Diurnal variation of photosynthesis and photoinhibition in tea: effects of irradiance and nitrogen supply during growth in the field

Diurnal changes in the rate of photosynthesis (A) of mature tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) bushes grown at high elevation in the field in Sri Lanka, were related to environmental conditions. Bushes were either unshaded, receiving 100% of incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), moderately shaded, (65% PAR) or heavily shaded (30% PAR). These treatments were combined with nitrogen fertilizer applications of 0, 360 and 720 kg ha(-1) year(-1). When recently fully expanded leaves were measured under the growing conditions on bright, clear days from dawn to dusk, A was greatest in the morning with increasing radiation between approximately 8 h and 10 h. Stomatal conductances (g(s)) and substomatal carbon dioxide concentrations (C-i) were then large, leaf temperatures (T-L) cool, and saturated water vapour deficits (VPD) small. However, as the irradiance, T-L and VPD increased towards midday, A, g(s), photochemical quenching, and C-i decreased, and non-photochemical quenching increased. In the late afternoon, irradiance, T-L and VPD fell, but despite the relatively large increase in g(s) and C-i, A remained low; however, it recovered overnight. The zero-N treatment decreased total-N content of leaves by 50% and A by c. 20% (not significant). Leaves of unshaded plants receiving least N had significantly (P<0.05) smaller A and greater total sugar content than shaded but with abundant N, A and sugars did not differ between shade treatments. Analysis of the responses of A to environment in the morning compared to the afternoon, and of chlorophyll fluorescence, suggests that A was photoinhibited as a consequence of greatly increased PAR, whilst decreasing g(s) (related to changes in PAR, VPD and T-L) caused C-i to fall. End-product inhibition of A is not consistent with decreased C-i. Inhibition of A as a result of photoinhibition was minimized, but not eliminated, by abundant N. Interactions between factors regulating A in tea are discussed.