CO2 assimilation, xanthophyll cycle pigments and PSII efficiency in pumpkin plants as affected by ozone fumigation

CO₂ assimilation, xanthophyll cycle pigments and PSII efficiency were analyzed in two different ages of pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Ambassador) exposed to 150 nmol mol^-1 of ozone (5 days, 5 h day^-1). Gas-exchange measurements revealed a reduction in CO₂ assimilation and stomatal conductance, accompanied by an increase in the intercellular CO₂ concentration both in young and in mature leaves as compared to their respective controls. In both leaves, F₀ remained unchanged, while F_m and the F_v/F_m ratio decreased after O₃ fumigation, indicating that ozone may induce an alteration in the capability of photosystem II (PSII) to reduce the primary acceptor Q_A. In the mature leaves the photochemical quenching (q_p) was significantly lowered by the pollutant, but this was not the case in the young leaves where q_p did not change. In both mature and young ozonated pumpkin leaves, the development of non-photochemical quenching caused a decrease in the PSII photochemical rate, as shown by the correlation between F_v/F_m and the de-epoxidation state of dark-adapted leaves. Decreases in the F_v/F_m ratio are generally attributed to damage to the PSII reaction centre, apart from the down-regulation of the capacity of PSII electron transport. While in young ozonated leaves the decrease in the F_v/F_m ratio was not associated with damage to the D1 protein, in mature ozonated pumpkin leaves, the decrease in the F_v/F_m was accompanied by a significant decline in the D1 content. In conclusion, ozone exposure induces alterations in the light reactions of photosynthesis in both young and mature leaves. However, in young leaves the engagement of the xanthophyll cycle appears to counteract ozone effects against the photosynthetic apparatus as demonstrated by the absence of damage to the D1 protein. On the other hand, the loss of D1 protein in mature fumigated leaves suggests that the activation of the xanthophyll cycle is not sufficient to prevent photoinhibition, probably because a physiological state of senescence adds to the oxidative stress.     

Cold-hardening-induced resistance to photoinhibition of photosynthesis in winter rye is dependent upon an increased capacity for photosynthesis

Analyses of chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic oxygen evolution were conducted to understand why cold-hardened winter rye (Secale cereale L.) is more resistant to photoinhibition of photosynthesis than is non-hardened winter rye. Under similar light and temperature conditions, leaves of cold-hardened rye were able to keep a larger fraction of the PS II reaction centres in an open configuration, i.e. a higher ratio of oxidized to reduced Q_A (the primary, stable quinone acceptor of PSII), than leaves of non-hardened rye. Three fold-higher photon fluence rates were required for cold-hardened leaves than for non-hardened leaves in order to establish the same proportion of oxidized to reduced Q_A. This ability of cold-hardened rye fully accounted for its higher resistance to photoinhibition; under similar redox states of q_a cold-hardened and non-hardened leaves of winter rye exhibited similar sensitivities to photoinhibition. Under given light and temperature conditions, it was the higher capacity for light-saturated photosynthesis in cold-hardened than in non-hardened leaves, which was responsible for maintaining a higher proportion of oxidized to reduced Q_A. This higher capacity for photosynthesis of cold-hardened leaves also explained the increased resistance of photosynthesis to photoinhibition upon cold-hardening.Abbreviations F_m and F'_m fluorescence when all PSII reaction centres are closed in dark- and light-acclimated leaves, respectively - F_o and F'_o fluorescence when all PSII reaction centres are open in darkness and steady-state light, respectively - F_v variable fluorescence (F'_m-F'_o) under steady-state light conditions - F_v/F_m the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence as an expression of the maximum photochemical yield of PSII in dark-acclimated leaves - Q_A the primary, stable, quinone electron acceptor of PSII - q_N non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence due to high energy state (pH) - q_p photochemical quenching of fluorescence - RH cold-hardened rye - RNH non-hardened rye This work was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERCC) Operating Grant to N.P.A.H. G.Ö. was supported by an NSERCC International Exchange Award and by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council.     

