Effects of drought-rewatering-drought on photosynthesis and growth of maize

Aims Our objective was to investigate the responses of maize photosynthesis and growth to repeated drought.Methods Maize seedlings were exposed to different soil water deficit for three weeks, then rewatering for one week, and again to different water deficit for three weeks, to examine the effects of repeated drought on photosynthesis and growth.Important findings After the first water deficit treatments, under severe drought, plant height, total leaf area of individual plant, shoot and root biomass declined significantly, also transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum net photosynthetic rate (A_max), but light compensation point and dark respiration rate increased significantly. Under medium drought, plant height, leaf area, and shoot biomass decreased significantly, but root biomass did not vary, hence, the ratio of roots to shoots (R/S) increased. Moreover, plants did not show significant differences in photosynthetic parameters. After rewatering, photosynthesis and growth rate of plants previously exposed to water deficit could recover to the levels of well-watered plants, but plant height and leaf area did not recover to the levels of the control. When maize were subjected to recurrent drought, plants pre-exposed to medium drought showed no significant difference in plant height, biomass, and photosynthetic parameters, but a significant decrease in leaf area, compared to plants only exposed to second medium drought. Plants pre-exposed to severe drought had significantly higher T_r, G_s, C_i, P_n, A_max, and, apparent quantum yield but significantly lower plant height, leaf area, and biomass than plants without previous exposure. These results indicated that the first severe drought significantly reduced photosynthetic capacity and maize growth, rewatering could recover photosynthesis and growth rate to the levels of well-watered plants, but could not eliminate the adverse influence of the first drought on growth. The first medium drought could stimulate the growth of maize root system and significantly increased R/S, which can enhance maize drought resistance to subsequent repeated drought, and maintain the total biomass in the control level; the first severe drought could enhance maize drought resistance to subsequent repeated drought in the aspect of photosynthesis, but could not compensate for the adverse effect of early drought on plant growth. Hence, in practice, drought hardening should be limited in the level of medium drought, and avoiding severe drought.     

干旱-复水-再干旱处理对玉米光合能力和生长的影响

为了探求玉米(Zea mays)光合作用和生长对重复干旱的响应机制, 采用盆栽试验, 分别测定了不同程度土壤干旱处理3周时、随后复水1周时以及再次不同程度干旱处理3周时玉米幼苗光合参数和生长的变化。第一次土壤干旱处理后, 重度干旱处理显著降低玉米株高、单株总叶面积、地上部分及根系生物量以及叶片的蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、净光合速率(P_n)和最大净光合速率(A_max), 但显著提高光补偿点和暗呼吸速率; 中度干旱处理同样显著降低玉米株高、叶面积和地上部分生物量, 但对根系生物量无影响, 因而根冠比增大, 对上述光合参数的负效应也不具有显著性。复水可使前期经受中度和重度干旱处理的玉米植株的光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长的植株的水平, 但株高和叶面积没有恢复到对照水平。当玉米再次经受水分亏缺处理时, 与只遭受第二次中度或重度干旱处理的植株相比, 经历过前期中度干旱处理的植株的株高、生物量和光合参数没有显著变化, 但叶面积显著下降; 经历过前期重度干旱处理植株的T_r、G_s、C_i、P_n、A_max和表观量子效率显著升高, 而株高、叶面积和生物量显著降低。综上所述, 第一次重度干旱处理显著降低玉米叶片的光合能力和生长, 复水可使光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长植株的水平, 但不能消除前期干旱对生长产生的不利影响。前期中度干旱可以刺激玉米根系的生长和显著提高根冠比, 有利于提高对二次干旱的抵抗能力, 并使总的生物量保持在对照水平, 而前期重度干旱处理虽然在光合作用上能提高植株对二次干旱的抵御能力, 但不能弥补前期干旱处理对生长的不利影响。因此, 在生产实践中, 如果进行抗旱锻炼, 应限制在中度干旱水平, 避免重度干旱。     

Increased stomatal conductance induces rapid changes to photosynthetic rate in response to naturally fluctuating light conditions in rice

