Effects of Chemical Treatments upon Photosynthetic Parameters in Soybean Seedlings

The effects of various chemical treatments upon photosynthesis, soluble leaf protein, CO₂ compensation point, and leaf light transmission in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., seedlings were examined following varying response periods after application at 14 to 17 days postemergence. The compounds N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoic acid (CPMP), (4-chlorophenoxy)acetic acid (CPA), rhodanine-N-acetic acid (RAA), and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) significantly increased soluble protein and decreased senescence, measured by leaf light transmission, at CO₂ concentrations below the compensation point in a survival chamber. All compounds except BA significantly decreased transmission values under ambient atmospheric conditions. In statistically significant experiments, applications of 3.49 millimolar CPMP increased net photosynthesis on a leaf area basis by an average of 14.4% at all trifoliolate positions with increases generally requiring response periods of 12 days or longer. RAA at 1.31 and 2.61 millimolar increased net photosynthesis by 19 to 36% following 13-day response periods. CPMP and other compounds tested had no effect upon the CO₂ compensation point after 4- to 8-day response periods. The effects of CPMP and RAA upon net photosynthesis and soluble protein appeared to involve a combined stimulation of protein synthesis and an antisenescent effect. There were no indications that any of the photosynthetic changes observed resulted from direct differential effects upon ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase. The assays for soluble protein and light transmission responded more consistently to the chemicals than did photosynthesis.     

Retardation of Senescence in Red Clover Leaf Discs by a New Antiozonant, N-[2-(2-Oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N'-phenylurea

Dark-induced senescence in leaf discs from O₃-sensitive red clover trifoliates (Trifolium pratense L. cv. `Pennscott') was markedly retarded by treatment with N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl-N′-phenylurea (EDU). EDU also protects against acute and chronic foliar O₃ injury when sprayed on intact leaves or supplied to the plants through soil application. Senescence retardation was measured by time-dependent analyses of chlorophyll, protein, and RNA in discs floated on aqueous EDU solutions ranging from 0 to 500 micrograms per milliliter EDU. Chlorophyll degradation, total protein, and nucleic acids were followed over 10-day test periods.     

Control by phytochrome of the synthesis of protein related to senescence in chloroplasts of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Protein synthesis has been measured in chloroplast isolated from detached leaves of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Hassan). The effects of hormone and light treatments of the leaves on chloroplast protein synthesis have been compared with effects on other senescence symptoms. Interruption of the dark with red light retards senescence and increases chloroplast protein synthesis. The effect of red light was reversed by far-red light. Red light did not act additively with kinetin, and it competed with ethylene and abscisic acid, accelerators of senescence, which decreased protein synthesis. In contrast to the interruption of the dark with red light, continuous light decreased chloroplast protein synthesis. It may be concluded effects on chloroplast protein synthesis. The retardation of senescence by continuous light is not necessarily related to P_u Instead, energy provided by photosynthesis may be an important factor.     

The Relation Between Activity of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase and Photosynthesis in Aloe vera Leaves

The chlorophyllous layer of leaf of a PEP-CK type CAM plant Aloe vera was stripped tiff from the colorIess water storage tissue and used to stuly the interrelation between the activity of decarboxylating enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and photosynthesis. Oxaloacetate, malate+ADP, and NaHCO3 were found to stimulate photosynthetic oxygen evolution. During the period from 6:00 to 18:00 of the day time, a diurnal fluctuation was observed in both PEPCK activity and the rate of oxygen evolution. The maximum of photosynthesis appeared at 10-12:00, but the maximum PEPCK activity appeared at 14:00. The PEPCK activity and photosynthetic rate in leaf discs increased with temperature from 10 to 35℃, then decreased at 45℃. Similar decline of both parameters was found in the leaf discs stressed by different concentration of PEG-6000 solution for 4.5 h. At light intensity of 900 mol m-2 s-1 and 25℃, the PEPCK activity and photosynthetic rate of leaf discs rised with the illumination time, then a slight inhibition followed at the time of 30 min (Pn) or 40 min (PEPCK). The strong response of PEPCK activity to high light intensity in leaf discs, and a progressive increase of PEPCK activity in direct illumination of crude enzyme extractm the range of 0-55 min, indicated that light s likely to be an activator for PEPCK. Leaf discs were infiltrated with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l, 1-dimethylurea, DL-glyceraldehyde and 2,4-dimitrophenol resulted in the partial inhibition of light-ependent photosynthesis and decarboxylation of C4 acid. The activity of PEPCK was also stimulated by Mg2+ or Mg2++ATP infiltrated into the leaf discs in the dark. The evidence presented here suggested that PEPCK activity of CAM plants showed a close interrelation with photosynthesis. Both of them were regulated by the environmental changes. The activity of PEPCK might be coupled to electron trsnsport and photophosphorylatiou.     

