The study aimed to investigate the influence of leaf temperature variation associated with irrigation
suspension on gas exchange of seedlings of
Sclerolobium paniculatum
Vogel. The study was carried out in
a greenhouse at experimental area of Embrapa, Amazônia Ocidental. Plants were grown in a greenhouse
and, after four months were subjected to three treatments (irrigated maintained until the field capacity,
irrigation suspended for eight and 14 days). We evaluated the physiological parameters of gas exchange,
net assimilation rate of CO
2 (A), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (
gs) and water use efficiency
(WUE) which were obtained through a photosynthesis portable meter (CI-340, CID, Inc). The results showed
reduction of net assimilation rate of CO
2 depending on the elevation of the leaf temperature and without
irrigation. After eight days without irrigation, decreased rates of photosynthetic assimilation of CO
2 in 62,
65, 75, 58, 50 and 64%, and after 14 days the reduction was 80, 85, 85, 84, 86 and 93% compared to plants
irrigated maintained at temperatures of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 °C, respectively. The leaf transpiration
was inversely proportional to rates of net photosynthetic assimilation of CO
2, which has increased with
an increased leaf temperature. The physiological behavior of gas exchange of
Sclerolobium paniculatum
showed variations both as regards to the effect of leaf temperature as the suspension of irrigation.