Gas exchange and production of photosynthetic pigments of Piper aduncum L. Grown at different irradiances

Abstract

The species Piper aduncum is a plant with great economic potential, because the essential oil has antimicrobial activity and insecticides. Thus, as the light directly affects photosynthesis process, the present study evaluated the gas exchanges’ variables and photosynthetic pigments’ production of P. aduncum grown under different irradiances. Treatments consisted in environments with 100%, 70% and 50% of irradiance and environments with colored nets (red and blue). After 150 days of culture, photosynthetic activity (A), stomatal conductance (gs) transpiration rate (E), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), deficit vapor pressure (DVP), leaf temperature, concentration of internal/external CO2 (Ci/Ca), carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci) and efficiency water use (A/E) were evaluated. Pigments chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, total and chlorophyll a/b ratio were also measured. From the observed data, it can be concluded that the species Piper aduncun developed various mechanisms for adaptation to different irradiance conditions. Moreover, it can be inferred that their photosynthetic process is more efficient and has larger spectral intensities of light, with higher efficiency photosynthetic when grown under 70% and 100% of radiation.