Effect of wounding on ethylene biosynthesis and senescence of detached spinach leaves

Parameters of senescence and ethylene biosynthesis pathway were screened simultaneously in detached spinach leaves and leaf discs. Senescence was enhanced by application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and was retarded by amino-ethoxyvinylglycine (AVG). Evidence is presented showing that the bursts of both wound- and climacteric-like ethylene promoted senescence of detached leaves and leaf discs. This ethylene-enhanced leaf senescence was dependent on: (a) ethylene production rates in the tissue; (b) the degree of wounding. Wounding resulted in elevated levels of 1-(malonylamino)cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (MACC), which declined in advanced stages of senescence. The results suggest that wounding might be regarded as one of the primary events in the induction of the senescence syndrome in detached leaves and leaf discs, while ethylene is implicated as a regulator of the rate of the process.     

Characterization of abscisic Acid-induced ethylene production in citrus leaf and tomato fruit tissues

Abscisic acid (ABA) significantly stimulated ethylene production in citrus (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck, cv Shamouti orange) leaf discs. The extent of stimulation was dependent upon the concentration of ABA (0.1-1 milimolar) and the duration of treatment (15-300 minutes). Aging the discs before applying ABA increased ABA-induced ethylene production due to enhancement of both ethylene-forming enzyme activity and the responsiveness of ABA. Discs excised from mature leaves were much more responsive to ABA than discs excised from young or senescing leaves. ABA stimulated ethylene production shortly after application, suggesting that ABA does not enhance ethylene production via the acceleration of senescence. The stimulating effect of ABA on ethylene production resulted mainly from the enhancement of 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthesis. Stimulation of ethylene production by ABA in intact citrus leaves and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv Castlemart) fruit was small but could be increased by various forms of wounding.     

Variables Affecting the CO(2) Compensation Point

Some factors influencing dark respiration, photorespiration, and photosynthesis were examined for their effect on the CO₂ compensation point (70 μl/l) of detached soybean (Glycine max) leaf discs. A higher compensation point in young leaves decreased to the constant value after leaf expansion and maturation, but increased again during senescence. The compensation point was 40 to 50% higher in plants grown in the summer than in the winter. The compensation point and dark respiration increased with temperatures above 17 C. Below 17 C dark respiration continued to decrease, but the compensation point did not decrease further. Increasing light intensities did not affect the compensation point.     

Spermine delays leaf senescence in Lactuca sativa and prevents the decay of chloroplast photosystems

