Plasticity in the degree of CAM-cycling and its relationship to drought stress in five species of Talinum (Portulacaeae)

The degree of CAM-cycling was examined in plants from 23 populations representing five morphologically similar species of Talinum to determine how CAM-cycling correlates with site aridity and drought stress. In the field, CAM-cycling, as indicated by the amount of malic acid accumulated in plant tissues overnight, and stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) were positively correlated with an index of site aridity. The relative levels of CAM-cycling and δ13C values among populations in the field reversed when plants were grown under less arid conditions in a growth chamber such that populations with the highest average CAM-cycling and δ13C in the field had the lowest averages in the growth chamber. In both cases, plants from all populations showed significantly higher levels of CAM-cycling under drought-stressed conditions relative to conditions known or predicted to be less arid. CAM-cycling was also positively correlated with tissue water content in both well-watered and drought-stressed plants, possibly reflecting greater water conservation associated with reductions in stomatal conductance. Biomass accumulation in plants exhibiting the greatest degree of CAM-cycling in the growth chamber was suppressed by drought stress to a similar degree as in the other plants, yet reproductive biomass of these plants was inhibited to a smaller degree. Thus, the importance of CAM-cycling increases in these species of Talinum during drought stress, due to increased malic acid accumulation overnight, potentially enhancing their water status, survival, and reproduction.