Photosynthesis but not CAM responded flexibly to changes in irradiance in Plectranthus marrubioides (Lamiaceae)

Well-watered plants of Plectranthus marrubioides Benth., a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species naturally inhabiting sun exposed succulent places, were grown at photosynthetically active photon flux densities (PPFD) of either 150 (LL) or 300 (HL) μmol m-2 s-1 in a controlled environment. Photosynthesis of LL plants was saturated by irradiance of ca. 500 μmol m-2 s-1 while in HL plants saturation was not reached up to 1200 μmol m-2 s-1 and photosynthetic capacity was nearly 50 % higher than in the LL plants. However, maximum photon yield was 55 % lower and compensation irradiance was 25 % higher in LL plants. The former also had larger, more succulent leaves, i.e., they were morphologically more sun adapted. On the other hand, nocturnal accumulation of malic and citric acid, nighttime CO2 gain, and the low relative carbon recycling were independent of the prevailing PPFD. Furthermore, photosynthetic performance was flexibly and reversibly adjusted in HL plants after transfer to 600 or 150 μmol m-2 s-1 while nocturnal CO2 uptake was not influenced. Photosynthesis showed a high acclimation potential to high PPFD and patterns of gas exchange became more C3-like the higher the irradiance was, without a direct effect on CAM in P. marrubioides.     

Photosynthesis but not CAM responded flexibly to changes in irradiance in Plectranthus marrubioides (Lamiaceae)

Well-watered plants of Plectranthus marrubioides Benth., a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species naturally inhabiting sun exposed succulent places, were grown at photosynthetically active photon flux densities (PPFD) of either 150 (LL) or 300 (HL) μmol m-2 s-1 in a controlled environment. Photosynthesis of LL plants was saturated by irradiance of ca. 500 μmol m-2 s-1 while in HL plants saturation was not reached up to 1200 μmol m-2 s-1 and photosynthetic capacity was nearly 50 % higher than in the LL plants. However, maximum photon yield was 55 % lower and compensation irradiance was 25 % higher in LL plants. The former also had larger, more succulent leaves, i.e., they were morphologically more sun adapted. On the other hand, nocturnal accumulation of malic and citric acid, nighttime CO2 gain, and the low relative carbon recycling were independent of the prevailing PPFD. Furthermore, photosynthetic performance was flexibly and reversibly adjusted in HL plants after transfer to 600 or 150 μmol m-2 s-1 while nocturnal CO2 uptake was not influenced. Photosynthesis showed a high acclimation potential to high PPFD and patterns of gas exchange became more C3-like the higher the irradiance was, without a direct effect on CAM in P. marrubioides. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Light Stress and Oxidative Cell Damage in Photoautotrophic Cell Suspension of Euphorbia characias L

A photoautotrophic cell-suspension culture of Euphorbia characias L. grown at 70 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1 was very sensitive to light stress: the gross photosynthesis measured by using a mass spectrometric 16O2/18O2 isotope technique showed a fast decrease at a rather low light intensity of 100 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1, far below the photosynthetic saturation level. The contribution of activated oxygen species on photosystem II photoinhibition was examined for a given light intensity. A protective effect on gross photosynthesis was observed with 1% oxygen. When light stress was applied to a methyl viologen-adapted cell suspension, photoinhibition was reduced. When 50 [mu]mol L-1 methyl viologen was added, photoinhibition was slightly enhanced. These responses suggested an involvement of superoxide radicals in the photoinhibition process of E. characias photoautotrophic cells. The long-term (16 h) effects of photoinhibition were then studied. Aldehyde (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalcenals) production resulting from lipid peroxidation was stimulated in long-term stressed cells. When 50 [mu]mol L-1 methyl viologen were added, increased aldehyde production was measured. Under 1% oxygen, the aldehyde production was comparable to that of nonstressed cells. The relationship among lipid peroxidation, light intensity, and net photosynthesis suggests that aldehyde production may result from cell death provoked by a prolonged energy deficit due to the inhibition of photosynthesis.     