Effects of the interaction between ozone and carbon dioxide on gas exchange,photosystem II and antioxidants in rice leaves

To understand the interactive effects of O₃ and CO₂ on rice leaves; gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, ascorbic acid and glutathione were examined under acute (5 h), combined exposures of O₃ (0, 0.1, or 0.3 cm³ m⁻³, expressed as O₀, O_0.1, or O_0.3, respectively), and CO₂ (400 or 800 cm³ m⁻³, expressed as C⁴⁰⁰ or C⁸⁰⁰, respectively) in natural-light gas-exposure chambers. The net photosynthetic rate (P _N), maximum (F_v/F_m) and operating (F_q′/F_m′) quantum efficiencies of photosystem II (PSII) in young (8^th) leaves decreased during O₃ exposure. However, these were ameliorated by C⁸⁰⁰ and fully recovered within 3 d in clean air (O⁰ + C⁴⁰⁰) except for the O^0.3 + C⁴⁰⁰ plants. The maximum PSII efficiency at 1,500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD (F_v′/F_m′) for the O^0.3 + C₄₀₀ plants decreased for all measurement times, likely because leaves with severely inhibited P _N also had a severely damaged PSII. The P _N of the flag (16^th) leaves at heading decreased under O₃ exposure, but the decline was smaller and the recovery was faster than that of the 8^th leaves. The F_q′/F_m′ of the flag leaves in the O^0.3 + C⁴⁰⁰ and O^0.3 + C⁸⁰⁰ plants decreased just after gas exposure, but the F_v/F_m was not affected. These effects indicate that elevated CO₂ interactively ameliorated the inhibition of photosynthesis induced by O₃ exposure. However, changes in antioxidant levels did not explain the above interaction.     

Analysis of dark-relaxation kinetics of variable fluorescence in intact leaves

The dark-relaxation kinetics of variable fluorescence, F_v, in intact green leaves of Pisum stativum L. and Dolichos lablab L. were analyzed using modulated fluorometers. Fast (t_1/2 = 1 s) and slow (t_1/2 = 7–8 s) phases in f_v dark-decay kinetics were observed; the rate and the relative contribution of each phase in total relaxation depended upon the fluence rate of the actinic light and the point in the induction curve at which the actinic light was switched off. The rate of the slow phase was accelerated markedly by illumination with far-red light; the slow phase was abolished by methyl viologen. The halftime of the fast phase of F_v dark decay decreased from 250 ms in dark-adapted leaves to 12–15 ms upon adaptation to red light which is absorbed by PSII. The analysis of the effect of far-red light, which is absorbed mainly by PSI, on F_v dark decay indicates that the slow phase develops when a fraction of Q_A ^– (the primary stable electron acceptor of PSII) cannot transfer electrons to PSI because of limitation on the availability of P700⁺ (the primary electron donor of PSI). After prolonged illumination of dark-adapted leaves in red (PSII-absorbed) light, a transient. F_v rise appears which is prevented by far-red (PSI-absorbed) light. This transient f_v rise reflects the accumulation of Q_A ^– in the dark. The observation of this transient F_v rise even in the presence of the uncoupler carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) indicates that a mechanism other than ATP-driven back-transfer of electrons to QA may be responsible for the phenomenon. It is suggested that the fast phase in F_v dark-decay kinetics represents the reoxidation of Q_A ^– by the electron-transport chain to PSI, whereas the slow phase is likely to be related to the interaction of Q_A ^– with the donor side of PSII.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - F_O initial fluorescence level - F_v variable fluorescence - P700 primary electron donor of PSI - PSI, II photosystem I, II - Q_A (Q_A ^–) Q_B (Q_B ^–) primary and secondary stable electron acceptor of PSII in oxidized (reduced) state Supported by grant B6.1/88 DST, Govt. of India.     

Violaxanthin cycle pigment de-epoxidation and thermal dissipation of light energy in three boreal species of evergreen conifer plants

