GENETIC-VARIABILITY IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC RATE AND LEAF CHARACTERS IN BRASSICACEAE COENOSPECIES

Thirty-nine Brassica coenospecies grown in pot cultures during 1993 an d 1994 were screened for variability in photosynthetic rate (P-N) and leaf characters. There were significant differences among the species in P-N per unit leaf area, chlorophyll (Chl) content, specific leaf ma ss (SLM), stomatal resistance (r(s)) and individual leaf size. The int eractions species x year and species x date of measurement were small compared to the species effect. There was a significant negative corre lation between P-N and r(s) and a significant positive one between P-N and both Chl content and SLM.