Light-mediated release of phytosiderophores in wheat and barley under iron or zinc deficiency

The effect of varied light intensity (50 – 600 mol m-2 s-1) on the rate of phytosiderophore release was studied under zinc (Zn) deficiency using a bread (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Aroona) and a durum wheat cultivar (Triticum durum Desf. cv. Durati) differing in zinc (Zn) efficiency and under iron (Fe) deficiency using a barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare L. Europe). Plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solution for 15 days (wheat plants) or 11 days (barley plants). Phytosiderophore release was determined by measuring capacity of root exudates to mobilize copper (Cu) from a Cu-loaded resin.With increasing light intensity visual Zn deficiency symptoms such as whitish-brown lesions on leaf blade developed rapidly and severely in wheat, particularly in the durum cultivar Durati. In wheat plants supplied well with Zn, increases in light intensity from 100 to 600 mol m-2 s-1 did not clearly affect the rate of phytosiderophore release. However, under Zn deficiency increases in light intensity markedly enhanced release of phytosiderophores in Zn-deficient Aroona, but not in Zn-inefficient Durati. When Fe-deficient barley cultivar Europe was grown first at 220 mol m-2 s-1 and then exposed to 600 mol m-2 s-1 for 24 and 48 h, the rate of release of phytosiderophores was enhanced about 4-fold and 7-fold, respectively. Transfer of Fe-deficient plants from 600 to 50 mol m-2 s-1 for 48 h reduced the rate of release of phytosiderophores by a factor of 7. The effect of light on phytosiderophore release was similar regardless of whether the rate of phytosiderophore release was expressed per plant or per unit dry weight of roots.The results demonstrate a particular role of light intensity in phytosiderophore release from roots under both Zn and Fe deficiency. It is suggested that in the studies concerning the role of phytosiderophore release in expression of Zn or Fe efficiency among and within cereals, a special attention should be given to the light conditions.     

Plasma Membrane Lipid Alterations Associated with Cold Acclimation of Winter Rye Seedlings (Secale cereale L. cv Puma)

Highly enriched plasma membrane fractions were isolated from leaves of nonacclimated (NA) and acclimated (ACC) rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma) seedlings. Collectively, free sterols, steryl glucosides, and acylated steryl glucosides constituted >50 mole% of the total lipid in both NA and ACC plasma membrane fractions. Glucocerebrosides containing hydroxy fatty acids constituted the major glycolipid class of the plasma membrane, accounting for 16 mole% of the total lipid. Phospholipids, primarily phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine with lesser amounts of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol, comprised only 32 mole% of the total lipid in NA samples. Following cold acclimation, free sterols increased from 33 to 44 mole%, while steryl glucosides and acylated steryl glucosides decreased from 15 to 6 mole% and 4 to 1 mole%, respectively. Sterol analyses of these lipid classes demonstrated that free β-sitosterol increased from 21 to 32 mole% (accounting for the increase in free sterols as a class) at the expense of sterol derivatives containing β-sitosterol. Glucocerebrosides decreased from 16 to 7 mole% of the total lipid following cold acclimation. In addition, the relative proportions of associated hydroxy fatty acids, including 22:0 (h), 24:0 (h), 22:1 (h), and 24:1 (h), were altered. The phospholipid content of the plasma membrane fraction increased to 42 mole% of the total lipid following cold acclimation. Although the relative proportions of the individual phospholipids did not change appreciably after cold acclimation, there were substantial differences in the molecular species. Di-unsaturated molecular species (18:2/18:2, 18:2/18:3, 18:3/18:3) of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine increased following acclimation. These results demonstrate that cold acclimation results in substantial changes in the lipid composition of the plasma membrane.     

