Photoinhibition of the CAM succulent Opuntia basilaris growing in Death Valley: evidence from 77K fluorescence and quantum yield

Diurnal measurements of low temperature (77K) fluorescence at 690 nm (PS II) from north, south, east, and west facing cladode surfaces of Opuntia basilaris in Death Valley, California were made on six occasions during 1985. The absolute levels of F _o(instantaneous fluorescence) and F _m(maximum fluorescence), as well as the ratio F _v/F _m(variable fluorescence, F _m-F _o, over maximum fluorescence), were greater in the north face relative to the other faces. Diurnal decreases in F _o, F _mand F _v/F _mwere found concomitant with increases in incident photon flux area density (PFD). F _v/F _mwas fairly low throughout the year, indicative of photoinhibition, but became somewhat elevated after a spring rain. In early fall the quantum yield of the south face was considerably depressed relative to that of the north face, and corresponding differences were observed in F _v/F _m. A decrease in PFD during growth of glasshouse plants led to an increase in chlorophyll concentration, F _oand F _m, but not F _v/F _m. Although there was some variability in the quantum yield of well watered glasshouse cladodes, a correlation was found between quantum yield and the light and CO₂ saturated rate of photosynthesis. When O. basilaris was water stressed under glasshouse conditions, reductions in quantum yield, F _m, and F _v/F _mwere observed. Reductions in F _v/F _malways indicated a reduced quantum yield, although the converse was not necessarily so in well watered glasshouse plants. The results of this study indicate that O. basilaris is likely to experience photoinhibition throughout much of its life in Death Valley.