We studied carotenoid composition and chlorophyll fluorescence in two-year-old needles from Siberian spruce (Picea obovata (L.) Karst.), Siberian fir (Abies sibirica L.), and common juniper (Juniperus communis L.). The highest values of maximum PSII photochemical activity (F _v/F _m) equaling 0.82–0.85 were observed in July–September. The decrease in F _v/F _m in December–March was more pronounced in juniper (down to 0.15) than in spruce and fir (0.45–0.50). In May, we observed a nearly complete recovery in maximum PSII photochemical activity in fir and spruce (0.72–0.77), while in juniper, the F _v/F _m value was notably lower (0.65–0.67). The amount of thermal dissipation of energy absorbed by PSII LHC did not exceed 30% in summer and equaled 60–90% in winter and early spring. The carotenoid pool consisted mainly of xanthophylls, among which lutein (70%), neoxanthin (7–10%), and a violaxanthin cycle (VXC) component — violaxanthin (3–15%) were constantly present. The accumulation of two other VXC pigments—zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin, was noted in December–March. In July, these xanthophylls were not identified. We discovered a direct connection between VXC pigment de-epoxidation level and light energy thermal dissipation in boreal conifer leaves. Such association reflects the non-species-specific character of the mechanism for quenching zeaxanthin-dependent nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence in PSII LHC in winter and spring.     

The effect of drought stress on chlorophyll fluorescence in Lolium-Festuca hybrids

The effects of drought on photochemical efficiency of PSII in leaves of 22 hybrids of Festuca pratensis × Lolium multiflorum and Festuca pratensis × Lolium perenne and of Festuca pratensis cv. Skra were investigated. A significant decrease of electron transport efficiency (about 25%) in PSII (Φ_PSII) was not found before 9 days of seedling growth in hydroponics with water potential (Ψ_w) equal to −0.8 MPa (simulated “soil drought”). The decrease of Φ_PSII was similarly related to that of excitation energy capture by open PSII reaction centre (Fv’/Fm’) and also to the decrease of the proportion of oxidized to reduced Q_A (photochemical fluorescence quenching, q_p). According to the drought prolongation, variation of all parameters of fluorescence between genotypes significantly increased. The seedlings of some genotypes were able to recover electron transport efficiency in PSII after increasing water potential in nutrient solution (removing the “soil drought”). When plants grew in containers with soil and 4 genotypes with the highest sensitivity of electron transport to drought (S) as well as 4 genotypes with the highest tolerance (T) were compared 17 days after watering ceased, Ψ_w in leaves considerably decreased, but the differences between S and T genotypes were often not significant in this respect. The differences between S and T genotypes, as values of Fv/Fm were concerned, also appeared small (about 5%), similarly as that of Fv’/Fm’ (5%), q_p (12%) and Φ_PSII (about 15%). Drought stress increased non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) 15 to 47% and this could protect the PSII reaction centres from damages because of energy excess. The increase of NPQ was not closely connected with drought resistance of plants because it was similar in some genotypes tolerant to dehydration as well as in sensitive ones. The results of the experiments suggest that resources of genetic variability in Festulolium may be sufficient for revealing differences between genotypes on the basis of measurement of chlorophyll a fluorescence, as far as their tolerance to soil drought is concerned. As the tolerance of PSII against drought is high, the determinations of fluorescence should be performed rather under severe stress. Such methods seem to be useful for selection of genotypes with high drought tolerance as well as with the ability to at least partial repairing of PSII after drought.     

Changes of Donor and Acceptor Side in Photosystem 2 Complex Induced by Iron Deficiency in Attached Soybean and Maize Leaves

Photosynthesis in iron-deficient soybean and maize leaves decreased drastically. The quantum yield of photosystem 2 (PS2) electron transport (Φ_PS2), the efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PS2 reaction centres (F_v′/F_m′), and photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) under high irradiance were lowered significantly by iron deficiency, but non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) increased markedly. The analysis of the polyphasic rise of fluorescence transient showed that iron depletion induced a pronounced K step both in soybean and maize leaves. The maximal quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry (Φ_po) decreased only slightly, however, the efficiency with which a trapped exciton can move an electron into the electron transport chain further than Q_A (Ψ₀) and the quantum yield of electron transport beyond Q_A (Ψ_Eo) in iron deficient leaves decreased more significantly compared with that in control. Thus not only the donor side but also the acceptor of PS2 was probably damaged in iron deficient soybean and maize leaves. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A comparison between yellow-green and green cultivars of four vegetable species in pigments,ascorbate, photosynthesis,energy dissipation,and photoinhibition

