条锈病对小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)叶片光合功能及光合功能蛋白D1表达的影响

测定了小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)感染小麦条锈病后的光合常数,以及叶绿素含量、类囊体膜光合电子传递速率和光合反应中心D1蛋白的变化.实验显示,条锈病侵染导致感病小麦叶片净光合速率与叶绿素含量降低;抗病小麦经侵染后净光合速率却有恢复过程,叶绿素含量先降后升.此外,感病小麦叶片被侵染后全链电子传递速率受到抑制,PSII电子传递速率的变化与全链电子传递速率的变化趋势相似,但PSI电子传递速率受到的影响较小;抗病小麦小麦叶片被侵染后电子传递速率所受影响较小.同时发现,病程中,感病和抗病小麦PSII的光合反应中心D1蛋白含量变化总是与PSII电子传递速率的变化类似,推测D1蛋白的表达量变化是引起PSII电子传递活性与全链电子传递速率变化的主要因素之一.     

条锈病对小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）叶片光合功能及光合功能蛋白D1表达的影响

测定了小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）感染小麦条锈病后的光合常数,以及叶绿素含量、类囊体膜光合电子传递速率和光合反应中心D1蛋白的变化。实验显示,条锈病侵染导致感病小麦叶片净光合速率与叶绿素含量降低;抗病小麦经侵染后净光合速率却有恢复过程,叶绿素含量先降后升。此外,感病小麦叶片被侵染后全链电子传递速率受到抑制,PSII电子传递速率的变化与全链电子传递速率的变化趋势相似,但PSI电子传递速率受到的影响较小;抗病小麦小麦叶片被侵染后电子传递速率所受影响较小。同时发现,病程中,感病和抗病小麦PSII的光合反应中心D1蛋白含量变化总是与PSII电子传递速率的变化类似,推测D1蛋白的表达量变化是引起PSII电子传递活性与全链电子传递速率变化的主要因素之一。     

强光下硫化氢通过促进光系统II的活性来缓解水稻的光抑制

以水稻品种‘II优084’为材料,测定了强光胁迫下,水稻光合速率、叶绿素荧光快速诱导曲线（OJIP）以及O2ˉ·和H2O2在水稻叶片中积累的影响。结果表明强光胁迫下,水稻的净光合速率及气孔导度下降;光系统II（PSII）反应中心关闭的比例以及电子传递链中光系统II受体侧原初醌受体（QA）的还原程度增加;PSII反应中心电子传递的量子产额、能量以及传递到下游电子链的比率下降;光抑制下PSII的过剩能量向PSI的状态装换减少;自由基的产生增加。而施加作为硫化氢（H2S）供体的外源硫氢化钠（NaHS）后,上述影响PSII活性的指标的负变化被缓解,捕光天线复合体LHC通过在两个光系统之间的移动,来调节两个光系统的能量分配。强光下H2S处理能促进LHC离开PSII,与PSI结合,从而减少PSII分配的激发能,增加PSI分配的激发能,缓解了PSII的过度还原。以上结果表明外源H2S通过促进PSII的光合活性来缓解水稻光抑制伤害。     

不同干旱胁迫对山葡萄的光合作用和光系统II活性的影响

以山葡萄品种中抗性较强的‘左山一’和抗性较弱的‘双丰’品种为材料,利用气体交换分析和叶绿素荧光诱导动力学分析手段,研究了干旱胁迫对不同抗性山葡萄品种的光合作用和PSII活性的影响。结果显示,2种山葡萄叶片的净光合速率均随着干旱胁迫的加重而下降,并且细胞间隙CO2浓度升高,证明非气孔限制是干旱胁迫造成山葡萄光合速率下降的主要原因。JIP-test分析发现,干旱胁迫导致‘双丰’叶片相对荧光诱导动力学曲线中J点和I点相对可变荧光上升,同时出现了明显的K点,‘左山一’叶片的相对荧光诱导动力学曲线没有明显变化,说明干旱胁迫对‘双丰’叶片PSII电子供体侧和受体侧造成的伤害要显著大于对‘左山一’叶片的伤害,且干旱胁迫对‘双丰’叶片的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、吸收光能为基础的光化学性能指数(PIABS)、单位面积有活性反应中心的密度(RS/CS)及单位面积用于电子传递的光能(ETo/CS)的改变幅度显著大于‘左山一’。干旱胁迫通过干扰山葡萄叶片PSII电子供体侧、受体侧以及电子传递链的功能,严重的伤害了叶片光合机构的正常功能。干旱胁迫对抗旱性较强的‘左山一’PSII活性的影响显著小于对抗旱性较弱的‘双丰’葡萄。     

