Biochemical and mesophyll diffusional limits to photosynthesis are determined by prey and root

nutrient uptake in the carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes × ventrata

Critic/Reflection Paper

In this study it emphasizes that prey nutrient uptake in carnivorous plants specifically the pitcher
plant can enhance photosynthetic efficiency in response. Different prey-derived and root mineral
nutrition had been introduced to the pitcher plant Nepenthes × ventrata to reveal photosynthetic forces.
The pitcher plants were fed with four different insects: wasps, ants, beetles or flies and was watered with
full inorganic solution. Carnivorous plants trap, digest and absorb animals in order to supplement their
mineral nutrition. Carnivorous plants use animals as fertilizer substitutes which allow them to survive on
nutrient deficient soils. Special features of the pitcher traps' surface are responsible for attraction and
trapping insects. Once caught, the prey is digested in the fluid of the pitchers to release nutrients and
make them available for the plant. Nutrients are taken up by special glands localized on the inner surface
of the pitchers.

The leaf biochemical and anatomical parameters together with mineral composition of leaves and
insects were also analyzed. Based on the analysis of the data the major factor of photosynthetic limitation
for nutrient-stressed Nepenthes × ventrata was mesophyll diffusion. The major photosynthetic limitation
after nutrient application was biochemistry. An increase in chlorophyll, pigment–protein complexes and
Rubisco content was the result of a better nutrient status of insect-fed and root-fertilized treatments.
Carbon assimilation enhanced because of both photochemical and carboxylation potential that resulted
in more biomass in leaves instead of pitchers because of various nutrient application that affected growth,
and root-fertilized treatment. The study concludes that nutrient-stressed (investment of prey-derived
nitrogen) carnivorous plants increase photosynthetic assimilation. Nutrient treatment affected the
equilibrium between biochemical and mesophyll limitations of photosynthesis.

The downside of this research is that the underlying mechanisms of increased photosynthesis are
largely unknown. Most research concentrated on the uptake of the prey's nitrogen and carbon; only little
is known on the utilization of other elements. This research can also be a reference for future researchers
who wish to study about carnivorous plants. Carnivorous plants have been fascinating researchers with
their unique characters and bioinspired applications. These include medicinal trait of some carnivorous
plants with potentials for pharmaceutical industry. Nepenthes possesses a cluster of characters that could
result in reduced photosynthesis can decrease photosynthetic activity. It proves that organic prey is
essential for N.ventrata to achieve higher photosynthetic capacity and metabolism only when plants are
subjected to an environment where inorganic minerals is scarce. Carnivorous plants grow terrestrially in
sunny, nutrient-poor and permanently moist habitats. The present results clearly demonstrate the
positive effects of experimental carnivory on increasing the chlorophyll and mineral content and
stimulating the rate of in the carnivorous plant N. ventrata. The ability of the laminae to increase biomass
and photosynthetic efficiency in response to prey capture may provide a competitive advantage for these
plants over non-carnivorous plants in sunny and nutrient-poor habitats. Further studies on carnivorous
plants that might give answers to basic questions in plant biology.

ISABEL L. PARRO