Aliphatic polyamines (PAs) are involved in the delay or prevention of plant senescence, but the molecular mechanism is not clarified. The hypothesis is put forward that one of the mechanisms by which PAs modulate leaf senescence and chlorophyll stabilisation could be due to their modification of chlorophyll-bound proteins, catalysed by transglutaminase (TGase, R-glutaminylpeptide-amine γ-glutamyltransferase; E.C. 2.3.2.13). The retardation of leaf senescence of Lactuca sativa L. by spermine (Spm) was examined during induced cell death using leaf discs, or during the normal developmental senescence of leaves. Over 3 days, in leaf discs, Spm caused a delay of chlorophyll (Chl) decay, an increase of endogenous TGase activity, and a three-fold increase in chlorophyll content when supplied together with exogenous TGase. Spm was conjugated, via TGase, mainly to 22–30 kDa proteins. Long-term experiments over 5 days showed a general decrease in all three parameters with or without Spm. When leaves remained on the plants, Spm-sprayed leaves showed an increase in free Spm 1 h after spraying, mainly in the young leaves, whereas over longer periods (15 days) there was an increase in perchloric acid-soluble and -insoluble Spm metabolites. In senescing leaves, Spm prevented degradation of chlorophyll b and some proteins, and increased TGase activity, producing more PA-protein conjugates. Spm was translocated to chloroplasts and bound mainly onto fractions enriched in PSII, but also those enriched in PSI, whose light-harvesting complexes (LHC) sub-fractions contained TGase. Spm was conjugated by TGase mainly to LHCII, more markedly in the light. Immunodetection of TGase revealed multiple proteins in young leaves, possibly representing different TGase isoforms when TGase activity was high, whereas in already senescent leaves, when its activity decreased, one high-molecular-mass band was found, possibly because of enzyme polymerisation. Spm thus protected senescing Lactuca leaves from the decay of their chloroplast photosystem complexes. The senescence-delaying effects of Spm could be mediated by TGase, as TGase was re-activated to the level in young leaves following Spm treatment.     

Delayed leaf senescence by exogenous lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine: Towards a mechanism of action

Exogenous application of the lysophospholipid, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is purported to delay leaf senescence in plants. However, lyso-phospholipids are well known to possess detergent-like activity and application of LPE to plant tissues might be expected to rather elicit a wound-like response and enhance senescence progression. Since phosphatidic acid (PA) accumulation and leaf cell death are a consequence of wounding, PA- and hormone-induced senescence was studied in leaf discs from Philodendron cordatum (Vell.) Kunth plants in the presence or absence of egg-derived 18:0-LPE and senescence progression quantified by monitoring both lipid peroxidation (as the change in malondialdehyde concentration), and by measuring retention of total chlorophyll (Chl_a+b) and carotenoids (C_c+x). Only abscisic acid (ABA) stimulated lipid peroxidation whereas ABA, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor to ethylene (ETH), and 16:0–18:2-PA stimulated loss of chloroplast pigments. Results using primary alcohols as attenuators of the endogenous PA signal confirmed a role for PA as an intermediate in both ABA- and ETH-mediated senescence progression. Exogenous 18:0-LPE did not appear to influence senescence progression and was unable to reverse hormone-induced senescence progression. However, when supplied together with 16:0–18:2-PA at 1:1 (mol:mol), activity of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) hydrolase, chlorophyllase (E.C. 3.1.1.14), and progression of leaf senescence were negated. This apparent anti-senescence activity of exogenous 18:0-LPE was associated with induction of the pathogenesis-related protein, extracellular acid invertase (Ac INV, E.C. 3.2.1.26) suggesting that 18:0-LPE like 16:0–18:2-PA functions as an elicitor.     

An Interaction between the Effects of Kinetin and Gibberellin in Retarding Leaf Senescence

The relation hetween the effects of kinetin and gibberellin on retardation of leaf senescence was studied. Leaf discs were incubated for five days in several hormone concentrations, the chlorophyll was extracted and its amount estimated spectrophotometrically. Investigation of leaves from actively growing plants of Taraxacum megalorrhizon and Tropaeolum majus showed that an interaction existed between the effect of both hormones. Leaf age, light intensity and day length had a marked effect on the degree of response to the hormonal treatments, hut the change in response effected by these conditions remained similar for both hormones. Possible interpretations of the interaction observed between the effects of kinetin and gibberellin are discussed.     