铅胁迫对玉米幼苗叶片光系统功能及光合作用的影响

通过同时测定玉米叶片的叶绿素荧光快速诱导动力学曲线和对820 nm光的吸收、分析叶片的气体交换过程以及叶绿体活性氧清除关键酶的活性,研究了不同浓度的铅(Pb)胁迫对玉米光系统Ⅰ(PSⅠ)、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的光化学活性和光合作用的影响,并分析了Pb胁迫下两个光系统的相互关系.结果表明:铅胁迫显著抑制了玉米地上部分和地下部分的生长、降低了叶片光合色素含量、并通过非气孔因素限制了光合作用、导致过剩激发能的增加;铅胁迫显著抑制了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性、伤害了PSII反应中心、PSII的受体侧和供体侧(放氧复合体)以及PSI光化学活性.     

外源硅对纹枯病菌(Rhizoctonia solani)侵染下水稻叶片光合功能的改善

为了进一步探讨外源加硅增强水稻对纹枯病的抗性作用,以抗病品种91SP和感病品种Lemont为材料,研究了人工接种纹枯病菌条件下外源硅对水稻叶片叶绿素含量、光合作用、叶绿素荧光特性和MDA含量的影响。结果表明：（1）外源加硅能降低抗病品种91SP的纹枯病病级和病情指数,显著降低感病品种Lemont的病级和病情指数;（2）接种纹枯病菌后,水稻叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）均明显降低,胞间CO2浓度（Ci）增大,而加硅处理的水稻叶片叶绿素含量、Pn、Gs不同程度增加,Ci有所降低;（3）接种纹枯病菌后,两个品种PSⅡ最大光化学效率（Fv／Fm）、PSⅡ有效光化学效率（Fv＇／Fm＇）、PSⅡ实际光化学效率（ФPSⅡ）、光化学猝灭系数（qP）和表观光合电子传递速率（ETR）均降低,非光化学猝灭系数（qNP）增大,而对于加硅处理的水稻叶片,上述荧光参数在纹枯病菌侵染条件下的变化均受到不同程度的抑制。（4）外源硅可不同程度地减缓纹枯病菌侵染引起的丙二醛（MDA）含量的增加,对感病品种Lemont的缓解作用要大于抗病品种91SP。可见,外源硅处理可以不同程度地缓解纹枯病菌侵染条件下非气孔因素引起的水稻叶片光合速率的下降以及对光合机构的破坏作用,提高光化学效率,改善叶片的光合功能,减轻叶片膜脂过氧化程度,增强水稻对纹枯病的抗性。     

外源Ca2＋对高温强光胁迫下灌浆期小麦叶片光合机构运转的影响

灌浆期叶面喷施10mmol·L-1 CaCl2对高温强光胁迫下小麦叶片光合电子传递、放氧速率、叶绿素荧光参数和D1蛋白的影响结果表明,Ca2＋预处理可保护D1蛋白,削弱其降解,提高光系统I（PSI）和光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）子传递速率、全链电子传递速率、净光合速率（Pn）、PSII最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、PSII实际光化学效率（ΦPSⅡ）和光化学猝灭（qp）,维持较低的Fo,最终导致小麦适应高温强光的能力提高。     

