δ13C of organic matter transported from the leaves to the roots in Eucalyptus delegatensis: short-term variations and relation to respired CO2

Abstract

Post-photosynthetic carbon isotope fractionation might alter the isotopic signal imprinted on organic matter (OM) during primary carbon fixation by Rubisco. To characterise the influence of post-photosynthetic processes, we investigated the effect of starch storage and remobilisation on the stable carbon isotope signature (δ13C) of different carbon pools in the Eucalyptus delegatensis R. T. Baker leaf and the potential carbon isotope fractionation associated with phloem transport and respiration. Twig phloem exudate and leaf water-soluble OM showed diel variations in δ13C of up to 2.5 and 2‰, respectively, with 13C enrichment during the night and depletion during the day. Damped diel variation was also evident in bulk lipids of the leaf and in the leaf wax fraction. δ13C of nocturnal phloem exudate OM corresponded with the δ13C of carbon released from starch. There was no change in δ13C of phloem carbon along the trunk. CO2 emitted from trunks and roots was 13C enriched compared with the potential organic substrate, and depleted compared with soil-emitted CO2. The results are consistent with transitory starch accumulation and remobilisation governing the diel rhythm of δ13C in phloem-transported OM and fragmentation fractionation occurring during respiration. When using δ13C of OM or CO2 for assessing ecosystem processes or plant reactions towards environmental constraints, post-photosynthetic discrimination should be considered.