Effects of Cadmium on Polar Lipid Composition and Unsaturation in Maize （Zea mays） in Hydroponic Culture

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Cd exposure （100 μmol/L） on polar lipid composition, and to examine the level of fatty acid unsaturation in maize （Zea mays L.）. In roots, the level of 16：0 and monounsaturated fatty acids （16：1 ＋ 18：1） decreased in phosphatidylcholine （PC） and phosphatidylethanolamine （PE）. In contrast, the proportion of unsaturated 18-C fatty acid species showed an opposite response to Cd. The content, on the other hand, of PC, PE, digalactosyldiacylglycerol （DGDG）, and steryl lipids increased in roots （2.9-, 1.6-, 5.3-, and 1.7-fold increase, respectively）. These results suggest that a more unsaturated fatty acid composition than found in control plants with a concomitant increase in polar lipids may favor seedling growth during Cd exposure. However, the observed increase in the steryl lipid （SL） ： phospholipid （PL） ratio （twofold）, the decrease in monogalactosyldiacylglycerol （MGDG） ： DGDG ratio, as well as the induction of lipid peroxidation in roots may represent symptoms of membrane injury. In shoots, the unsaturation level was markedly decreased in PC and phosphatidylglycerol （PG） after Cd exposure, but showed a significant increase in sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol （SQDG）, MGDG and DGDG. The content of PG and MGDG was decreased by about 65%, while PC accumulated to higher levels （4.4-fold increase）. Taken together, these changes in the polar lipid unsaturation and composition are likely to be due to alterations in the glycerolipid pathway. These results also support the idea that the increase in overall unsaturation plays some role in enabling the plant to withstand the metal exposure.     

不同光照强度和温度对金钗石斛生长的影响

为了系统地研究不同光照强度下温度对金钗石斛(Dendrobium nobile)生长的影响,在金钗石斛分蘖期,于80μmol·m-2·s-1、160μmol·m-2·s-1、320μmol·m-2·s-1、640μmol·m-2·s-1的不同光强下,各设置5个温度(15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃)梯度对石斛进行处理。结果表明：石斛的生长与代谢随温度由低到高,表现出弱—强—弱的变化规律;80μmol·m-2·S-1光强下,石斛生长以25～30℃较为适宜;160μmol·m-2·s-1光强下则以20～25℃为适宜温度范围;320μmol·m-2·s-1与640μmol·m-2·s-1的中、强光照下,25℃处理石斛的生长优势尤为明显;不同光强下,石斛鲜重的增长大多以25℃处理更快,繁殖力则以20℃与25℃处理较高,各光强下的MDA含量随温度升高而先降后升,且均以25℃最低;可溶性蛋白质、可溶性总糖及叶绿素含量则表现出随温度由低到高而先增后减的趋势,其含量最高点均出现在25℃左右;净光合速率和叶绿素含量随光强和温度的变化趋势基本一致;各种光强下的暗呼吸速率均随温度升高而增大。因此,在不同的光照条件下,石斛生长的适宜温度均在25℃左右。光温处理引起石斛生理生化过程明显的相应变化表现出：高温和弱光照条件有利于石斛的株高增长,但不利于产量和质量提高;石斛的生长与MDA含量呈显著负相关(r80＝-0.9082、r160＝-0.9816、r320＝-0.8075、r640＝-0.8586),与可溶性糖含量呈一定正相关(r80＝0.7673、r160＝0.8892、r320＝0.8179、r640＝0.9278),并且石斛的生长与可溶性蛋白质含量、叶绿素含量、光合速率之间的变化趋势基本一致。     

野外条件下光强对盾叶薯蓣影响的初步研究

通过在野外栽培条件下的笼罩实验(4个光强等级1855～2104,913～1004,525～615,141～215μmol*m-2*s-1),发现光强影响盾叶薯蓣的根状茎发芽率、叶面积、叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量、叶片过氧化物酶活性(POD)、叶片含水量以及整个植株的生物量.弱光可能因带入的热能少而对根状茎发芽不利.叶片含水量随光照强度的降低而增多.叶面积随光照强度的减小而增加,在525～615μmol*m-2*s-1光强下,盾叶薯蓣叶片的MDA含量最低,POD活性最低,地上生物量最高,对于地下部分而言,最适光强是913～1004μ*mol*m-2*s-1,在此光强下,根状茎生物量增加近3倍.故在生产中,一定程度的强光逆境是有利的.     