Yellow-green foliage cultivars of four vegetables grown outdoors, i.e., Chinese mustard (Brassica rapa), Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and Chinese amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), had lower chlorophyll (Chl) (a+b) (29–36% of green cultivars of the same species), total carotenoids (46–62%) and ascorbate (72–90%) contents per leaf area. Furthermore, yellow-green cultivars had smaller photosystem II (PSII) antenna size (65–70%) and lower photosynthetic capacity (52–63%), but higher Chl a/b (107–156%) and from low (60%) to high (129%) ratios of de-epoxidized xanthophyll cycle pigments per Chl a content. Potential quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) of all overnight dark-adapted leaves was ca. 0.8, with no significant difference between yellow-green and green cultivars of the same species. However, yellow-green cultivars displayed a higher degree of photoinhibition (lower Fv/Fm after illumination) when they were exposed to high irradiance. Although vegetables used in this study are of either temperate or tropical origin and include both C₃ and C₄ plants, data from all cultivars combined revealed that F_v/F_m after illumination still showed a significant positive linear regression with xanthophyll cycledependent energy quenching (q_E) and a negative linear regression with photoinhibitory quenching (q_I). F_v/F_m was, however, not correlated with nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). Yet, a higher degree of photoinhibition in yellow-green cultivars could recover during the night darkness period, suggesting that the repair of PSII in yellow-green cultivars would allow them to grow normally in the field.     

Effect of phosphorus deficiency on the photosynthetic characteristics of rice plants

The effects of phosphorus deficiency on the photosynthetic characteristics were studied in rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.) every 8 days after treatment. P deficiency caused a significant reduction in the net photosynthesis rate (P _N) in rice plants. During the first 16 days of P deficiency, the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m), the effective PSII quantum yield (ϕ_PSII), the electron transport rate (ETR) as well as photochemical quenching (qP) in the P-limited rice plants kept close to the control, but the excitation energy capture efficiency of PSII reaction centers (F′_v/F′_m) was significantly declined in the P-deficient rice leaves. Meanwhile, in the stressed leaves, we also found a significant increase in nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) as well as in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). It was indicated that a series of photoprotective mechanisms had been initiated in rice plants in response to short-term P deficiency. Therefore, PSII functioning was not affected significantly under such stress. As P deficiency continued, the excess excitation energy was accumulated in excess of the capacity of photoprotection systems. When the rice suffered from P deficiency more than 16 days, ϕ_PSII, ETR, and qP were decreased more rapidly than that in the control plants, although NPQ still kept higher in the stressed plants. These results were also consistent with the data on the distribution of excitation energy. The excess energy induced the generation of reactive oxygen species, which might lead to the further damage to PSII functioning. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Comparison of thermostability of PSII between the chromatic and green leaf cultivars of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus tricolor</Emphasis> L.

In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative potential in leaves of the chromatic (CC) versus green (GC) Amaranthus tricolor L. under moderate high-temperature stress at 45°C. Before heat stress, CC had significantly higher levels of betacyanins [about 3.2 mg g⁻¹(FM)] than the green [1.8 mg g⁻¹(FM) (p<0.01), while similar chlorophyll (Chl) content [about 2 mg g⁻¹(FM)] was observed between both cultivars. After exposure to high temperature (45°C) for 6 days, betacyanins in leaves of CC were remarkably increased (about 2 times of that in control samples grown at 30°C). In contrast, betacyanins in GC significantly decreased by 56% in comparison with that of the control. Chl level in CC was higher than that in GC after heat stress for 6 days. Flavonoids and total phenolics in both cultivars were increased, but much more in CC. Significantly less H₂O₂ accumulation was observed in the leaves and stems of CC than in those of GC under heat stress. Interestingly, much stronger circadian oscillation in fluorescence was observed in both cultivars after treatment at 45°C, which suggested that heat stress stimulates endogenous rhythms of photosystem II (PSII). Under moderate high-temperature stress, Chl fluorescence parameters F_v/F_m (maximum quantum yield of PSII), q_P (coefficient of photochemical quenching), Φ_PSII (effective PSII quantum yield), and ETR (electron transport rate) exhibited a gradual decrease, NPQ (nonphotochemical quenching) showed a slight increase followed by a gradual decline, whereas F_o (minimum fluorescence of a dark-adapted leaf) increased continuously. In contrast to GC, after 120 h of high-temperature treatment, CC exhibited significantly lower Fo level, and higher levels of F_v/F_m and NPQ. It is clear that PSII in CC was more stable than that in GC. The results indicate that betacyanins are an effective antioxidant, and probably contribute greatly to the higher thermal stability of PSII and higher tolerance to heat stress.     

