花后盐与渍水逆境对小麦籽粒产量及蛋白质和淀粉积累的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了花后渍水、盐胁迫和盐渍处理对2个小麦品种（扬麦12和淮麦17）籽粒产量及蛋白质和淀粉积累与组分的影响.结果表明：与对照相比,花后渍水、盐胁迫和盐渍处理显著降低了小麦花前贮藏氮素（花前贮藏干物质）转运量和花后同化氮素（花后同化物）输入籽粒量,从而导致小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质和淀粉产量显著降低,其中盐胁迫和盐渍处理表现更为明显.与对照和渍水处理相比,盐胁迫和盐渍处理显著降低了小麦籽粒蛋白质积累量及谷/醇蛋白比,显著提高了蛋白质组分含量;同时降低了小麦籽粒淀粉积累量、淀粉组分含量及直/支链淀粉比;盐胁迫处理对扬麦12的影响较盐渍处理明显,而盐渍处理对淮麦17的影响较盐胁迫处理明显.渍水条件下小麦籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累量均下降,除淮麦17谷蛋白和清蛋白含量有所提高外,淮麦17其他蛋白组分含量和扬麦12各蛋白组分含量均下降.     

花后干旱和渍水对不同品质类型小麦籽粒品质形成的影响

 防雨池栽条件下研究了花后干旱和渍水胁迫对两个不同品质类型小麦（Triticum aestivum）品种籽粒产量和品质形成的影响。结果表明,花后渍水和干旱处理明显降低了小麦籽粒产量和蛋白质产量。在整个灌浆期内干旱处理明显提高了籽粒蛋白质和醇溶蛋白含量,而渍水处理降低了籽粒蛋白质及其组分的积累量。籽粒总淀粉和直链淀粉含量以渍水处理最高,而支链淀粉以对照最高。干旱处理提高了籽粒干、湿面筋含量、沉降值和降落值,而渍水处理降低了上述品质指标。试验表明干旱和渍水胁迫对小麦籽粒蛋白质与淀粉的含量和组分及面粉品质等均有不同程度的影响,从而改变了不同品质类型小麦的籽粒品质。     

高温下干旱和渍水对冬小麦花后旗叶光合特性和物质转运的影响

以蛋白质含量不同的两个冬小麦品种扬麦9号和豫麦34为材料,研究了不同温度和水分条件下小麦花后旗叶光合特性的变化、营养器官花前贮藏干物质和氮素转运特征及其与籽粒产量和品质形成的关系.结果表明,高温及干旱和渍水均明显降低了旗叶光合速率和叶绿素含量（SPAD值）,但高温下干旱和渍水对光合作用的影响加重.小麦营养器官花前贮藏干物质、氮素转运量和转运率在适温下表现为干旱>对照>渍水,高温下则表现为对照>干旱>渍水.适温下花后同化物积累量表现为对照>渍水>干旱,高温下则表现为对照>干旱>渍水.花后氮素积累量在适温和高温下均表现为对照>渍水>干旱.籽粒淀粉含量以适温适宜水分处理最高,高温渍水下最低;蛋白质含量以高温干旱下最高,适温渍水下最低.温度和水分逆境下小麦粒质量和淀粉含量的降低与花后较低的光合能力及干物质积累有关,而蛋白质含量则与花前贮藏氮素的转运量和转运率有关.     

遮光对小麦籽粒淀粉品质和花前贮存非结构碳水化合物转运的影响

以耐荫品种扬麦158和不耐荫品种扬麦11两个小麦品种为材料,研究了拔节至成熟期遮光对小麦籽粒产量、淀粉含量和淀粉糊化特性的影响,并分析了花前营养器官非结构碳水化合物转运及其与籽粒产量、淀粉含量和淀粉糊化特性的关系.结果表明：遮光条件下小麦花前营养器官中可溶性总糖转运量的下降是造成小麦籽粒产量降低的原因之一;小麦支链淀粉在遮光条件下显著降低而直链淀粉变化不明显,导致小麦籽粒总淀粉含量和支／直显著下降;遮光降低了两品种小麦籽粒淀粉峰值粘度;降低了不耐荫品种扬麦11的低谷粘度,提高了其糊化温度,但对耐荫品种扬麦158的低谷粘度和糊化温度无显著影响.     