Ascorbic acid is a key participant during the interactions between chloroplasts and mitochondria to optimize photosynthesis and protect against photoinhibition

The possible role of L-ascorbate (AsA) as a biochemical signal during the interactions between photosynthesis and respiration was examined in leaf discs of Arabidopsis thaliana. AsA content was either decreased as in AsA-deficient vtc1 mutants or increased by treatment with L-galactono-1, 4-lactone (L-GalL, a precursor of AsA; EC 1.3.2.3). In mutants, photosynthesis was extremely sensitive to both antimycin A (inhibitor of the cytochrome c oxidase pathway [COX pathway]) and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, inhibitor of the alternative pathway [AOX pathway]), particularly at high light conditions. Mitochondrial inhibitors lowered the ratio of reduced AsA to total AsA, at high light, indicating oxidative stress in leaf discs. Elevation of AsA by L-GalL decreased the sensitivity of photosynthesis at high light to antimycin A or SHAM, sustained photosynthesis at supraoptimal light and relieved the extent of photoinhibition. High ratios of reduced AsA to total AsA in L-GalL-treated leaf discs suggests that L-GalL lowers oxidative stress. The protection by L-GalL of photosynthesis against the mitochondrial inhibitors and photoinhibition was quite pronounced in vtc1 mutants. Our results suggest that the levels and redox state of AsA modify the pattern of modulation of photosynthesis by mitochondrial metabolism. The extent of the AOX pathway as a percentage of the total respiration in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts was much higher in vtc1 than in wild type. We suggest that the role of AsA becomes pronounced at high light and/or when the AOX pathway is inhibited. While acknowledging the importance of the COX pathway, we hypothesize that AsA and the AOX pathway may complement each other to protect photosynthesis against photoinhibition.     

分析拟南芥叶片在激素促进的衰老中内源激素变化来解析抑制磷脂酶Dα1延缓激素促进衰老的机制

采后衰老进程在很大程度上受到内源和外源激素的影响。抑制拟南芥中磷脂酶Dα1 (phospholipase Dα1, PLDα1)的表达后,使得外源脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）和乙烯加速的离体叶片衰老过程在一定程度上得到了缓解。然而,内源激素在这个过程中的作用尚不清楚。本研究对比分析了野生型和PLDα1缺失型两种基因型拟南芥叶片在3种不同人工老化过程中（离体诱导的、外源ABA和乙烯促进的衰老过程）,内源ABA,茉莉酸甲酯（methyl jasmonate,MeJA）、 吲哚乙酸（indole 3 acetic acid,IAA）、玉米素核苷（zeatin riboside,ZR）和赤霉素（gibberellic acid,GA3）的含量变化。这5种激素对3种不同衰老处理方式的响应模式表明了人工老化过程存在着两个不同阶段,并且在衰老早期每种激素的变化模式相同。PLDα1功能缺失使得激素加速的衰老过程得以延缓,这与内源ABA、MeJA、ZR和IAA的含量变化有关,而与GA3的含量变化无关。同时,ZR和IAA的变化模式也说明了这两种激素的变化可能是缺失PLDα1延缓激素加速的衰老过程这一事件的原因而非结果。     

The interaction of hormonal and environmental factors in leaf senescence

The work concerns the senescence of isolated young leaves of oats (Avena sativa) floated on water or solutions. Senescence is rapid in darkness but slow in white light; the effect of light is not due to photosynthesis, but is paralleled by stomatal opening. Closure of the stomata by osmotic or chemical means makes senescence in light proceed as fast as in darkness, while opening the stomata in darkness by cytokinins, fusicoccin,etc., delays senescence to rates typical of light. The osmotic closure in light is mediated by abscisic acid, and since this also accumulates in darkness it appears as a major factor controlling senescence. Efflux of ions into the solution; indicating increased permeability, occurs almost in parallel with senescence. Senescence in light is accelerated by 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) and inhibited by cobalt, silver or aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) which interfere with ethylene production or action; however, ethylene’s role is unclear because some reagents, including kinetin, that delay senescence, actually increase ethylene production. At the endogenous level, therefore, ethylene may not be a limiting factor. Finally, a new ethylene-generating system is described in which the dehydrogenation of linoleic acid is coupled through manganese to the oxidation of ACC; it is probably activein vivo.     