Natural light as an alternative light source for the in vitro culture of banana (Musa acuminata cv. ‘Grande Naine’)

The concept of using sunlight for micropropagation systems is proposed as a way of reducing tissue culture costs. Shoot tips of Musa acuminata cultivar ‘Grande Naine’ were cultured in a non-controlled natural light environment at the IAEA Laboratories, Austria during summertime. Significantly more shoots were produced by plantlets cultivated in a sunlit room with photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) fluctuating up to 570 μmol m-2 s-1, temperatures between 23 and 30 °C and photoperiods of 12 to 16-h, than by plantlets under artificial light in a growth chamber providing controlled conditions of a constant PPFD of 65 μmol m-2 s-1, temperatures ranging from 23 to 29 °C and a 16-h photoperiod. Highest multiplication rates were achieved in a greenhouse with PPFD reaching 860 μmol m-2 s-1 and temperatures of 18 – 43 °C, but browning of leaves and loss of turgor occurred. Nevertheless, rooted plantlets showed 100% survival during acclimatisation and normal development. Photoperiods of 12 – 16 h did not affect the multiplication rates. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

苋菜的光合特性

宽菜Amaranthus cruentus cv.生长在调控的温室条件。在光强0至800μmol.m~(-2)S~(-1),光合速率(PN,μmol.CO_2m~(-2)、s~(-1))随光强(PFD,μmol、m~(-2)、s~(-1))增高而增大,其关系为PN=56.82 PFD×10~(-3)—2.13。光补偿点为60μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1)。叶片在1400 μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1)达到光合光饱和点。在叶温35℃,叶片/空气水蒸汽压陡度20 m Pa、Pa~(-1)和外界CO_2浓度340μ1、1~(-1),光饱和光合速率为51.63±4.90μ mol.CO_2、m~(-2)、S~(-1)。在光强0至600μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1),气孔传道率随光强增高而增大。光强高于600μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1),气孔传道率变化较小。细胞间CO_2浓度为120μ1.1~(-1)由于细胞间CO_2浓度在光合速率——CO_2关系曲线的转折点,可能表明光合作用不受气孔限制。结果表明,苋菜适于高光强环境生长,在干旱条件下具有高的光合速率。     

Chloroplast Response in Dunaliella salina to Irradiance Stress (Effect on Thylakoid Membrane Protein Assembly and Function)

The chloroplast response in the green alga Dunaliella salina to irradiance stress was investigated. Cells were grown under low light (LL) at 100 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1 or high light (HL) at 2000 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1 incident intensity. LL-grown cells had a low chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio, an abundance of light-harvesting complex II proteins (LHC-II), and a large Chl antenna size. HL-grown cells had a higher Chl a/b ratio, relatively fewer LHC-II, and a small Chl antenna size. The more abundant higher molecular mass subunits of the LHC-II (approximately 31 kD) were selectively depleted from the thylakoid membrane of HL-grown cells. Light-shift experiments defined the kinetics of change in the subunit composition of the LHC-II and suggested distinct mechanisms in the acclimation of thylakoids to HL or LL conditions. The results showed that irradiance exerts a differential regulation on the expression of various Lhcb genes. The specific polyclonal antibodies used in this work, raised against the purified LHC-II, cross-reacted with a polypeptide of approximately 20 kD in HL-grown samples. In this work we examined the dynamics of induction of this novel protein and discuss its function in terms of a chloroplast response to the level of irradiance.     

Sugar and Organic Acid Accumulation in Guard Cells of Vicia faba in Response to Red and Blue Light

Changes in neutral sugar and organic acid content of guard cells were quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography during stomatal opening in different light qualities. Sonicated Vicia faba epidermal peels were irradiated with 10 [mu]mol m-2 s-1 of blue light, a fluence rate insufficient for the activation of guard cell photosynthesis, or 125 [mu]mol m-2 s-1 of red light, in the presence of 1 mM KCl, 0.1 mM CaCl2. The low-fluence-rate blue light stimulated an average net stomatal opening of 4.7 [mu]m in 2 h, whereas the saturating fluence rate of red light stimulated an average net opening of 3.8 [mu]m in 2 h. Under blue light, the malate content of guard cells increased to 173% of the initial level during the first 30 min of opening and declined as opening continued. Sucrose levels continuously rose throughout the blue light-stimulated opening, reaching 215% of the initial level after 2 h. The starch hydrolysis products maltose and maltotriose remained elevated at all times. Under red light, guard cells showed very little increase in organic acid or maltose levels, whereas sucrose levels increased to 208% of the initial level after 2 h. Total measured organic metabolite concentrations were correlated with stomatal apertures in all cases except where substantial malate increases occurred. These results support the hypothesis that light quality modulates alternative mechanisms of osmotic accumulation in guard cells, including potassium uptake, photosynthetic sugar production, and starch breakdown.     

