Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of photosynthetic activity in sun and shade leaves of trees

The differences in pigment levels, photosynthetic activity and the chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio RFd (as indicator of photosynthetic rates) of green sun and shade leaves of three broadleaf trees (Platanus acerifolia Willd., Populus alba L., Tilia cordata Mill.) were compared. Sun leaves were characterized by higher levels of total chlorophylls a + b and total carotenoids x + c as well as higher values for the weight ratio chlorophyll (Chl) a/b (sun leaves 3.23–3.45; shade leaves: 2.74–2.81), and lower values for the ratio chlorophylls to carotenoids (a + b)/(x + c) (with 4.44–4.70 in sun leaves and 5.04–5.72 in shade leaves). Sun leaves exhibited higher photosynthetic rates PN on a leaf area basis (mean of 9.1–10.1 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) and Chl basis, which correlated well with the higher values of stomatal conductance Gs (range 105–180 mmol m−2 s−1), as compared to shade leaves (Gs range 25–77 mmol m−2 s−1; PN: 3.2–3.7 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1). The higher photosynthetic rates could also be detected via imaging the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio RFd, which possessed higher values in sun leaves (2.8–3.0) as compared to shade leaves (1.4–1.8). In addition, via RFd images it was shown that the photosynthetic activity of the leaves of all trees exhibits a large heterogeneity across the leaf area, and in general to a higher extent in sun leaves than in shade leaves.