早熟桃夏季叶色转红过程中的光化学响应特征

比较研究了‘早美’和‘春蕾’2个早熟桃品种夏季叶色转红对太阳光能的利用和光系统Ⅱ的叶绿素荧光特征的影响。结果表明：早熟桃叶片色素组成的变化会显著影响其光合和叶绿素荧光特性。叶色转红后,早熟桃净光合速率（Pn）日均值、PSII最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、PSII实际光化学效率（ФPSII）均上升,无显著光抑制,而绿叶对照‘红花碧桃’的电子传递速率（ETR）、Fv／Fm和ФPSII值均显著下降,7月光合明显受抑制。叶色转红程度较深的‘早美’在夏季高温强光下表现优于‘春蕾’和对照。淬灭分析表明：叶片花色素苷的积累能在短时间内增加PSII天线色素吸收的光能用于光化学反应的份额（P）与用于反应中心热耗散的相对份额（D）。转红后的叶片光化学淬灭系数（qp）显著高于绿叶,PSII光化学效率较高,但耗散过剩激发能的能力显著低于绿叶对照。     

强光下硫化氢通过促进光系统Ⅱ的活性来缓解水稻的光抑制

以水稻品种‘II优084’为材料,测定了强光胁迫下,水稻光合速率、叶绿素荧光快速诱导曲线(OJIP)以及O2ˉ·和H2O2在水稻叶片中积累的影响。结果表明强光胁迫下,水稻的净光合速率及气孔导度下降;光系统II(PSII)反应中心关闭的比例以及电子传递链中光系统II受体侧原初醌受体(QA)的还原程度增加;PSII反应中心电子传递的量子产额、能量以及传递到下游电子链的比率下降;光抑制下PSII的过剩能量向PSI的状态装换减少;自由基的产生增加。而施加作为硫化氢(H2S)供体的外源硫氢化钠(NaHS)后,上述影响PSII活性的指标的负变化被缓解,捕光天线复合体LHC通过在两个光系统之间的移动,来调节两个光系统的能量分配。强光下H2S处理能促进LHC离开PSII,与PSI结合,从而减少PSII分配的激发能,增加PSI分配的激发能,缓解了PSII的过度还原。以上结果表明外源H2S通过促进PSII的光合活性来缓解水稻光抑制伤害。     

3个桃砧木品种对淹水的光合生理响应特征

以生产中常用的3个桃砧木品种毛桃、山桃和列玛格幼苗为试材,以正常供水为对照,采用模拟水涝试验研究了淹水对其光合特性的影响,探讨桃砧木耐涝的光合机理.结果显示:淹水胁迫下,3个桃砧木叶片净光合速率(Pn)、相对含水量(RWC)、水分利用效率(WUE)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、表观量子效率(AQY)、羧化效率(CE)和最大电子传递速率(Jmax)等均显著低于对照,而丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于对照.试验后期,淹水胁迫下列玛格叶片的叶绿素含量增加显著高于毛桃和山桃,MDA含量显著低于毛桃和山桃,且Pn、RWC、Tr、WUE和Gs下降幅度最小,光合能力最强,而毛桃次之,山桃下降幅度最大;3个桃品种的耐涝性表现为列玛格＞毛桃＞山桃.研究表明,淹水使桃砧木叶片膜脂过氧化加剧,气孔开度减小,水分代谢机能降低,光合电子传递和光合碳同化能力下降,光合机构受损,光合作用效率降低;而列玛格品种在淹水胁迫下叶绿素合成加强,叶片RWC下降缓慢,光能吸收、传递和水分代谢能力以及抗光抑制和光氧化能力最强,膜脂过氧化程度最轻,从而保持最高的光合能力.     

几内亚格木和降香黄檀对热带北缘地区冬季低温的光合适应

在热带北缘地区,冬季气温较夏季下降10℃左右,虽然热带植物对零上低温敏感,但是大部分热带树木能够适应热带北缘地区的冬季气温,其光合生理机制并不清楚。我们通过测定种植在热带北缘地区（21°54′N,101°46′E）的两种热带树木（几内亚格木和降香黄檀）的光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ活性以及光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ的能量分配的季节变化,发现这两个树种的光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ活性在冬季并没有下降。两个树种的光系统Ⅱ的有效量子产额在冬季明显下降,同时伴随着热耗散激发。在冬季,环式电子传递的激发与热耗散的激发呈现显著的正相关。环式电子传递的激发使得氧化态P700比例的上升,从而避免了光系统Ⅰ受体端的过度还原。化学试剂抗霉素A（PGR5途径环式电子传递的一种特异性抑制剂）处理过的叶片较对照组表现出更强光损伤程度。这些结果表明环式电子传递的激发是热带树木适应热带北缘地区冬季低温的一个重要的光合生理机制。     

