Effect of Leaf Sugar and Starch Concentrations on Apparent Photosynthesis in Alfalfa

Rates of apparent photosynthesis (AP), dark respiration, photorespiration, mesophyll resistance, and concentrations of soluble starch, sugars, chlorophyll and nitrogen were measured in alfalfa leaves ( Medicago sativa L.) grown under high or low light levels in an attempt to evaluate the effect of nonstructural carbohydrate concentration on net CO₂ assimilation.
Leaf N and chlorophyll levels of high light plants exceeded those of low-light plants. Constant light increased both starch and sugar levels in low-light plants, but had little effect on high-light plants. Rates of AP declined in low-light plants upon transfer to constant light conditions, apparently due to increases in stomatal and mesophyll resistance. Leaf starch levels were negatively correlated (P > 0.05) with rates of AP and positively correlated with mesophyll resistance in both groups of plants but leaf sugar content was not correlated with either AP or mesophyll resistance.
Starch and sugar levels of high-light plants declined substantially upon transfer to constant darkness, while low-light plants were less affected. Rates of AP declined in both groups of plants due to increases in both mesophyll and stomatal resistances. Neither sugar nor starch levels were correlated with AP or mesophyll conductance in this treatment.
The data support the hypothesis of feedback inhibition of photosynthesis, mediated through an increase in mesophyll resistance, which is associated with high levels of starch in the leaves.