A close correlation between stomatal conductance and the steady-state photosynthetic rate has been observed for diverse plant species under various environmental conditions. However, it remains unclear whether stomatal conductance is a major limiting factor for the photosynthetic rate under naturally fluctuating light conditions. We analysed a SLAC1 knockout rice line to examine the role of stomatal conductance in photosynthetic responses to fluctuating light. SLAC1 encodes a stomatal anion channel that regulates stomatal closure. Long exposures to weak light before treatments with strong light increased the photosynthetic induction time required for plants to reach a steady-state photosynthetic rate and also induced stomatal limitation of photosynthesis by restricting the diffusion of CO₂ into leaves. The slac1 mutant exhibited a significantly higher rate of stomatal opening after an increase in irradiance than wild-type plants, leading to a higher rate of photosynthetic induction. Under natural conditions, in which irradiance levels are highly variable, the stomata of the slac1 mutant remained open to ensure efficient photosynthetic reaction. These observations reveal that stomatal conductance is important for regulating photosynthesis in rice plants in the natural environment with fluctuating light.     

THE EFFECT OF GIBBERELLIC ACID ON LEAF AREA AND DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION IN MAJESTIC POTATO

When gibberellic acid (50 p.p.m. in aqueous solution) was sprayed twice or six times at weekly intervals on potato plants (var. Majestic) with a low or high nitrogen supply it did not affect rate of leaf production on the main axis, but caused earlier senescence of leaves, especially with the more frequent spraying, and inhibited leaf production and growth on laterals of the high-nitrogen plants at nodes 10 and 11 but not at other nodes. This central region of the stem appears to have a low growth potential, probably because it lies midway between two zones of active growth, viz. the basal branches and the younger leaves on the main stem. Competition between these is increased by gibberellic acid. Gibberellic acid increased leaf area even when lack of nitrogen was restricting growth but this did not produce extra dry matter. Tuber weight was increased more in high-nitrogen plants by two sprayings than by six sprayings. The net assimilation rate of low-nitrogen plants was halved by spraying but was not changed in high-nitrogen plants where the value was similar to that of low-nitrogen control plants. The high-nitrogen plants had absorbed nearly all the available nitrogen between the second and third harvests, but plants treated with gibberellic acid, nevertheless, had more total dry weight and tuber dry weight than the controls. The nitrogen content of the leaves expressed on an area basis was lower in sprayed plants and, with continued spraying, fell at the third harvest to equal that of low-nitrogen plants. Evidently, the effect of gibberellic acid depended on the interaction between the rate of application and the nitrogen supply, but further work is necessary to define the conditions that give the maximal effect on dry-matter production.     

High-nitrogen and low-irradiance can restrict energy utilization in photosynthesis of successional tree species in low subtropical forest

Responses of photosynthesis and the partition of energy utilization to high-nitrogen importation and high-light intensity in leaves of three dominant tree species of subtropical forest,including sun plant or early-successional species Schima superba,mesophyte or intermediate-successional species Canstanopsis hystrix,and shading-tolerant plant or late-successional species Cryptocarya concinna were studied by using the CO2 exchange system and chlorophyll fluorescence method.Our results showed that,regardless of plant species,net photosynthetic rate(Pn)was higher in high-nitrogen supply and high irradiance(HNHL)plants than in low-nitrogen supply and high irradiance(LNHL)plants,implying that low-nitrogen importation would limit Pn of plants grown under high irradiance.However, high-nitrogen supply and low irradiance(HNLL)plants had a lower Pn.Insignificant change of quantum yield(Fv′/Fm′)in opened PS II was found in leaves of HNHL,LNHL or HNLL plants of S.superba and C. hystrix,while a higher Fv′/Fm′occurred in HNHL plants of C.concinna in comparison with LNHL or HNLL plants.The HNHL plants of C.concinna also had a higher photochemical quantum yield(△F/Fm′) than LNHL or HNLL plants,however no similar responses were found in plants of S.superba and C. hystrix(P<0.05).In the irradiance range of 0―2000μmol photon·m -2·s -1,the fraction of energy consumed by photochemistry(φ PSII )was 18.2%in LNHL plants of S.superba which was higher than that in HNHL plants(P>0.05)and it was significantly higher than in HNLL plants(P<0.05).C.hystrix also had a similar response inφ PSII to nitrogen supply and irradiance.Regardless of species HNLL plants had a significantφ PSII and higher heat dissipation in light,and this effect was more severe in C.concinna than in S.superba or C.hystrix.The results may mean that high-nitrogen importation by nitrogen deposit and low irradiance caused by changing climate or air pollution would more severely restrict photosynthetic processes in the late-successional species C.concinna than in the early-successional species S.superba and intermediate-successional species C.hystrix.The continuous high-nitrogen precipitation in the future and the over cast mist or pollution smoke could induce late-successional species to degrade,however,early-successional species would be more adapted to competition for more resources to keep their dominance in ecosystems.In this sense,the zonal vegetation may accelerate degradation caused by high nitrogen precipitation and low irradiance,while the early-successional and mesophytic vegetations can remain longer.Thus,nitrogen precipitation may play an important role in plant community succession.     

