was evide t ten weeks after planting when the net photosynthetic rate, photosynthetic capacity, and carboxylation efficiency of leaves of non-salinized plants were strongly suppressed under elevated CO₂. This was accompanied by reductions in carboxylation efficiency, Rubisco activity and PSII quantum yield, and an increased accumulation of leaf soluble sugars. The reduction in photosynthetic capacity in the high CO₂ plants was less in plants grown at the highest salinity level. This was correlated with an increase in the PSII quantum yield parameters (F_v/F_m) and DF/F 9 m ) but not with Rubisco activity which was affected by the CO₂ treatments only. These results explain the effects of high CO₂ on yields in tomatoes grown at high levels of salt (Li et al., 1999).     

Effect of CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis,growth and yield of tomato

Net photosynthesis of tomato plants was measured as CO₂ uptake in various light intensities, CO₂ concentrations, O₂ concentrations and temperatures during short-term experiments. Net photosynthesis increased significantly with increasing CO₂ concentration at all light intensities, even at the lowest one. The optimal temperature for photosynthesis increased with CO₂ enrichment. The changes in photosynthesis when the $\text{CO}{}_2\text{O}{}_2$ ratio was varied suggest that the effect of CO₂ enrichment is a result of a reduction in photorespiration.To determine whether the increase in photosynthesis caused by CO₂ enrichment would produce a greater yield, tomato plants were cultivated from seed to harvest in a tightly-closed greenhouse that was enriched with CO₂ continuously during the entire growing-period. The control greenhouse was ventilated by openings in the roof and door. The temperature of the 2 greenhouses was kept the same. Plants enriched with CO₂ showed a significant increase in fresh and dry weight and yield of tomatoes. The results are discussed in relation to earlier work in which CO₂ enrichment was discontinued when there was a need for ventilation.     

Abscisic acid alleviates the deleterious effects of cold stress on ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants by improving the anti-oxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity of leaves

The effects of exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) on anti-oxidant enzyme activities and photosynthetic capacity in ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) were investigated under cold stress. When vines had an average of 15 leaves, 0 (control), 50, 100, or 200 µM ABA was sprayed to run-off on all leaves of each plant. Twenty-four hours after foliar spraying with ABA, half (n = 5) of the water-only control vines and half (n = 5) of each group of ABA-treated plants were subjected to 4°C for 12 h, followed by a recovery period of 3 d under greenhouse conditions (25°/18°C day/night). The remaining plants in each treatment group were kept at 24°C. Cold stress increased H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in vine leaves, whereas all foliar ABA treatments significantly reduced their levels. Chilled plants showed marked increases in their total soluble protein contents in response to each ABA treatment. ABA significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase in cold-stressed grapevine leaves. In contrast, cold stress markedly decreased the rates of leaf photosynthesis (A) and evaporation (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), and chlorophyll concentrations in leaves, but increased intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i) in leaves. Treatment with all concentrations of ABA resulted in lower leaf A, E, and g_s values, but higher C_i values at 24°C. However, following cold stress, ABA-treated vines showed higher leaf A, E, and g_s values, but lower C_i values compared to control vines without ABA treatment. The application of 50–200 µM ABA allowed chilled vines to recover more quickly when re-exposed to normal temperatures, enabling the vines to resume their photosynthetic capacity more efficiently following cold stress. These results showed that, by stimulating anti-oxidant enzyme systems and alleviating cold-induced stomatal limitations, ABA reduced the inhibitory effect of cold stress on the rate of CO₂ fixation in ‘Sultana’ grapevine plants.     

