Leaf age and eCO2 both influence photosynthesis by increasing light harvesting in mature Eucalyptus tereticornis at EucFACE

Only a few previous studies have examined how photosynthetically active radiation absorptance, pigments and electron flow change in mature trees exposed to long-term increase in CO2 concentration. We investigated pigment concentrations, leaf optical properties and quantum yield of old and new leaves exposed to ambient (aCO2) and elevated (eCO2) CO2 treatments. Leaf absorptance was around 90% in E. tereticornis trees across both foliage age classes and CO2 treatments. New leaves had 15% higher quantum yield with increased absorptance within the blue spectrum than old leaves; while they reflected and transmitted more photons. In addition, young foliage had increased mass-based concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoids; however, pigment concentrations were reduced when expressed on area-basis. Quantum yield was 9% higher in eCO2 than aCO2 across both foliage age classes. The CO2 effect was stronger in new leaves where the quantum yield was 17% higher in eCO2 than aCO2, but not different in old leaves between CO2 treatments. New leaves had higher transmittance of photons in eCO2 than aCO2, while there was no change in old leaves. Mass-based concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoids were reduced in eCO2 compared to aCO2 while concentrations of anthocyanins were higher in response to CO2 treatment. There was a significant effect of Age x CO2 interaction on ratio a/b with larger eCO2-related reductions in old leaves (–5%) but no change in new leaves. Generally, new leaves were more efficient in utilizing the absorbed photons than old leaves, especially under eCO2 which resulted in more carbon fixation. This implies that leaves can adjust their light harvesting capacity to eCO2, particularly in younger leaves which have higher photosynthetic activity.