Physiological effects of sulphur dioxide. 1. The effect of SO2 on photosynthesis and stomatal regulation of Vicia faba L.
Abstract. The effect of short-term SO2 fumigation on photosynthesis and transpiration of Vicia faba L. was measured at different irradiances and SO2 concentrations. At high irradiances photosynthetic rates were reduced when leaves were exposed to SO2 and the magnitude of the reduction was linearly related to the rate of SO2 uptake through the stomata. Photosynthetic rates stabilized within 2 h after the start of fumigation. 
 
The effect of SO2 on photosynthesis was measured at different CO2 concentrations to analyse the contribution of stomatal and non-stomatal factors to photosynthetic inhibition. Mesophyll resistance to CO2 diffusion increased as a result of SO2 exposure and caused a rapid reduction in photosynthesis after the start of fumigation. Stomatal resistance was not affected directly by SO2 fumigation, but indirectly as a result of a feedback loop between net photosynthesis and internal CO2 concentration. 
 
Analysis of gas-exchange measurements in biochemical terms indicated that photosynthetic inhibition during SO2 exposure can be explained by a stronger reduction in the affinity of RBP carboxylase/oxygenase for CO2 than for O2.