Does Bienertia cycloptera with the single-cell system of C(4) photosynthesis exhibit a seasonal pattern of delta (13)C values in nature similar to co-existing C (4) Chenopodiaceae having the dual-cell (Kranz) system?

Abstract

Family Chenopodiaceae is an intriguing lineage, having the largest number of C(4) species among dicots, including a number of anatomical variants of Kranz anatomy and three single-cell C(4) functioning species. In some previous studies, during the culture of Bienertia cycloptera Bunge ex Boiss., carbon isotope values (delta(13)C values) of leaves deviated from C(4) to C(3)-C(4) intermediate type, raising questions as to its mode of photosynthesis during growth in natural environments. This species usually co-occurs with several Kranz type C(4) annuals. The development of B. cycloptera morphologically and delta(13)C values derived from plant samples (cotyledons, leaves, bracts, shoots) were analyzed over a complete growing season in a salt flat in north central Iran, along with eight Kranz type C(4) species and one C(3) species. For a number of species, plants were greenhouse-grown from seeds collected from the site, in order to examine leaf anatomy and C(4) biochemical subtype. Among the nine C(4) species, the cotyledons of B. cycloptera, and of the Suaeda spp. have the same respective forms of C(4) anatomy occurring in leaves, while cotyledons of members of tribe Caroxyloneae lack Kranz anatomy, which is reflected in the delta(13)C values found in plants grown in the natural habitat. The nine C(4) species had average seasonal delta(13)C values of -13.9 per thousand (with a range between species from -11.3 to -15.9 per thousand). The measurements of delta(13)C values over a complete growing season show that B. cycloptera performs C(4) photosynthesis during its life cycle in nature, similar to Kranz type species, with a seasonal average delta(13)C value of -15.2 per thousand.