Stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis in field-grown grapevine cultivars

Diurnal changes of photosynthesis in the leaves of grapevine (Vitis vinifera × V. labrusca) cultivars Campbell Early and Kyoho grown in the field were compared with respect to gas exchanges and actual quantum yield of photosystem 2 (ΦPS2) in late May. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) of the two cultivars rapidly increased in the morning, saturated at photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from 1200 to 1500 µmol m-2 s-1 between 10:00 and 12:00 and slowly decreased after midday. Maximum PN was 13.7 and 12.5 µmol m-2 s-1 in Campbell Early and Kyoho, respectively. The stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate changed in parallel with PN, indicating that PN was greatly affected by gs. However, the decrease in PN after midday under saturating PPFD was also associated with the observed depression of ΦPS2 at high PPFD. The substantial increase in the leaf to air vapour pressure deficit after midday might also contribute to decline of gs and PN.