Simulation of Photosynthetic Capacity of Strawberry Plants at Different Leaf Ages

A mathematical simulation was carried out to study the photosynthetic capacity of strawberry plants (Fragaria X ananassa Duch., Benihoppe) at different leaf ages. It also compared the differences in chlorophyll and protein contents in the leaves in order to provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation of high-quality and high-yield strawberry plants. Our results indicated that the chlorophyll content in the functional leaves was 67 and 46% higher than in the new and old leaves and that the soluble protein content in the functional leaves was 21 and 13% higher than in the new and old leaves. Strawberry leaves at different leaf ages had a significantly different maximum photosynthetic rate; the maximum photosynthetic rate of the functional leaves was generally 1.5 times greater than the new leaves and more than 80% greater than the old leaves. The difference in the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves at different leaf ages was consistent with the difference in leaf structure and chlorophyll content. The simulation indicated that the total net photosynthesis of the new and old leaves was approximately 131 mmol/m2/d and 140 mmol/m2/d on clear days, only 62 and 67% the rate of the functional leaves.