ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses recent results obtained in the study of carbon isotope discrimination, especially in carbohydrate, in relation to photosynthesis, productivity and Plant water-use efficiency (WUE) in species. It discusses the relevance of the analysis of carbon isotope discrimination in plant carbohydrates for studying variation in plant productivity and WUE during the ontogeny. The fractionation of carbon isotopes during photosynthesis depends on physical and chemical processes. Extensive reviews have covered the area of carbon isotope discrimination and its physical and chemical basis. Carbon isotope discrimination measured in grain, leaves and other structural carbon pools was positively correlated with grain yield and, generally with biomass production.
