Photosynthetic Physiological Response of Porphyra yezoensis to Light Change at Different CO2 Concentrations

Abstract

The effect of different CO2 concentrations and their subsequent light changes on the photosynthetic characteristics of Porphyra yezoensis are not well understood. The relationship between the availability of CO2 and light to physiological traits of the thalli could help understand the response and adaptation mechanisms of P. yezoensis to extreme weather changes. In this study, the photosynthetic response of P. yezoensis to light changes at different CO2 concentrations was determined. Under low light intensity, the high CO2 concentration promoted the relative growth rate (RGR) of P. yezoensis by 22.79% compared to that of ambient CO2 treatment. The net photosynthetic rate and phycoerythrin (PE) content under high CO2 were also significantly greater than those under ambient CO2 treatment at low light therapy. Under high light intensity, high CO2 exacerbated the inhibitory effect of light on the RGR of thalli. The net photosynthetic rate and PE content were significantly reduced by 12.53% and 14.06% at elevated CO2 concentration under a high light intensity, respectively. Furthermore, the net photosynthetic rate was significantly decreased when the light intensity was rapidly reduced, especially under simultaneously elevated CO2 concentrations. These findings indicate that elevated CO2 concentration increased the RGR and PE content at low light intensity of P. yezoensis. In addition, this study provides a theoretical basis for the response and adaptation mechanism of P. yezoensis to extreme weather changes.