Effects of season, needle age, and elevated atmospheric CO2 on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and needle nitrogen concentration in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Six-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were grown in open top chambers (OTCs) at ambient (AC) or elevated (ambient + 400 mu mol mol(-1); EC) CO2 concentration for three years (1996-1998). Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence of current and one-year-old needles was measured in the field at two-weekly intervals in the period July-October 1998. In addition, Chi, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) concentrations in both needle age classes were determined monthly during the same period. Chi fluorescence parameters were not significantly affected by EC, suggesting there was no response of the light reactions and the photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2. Chi concentrations were not significantly different but a reduced N concentration was observed in needles of EC treatment. Significant differences between needle age classes were observed for all parameters, but were most apparent under EC and toward the end of the growing season, possibly due to an acclimation process. As a result, significant interactions between CO2 treatment, needle age class, and season were found. This study emphasizes the importance of repeated measures including different leaf/needle age classes to assess the photosynthetic response of trees under EC.