Down-regulation of photosystem 2 efficiency and spectral reflectance in mango leaves under very low irradiance and varied chilling treatments

In order to elucidate the effects of chilling-stress at night on photosystem 2 (PS2) efficiency under dim irradiance (DI), mango leaves were chilled to varied extent (8–3 °C) and for varied duration (0–12 h) in growth cabinets in the dark, and then exposed to DI (20 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD) at each chilling-temperature for 1 h. Chilling in the dark had little effect on F_v/F_m of mango leaves. But both the extent and duration of chilling pre-treatments significantly affected F_v’/F_m’ when leaves were exposed to DI. This down-regulation of PS2 efficiency was closely related to xanthophyll de-epoxidation, assessed as photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and calculated from leaf spectral reflectance [(R₅₃₁ − R₅₇₀)/(R₅₃₁ + R₅₇₀)], and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The down-regulation of PS2 is a defence mechanism initiated at predawn in winter to alleviate the damage of PS2 by the sudden and strong irradiation at sunrise. Mango leaves, transferred suddenly from warm and dark room to DI and chilling showed a slight down-regulation of PS2 efficiency, in spite of an increased xanthophyll de-epoxidation. This might have been due to the unavailability of some cofactors required for NPQ.     

Susceptibility of green leaves and green flower petals of CAM orchid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis> cv. Burana Jade to high irradiance under natural tropical conditions

Photosynthetic rates of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade and their sensitivities to different growth irradiances were studied in shade-grown plants over a period of 4 weeks. Maximal photosynthetic O₂ evolution rates and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity] were higher in leaves exposed to intermediate sunlight [a maximal photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 500–600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹] than in leaves grown under full sunlight (a maximal PPFD of 1 000–1 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and shade (a maximal PPFD of 200–250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). However, these two parameters of GFP were highest in plants grown under the shade and lowest in full sun-grown plants. Both GL and GFP of plants exposed to full sunlight had lower predawn F_v/F_m [dark adapted ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (the maximal photosystem 2 yield without actinic irradiation)] than those of shade-grown plants. When exposed to intermediate sunlight, however, there were no significant changes in predawn F_v/F_m in GL whereas a significant decrease in predawn F_v/F_m was found in GFP of the same plant. GFP exposed to full sunlight exhibited a greater decrease in predawn F_v/F_m compared to those exposed to intermediate sunlight. The patterns of changes in total chlorophyll (Chl) content of GL and GFP were similar to those of F_v/F_m. Although midday F_v/F_m fluctuated with prevailing irradiance, changes of midday F_v/F_m after exposure to different growth irradiances were similar to those of predawn F_v/F_m in both GL and GFP. The decreases in predawn and midday F_v/F_m were much more pronounced in GFP than in GL under full sunlight, indicating greater sensitivity in GFP to high irradiance (HI). In the laboratory, electron transport rate and photochemical and non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence were also determined under different irradiances. All results indicated that GFP are more susceptible to HI than GL. Although the GFP of Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade require a lower amount of radiant energy for photosynthesis and this plant is usually grown in the shade, is not necessarily a shade plant.     

Photoinhibition in outdoor Spirulina platensis cultures assessed by polyphasic chlorophyll fluorescence transients

Photoinhibition in outdoor cultures of Spirulina platensis was studied by measuring the polyphasic rise of chlorophyll fluorescence transients, which provide information on the primary photochemistry of PSII. The maximum efficiency of PSII photochemustry (F_v/F_m) declined in response to daily increasing irradiance and recovered as daily irradiance decreased. The greatest inhibition (15%) in F_v/F_m was observed at 12:00 hr which responded to the highest irradiance. The absorption flux, the trapping flux, and the electron transport flux per PSII reaction center increased in response to daily increasing irradiance and decreased as irradiance decreased. The daily change in the concentration of PSII reaction centers followed the same pattern as F_v/F_m. However, no significant changes in the probability of electron transport beyond Q_A (Ψ_o) were observed during the day. The results suggest that the decrease in F_v/F_m induced by photoinhibition in outdoor Spirulina cultures was a result of the inactivation of PSII reaction centers. The results also suggest that the measurement of polyphasic fluorescence transients is a powerful tool to study the mechanism of photoinhibition in outdoor Spirulina cultures and to screen strains for photoinhibition tolerance. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of salt stress on photosynthesis,PSII photochemistry and thermal energy dissipation in leaves of two corn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) varieties

