Genetic diversity of leaf photosynthesis under fluctuating light conditions among temperate japonica rice varieties

Abstract Under field conditions, solar radiation on a crop canopy fluctuates according to clouds, wind, and self-shading. The slower response of photosynthesis compared with the rate of irradiation changes leads to loss of photosynthetic carbon gain. Although some genetic differences in the rate of photosynthetic induction have been reported, the diversity among rice varieties is largely unknown. Here we evaluated genetic variation in the response of photosynthesis to a step increase in light intensity among 166 temperate japonica varieties including landraces and modern varieties. Large genetic variation in photosynthetic induction and less evidence of improvement across modern breeding programmes were acknowledged. In the correlation analysis between physiological traits for all varieties, the efficiency of non-stomatal processes was the major factor affecting the rate of induction. The landrace Aikokumochi, which has intermediate photosynthetic capacity, showed rapid photosynthetic induction—eight times that of the slowest variety. This was attributed to smaller non-stomatal limitation in the initial phase of induction and smaller stomatal limitation in the later phase than in reference varieties. Aikokumochi also had a greater photosynthetic CO2 gain without reduced water use efficiency under repeated fluctuating light. These findings demonstrate the importance of genetic resources to improve photosynthesis while maintaining water use efficiency under fluctuating light conditions.