Chloroplast Movement in the Shade Plant Tradescantia albiflora Helps Protect Photosystem II against Light Stress

The role of high-light-induced chloroplast movement in the photoprotection of the facultative shade plant Tradescantia albiflora was investigated by comparison with pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves, both grown in 50 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1. Photoinactivation of photosystem II (PSII) in vivo was induced in 1.1% CO2 by varying either duration (0-2 h) of illumination (fixed at 1800 [mu]mol m-2 s-1) or irradiance (0-3000 [mu]mol m-2 s-1) at a fixed duration (1 h) after infiltration of leaves with water or lincomycin (an inhibitor of chloroplast-encoded protein synthesis). At all photon exposures, PSII of T. albiflora leaves showed a greater resistance to light stress than pea leaves, although both utilization of absorbed light by photosynthesis and psbA gene product synthesis were smaller than for pea leaves. This greater tolerance was not due to differences in PSII antenna size or the index of susceptibility of PSII to light stress, because these two parameters were comparable in both plants. However, the transmittance increase mediated by chloroplast movement was greater in T. albiflora than pea, resulting in a 10% decrease of absorbed light at high light. We suggest that the greater tolerance of PSII against light stress in T. albiflora may be partly ascribed to its light-induced chloroplast rearrangement.     

西双版纳山地三种土地利用方式的旱季土壤呼吸

为了解西双版纳山地不同土地利用方式土壤呼吸旱季变化特征,本研究对古树茶园、台地茶园和次生林中土壤呼吸速率及其相关因素进行定位观测。结论如下：三种土地利用方式土壤呼吸速率日变化有显著的差异性（P<0.05）;土壤呼吸速率日最高值大多出现在14∶00-16∶00;旱雨季交错期是土壤呼吸速率和土壤湿度变化最剧烈的阶段;土壤呼吸速率日均值表现为古树茶园（2.62μmol·m-2s-1）<台地茶园（2.73μmol·m-2s-1）<次生林（3.01μmol·m-2s-1）;土壤湿度过高和过低都会阻碍土壤呼吸的进行;三种土地利用方式土壤呼吸速率均与土壤湿度(0~10cm)和空气日均温具有相关关系;降水会引起土壤呼吸较大的波动。     

EFFECTS OF HARVEST STAGE AND LIGHT ON THE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE DIATOM THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA1

The marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt, clone 3H) Hasle and Heimdal was cultured under three different light regimes: 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 on 12:12 h light : dark (L:D) cycles; 50 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?2 on 24:0 h L:D; and 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 on 24:0 h L:D. It was harvested during logarithmic and stationary phases for analysis of biochemical composition. Across the different light regimes, protein (as % of organic weight) was highest in cells during logarithmic phase, whereas carbohydrate and lipid were highest during stationary phase. Carbohydrate concentrations were most affected by the different light regimes; cells grown under 12:12 h L:D contained 37–44% of the carbohydrate of cells grown under 24:0 h L:D. Cells in logarithmic phase had high proportions of polar lipids (79 to 89% of total lipid) and low triacylglycerol (≤10% of total lipid). Cells in stationary phase contained less polar lipid (48 to 57% of total lipid) and more triacylglycerol (22 to 45% of total lipid). The fatty acid composition of logarithmic phase cells grown under 24:0 h L:D were similar, but the 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 (12:12 h L:D) cells at the same stage contained a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a lower proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids due to different levels of 16:0, 16:1(n-7), 16:4(n-1), 18:4(n-3), and 20:5(n-3). With the onset of stationary phase, cells grown at 100 μmol photon · m^?2· s^?1 (both 12:12 and 24:0 h L:D) increased in proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty adds and decreased in PUFAs. Concentrations (% organic or dry weight) of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1(n-7), 20:5(n-3), and 22:6(n-3) increased in cells of all cultures during stationary phase. The amino acid compositions of cells were similar irrespective of harvest stage and light regime. For mariculture, the recommended light regime for culturing T. pseudonana will depend on the nutritional requirements of the animal to which the alga is fed. For rapidly growing bivalve mollusc larvae, stationary-phase cultures grown under a 24:0 h L:D regime may provide more energy by virtue of their higher percentage of carbohydrate and high proportions and concentrations of energy-rich saturated fatty acids.     