Applicability and limitations of optimal biomass allocation models: a test of two species from fertile and infertile habitats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The practical applicability of optimal biomass allocation models is not clear. Plants may have constraints in the plasticity of their root : leaf ratio that prevent them from regulating their root : leaf ratio in the optimal manner predicted by the models. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability and limitations of optimal biomass allocation models and to test the assumption that regulation of the root : leaf ratio enables maximization of the relative growth rate (RGR). METHODS: Polygonum cuspidatum from an infertile habitat and Chenopodium album from a fertile habitat were grown under a range of nitrogen availabilities. The biomass allocation, leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), RGR, net assimilation rate (NAR), and leaf area ratio (LAR) of each species were compared with optimal values determined using an optimal biomass allocation model. KEY RESULTS: The root : leaf ratio of C. album was smaller than the optimal ratio in the low-nitrogen treatment, while it was almost optimal in the high-nitrogen treatment. In contrast, the root : leaf ratio of P. cuspidatum was close to the optimum under both high- and low-nitrogen conditions. Owing to the optimal regulation of the root : leaf ratio, C. album in the high-nitrogen treatment and P. cuspidatum in both treatments had LNC and RGR (with its two components, NAR and LAR) close to their optima. However, in the low-nitrogen treatment, the suboptimal root : leaf ratio of C. album led to a smaller LNC than the optimum, which in turn resulted in a smaller NAR than the optimum and RGR than the theoretical maximum RGR. CONCLUSIONS: The applicability of optimal biomass allocation models is fairly high, although constraints in the plasticity of biomass allocation could prevent optimal regulation of the root : leaf ratio in some species. The assumption that regulation of the root : leaf ratio enables maximization of RGR was supported.     

不同光照条件下喜阴植物谢君魔芋对稳态和动态光源的响应特征

谢君魔芋(Amorphophallus xiei)是起源于云南西南地区热带雨林的典型喜阴植物,近年来得到了广泛种植和推广,在种植过程中,谢君魔芋需要采用遮荫栽培模式。为了揭示谢君魔芋对光照强度的适应策略,该研究探讨了生长在不同光照强度下(透光率为50%、29%、17%、7%)谢君魔芋叶片的光合作用特征、光合诱导特征、光合色素含量以及叶片氮素(N)含量和N分配。结果表明:随着生长环境光照强度的降低,单位叶面积和单位叶质量最大净光合速率、光合色素含量、最大羧化速率、最大电子传递速率及比叶面积均增大,而暗呼吸和光补偿点均减小。在光合诱导过程中,生长在透光率为17%光环境中的谢君魔芋完成50%光合诱导所需的时间最短,约为81.4 s;在光诱导进行10 min时,诱导状态最高,为87.3%。完成50%和90%光合诱导所需的时间与低光下初始气孔导度呈负相关关系。随着生长光照强度降低,叶片中的N分配到羧化组分和生物能转化组分中的比例先增大后减小,在透光率为17%的光环境下具有最大值;而叶片中的N分配到捕光色素组分中的比例随着生长环境光照强度降低而增加。该研究结果表明,喜阴植物谢君魔芋通过加强对低光和动态光源的利用能力及有效的N资源分配策略来适应低光照环境。     

Growth and photosynthesis of pea plants under different iron supply

Soil conditions, leading to iron deficiency or toxicity, are widespread in nature. Our objective was to study the effect of Fe supply, ranging from complete deficiency to excess, on growth and on some photosynthetic indices of pea plants. Both iron deficiency and toxicity decreased shoot and root growth. Complete deficiency resulted in a lower shoot/root ratio and a higher content of dry biomass per unit of fresh biomass in roots, while iron excess led to higher content of dry biomass per unit of fresh biomass in shoot. Complete deficiency was also characterized by low chlorophyll and carotenoid content, elevated ratios of chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b and carotenoids/chlorophylls, a drop of photosynthetic rate per leaf area, and an increase of photosynthetic rate per chlorophyll. The stomatal resistance substantially increased, while the transpiration rate decreased. Smaller changes in stomatal resistance and transpiration rate, but not in photosynthetic rate per leaf area, were found under partial iron deficiency and under excess of iron. In the first case, the chlorophyll content decreased, while in the second it increased. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II was unaffected by iron supply. Even when no genetic or experimental differences existed, changes in growth, pigment content and photosynthesis due to variation of Fe supply depended on the type and severity of the imposed stress, as well as on the studied parameter. A combination of indices described better the effect of iron supply, especially when small differences were characterized.     

