Photosynthetic Limitation as a Factor Influencing Yield in Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium Corymbosum) Grown in a Northern European Environment

TY - JOUR

T1 - Photosynthetic Limitation as a Factor Influencing Yield in Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium Corymbosum) Grown in a Northern European Environment

AU - Petridis, Antonios

AU - van der Kaay, Jeroen

AU - Chrysanthou, Elina

AU - McCallum, Susan

AU - Graham, Julie

AU - Hancock, Robert D.

N1 - This research was supported by Innovate UK (Grant/Award Number: 102130) in collaboration with the Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board, SoilEssentials, Marks and Spencer, S&A Produce (UK) Ltd, Delta-T Devices, Thomas Thomson (Blairgowrie) Ltd and Castleton Fruit Farm. The James Hutton Institute receives support from the Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government.

PY - 2018/5/25

Y1 - 2018/5/25

N2 - Published evidence indicates that nearly 60% of blueberry-producing countries experience yield instability. Yield is a complex trait determined by genetic and environmental factors. Here, using physiological and biochemical approaches, we tested the hypothesis that yield instability results from year-to-year environmental variation that limits carbon assimilation, storage and partitioning. The data indicate that fruit development depends primarily on the daily production of non-structural carbohydrates by leaves, and there is no accumulation of a starch buffer to allow continuous ripening under conditions limiting for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis was saturated at moderate light irradiance and this was mainly due to stomatal and biochemical limitations. In a dynamic light environment, photosynthesis was further limited by slow stomatal response to increasing light. Finally, labelling with 13 CO 2 at specific stages of fruit development revealed a relatively even distribution of newly assimilated carbon between stems, roots and fruits, suggesting that the fruit is not a strong sink. We conclude that a significant component of yield variability results from limitations in photosynthetic efficiency that are compounded by an inability to accumulate starch reserves in blueberry storage tissues in a typical northern European environment. This work informs techniques for improving agronomic management and indicates key traits required for yield stability in such environments.

AB - Published evidence indicates that nearly 60% of blueberry-producing countries experience yield instability. Yield is a complex trait determined by genetic and environmental factors. Here, using physiological and biochemical approaches, we tested the hypothesis that yield instability results from year-to-year environmental variation that limits carbon assimilation, storage and partitioning. The data indicate that fruit development depends primarily on the daily production of non-structural carbohydrates by leaves, and there is no accumulation of a starch buffer to allow continuous ripening under conditions limiting for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis was saturated at moderate light irradiance and this was mainly due to stomatal and biochemical limitations. In a dynamic light environment, photosynthesis was further limited by slow stomatal response to increasing light. Finally, labelling with 13 CO 2 at specific stages of fruit development revealed a relatively even distribution of newly assimilated carbon between stems, roots and fruits, suggesting that the fruit is not a strong sink. We conclude that a significant component of yield variability results from limitations in photosynthetic efficiency that are compounded by an inability to accumulate starch reserves in blueberry storage tissues in a typical northern European environment. This work informs techniques for improving agronomic management and indicates key traits required for yield stability in such environments.

KW - 13 CO 2 -labelling

KW - Vaccinium

KW - carbon assimilation

KW - carbon storage

KW - corymbosum

KW - sink tissues

KW - starch

KW - yield

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85047736424

U2 - 10.1093/jxb/ery118

DO - 10.1093/jxb/ery118

M3 - Article

C2 - 29590429

SN - 0022-0957

VL - 69

SP - 3069

EP - 3080

JO - Journal of Experimental Botany

JF - Journal of Experimental Botany

IS - 12

ER -