Photosynthesis in Trianthema monogyna L. During leaf development

Chlorophyll content, rats of photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation, initial and ling term products of photosynthesis and the activity of carboxylating, decarboxylating and photo-respiratory enzymes in the leaves of Trianthema monogyna L., a common weed, were investigated at various stages of development. The studies revealed that T. monogyna can be classified as a “NADP-ME type” C₄ plant. It was observed that the rate of photosynthesis declined during the later stages of development with a concurrent decrease in chlorophyll content and the levels of PEPC and RuBPC. During senescence activity of C₄ enzymes declined, while that of C₃ enzymes increased. The activities of other photo-synthetic enzymes and those of glycolate oxidase, and phosphoglycdate phosphatase also differed accordingly with the age of the leaf.