花后土壤水分状况对小麦籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累关键调控酶活性的影响

在温室盆栽条件下,以2个不同蛋白质含量的冬小麦(Triticum aestivum L．)品种皖麦38和扬麦9为材料,研究了花后第4天开始的土壤干旱(SRWC=45％～50％)和渍水对籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累关键调控酶活性的影响。小麦叶片和籽粒的测定结果均表明,小麦源库器官中籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累的关键调控酶活性变化趋势在2个品种间基本一致。与对照(SRWC=75％～80％)相比,干旱和渍水均明显降低了花后旗叶中蔗糖含量和磷酸蔗糖合成酶(SPS)活性,而氨基酸含量和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性略有下降。干旱和渍水均降低了籽粒库蔗糖合成酶(SS)和结合态淀粉合成酶(GBSS)活性,可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性降低尤甚。其中干旱处理下SS的下降比渍水更为明显。与对照相比,渍水明显降低了籽粒谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和GS活性,而干旱的影响较小。相关性分析结果表明籽粒淀粉产量和含量与SPS,SSS和GBSS活性的关系比与SS活性的关系更为密切,籽粒蛋白质产量和含量与叶中GS和籽粒中GPT活性的关系比与籽粒中GS关系活性更为密切。这些结果表明小麦源库器官中调控籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累的关键酶活性变化是花后不同水分状况影响籽粒淀粉和蛋白质特性的重要因素。     

花后干旱或渍水下氮素供应对小麦光合和籽粒淀粉积累的影响

防雨池栽条件下,设置渍水、干旱和对照3个土壤水分处理,每水分处理下再设置两个施氮水平,研究了花后渍水和干旱逆境下氮素水平对两个蛋白质含量不同的小麦品种光合特性和籽粒淀粉积累的影响.结果表明,与对照相比,花后渍水和干旱处理显著降低小麦旗叶净光合速率和SPAD值,干物质积累量下降.干旱处理下,增施氮肥提高旗叶光合速率和SPAD值,渍水处理下则相反.水分逆境明显降低籽粒可溶性总糖含量,且渍水处理下增施氮肥降低小麦叶片和籽粒可溶性总糖含量,干旱状态下规律相反.渍水处理下增施氮肥降低淀粉积累速率.水分逆境明显降低小麦粒重、产量和淀粉产量,且干旱处理下增施氮肥有利于籽粒重、产量和淀粉产量的提高,而渍水下增施氮肥使粒重和产量进一步降低.试验结果表明,花后渍水和干旱逆境下施用氮肥对小麦旗叶光合速率和籽粒淀粉积累有明显的调节效应.     

灌浆期高温和水分逆境对冬小麦籽粒蛋白质和淀粉含量的影响

灌浆期高温和水分逆境是影响小麦籽粒产量和品质的关键气候因子。以扬麦9号、徐州26和豫麦34三个小麦品种为材料,利用人工气候室模拟灌浆期高温和水分胁迫环境,研究了花后高温及温度和水分互作对小麦籽粒蛋白质和淀粉形成的影响。结果表明,高温显著提高了小麦籽粒蛋白质含量及清蛋白、球蛋白和醇溶蛋白含量,但降低了谷蛋白含量,导致麦谷蛋白／醇溶蛋白比值降低。高温显著降低了籽粒总淀粉和支链淀粉含量及支／直比。籽粒蛋白质和淀粉及其组分形成所需的适宜昼夜温差随小麦品质类型而异,但温度水平对籽粒蛋白质和淀粉的影响较温差大。在高温和水分逆境下,温度对籽粒蛋白质和淀粉含量的影响较水分逆境大,且存在显著的互作效应。小麦籽粒蛋白质含量均表现为干旱〉对照〉渍水,以高温干旱最高,适温渍水最低;淀粉含量为对照〉干旱〉渍水,以适温对照最高,而高温渍水最低。高温和水分逆境显著提高了籽粒醇溶蛋白含量而降低了谷蛋白含量及支链淀粉含量,使蛋白质谷／醇比和淀粉支／直比降低,以高温渍水对籽粒蛋白质和淀粉组分的影响最为显著。不同品种之间,高蛋白小麦籽粒蛋白质和组分的形成受高温和水分逆境的影响更大,而低蛋白品种籽粒淀粉形成显著受温度和水分逆境的调节。分析表明,在高温和水分逆境下籽粒蛋白质含量与清蛋白和醇溶蛋白显著正相关,籽粒淀粉含量与谷蛋白、支链淀粉含量及支／直比显著正相关。     

外源一氧化氮供体硝普钠浸种对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗碳氮代谢及抗氧化系统的影响

预先用0.1mmol/L的SNP(硝普钠,NO供体)浸种,研究NO预处理对120mmol/L NaCl胁迫下两小麦品种(扬麦12和淮麦17)幼苗叶片抗氧化系统、碳氮代谢及蛋白酶活性的影响。结果表明,NO预处理能有效地抑制NaCl胁迫下小麦幼苗叶片超氧阴离子释放(O.2-)和过氧化氢(H2O2)积累,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,提高叶绿素、类胡萝卜素和可溶性总糖含量。另外,NO预处理显著提高叶片可溶性蛋白质含量,以及内肽酶和羧肽酶活性。分析表明,NO有利于维持盐胁迫下小麦碳氮代谢正常运转,从而促进植株生长,提高小麦幼苗株高、鲜重和干重。试验条件下,NO对淮麦17的促进作用大于扬麦12。     

