Acta Hortic. 1250. ISHS 2019. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1250.31 Proc. V International Symposium on Papaya Eds.: G. Fuentes Ortiz et al. 225 Leaf photosynthesis, photorespiration, and respiration in papaya genotypes (Carica papaya L.) with different leaf chlorophyll concentrations J.S. Paixão 1 , K.F. Ruas 1 , R.S. Aguilar 1 , J.R. Silva 1 , W.P. Rodrigues 1 , J.A. Machado Filho 2 , D.P. Abreu 1 , W.P. Bernado 1 , L.S. Ferreira 1 , J.A. Cabrera 3,4 , K.L. Griffin 5 and E. Campostrini 1 1 Plant Physiology Laboratory, LMGV, Agricultural Science and Technology Center, State University of North Fluminense, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil; 2 Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural-ES, Brazil; 3 Post-harvest and Food Technology Laboratory, Tropical Fruit Crops Department, Canarian Institute for Agriculture Research (ICIA), PO Box 60 La Laguna, Tenerife 38200, Spain; 4 Universidad de La Laguna, Carretera de Geneto, 2, La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; 5 Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. Abstract The papaya genotypes ‘Sunrise Solo’ (SS) and ‘Golden’ (G) are the two most important genotypes of the ‘Solo’ group cultivated in commercial plantations in Brazil. Although the G genotype has a greater acceptance in the external market due to the quality of the fruit, this genotype presents a lower yield (90 t ha -1 ) compared with genotype SS (120 t ha -1 ). This may be related to photosynthetic rates, since the G genotype has a lower total leaf chlorophyll concentration than the SS (SPAD reading of 33.9±3.6 vs. 53.5±2.4, respectively). Additionally, differences in yield may be related to differences in both photorespiration and leaf respiration rates. Therefore, the aim of this work was to compare the photosynthesis, photorespiration, and rates of respiration in the dark and in the light between genotypes SS and G. Both genotypes were grown in 40-L pots in a greenhouse located in northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Soil was fertilized and watered as necessary. Gas exchange measurements were performed using a portable open-system infrared gas analyzer (LI-6400, Li-COR, Lincoln, NE, USA). The net photosynthetic rate as well as Rubisco carboxylation and oxygenation rates (Vc and Vo, respectively) were determined at 08:00 am and 12:00 pm. Vo and Vc rates, as well as rates of respiration in light and in dark, were estimated from the light response curves with 24 levels of photosynthetically active radiation. Measurements were performed in completely expanded leaves (approx. 27 and 21 cm in length for the leaf central vein of SS and G, respectively) (n=4). Although the G genotype had shown lower photorespiration rates than SS at both 8:00 am (~17%) and 12:00 pm (~26%), our results indicate that the reduced yield of G genotypes (containing lower chlorophyll concentration) may not be associated with both photosynthetic and respiratory rate. Keywords: Rubisco, carboxylation velocity, pigments, photosynthetic capacity INTRODUCTION Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an important economic crop in tropical and subtropical countries (Campostrini et al., 2010). In Brazil, the national production of papaya is basically formed by the groups ‘Solo’ and ‘Formosa’ (Rocha et al., 2005). The cultivar ‘Golden’ (G) is a lineage originated from mass selection among ‘Sunrise Solo’ (SS) plants performed by the Caliman Agrícola S.A. Company in Espírito Santo State (Costa and Pacova, 2003). G presents great economic importance and profitability due to its excellent visual appearance. However, G gives a lower yield (90 t ha 1 ) compared with SS (120 t ha -1 ) (Faria et al., 2009). In addition, G has a yellowish-green leaf color due to the lower total chlorophyll content (Torres-Netto et al., 2009). The less green coloration in the leaves, caused by a lower chlorophyll content, results in a reduction in photosynthetically active radiation absorption, and prevents high leaf temperature (Lin and Ehleringer, 1982; Torres-Netto et al., 2009). These two factors,