Genetic Differentiation in Leaf and Whole Plant Photosynthetic Capacity and Unit Leaf Rate Among Clones of Phlox Paniculata

A model population comprising five genotypes of Phlox paniculata was used to investigate differentiation in carbon assimilation amongst those genotypes. Three methods were used to measure carbon assimilation, single leaf photosynthetic capacity, whole plant photosynthetic capacity and unit leaf rate (ULR). Genotypes displayed no significant differences in single leaf photosynthetic capacity and that character did not have a detectable genetic component. However, genotypes showed significant differences in both whole plant photosynthetic capacity and unit leaf rate, and significant genetic components were found for both characters. The differences in whole plant photosynthetic capacity and unit leaf rate are related to differences in plant architecture and modular demography. Erect, self‐shading morphs had lower whole plant photosynthetic capacity and unit leaf rate than prostrate morphs. The results suggest that the better measures of physiological parameters for use at the population level will be those which integrate over the whole plant rather than those which only measure performance of parts.