The effect of four different NaCl concentrations (from 0 to 102 mM NaCl) on seedlings leaves of two corn (Zea mays L.) varieties (Aristo and Arper) was investigated through chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigments concentration, tissue hydration and ionic accumulation. Salinity treatments showed a decrease in maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) in dark-adapted leaves. Moreover, the actual PSII efficiency (ϕ_PSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (q_p), proportion of PSII centers effectively reoxidized, and the fraction of light used in PSII photochemistry (%P) were also dropped with increasing salinity in light-adapted leaves. Reductions in these parameters were greater in Aristo than in Arper. The tissue hydration decreased in salt-treated leaves as did the photosynthesis, stomatal conductance (g _s) and photosynthetic pigments concentration essentially at 68 and 102 mM NaCl. In both varieties the reduction of photosynthesis was mainly due to stomatal closure and partially to PSII photoinhibition. The differences between the two varieties indicate that Aristo was more susceptible to salt-stress damage than Arper which revealed a moderate regulation of the leaf ionic accumulation.     

Interplay between photochemical activities and pigment composition in an outdoor culture of Haematococcus pluvialis during the shift from the green to red stage

The transfer of laboratory cultures of H. pluvialis to high irradiance outdoors caused a substantial decline in the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), from 0.65 in the morning to 0.45 at midday, as measured by the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence yields (F_v/F_m), and a steep rise in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves of morning samples showed a clear I-step, reflecting a certain PSII heterogeneity. Single turnover flash measurements on samples taken from the outdoor photobioreactor in the middle of day showed an increase in the reoxidation time constant of the reduced plastoquinone Q_A ^–, i.e., the time required for electron transfer from the primary plastoquinone acceptor of PSII Q_A ^– to the secondary plastoquinone acceptor Q_B. Photosynthesis rates were almost constant during the day. Along with the increase in non-photochemical quenching, there was a slight increase in zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin contents and decrease in violaxanthin, showing the presence of an operative xanthophyll cycle in this microalga. A marked increase of secondary carotenoids was found at the end of the first day of exposure to sunlight, mainly astaxanthin monoester, which reached 15.5% of the total carotenoid content. Though cells turned reddish during the second day, the decline in the fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m in the middle of the day was less than during the first day, and there was no further increase in the value for NPQ. Similar behaviour was observed during the third day when the culture was fully red. After four days of exposure to sunlight, the dry weight reached 800 mg L^–1 and the concentration of secondary carotenoids (81% astaxanthin monoester) reached 4.4% dry weight.     

氮调控对盐环境下甜菜功能叶光系统Ⅱ荧光特性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,以NaCl为盐分模拟不同盐度环境,研究了施氮(N)对盐环境下生长的甜菜(Beta vulgaris)功能叶光系统Ⅱ (PSⅡ)荧光特性的影响及光合色素含量的变化.结果表明:在轻度、中度及重度盐环境下,施N均能增大PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、PSⅡ实际光量子产量(Y(Ⅱ))、非调节性能量耗散的量子产量(Y(NO))、相对电子传递速率(ETR)及光化学猝灭系数(qp),且在适宜的施N范围内(0-1.2 g·kg-1)上述参数随施N量的增加而增大.各叶绿素荧光参数光响应的结果表明,随着光强的增加,各处理下调节性能量耗散的量子产量(KNPQ))、ETR及非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)旱上升趋势,相反,Y(Ⅱ)、Y(NO)及qp则呈下降趋势,在有效的光强范围内(0-1 000 μmol·m-2·s-1)施N提高了甜菜功能叶PSⅡ反应中心的开放程度,并且在高光强下调节PSⅡ耗散掉过剩的光能以避免对其反应中心造成伤害.各盐度环境下施N也显著增加了甜菜功能叶叶绿素与类胡萝卜素含量,增大了叶绿素a/叶绿素b值,且叶绿素与类胡萝卜素含量随施N水平的增加而增加.说明盐环境下施N能够增强甜菜功能叶PSⅡ的活性,提高PSⅡ光能利用率,从而增强其对盐渍环境的适应性.     

