Changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of european beech and Norway spruce under long-term exposure to elevated CO2

The changes of photosynthetic performance caused by increasing CO2 concentration are refl ected at diff erent hierarchical levels of photosynthetic apparatus from the effi ciency of individual photosynthetic processes to changes in leaf structure. Th e aim of this study was to elucidate the relationships between the ultrastructure and function of photosynthetic apparatus under elevated CO2 concentration. We studied two common tree species – the European beech and the Norway spruce – grown under ambient (AC) and elevated CO2 concentrations (EC). Photosynthetic parameters were obtained using the gas-exchange system LI-6400 (LI-COR, USA). Th e characteristics of chlorophyll a fl uorescence were obtained in vivo with FluorPen FP100max (PSI, CZE) and in vitro polarographically in a suspension of isolated chloroplasts. Non-structural soluble saccharides and starch accumulation was quantifi ed using HPLC. Th e chloroplast ultrastructure was quantifi ed by stereological methods (Ellipse 2.08, SK) on the images acquired on a JEOL JEM-1011 (JEOL, JPN). Th e light-saturated CO2 assimilation rate was stimulated by EC in both species. Th e assimilation capacity of EC plants slightly decreased and was accompanied by a slight decrease in the rate of electron transport and the rate of Rubisco carboxylation. Th e growth in EC induced higher energy dissipation by light-harvesting antennae, diminished PSII activity, resulted in greater PSI capacity and in higher accumulation of starch and soluble sugars in the leaves of both species