Light Stimulation of Ethylene Release from Leaves of Gomphrena globosa L

The effect of light and CO₂ on both the endogenous and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-dependent ethylene evolution from metabolically active detached leaves and leaf discs of Gomphrena globosa L. is reported. Treatment with varying concentrations of ACC did not appear to inhibit photosynthesis, respiration, or stomatal behavior. In all treatments, more ethylene was released into a closed flask from ACC-treated tissue, but the pattern of ethylene release with respect to light/dark/CO₂ treatments was the same.

Leaf tissue in the light with a source of CO₂ sufficient to maintain photosynthesis always generates 3 to 4 times more ethylene than tissue in the dark. Conversely, the lowest rate of ethylene release occurs when leaf tissue is illuminated and photosynthetic activity depletes the CO₂ to the compensation point. Ethylene release in the dark is also stimulated by CO₂ either added to the flask as bicarbonate or generated by dark respiration. Ethylene release increases dramatically and in parallel with photosynthesis at increasing light intensities in this C₄ plant. Ethylene release appears dependent on CO₂ both in the light and in the dark. Therefore, it is suggested that the important factor regulating the evolution of ethylene gas from leaves of Gomphrena may be CO₂ metabolism rather than light per se.

     

Water relations of cotton plants under nitrogen deficiency

Nitrogen deficiency in cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) increased the threshold water potentials for both stomatal closure and leaf senescence (defined as loss of chlorophyll and protein) during drought. These studies attempted to answer two questions: (1) What is the basis for the N/water interaction on senescence? (2) Is there a direct relationship between stomatal closure and senescence? Young and old leaves from N-deficient and N-sufficient plants maintained their relative sensitivities to water stress when excised leaf discs were floated on solutions of polyethylene glycol in dim light. In this leaf disc system, both leaf aging and N deficiency increased the threshold water potential for senescence. Leaf aging and N deficiency also decreased the concentration of exogenous abscisic acid necessary to initiate senescence in discs. A role for cytokinins in controlling senescence could not be clearly shown. In young leaves of both N-deficient and N-sufficient plants, stomata closed at water potentials much higher than those causing senescence. During leaf aging, the water potentials causing senescence increased more than those causing stomatal closure. The two processes thus occurred at about the same potentials in the oldest leaves. These data argue against a general cause-and-effect relationship between stomatal closure and senescence. Rather, each process apparently responded independently to absicsic acid accumulated during drought.     

Photosynthesis, leaf resistances, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase degradation in senescing barley leaves

The relationship between loss of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and the decline in photosynthesis during the senescence of barley primary leaves was assessed. Loss of RuBPCase accounted for about 85% of the decrease in soluble protein. RuBPCase was highly correlated with in vitro RuBPCase activity (r = 0.95) and gross photosynthesis (r = 0.96). However, the rate of photosynthesis per milligram RuBPCase increased during the early stages of leaf senescence. The concentration of nonreducing sugars was negatively correlated (1% level) with photosynthesis. Free α-amino N, in contrast to nonreducing sugars, declined markedly during senescence. A decrease in chlorophyll and an increase in in vitro protease activity was observed, but these changes did not appear to be closely related to the decline in photosynthesis and RuBPCase. Mesophyll resistance increased at the same rate that photosynthesis and RuBPCase declined. Stomatal resistance increased more rapidly than mesophyll resistance and accounted for about 24% of the total increase in resistance to CO₂ diffusion. The concentration of CO₂ in the intercellular air spaces decreased during the last stage of senescence. Although loss of RuBPCase probably is the primary event responsible for the decline in photosynthesis during leaf senescence, other factors such as in vivo regulation and stomatal aperture must also be considered.     