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase pathway protects plants against photoinhibition by alleviating inhibition of the repair of photodamaged PSII through preventing formation of reactive oxygen species in Rumex K-1 leaves

The purpose of this study was to explore how the mitochondrial AOX (alternative oxidase) pathway alleviates photoinhibition in Rumex K-1 leaves. Inhibition of the AOX pathway decreased the initial activity of NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82, NADP-MDH) and the pool size of photosynthetic end electron acceptors, resulting in an over-reduction of the photosystem I (PSI) acceptor side. The over-reduction of the PSI acceptor side further inhibited electron transport from the photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers to the PSII acceptor side as indicated by an increase in V(J) (the relative variable fluorescence at J-step), causing an imbalance between photosynthetic light absorption and energy utilization per active reaction center (RC) under high light, which led to the over-excitation of the PSII reaction centers. The over-reduction of the PSI acceptor side and the over-excitation of the PSII reaction centers enhanced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inhibited the repair of the photodamaged PSII. However, the inhibition of the AOX pathway did not change the level of photoinhibition under high light in the presence of the chloroplast D1 protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol, indicating that the inhibition of the AOX pathway did not accelerate the photodamage to PSII directly. All these results suggest that the AOX pathway plays an important role in the protection of plants against photoinhibition by minimizing the inhibition of the repair of the photodamaged PSII through preventing the over-production of ROS.     

定向种植对夏玉米群体内光环境及叶片光合性能的影响

为改善玉米群体内光环境,进一步提高玉米单株光合能力以获得高产,本研究以郑单958为试验材料,通过设置种子定向入土方式,研究了定向有序种植条件下群体内光分布特征,以及单株玉米穗位叶花后光合性能,并借助快速叶绿素荧光动力学曲线分析了与叶片光合性能有密切联系的光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的性能特征.结果表明:叶片不同朝向显著改变夏玉米群体内穗位叶处光合有效辐射截获量,朝南处理(S)平均比朝北处理(N)高271.8%.不同朝向的叶片对高光与弱光的利用能力差异显著,朝南处理饱和光强下净光合速率(Pn)显著升高,表明其高光强利用能力显著提升;而朝北处理(N)表观量子效率(α)则随生育期推进显著增加,有利于叶片适应长期弱光环境.生育前期朝南处理PSⅡ电子供体侧和受体侧性能显著提高,进而改善了PSⅡ反应中心性能(PIABS)和荧光光化学淬灭系数(ψo),电子在电子传递链中转移效率(φEo)的提高增强了电子由PSⅡ向光系统Ⅰ(PSⅠ)的传递性能.生育前期叶片性能呈现出朝南>朝东>朝西>朝北的趋势.但成熟末期朝南处理对强光的利用效率显著降低,朝北处理在生育后期表现出较强的弱光利用能力,表观量子效率显著升高,花后40dPn与PSⅡ性能均表现为朝北>朝西>朝东>朝南的趋势.总体上,朝南与朝东处理群体内光环境改善显著,群体穗位层截获光合有效辐射较多,光合能力和干物质生产能力增强,有利于夏玉米产量提高.     

Effects of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Infection on Photosynthetic Activities of Tobacco Leaves and Chloroplasts

Changes in photosynthetic activities were studied with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaves and chloroplasts infected by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) at the top, middle and bottom located leaves. Net photosynthetic rate was reduced at all three positioned leaves, with the maximum reduction occurring at the top leaves (31.9% of control). The infected chloroplasts showed a reduction in electron transport rates of the whole chain electron transport, photosystem Ⅱ (PSⅡ) and photosystem Ⅰ (PSⅠ). Since the decline in the whole chain electron transport (15.6% of control, H2O→MV) closely paralleled the decline in PSⅡ activity (20.9% of control, H2O→PBQ), the inhibition of the latter was probably responsible for the overall decrease. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements showed a variable reduced fluorescence yield (Fv/Fo) which indicated that PSⅡ was impaired and the CO2 assimilation was disturbed by CMV infection. Fluorescence emission spectra at 77 K indicated that energy distribution between PSⅡ and PSⅠ was affected. F686/F734 of infected leaves and chloroplasts increased and the greatest increase (331.1% of control ) was found in the top leaves. These data may conclude that the infection inhibited mainly the PSⅡ activity.     