不同有机肥量对旱地玉米光合特性和产量的影响

在渭北旱塬合阳试验基地进行了4年的旱地有机培肥试验, 研究不同有机肥施用量对旱地玉米光合特性和产量的影响.结果表明： 与单施化肥相比,施有机肥处理的玉米各生育时期的叶片光合速率和气孔导度显著增大,胞间CO2浓度显著减小;随着有机肥施用量的增加,玉米叶片各生育时期的叶片光合速率和气孔导度逐渐增大,胞间CO2浓度逐渐减小.玉米各生育时期的光合作用主要受非气孔因素限制,施用有机肥显著降低了非气孔因素对光合的限制.连续4年施用有机肥,改善了土壤养分状况,使养分不再是玉米光合速率和产量的主要限制因子.     

Analysis of salinity effects on basil leaf surface area, photosynthetic activity, and growth

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings were cultured on liquid medium in controlled conditions. Two varieties differing in leaf size were compared. When plants were 30?days old, the medium was supplemented with 50?mM NaCl. After 15?days of treatment, root, stem and leaf biomass, leaf number, and leaf surface area were measured. Ion accumulation was determined in roots, stems, and leaves. Photosynthetic parameters (CO₂ fixation rate, internal CO₂ concentration, stomatal conductance) as well as transpiration rate were determined on separate leaves. Electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content were used to estimate damage to membranes and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Several antioxidant enzymatic activities were used as proxies of oxidative stress. High Na⁺ concentration was reached in leaf tissues. Salt restricted whole plant biomass deposition rate by diminishing leaf number and leaf expansion, as well as photosynthetic activity were estimated from whole plant biomass production per unit leaf surface area. Diminished stomatal conductance restricted CO₂ fixation rate, and decrease in chlorophyll content presumably limited photosynthetic activity. Lipid peroxidation revealed damages to membranes. The magnitude of these responses differed between the two varieties, indicating that an intraspecific variability in salt response exists in basil.     

Carbon dioxide diffusion across stomata and mesophyll and photo-biochemical processes as affected by growth CO2 and phosphorus nutrition in cotton

Nutrients such as phosphorus may exert a major control over plant response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO₂), which is projected to double by the end of the 21st century. Elevated CO₂ may overcome the diffusional limitations to photosynthesis posed by stomata and mesophyll and alter the photo-biochemical limitations resulting from phosphorus deficiency. To evaluate these ideas, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) was grown in controlled environment growth chambers with three levels of phosphate (Pi) supply (0.2, 0.05 and 0.01 mM) and two levels of CO₂ concentration (ambient 400 and elevated 800 μmol mol⁻¹) under optimum temperature and irrigation. Phosphate deficiency drastically inhibited photosynthetic characteristics and decreased cotton growth for both CO₂ treatments. Under Pi stress, an apparent limitation to the photosynthetic potential was evident by CO₂ diffusion through stomata and mesophyll, impairment of photosystem functioning and inhibition of biochemical process including the carboxylation efficiency of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxyganase and the rate of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration. The diffusional limitation posed by mesophyll was up to 58% greater than the limitation due to stomatal conductance (g_s) under Pi stress. As expected, elevated CO₂ reduced these diffusional limitations to photosynthesis across Pi levels; however, it failed to reduce the photo-biochemical limitations to photosynthesis in phosphorus deficient plants. Acclimation/down regulation of photosynthetic capacity was evident under elevated CO₂ across Pi treatments. Despite a decrease in phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations in leaf tissue and reduced stomatal conductance at elevated CO₂, the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area when measured at the growth CO₂ concentration tended to be higher for all except the lowest Pi treatment. Nevertheless, plant biomass increased at elevated CO₂ across Pi nutrition with taller plants, increased leaf number and larger leaf area.     