Photosynthetic responses of greenhouse tomato plants to high solution electrical conductivity and low soil water content

SUMMARY

Greenhouse tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Capello) were grown in a peal-moss based substrate and supplied with nutrient solutions of high (4.5 mS cm^-1) or low (2.3 mS cm^-1) electrical conductivity (EC) and under high (95 ± 5%) or low (55 ± 8% of capillary capacity) soil water content, to elucidate how EC and soil water status affect plant photosynthesis and related physiological processes. Two weeks after beginning the treatments, photosynthesis (Pn) was measured during changes of photo-synthetic photon flux (PPF) from 0 to 1200 u.mol m^-2 s^-1 using a gas exchange method. The rectangular hyperbolic model (Pn = P_max KI (1-KI)^-2 -r) provided a good fit for the photosynthetic light-response curve. High EC treatment changed the curve by increasing the initial slope (quantum yield) and decreasing photosynthetic capacity at high PPF. However, soil water deficit not only decreased the photosynthetic capacity, but also decreased quantum use efficiency. Depression of Pn was attributed to decreased stomatal (gs) and mesophyll (_gm) conductances, but g_s was depressed more than g_m. The ratio of _gm/(g_m + g_s), an indicator of water use efficiency and a measure of relative control of Pn by carboxylation and C02 supply, was higher for high-EC treated plants. Chlorophyll content was increased by high EC treatment, and was consistent with quantum yield. Leaf water potential was decreased by high EC and/or low soil water content and the decreases in leaf water potential ultimately accounted for the Pn depressions. The effects of high EC and soil water deficit were additive on photosynthesis and most related physiological processes.     

Gas-exchange responses of rose plants to CO2 enrichment and light

Summary

This paper describes the response of gas exchange rates and water use efficiency of rose plants, by means of the characterization in situ and the analysis of the response of photosynthesis, transpiration and water use efficiency of whole plants to CO₂ enrichment under the irradiance conditions prevailing in greenhouses of southern France. Net CO₂ assimilation (A_n) and transpiration (E) of whole rose plants (Rosa hybrida, cv. Sonia) were measured during winter and spring periods. The response of A_n to light and CO₂ were fitted to a double hyperbola function (r² = 0.84). Maximum net assimilation rate (A_nmax), light and CO₂ utilization efficiencies (α₁, α_c) as well as light and CO₂ compensation points (Γ₁ , Γ_c) were calculated for the whole plant and compared with leaf and canopy data in the literature. The whole-plant characteristics generally had values intermediate between those related to leaf and canopy. Light saturation at sub-ambient air CO₂ concentration (C_a) was reached for relatively low PFFD values (300 µmol m^?2 s^?1), whereas at ambient and enriched C_a light saturation occurs for PPFD ≈ 1000 µmol m^?2 s^?1. Doubling C_a from 350 to 700 µmol mol^?1 increased A_nmax and α₁ by respectively 40% and 30%, while reducing Γ₁ by 27%. A threefold increase of C_a from 350 to 1050 µmol mol^?1 induced a reduction of 20% of E. Instantaneous transpirational water use efficiency, WUE (=A_n/E), is relatively insensitive to PPFD, although a slight decrease with PPFD is observed at high CO₂ concentration, but shows marked variations with C_a and leaf to air vapour pressure defiçit (D₁). Increase of C_a from 350 to 1000 µmol mol^?1 gave about 50% increase in WUE. Increase of D₁ from 0 to 2 kPa induced 30% decrease in WUE at ambient C_a and 50% decrease at 1000 µmol mol^?1.     

Predicting dry matter production of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. botrytis) under unstressed conditions: I. Photosynthetic parameters of cauliflower leaves and their implications for calculations of dry matter production

