Differences in Characteristics of Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Utilization in Leaves of the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) According to Leaf Position

Robinia pseudoacacia L. has been widely planted worldwide for a variety of purposes, but it is a nonindigenous species currently invading the central part of Japanese river terraces. To understand and control this invasion, we investigated how this species invests nitrogen resources in different functions depending on the leaf location, and how these resources are used in physiological reactions such as photosynthesis. The Tama river terrace was examined in Tokyo, Japan. The leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll (Chl) concentration, Chl a/b ratio, leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCo) concentration were all significantly lower in shade leaves than in leaves exposed to the sun. Conversely, the net photosynthetic rate in saturated light conditions (P-max), the net photosynthetic rate under enhanced CO2 concentration and light saturation (A(max)), the maximum carboxylation rate of RuBisCo (V-cmax) and the maximum rate of electron transport driving RUBP regeneration (J(max)) were all significantly lower in shade leaves than in leaves exposed to the sun. We also found that RuBisCo/N and Chl/N were significantly less in shade leaves, and values of J(max)/N, V-cmax/N less in shade leaves than in sun leaves, but not significantly. Allocation of nitrogen in leaves to photosynthetic proteins, RuBisCo (N-R) was broadly less in shade leaves, and N-L (light-harvesting complex: LHC, photosystem I and II: PSI and PSII) and N-E (electron transport) were also lower. The N remaining was much greater in shade leaves than in sun leaves. We suggest that N remobilization from RuBisCo is more efficient than remobilization from proteins of N-E, and from N-L. This study shows that R. pseudoacacia has an enhanced ability to adapt to environmental changes via characteristic changes in N allocation trade-offs and physiological traits in its sun and shade leaves.

Automated summary

The invasive species Robinia pseudoacacia L. has been found to allocate nitrogen resources differently in sun and shade leaves, with shade leaves exhibiting lower concentrations of nitrogen, chlorophyll, and photosynthetic rates. This study suggests that the species has evolved to adapt to environmental changes through characteristic changes in nitrogen allocation trade-offs and physiological traits in its leaves.