Relationships between leaf conductance to CO2 diffusion and photosynthesis in micropropagated grapevine plants, before and after ex vitro acclimatization

In vitro-cultured plants typically show a low photosynthetic activity, which is considered detrimental to subsequent ex vitro acclimatization. Studies conducted so far have approached this problem by analysing the biochemical and photochemical aspects of photosynthesis, while very little attention has been paid to the role of leaf conductance to CO(2) diffusion, which often represents an important constraint to CO(2) assimilation in naturally grown plants. Mesophyll conductance, in particular, has never been determined in in vitro plants, and no information exists as to whether it represents a limitation to carbon assimilation during in vitro growth and subsequent ex vitro acclimatization. In this study, by means of simultaneous gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, the stomatal and mesophyll conductance to CO(2) diffusion were assessed in in vitro-cultured plants of the grapevine rootstock '41B' (Vitis vinifera 'Chasselas'xVitis berlandieri), prior to and after ex vitro acclimatization. Their impact on electron transport rate partitioning and on limitation of potential net assimilation rate was analysed. In vitro plants had a high stomatal conductance, 155 versus 50 mmol m(-2) s(-1) in acclimatized plants, which ensured a higher CO(2) concentration in the chloroplasts, and a 7% higher electron flow to the carbon reduction pathway. The high stomatal conductance was counterbalanced by a low mesophyll conductance, 43 versus 285 mmol m(-2) s(-1), which accounted for a 14.5% estimated relative limitation to photosynthesis against 2.1% estimated in acclimatized plants. It was concluded that mesophyll conductance represents an important limitation for in vitro plant photosynthesis, and that in acclimatization studies the correct comparison of photosynthetic activity between in vitro and acclimatized plants must take into account the contribution of both stomatal and mesophyll conductance.     

Striga hermonthica reduces photosynthesis in sorghum: the importance of stomatal limitations and a potential role for ABA?

We report the effects of the root hemiparasite Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. on the growth and photosynthesis of two cultivars of sorghum: CSH-1, a susceptible variety, and Ochuti, which shows some tolerance to S. hermonthica in the field. Within 4 d of parasite attachment to the host roots, infected plants of both cultivars were significantly shorter than uninfected controls. At 55 d, infected plants of both cultivars had significantly less shoot and root biomass, and significantly smaller leaf areas than uninfected controls. The dry weight of S. hermonthica attached to host roots was insufficient at this stage to explain the decreased growth in terms of a competing sink for carbon and nitrogen. Leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen per unit area were greater in infected plants of both cultivars compared with control plants. However, whereas photosynthesis and transpiration in young leaves of infected CSH-1 plants declined with time when compared with controls, the rates in infected Ochuti plants were similar to those in uninfected controls throughout the time course of observation. In both cultivars, a strong correlation was observed between the rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance during photosynthetic induction, but infection resulted in a much slower induction than in controls. In CSH-1 plants, both steady-state photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were lower than in controls, whereas in leaves of Ochuti steady-state photosynthesis and stomatal conductance eventually reached the same values as in the control leaves. Results from AlC_i analysis and also from determination of ¹³C isotope discrimination were consistent with a stomatal limitation to photosynthesis in the leaves of Striga-infected plants. The concentration of the plant growth regulator abscisic acid (ABA) was measured in the xylem sap of infected CSH-1 plants only, and was found to be twice that of uninfected plants. A possible role of ABA in determining host response to infection by S. hermonthica is discussed.     

Apoplastic infusion of sucrose into stem internodes during female flowering does not increase grain yield in maize plants grown under nitrogen‐limiting conditions

Nitrogen (N) limitation reduces leaf growth and photosynthetic rates of maize (Zea mays), and constrains photosynthate translocation to developing ears. Additionally, the period from about 1 week before to 2 weeks after silking is critical for establishing the reproductive sink capacity necessary to attain maximum yield. To investigate the influence of carbohydrate availability in plants of differing N status, a greenhouse study was performed in which exogenous sucrose (Suc) was infused around the time of silking into maize stems grown under different N regimes. N deficiency significantly reduced leaf area, leaf longevity, leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. High N‐delayed leaf senescence, particularly of the six uppermost leaves, compared to the other two N treatments. While N application increased ear leaf soluble protein concentration, it did not influence glucose and suc concentrations. Interestingly, ear leaf starch concentration decreased with increasing N application. Infusion of exogenous suc tended to increase non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations in the developing ears of all N treatments at silking and 6 days after silking. However, leaf photosynthetic rates were not affected by suc infusion, and suc infusion failed to increase grain yield in any N treatment. The lack of an effect of suc infusion on ear growth and the high ear leaf starch concentration of N‐deficient maize, suggest that yield reduction under N deficiency may not be due to insufficient photosynthate availability to the developing ear during silking, and that yield reduction under N deficiency may be determined at an earlier growth stage.     

