Kalanchoe Beharensis - Carbon Fixation

Carbon Fixation

The first field study of crassulacean acid metabolism, a type of carbon fixation, has been done on Kalanchoe beharensis Drake Del Castillo, in a paper by Kluge et al. entitled "In situ studies of crassulacean acid metabolism in Kalanchoe beharensis Drake Del Castillo, a plant of the semi-arid southern region of Madagascar." The study includes information on diel patterns of CO₂ exchange and transpiration. It also includes measurements of fluctuations in organic acid levels, PEP carboxylase properties and water relations. Some conclusions of this study are that Kalanchoe beharensis advantageously performs CAM fully during the entire arid seasons, avoiding CAM idling. This plant can do this because of its ability to maintain the correct water balance in its leaves, even in periods of drought.