干旱沙区２种梨树光合特性的研究

通过对沙地栽培的苹果梨和锦丰梨２种梨树光合速率(Pn)日变化、季节变化的测度研究表明,苹果梨Ｐn日变化呈单峰曲线,峰值出现在上午９：００为１０．１５８μmol.m^-2.s^-1.。锦丰梨Ｐn变化呈双峰曲线,和一峰值在上午９：００,第二峰值在下午１３：００,第一峰值高于第二峰值Ｐn分别为１４．５６６μmol.m^-2.s^-1.和１０．９７２μmol.m^-2.s^-1.。并分析得出２种梨树Ｐn与其蒸腾速率（ＴＲＡＮ）、胞间ＣＯ２浓度（ＣＩＮＴ）、水平气压缺（ＶＰＤ）等影响因子之间存在着极显著相关关系和回归方程,以及２种梨树的水分利用效率（ＷＵＥ）。     

NaCl胁迫对互花米草细胞膜和光响应曲线特征参数的影响

以大米草的互花米草为材料,研究了不同盐浓度对其细胞膜透性、丙二醛(MDA)含量和光响应曲线的特征参数的变化情况。结果表明:盐浓度低于300mmol·L-1时,互花米草细胞膜透性和MDA含量较对照组无显著差异;其较高的最大光合速率(>30μmol·m-2·s-1),表观量子效率(>0.05mol·mol-1Photons)以及较低的暗呼吸速率(<1.5μmolCO2·m-2·s-1)和光补偿点(<20μmol·m-2·s-1)为其有机物质积累、竞争、建立种群并扩散提供条件。盐浓度高于500mmol·L-1时,互花米草膜透性和MDA含量显著上升,最大光合速率(Amax)及表观量子效率(Q)显著下降,暗呼吸速率(Rday)和光补偿点(LCP)上升。表明细胞膜和光合作用有关酶受到迫害,抑制了其正常生长。盐胁迫下互花米草光合速率降低,但蒸腾速率的显著下降提高了单叶水分利用效率,从而部分缓解了渗透势变化对细胞的迫害,为其生存和生长提供条件。     

The Cold Tolerance of Indica Type Rice in Relation to Its Parents

To understand the inheritance of cold tolerant characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L. ), the authors investigated the cold tolerance of hybrid progenies in relation to their parental lines which were "Qinghua 6—a cold sensitive cultivar and "Guishan’aixuan 3”— a cold tolerant cultivar. The hybrid progenies were the cross and the reciprocal cross of these two cultivars. Results showed that after 1℃ dark or light (250 μmol · m-2 · s-1) treatment, the survival rate of seedlings was higher in "Guishan’aixuan 3” than that in "Qinghua 6”. That of the hybrid "Qinghua 6” ( ♂ )× "Guishan’aixuan 3” (♀) was higher than that . in hybrid "Guishan’aixuan 3” ( ♂ ) × "Qinghua 6” (♀). Detached flag leaves at heading stage when treated in light and chilling condition for 12, 24, 36 h, there was also less decrease of photosynthesis in "Guishan’aixuan 3” and "Qinghua 6” ( ♂ ) × "Guishan’aixuan 3” (♀) than in “Qinghua 6” and “Guishan’aixuan 3” ( ♂ ) × “Qinghua 6” ( ♀ ). After being treated for 12 h, respiratory rate rose in the former but not the latter. Changes of fluorescence parameters, rise of Fo and decline of Fm and Fv, were caused by 1 ℃ and light (250 μmol·m-2·s-1) treatment. The decrease of Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm were more apparent in the former than in the latter after light and chilling treatment for 24 h, with a much faster recovery under normal temperature in the former than in the latter. Effect of the natural low temperature (cold, dew and wind) on the chlorophyll fluorescence of rice was similar to that of artificial treatment. It was suggested that cold tolerance of rice progenies seemed to be from maternal inheritance.     