Photosynthesis and growth reduction with warming are driven by nonstomatal limitations in a Mediterranean semi‐arid shrub

Whereas warming enhances plant nutrient status and photosynthesis in most terrestrial ecosystems, dryland vegetation is vulnerable to the likely increases in evapotranspiration and reductions in soil moisture caused by elevated temperatures. Any warming‐induced declines in plant primary production and cover in drylands would increase erosion, land degradation, and desertification. We conducted a four‐year manipulative experiment in a semi‐arid Mediterranean ecosystem to evaluate the impacts of a ~2°C warming on the photosynthesis, transpiration, leaf nutrient status, chlorophyll content, isotopic composition, biomass growth, and postsummer survival of the native shrub Helianthemum squamatum. We predicted that warmed plants would show reduced photosynthetic activity and growth, primarily due to the greater stomatal limitation imposed by faster and more severe soil drying under warming. On average, warming reduced net photosynthetic rates by 36% across the study period. Despite this strong response, warming did not affect stomatal conductance and transpiration. The reduction of peak photosynthetic rates with warming was more pronounced in a drought year than in years with near‐average rainfall (75% and 25–40% reductions relative to controls, respectively), with no indications of photosynthetic acclimation to warming through time. Warmed plants had lower leaf N and P contents, δ¹³C, and sparser and smaller leaves than control plants. Warming reduced shoot dry mass production by 31%. However, warmed plants were able to cope with large reductions in net photosynthesis, leaf area, and shoot biomass production without changes in postsummer survival rates. Our findings highlight the key role of nonstomatal factors (biochemical and/or nutritional) in reducing net carbon assimilation rates and growth under warming, which has important implications for projections of plant carbon balance under the warmer and drier climatic scenario predicted for drylands worldwide. Projected climate warming over the coming decades could reduce net primary production by about one‐third in semi‐arid gypsum shrublands dominated by H. squamatum.     

低温胁迫下丛枝菌根真菌对玉米光合特性的影响

利用盆栽试验,在15 ℃和5 ℃低温胁迫下研究了丛枝菌根（AM）真菌对玉米生长、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光和光合作用的影响.结果表明：低温胁迫抑制了AM真菌的侵染;接种AM真菌的玉米地上部和地下部干物质量、相对叶绿素含量高于不接种植株.与非菌根玉米相比,菌根玉米具有较高的最大荧光（F_m）、可变荧光（F_v）、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）和潜在光化学效率（F_v/F_o）及较低的初始荧光（F_o）,并且在5 ℃处理中差异显著.接种AM真菌使玉米叶片的净光合速率（P_n）和蒸腾速率（T_r）显著增强;低温胁迫下,菌根植株的气孔导度（G_s）显著高于非菌根植株;而胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）显著低于非菌根植株.表明AM真菌可通过提高叶绿素含量及改善叶片叶绿素荧光和光合作用来减轻低温胁迫对玉米植株造成的伤害,提高玉米耐受低温的能力,进而提高玉米的生物量,促进玉米生长.     

Photosynthetic acclimation and resource use by the C3 and C4 subspecies of Alloteropsis semialata in low CO2 atmospheres

