A. Loewe et al., Mycorrhiza formation and elevated CO2 both increase the capacity for sucrose synthesis in source leaves of spruce and aspen, NEW PHYTOL, 145(3), 2000, pp. 565-574
The effects of mycorrhiza formation in combination with elevated CO2 concen
trations on carbon metabolism of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings and
aspen (Populus tremula x Populus tremuloides) plantlets were analysed. Plan
ts were inoculated for 6 wk with the ectomycorrhizal fungi Amanita muscaria
and Paxillus involutus (aspen only) in an axenic Petri-dish culture at 350
and 700 mu l l(-1) CO2 partial pressure. After mycorrhiza formation, a sti
mulation of net assimilation rate was accompanied by decreased activities o
f sucrose synthase, an increased activation state of sucrose-phosphate synt
hase, decreased fructose-2,6-bisphosphate and starch, and slightly elevated
glucose-6-phosphate contents in source leaves of both host species, indepe
ndent of CO2 concentration. Exposure to elevated CO2 generally resulted in
higher net assimilation rates, increased starch as well as decreased fructo
se-2,6-bisphosphate (aspen only) content in source leaves of both mycorrhiz
al and nonmycorrhizal plants. Our data indicate only slightly improved carb
on utilization by mycorrhizal plants at elevated CO2. They demonstrate howe
ver, that both factors which modulate the sink-source properties of plants
increase the capacity for sucrose synthesis in source leaves mainly by allo
steric enzyme regulation.