Control of senescence in rumex leaf discs by gibberellic Acid

The kinetics of chlorophyll and protein decomposition and the effect of gibberellic acid (GA) were examined in senescing leaf discs of Rumex crispus and R. obtusifolius. Loss of Rumex total chlorophyll proceeds at a slow rate for about 2 days followed by a period of rapid logarithmic decline. Chlorophyll b is lost at a slightly faster rate than chlorophyll a during senescence in discs as well as in situ. GA causes a complete cessation of net chlorophyll and protein degradation for several days in Rumex, in contrast to the incomplete senescence inhibition generally observed with cytokinins. GA is fully effective even when added at the middle of the logarithmic phase of chlorophyll loss. Senescence inhibition by GA is apparently gradually reversed upon GA removal. The cytokinins, kinetin and 6-benzylaminopurine, were also effective in Rumex leaf discs, indicating that the senescence retarding effect was not restricted to the gibberellins.     

Response of soybean photosynthesis and chloroplast membrane function to canopy development and mutual shading

The effect of natural shading on photosynthetic capacity and chloroplast thylakoid membrane function was examined in soybean (Glycine max. cv Young) under field conditions using a randomized complete block design. Seedlings were thinned to 15 plants per square meter at 20 days after planting. Leaves destined to function in the shaded regions of the canopy were tagged during early expansion at 40 days after planting. To investigate the response of shaded leaves to an increase in available light, plants were removed from certain plots at 29 or 37 days after tagging to reduce the population from 15 to three plants per square meter and alter the irradiance and spectral quality of light. During the transition from a sun to a shade environment, maximum photosynthesis and chloroplast electron transport of control leaves decreased by two- to threefold over a period of 40 days followed by rapid senescence and abscission. Senescence and abscission of tagged leaves were delayed by more than 4 weeks in plots where plant populations were reduced to three plants per square meter. Maximum photosynthesis and chloroplast electron transport activity were stabilized or elevated in response to increased light when plant populations were reduced from 15 to three plants per square meter. Several chloroplast thylakoid membrane components were affected by light environment. Cytochrome f and coupling factor protein decreased by 40% and 80%, respectively, as control leaves became shaded and then increased when shaded leaves acclimated to high light. The concentrations of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers were not affected by light environment or leaf age in field grown plants, resulting in a constant PSII/PSI ratio of 1.6 ± 0.3. Analysis of the chlorophyll-protein composition revealed a shift in chlorophyll from PSI to PSII as leaves became shaded and a reversal of this process when shaded leaves were provided with increased light. These results were in contrast to those of soybeans grown in a growth chamber where the PSII/PSI ratio as well as cytochrome f and coupling factor protein levels were dependent on growth irradiance. To summarize, light environment regulated both the photosynthetic characteristics and the timing of senescence in soybean leaves grown under field conditions.     

Inhibition of Dark CO(2) Fixation and Photosynthesis in Leaf Discs of Corn Susceptible to the Host-specific Toxin Produced by Helminthosporium maydis, Race T

The host-specific toxin produced by Helminthosporium maydis, race T, causes 50% inhibition of dark fixation of ¹⁴CO₂ by leaf discs of susceptible (Texas male sterile) corn when it is diluted to approximately 1/10,000 of the volume of the original fungus culture filtrate. Dilutions of 1/10 or less are required for equivalent inhibition of discs prepared from resistant (N) corn. Root growth and photosynthesis were considerably less sensitive (dilution values 1/3000 and 1/1200, respectively), as was leakage of ¹⁴C induced by toxin from preloaded discs. Based on literature values for dilutions causing ion leakage or inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation, toxin dilutions several orders of magnitude greater bring about inhibition of dark CO₂ fixation. Preincubation of discs in light increased sensitivity of dark fixation to toxin and an effect of light on symptom development was shown. Phosphoenolypruvate carboxylase activity in extracts of roots or leaves was not affected by toxin nor was the enzyme level altered in excised leaves treated with toxin. Inhibition of dark fixation of CO₂ provides a bioassaay for race T toxin which is both reliable and rapid.