Concerning a dual function of coupled cyclic electron transport in leaves

Coupled cyclic electron transport is assigned a role in the protection of leaves against photoinhibition in addition to its role in ATP synthesis. In leaves, as in reconstituted thylakoid systems, cyclic electron transport requires “poising,” i.e. availability of electrons at the reducing side of photosystem I (PSI) and the presence of some oxidized plastoquinone between photosystem II (PSII) and PSI. Under self-regulatory poising conditions that are established when carbon dioxide limits photosynthesis at high light intensities, and particularly when stomata are partially or fully closed as a result of water stress, coupled cyclic electron transport controls linear electron transport by helping to establish a proton gradient large enough to decrease PSII activity and electron flow to PSI. This brings electron donation by PSII, and electron consumption by available electron acceptors, into a balance in which PSI becomes more oxidized than it is during fast carbon assimilation. Avoidance of overreduction of the electron transport chain is a prerequisite for the efficient protection of the photosynthetic apparatus against photoinactivation.     

FdC1, a novel ferredoxin protein capable of alternative electron partitioning, increases in conditions of acceptor limitation at photosystem I

In higher plants, [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin (Fd) proteins are the unique electron acceptors from photosystem I (PSI). Fds are soluble, and distribute electrons to many enzymes, including Fd:NADP(H) reductase (FNR), for the photoreduction of NADP(+). In addition to well studied [2Fe-2S] Fd proteins, higher plants also possess genes for significantly different, as yet uncharacterized Fd proteins, with extended C termini (FdCs). Whether these FdC proteins function as photosynthetic electron transfer proteins is not known. We examined whether these proteins play a role as alternative electron acceptors at PSI, using quantitative RT-PCR to follow how their expression changes in response to acceptor limitation at PSI, in mutant Arabidopsis plants lacking 90-95% of photosynthetic [2Fe-2S] Fd. Expression of the gene encoding one FdC protein, FdC1, was identified as being strongly up-regulated. We confirmed that this protein was chloroplast localized and increased in abundance on PSI acceptor limitation. We purified the recombinant FdC1 protein, which exhibited a UV-visible spectrum consistent with a [2Fe-2S] cluster, confirmed by EPR analysis. Measurements of electron transfer show that FdC1 is capable of accepting electrons from PSI, but cannot support photoreduction of NADP(+). Whereas FdC1 was capable of electron transfer with FNR, redox potentiometry showed that it had a more positive redox potential than photosynthetic Fds by around 220 mV. These results indicate that FdC1 electron donation to FNR is prevented because it is thermodynamically unfavorable. Based on our data, we speculate that FdC1 has a specific function in conditions of acceptor limitation at PSI, and channels electrons away from NADP(+) photoreduction.     

Effects of Phytoplasma Infection on Pigments, Chlorophyll-Protein Complex and Photosynthetic Activities in Field Grown Apple Leaves

Changes in contents of pigments, chlorophyll-protein complex, and photosynthetic activities were investigated in field grown apple (Malus pumila Mill.) leaves infected by Apple Proliferation phytoplasma. The contents of chlorophyll a+b (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) markedly decreased in infected leaves. Similar results were also observed for content of total soluble proteins and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity. When various photosynthetic activities were followed in isolated thylakoids, phytoplasma infection caused a marked inhibition of whole chain and photosystem 2 (PS2) activity. Smaller inhibition of photosystem 1 (PS1) activity was observed even in severely infected leaves. The artificial exogenous electron donors, MnCl₂ diphenyl carbazide, and NH₂OH, did not restore the loss of PS2 activity in both mildly and severely infected leaves. Similar results were obtained by Chl fluorescence measurements. The marked loss of PS2 activity in infected leaves was due to the reduction of contents of chlorophyll and light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein 2 complexes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of fast chlorophyll fluorescence rise (O‐K‐J‐I‐P) curves in green fruits indicates electron flow limitations at the donor side of PSII and the acceptor sides of both photosystems