During the past 25 Myr, partial pressures of atmospheric CO₂ (C_a) imposed a greater limitation on C₃ than C₄ photosynthesis. This could have important downstream consequences for plant nitrogen economy and biomass allocation. Here, we report the first phylogenetically controlled comparison of the integrated effects of subambient C_a on photosynthesis, growth and nitrogen allocation patterns, comparing the C₃ and C₄ subspecies of Alloteropsis semialata. Plant size decreased more in the C₃ than C₄ subspecies at low C_a, but nitrogen pool sizes were unchanged, and nitrogen concentrations increased across all plant partitions. The C_3, but not C₄ subspecies, preferentially allocated biomass to leaves and increased specific leaf area at low C_a. In the C₃ subspecies, increased leaf nitrogen was linked to photosynthetic acclimation at the interglacial C_a, mediated via higher photosynthetic capacity combined with greater stomatal conductance. Glacial C_a further increased the biochemical acclimation and nitrogen concentrations in the C₃ subspecies, but these were insufficient to maintain photosynthetic rates. In contrast, the C₄ subspecies maintained photosynthetic rates, nitrogen‐ and water‐use efficiencies and plant biomass at interglacial and glacial C_a with minimal physiological adjustment. At low C_a, the C₄ carbon‐concentrating mechanism therefore offered a significant advantage over the C₃ type for carbon acquisition at the whole‐plant scale, apparently mediated via nitrogen economy and water loss. A limiting nutrient supply damped the biomass responses to C_a and increased the C₄ advantage across all C_a treatments. Findings highlight the importance of considering leaf responses in the context of the whole plant, and show that carbon limitation may be offset at the expense of greater plant demand for soil resources such as nitrogen and water. Results show that the combined effects of low CO₂ and resource limitation benefit C₄ plants over C₃ plants in glacial–interglacial environments, but that this advantage is lessened under anthropogenic conditions.     

Effects of zinc and soil moisture on photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of maize

Effects of zinc [0 and 5.0 mg Zn kg⁻¹ (soil)] on photosynthetic rate (P_N), and chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) cv. Zhongdan 9409 seedlings grown under different soil moisture regimes (40–45 % and 70–75 % of soil saturated water content) were studied. Zn application did not enhance maize plant adaptation to drought stress. The relative water content and the water potential of leaves were not affected by Zn treatment. Moreover, The P_N of drought-stressed plants was not improved by Zn supply. The increases of plant biomass, stomatal conductance and quantum yield of photosystem 2 due to Zn addition were notable in well-watered plants.     

Photosynthetic dynamics in chrysanthemum in response to single step increases and decreases in photon flux density

The time-course of CO₂ assimilation rate and stomatal conductance to step changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was observed in Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. `Fiesta'. When PPFD was increased from 200 to 600 micromoles per square meter per second, the rate of photosynthetic CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation showed an initial rapid increase over the first minute followed by a slower increase over the next 12 to 38 minutes, with a faster response in low-light-grown plants. Leaves exposed to small step increases (100 micromoles per square meter per second) reached the new steady-state assimilation rate within a minute. Both stomatal and biochemical limitations played a role during photosynthetic induction, but carboxylation limitations seemed to predominate during the first 5 to 10 minutes. Stomatal control during the slow phase of induction was less important in low-light compared to high-light-grown plants. In response to step decreases in PPFD, photosynthetic rate decreased rapidly and a depression in CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation prior to steady-state was observed. This CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation `dip' was considerably larger for the large step (400 micromoles per square meter per second) than for the small step. The rapid photosynthetic response seems to be controlled by biochemical processes. High- and low-light-grown plants did not differ in their photosynthetic response to PPFD step decreases.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae on photosynthesis and water status of maize plants under salt stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae on characteristics of the growth, water status, chlorophyll concentration, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence of maize plants under salt stress was studied in the greenhouse. Maize plants were grown in sand and soil mixture with five NaCl levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg dry substrate) for 55 days, following 15 days of non-saline pretreatment. Under salt stress, mycorrhizal maize plants had higher dry weight of shoot and root, higher relative chlorophyll content, better water status (decreased water saturation deficit, increased water use efficiency, and relative water content), higher gas exchange capacity (increased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, and decreased intercellular CO(2) concentration), higher non-photochemistry efficiency [increased non-photochemical quenching values (NPQ)], and higher photochemistry efficiency [increased the maximum quantum yield in the dark-adapted state (Fv/Fm), the maximum quantum yield in the light-adapted sate (Fv'/Fm'), the actual quantum yield in the light-adapted steady state (varphiPSII) and the photochemical quenching values (qP)], compared with non-mycorrhizal maize plants. In addition, AM symbiosis could trigger the regulation of the energy biturcation between photochemical and non-photochemical events reflected in the deexcitation rate constants (kN, kN', kP, and kP'). All the results show that G. mosseae alleviates the deleterious effect of salt stress on plant growth, through improving plant water status, chlorophyll concentration, and photosynthetic capacity, while the influence of AM symbiosis on photosynthetic capacity of maize plants can be indirectly affected by soil salinity and mycorrhizae-mediated enhancement of water status, but not by the mycorrhizae-mediated enhancement of chlorophyll concentration and plant biomass.