Variation of Photosynthesis Along a Leaf in Zea mays L.

Abstract

Maize leaves are characterized by a complex architecture. The maize leaves are curved and this keeps changing with increasing leaf age. Due to the curvature of a maize leaf the amount of light intercepted may vary on different points on the surface of the leaf giving rise to a variation in photosynthesis on different positions along the same leaf. In this study semi-empirical models of photosynthetic light response curve have been used to understand the variation in photosynthesis along the 7th leaf of Zea mays P1625HR. The effect of increasing age on photosynthesis of a maize leaf was investigated and modelled. Non-linear regression was used to study the pattern of variation of photosynthesis with increasing leaf age.