Limited evidence up to now indicates low linear photosynthetic electron flow and CO₂ assimilation rates in non‐foliar chloroplasts. In this investigation, we used chlorophyll fluorescence techniques to locate possible limiting steps in photosystem function in exposed, non‐stressed green fruits (both pericarps and seeds) of three species, while corresponding leaves served as controls. Compared with leaves, fruit photosynthesis was characterized by less photon trapping and less quantum yields of electron flow, while the non‐photochemical quenching was higher and potentially linked to enhanced carotenoid/chlorophyll ratios. Analysis of fast chlorophyll fluorescence rise curves revealed possible limitations both in the donor (oxygen evolving complex) and the acceptor (Q_A^?→ intermediate carriers) sides of photosystem II (PSII) indicating innately low PSII photochemical activity. On the other hand, PSI was characterized by faster reduction of its final electron acceptors and their small pool sizes. We argue that the fast reductive saturation of final PSI electron acceptors may divert electrons back to intermediate carriers facilitating a cyclic flow around PSI, while the partial inactivation of linear flow precludes strong reduction of plastoquinone. As such, the photosynthetic attributes of fruit chloroplasts may act to replenish the ATP lost because of hypoxia usually encountered in sink organs with high diffusive resistance to gas exchange.     

Cyclic electron flow plays an important role in photoprotection for the resurrection plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraboea</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">rufescens</Emphasis> under drought stress

Resurrection plants could survive severe drought stress, but the underlying mechanism for protecting their photosynthetic apparatus against drought stress is unclear. Cyclic electron flow (CEF) has been documented as a crucial mechanism for photoprotection in Arabidopsis and tobacco. We hypothesized that CEF plays an important role in protecting photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) against drought stress for resurrection plants. To address this hypothesis, the effects of mild drought stress on light energy distribution in PSII and P700 redox state were examined in a resurrection plant Paraboea rufescens. Cyclic electron flow was not activated below the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in leaves without drought stress. However, CEF was activated under low light in leaves with mild drought stress, and the effective quantum yield of PSII significantly decreased. Meanwhile, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was significantly stimulated not only under high light but also under low light. Compared with the control, the fraction of overall P700 that cannot be oxidized in a given state (PSI acceptor side limitation) under high light was maintained at low level of 0.1 in leaves with water deficit, indicating that the over-reduction of the PSI acceptor side was prevented by the significant stimulation of CEF. Furthermore, methyl viologen could significantly increase the PSII photo-inhibition induced by high light compared with chloramphenicol. These results suggested that CEF is an important mechanism for protecting PSI and PSII from drought stress in resurrection plants.     

Photosynthetic acclimation to drought stress in Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck seedlings is largely dependent on thermal dissipation and enhanced electron flux to photosystem I

Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck, a crassulacean acid metabolism plant that is adapted to water-limited environments, has great potential for bioenergy production. However, drought stress decreases the requirement for light energy, and if the amount of incident light exceeds energy consumption, the photosynthetic apparatus can be injured, thereby limiting plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drought and re-watering on the photosynthetic efficiency of A. salmiana seedlings. The leaf relative water content and leaf water potential decreased to 39.6 % and ?1.1 MPa, respectively, over 115 days of water withholding and recovered after re-watering. Drought caused a direct effect on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in light-acclimated leaves, as indicated by a decrease in the photosynthetic electron transport rate. Additionally, down-regulation of photochemical activity occurred mainly through the inactivation of PSII reaction centres and an increased thermal dissipation capacity of the leaves. Prompt fluorescence kinetics also showed a larger pool of terminal electron acceptors in photosystem I (PSI) as well as an increase in some JIP-test parameters compared to controls, reflecting an enhanced efficiency and specific fluxes for electron transport from the plastoquinone pool to the PSI terminal acceptors. All the above parameters showed similar levels after re-watering. These results suggest that the thermal dissipation of excess energy and the increased energy conservation from photons absorbed by PSII to the reduction of PSI end acceptors may be an important acclimation mechanism to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from over-excitation in Agave plants.