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Response of Andropogon gerardii (Poaceae) to Fire-Induced High vs. Low Irradiance Environments in Tallgrass Prairie: Leaf Structure and Photosynthetic Pigments
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Response of Andropogon gerardii (Poaceae) to Fire-Induced High vs. Low Irradiance Environments in Tallgrass Prairie: Leaf Structure and Photosynthetic Pigments

Alan K. Knapp and Frank S. Gilliam
American journal of botany, Vol.72(11), pp.1668-1671
11/1985
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1985.tb08435.x

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Abstract

Photosynthetic pigments and several structural characteristics were measured in leaves of Andropogon gerardii from tallgrass prairie populations in an unburned, low‐irradiance site and a burned, high‐irradiance site to determine if these species displayed sun/shade differences similar to those documented in forest species. Early in the growing season, leaves of A. gerardii in the low‐irradiance, unburned site had significantly lower stomatal density, pore length, and conductance, as well as specific leaf mass and thickness than leaves from the high‐irradiance, burned site. Moreover, the chlorophyll a:b ratio, carotenoid content, and bundle sheath‐vascular complex area were significantly lower, but chlorophyll content (mass/mass) was greater in leaves in unburned vs. burned sites. These differences are consistent with sun/shade adaptations reported for forest understory plants and may contribute to the low productivity of A. gerardii in unburned tallgrass prairie.

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