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Drought Adaptation in Opuntia basilaris

Significance of Recycling Carbon through Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ¹

^a Department of Biology and the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, University of California, Riverside, California 92502

Contrasting metabolic regimes operate in Opuntia basilaris Engelm. and Bigelov, before and after precipitation. During periods of drought, atmospheric CO₂ exchange and transpiration are greatly reduced throughout the day/night cycle by stomatal closure and a highly impervious cuticle. The hypothesis is that endogenously produced CO₂ is retained and recycled through dark CO₂ fixation, organic acid transformations, photosynthesis, and respiration. Immediately following precipitation, nighttime stomatal opening is initiated, permitting increased atmospheric CO₂ assimilation and organic acid synthesis.

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