Correlation between chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic rates and palisade chloroplast morphology in selected strains of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Abstract

The relationships between chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic rates and palisade chloroplast morphology (determined with stereological techniques) were investigated using two groups of cotton varieties grown in open fields. The first group was studied for two years and consisted of four strains, T-125, T-166, T-231 and T-766, which had no differences in net photosynthesis per leaf area of tissue (mg carbon dioxide/dm^/h). However, T-125 and T-166 had less total chlorophyll per leaf area of tissue than did T-231 and T-766. The second group, consisting of T-249 and T-301, had no differences in total chlorophyll, but did have differences in net photosynthesis per area of leaf tissue—T-249 had a significantly lower rate of photosynthesis per leaf area than did T-301.