Response of photosynthesis to high light and drought for Arabidopsis thaliana grown under a UV-B enhanced light regime

Arabidopsis thaliana grown in a light regime that included ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (6 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) had similar light-saturated photosynthetic rates but up to 50% lower stomatal conductance rates, as compared to plants grown without UV-B radiation. Growth responses of Arabidopsis to UV-B radiation included lower leaf area (25%) and biomass (10%) and higher UV-B absorbing compounds (30%) and chlorophyll content (52%). Lower stomatal conductance rates for plants grown with UV-B radiation were, in part, due to lower stomatal density on the adaxial surface. Plants grown with UV-B radiation had more capacity to down regulate photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) as shown by up to 25% lower φ_PSII and 30% higher non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence under saturating light. These contributed to a smaller reduction in the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), greater dark-recovery of F _v/F _m, and higher light-saturated carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance and transpiration rates after a four-hour high light treatment for plants grown with UV-B radiation. Plants grown with UV-B were more tolerant to a 12 day drought treatment than plants grown without UV-B as indicated by two times higher photosynthetic rates and 12% higher relative water content. UV-B-grown plants also had three times higher proline content. Higher tolerance to drought stress for Arabidopsis plants grown under UV-B radiation may be attributed to both increased proline content and decreased stomatal conductance. Growth of Arabidopsis in a UV-B-enhanced light regime increased tolerance to high light exposure and drought stress.     

Photosynthesis parameters and activities of enzymes of oxidative stress in two young ‘Chemlali’ and ‘Chetoui’ olive trees under water deficit

The effects of water deficit on photochemical parameters and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were investigated in two olive cultivars differing in drought tolerance — ‘Chemlali’ and ‘Chetoui’. After 30 days without irrigation, leaf water potential fell to −5.5 MPa that was accompanied by a marked decrease in net photosynthesis in ‘Chetoui’ olive cultivar. Maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) decreased slightly in ‘Chemlali’ (28 %) and substantially in ‘Chétoui’ (47 %). Both cultivars showed a similar decline (about 25 %) in the photochemical quenching coefficient, but only the drought-sensitive olive cultivar exhibited an enhancement (31 %) of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching under water deficit conditions. The quantum yield of electron transport decreased in both olive cultivars. ‘Chemlali’ showed a higher protection against oxidative stress, as judged from the lower levels of the malondialdehyde production. Catalase activity was higher in ‘Chetoui’. Glutathione reductase activity was increased similarly in both olive cultivars under water stress. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was enhanced in ‘Chemlali’ under water stress, but was unaffected in ‘Chetoui’. While, superoxide dismutase activity was inhibited in both cultivars under water stress, but higher activity was detected in ‘Chemlali’. Thus, the ability to increase ascorbate peroxidase and a higher superoxide dismutase activity might be an important attribute linked to the drought tolerance in ‘Chemlali’ olive cultivar.     

Genotypic differences in the responses of gas exchange,chlorophyll fluorescence,and antioxidant enzymes to aluminum stress in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca arundinacea</Emphasis>

In this study, the gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidant activity in eight tall fescue cultivars were investigated under aluminum stress. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) were decreased, while the intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) was stable or increased under Al stress conditions. The efficiency of excitation capture by open PSII reaction centers (F′_v/F′_m), the maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m), the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ_PSII), and the photochemical quenching (qP) were also decreased after Al stress, while the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was increased. Moreover, Al stress increased the antioxidant activities and MDA contents in each tall fescue cultivars. However, there was a lot genotype differences between the Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars. Cv. Barrington was the most sensitive cultivar and cv. Crossfire 2 was the most tolerant cultivar. The excessive excitation energy could not be dissipated efficiently by antenna pigments, and reactive oxygen species could not be scavenged efficiently, thereby resulting in membrane lipid peroxidation in cv. Barrington under Al stress conditions.