Changes in Unsaturated Levels of Fatty Acids in Thylakoid PSⅡ Membrane Lipids During Chilling-induced Resistance in Rice

Temperature is one of the abiotic factors limiting growth and productivity of plants. In the present work, the effect of low non-freezing temperature, as an inducer of "chilling resistance", was studied in three cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.), japonica cv. 9516 (j-9516), the two parental lines of superhigh-yield hybrid rice between subspecies,Peiai/E32 (ji-PE), and the traditional indica hybrid rice Shanyou 63 (i-SY63). Leaves of chill-treated rice showed chilling-induced resistance, as an increase of their low-temperature tolerance was measured using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, revealing a change in photosystem Ⅱ (PSⅡ) efficiency. After 5 d of exposure to 11℃ under low light (100 μ mol·m-2·s-1), levels of unsaturated fatty acids in PSⅡ thylakoid membrane lipids decreased during the initial 1-2 d, then increased slowly and reached 99.2％, 95.3％ and 90.1％ of the initial value (0 d) in j-9516,ji-PE and i-SY63, respectively, on the fifth day. However, under medium light (600 μmol·m-2·s-1), all cultivars experienced similar substantial photoinhibition, which approached steady state levels after a decline in levels of unsaturated fatty acids in PSII thylakoid membrane lipids to about 57.1％, 53.8％ and 44.5％ of the initial values (0 d) in j-9516,ji-PE and i-SY63 on the fifth day. Under either chilling-induced resistance (the former) or low temperature photoinhibition (the latter) conditions, the changes of other physiological parameters such as D1 protein contents,electron transport activities of PSII (ETA), Fv/Fm, xanthophyl cycle activities expressed by DES (deepoxide state)were consistent with that of levels of unsaturated fatty acids in PSⅡ thylakoid membrane lipids. So there were negative correlations between saturated levels of fatty acids (16:1(3t), 16:0, 18:0), especially the 16:1(3t) fatty acid on thylakoid membrane and other physiological parameters, such as D1 protein contents, ETA and (A+Z)/(A+V+Z). A specific role of desaturation of fatty acids and the photoprotective pigments of the xanthophyl cycle, leading to an acclimation response in thylakoid membrane lipids may be involved. We conclude that chilling-induced resistance is accelerated by the unsaturation of thylakoid membranes, and the ability of rice plants to cold-harden can be enhanced by genetic engineering.     

Effect of Cold Hardening on SOD and Glutathion Reductase Activities and on the Contents of the Reduced Form of Glutathion and Ascorbic Acid in Rice and Cucumber Seedlings

Rice and cucumber seedlings were employed in the study on changes of superoxide dismatase (SOD) and glutathion reductase (GR) activities, the contents of the reduced form of glutathion (GSH) and ascorbic acid (ASA) in leaves and the chilling resistance as well as the level of lipid peroxidation products after cold hardening and chilling stress under light. The seedlings hardened under a day/night temperature variation of 15 ℃/10 ℃ and photon flux density (PFD) of 250μmol · m-2 · s-1 for 12 h/d indicated an increase of the activities of SOD and GR, and the contents of GSH and AsA. The resistance of the seedlings to chilling and light stress was enhanced by cold hardening. Under the stress condition, the stabilities of SOD and GR activities, and contents of GSH and AsA in hardened seedlings were higher than those in the unhardened seedlings; the lipid peroxidation was also less than that in the latter. It was thus concluded that cold-hardening under appropriate light leads on to the enhancement of function of membrane protective system and increase of cell membrane stability which is an important part of chilling-resistance mechanism in the plant.