Measurements of CO₂ exchange of cauliflower leaves were carried out in a field experiment which included two nitrogen fertilisation rates. Irradiance and CO₂ concentration were varied at the leaf level within a leaf cuvette and additionally a temperature treatment was applied to field grown plants moved into climate chambers. These measurements were used to estimate parameter values of a rectangular hyperbola describing cauliflower leaf CO₂ exchange as a function of irradiance and CO₂ concentration. The obtained parameter estimates were used to derive empirical regression equations with temperature and nitrogen content of the leaves as independent variables. The resulting relationships were applied within a simple photosynthesis–respiration based dry matter production model in order to derive functional relationships between light use efficiency and irradiance, leaf area index and temperature.The rectangular hyperbola was able to describe the gas exchange data as varied by irradiance and CO₂ concentration on the single leaf level with sufficient accuracy, but estimates of initial light use efficiency (about 25 μg J⁻¹) were too high because of the bias emanating from the limited flexibility of this model. Light saturated photosynthesis rate (P_max) showed an optimum response to temperature and an increase with increasing nitrogen content of leaves. The initial slope α of the rectangular hyperbola showed no consistent responses to ambient temperature and nitrogen content of leaves. The respiration per unit leaf area β increased exponentially with increasing temperature, resulting in a Q₁₀ value of 1.86. Because only a limited number of plants was evaluated in this study, additional work is needed to further substantiate the results of the gas exchange measurements.The model analysis demonstrated that LUE is independent of the light integral over a range 5–10 MJ m⁻² per day photosynthetically active radiation if one assumes an adaptation of P_max within the canopy and over time according to the incident irradiance. Acclimatisation within the canopy and higher leaf area indices, LAI, reduce the decrease of LUE with irradiance but a substantial decline remains even for LAI values of 4.     

Seasonal changes in CO2 assimilation in leaves of five major Greek olive cultivars

Leaf CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance (g_s), internal CO₂ concentration (C_i), chlorophyll (a + b) content, specific leaf weight (SLW) and stomatal density were measured during the season, under field conditions, for five major Greek olive cultivars, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Megaritiki’, ‘Konservolia’, ‘Lianolia Kerkiras’, and ‘Kalamon’, with different morphological and agronomic characteristics and diverse genetic background. Measurements were taken from current-season and 1-year-old leaves, and from fruiting and vegetative shoots, throughout the season, from March to November in years 2001 and 2002. CO₂ assimilation rates showed a substantial seasonal variation, similar in all cultivars, with higher values during spring and autumn and lower values during summer and late autumn. Stomatal conductance (g_s) followed similar trends to leaf CO₂ assimilation rates, increasing from March to July, following by a decrease during August and increasing again in autumn. ‘Koroneiki’ had the highest leaf CO₂ assimilation rate and g_s values (21 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 0.45 mol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively) while ‘Lianolia Kerkiras’ and ‘Kalamon’ showed the lowest leaf CO₂ assimilation rate and g_s values (13–14 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 0.22 mol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively). One-year-old leaves had significantly higher leaf CO₂ assimilation rate than current-season leaves from April to June, for all cultivars. From August and then, leaf CO₂ assimilation rate in current-season leaves was higher than in 1-year-old leaves. There were no significant differences in leaf CO₂ assimilation rate between fruiting and vegetative shoots. Total chlorophyll (a + b) content increased with leaf age in current-season leaves. In 1-year-old leaves chlorophyll content increased in spring, then started to decrease and increased slightly again late in the season. Chlorophyll content was higher in 1-year-old leaves than in current-season leaves throughout the season. Total specific leaf weight (SLW) increased throughout the season for all cultivars. Stomatal density in lower leaf surface was lowest for ‘Koroneiki’ (399 mm⁻²) and highest for ‘Megaritiki’ (550 mm⁻²). Our results showed differences in leaf CO₂ assimilation rate among the five different olive cultivars, with a diverse genetic background, ranging from 12 to 21 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. From the five cultivars examined, ‘Koroneiki’, a drought resistant cultivar, performed better and was able to maintain higher leaf CO₂ assimilation rate, even under high air vapor pressure deficit. All cultivars had a pronounced seasonal variation in leaf CO₂ assimilation rate, affected by date of the year, depending on ambient conditions. The high temperatures and high air vapor pressure deficit occurring during summer caused a reduction in leaf CO₂ assimilation rate in all cultivars. Leaf CO₂ assimilation rate was also affected by leaf age for all cultivars, with old leaves having significantly higher leaf CO₂ assimilation rate than young leaves early in the season.