花前渍水预处理对花后渍水逆境下扬麦9号籽粒产量和品质的影响

以扬麦9号为材料,研究花前渍水预处理对花后渍水逆境下小麦籽粒产量和品质的影响。结果表明,与未进行渍水预处理相比,花前渍水预处理提高了小麦植株对花后渍害的抗性,生物产量、收获指数和千粒重显著提高,进而显著提高了籽粒产量;花前渍水预处理显著提高花后氮素积累量及其对籽粒氮素的贡献率,降低了花前贮藏氮素运转量及其对籽粒氮素的贡献率,进而引起籽粒球蛋白含量提高,但显著降低了清蛋白、醇溶蛋白、谷蛋白和全蛋白质含量、以及干湿面筋含量和沉降值;花前渍水预处理还提高了籽粒直链淀粉和总淀粉含量和降落值,降低了支/直链淀粉比,显著提高了面粉峰值粘度、低谷粘度、崩解值、最终粘度、回冷值和峰值时间,但对糊化温度无显著影响。     

小麦非结构性碳水化合物分配对水分胁迫的生理响应

以‘西旱2号’小麦为试材,采用水分胁迫和复水处理方法,研究了小麦发育过程中不同水分胁迫下非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)在小麦旗叶、茎、叶鞘等器官中的动态变化,以及籽粒中碳代谢相关酶(可溶性淀粉合成酶SSS和淀粉粒结合态合成酶GBSS)活性的变化.结果表明:不同程度水分胁迫对小麦旗叶、茎、叶鞘等器官中蔗糖含量无显著影响.随水分胁迫的深入,花后12～ 18 d旗叶中淀粉含量显著增加;水分胁迫缩短了花后茎和叶鞘中淀粉的积累时间,抑制了茎中淀粉的转化和分配;而叶鞘中淀粉的积累逐渐增大,在中度水分胁迫下积累提前终止.在水分胁迫初期,各营养器官中的NSC含量为旗叶＞茎＞叶鞘;随着水分胁迫的深入,各营养器官中的NSC含量为茎＞旗叶＞叶鞘.小麦主要营养器官中NSC的分配速率及主要代谢酶的变化可能是小麦对水分胁迫的一种生理调节反应.     

The effect of sodium and potassium ions on serotonin absorption by lung tissue]

Experiments were conducted on the isolated perfused lungs of albino rats; there was shown a dependency of serotonin (ST) absorption on the Na+ and K+ concentration in the perfusate. Which high Na+ concentrations in the perfusate ST was absorbed by the lung tissue cells in great quantities, but when Na+ concentrations were low - ST absorption showed a sharp reduction. K+ concentration in the perfusate had a lesser influence on the ST absorption; the maximal absorption was seen with the K+ concentrations of from 5 to 20 mM. A reduction or an increase in the K+ concentration inhibited the ST absorption. Strophanthin K, a powerful Na, K-dependent ATPase inhibitor, markedly inhibited the ST absorption in a concentration of 10(-4)-- 10(-3) M. It is supposed that there was an association of the ST transport through the cell membrane with the Na+ transport.     

Effect of salinity on expression of branchial ion transporters in striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

The time course of osmoregulatory adjustments and expressional changes of three key ion transporters in the gill were investigated in the striped bass during salinity acclimations. In three experiments, fish were transferred from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW), from SW to FW, and from 15-ppt brackish water (BW) to either FW or SW, respectively. Each transfer induced minor deflections in serum [Na+] and muscle water content, both being corrected rapidly (24 hr). Transfer from FW to SW increased gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity and Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter expression after 3 days. Abundance of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit mRNA and protein was unchanged. Changes in Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter protein were preceded by increased mRNA expression after 24 hr. Expression of V-type H+-ATPase mRNA decreased after 3 days. Transfer from SW to FW induced no change in expression of gill Na+,K+-ATPase. However, Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter mRNA and protein levels decreased after 24 hr and 7 days, respectively. Expression of H+-ATPase mRNA increased in response to FW after 7 days. In BW fish transferred to FW and SW, gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity was stimulated by both challenges, suggesting both a hyper- and a hypo-osmoregulatory response of the enzyme. Acclimation of striped bass to SW occurs on a rapid time scale. This seems partly to rely on the relative high abundance of gill Na+,K+-ATPase and Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter in FW fish. In a separate study, we found a smaller response to SW in expression of these ion transport proteins in striped bass when compared with the less euryhaline brown trout. In both FW and SW, NEM-sensitive gill H+-ATPase activity was negligible in striped bass and approximately 10-fold higher in brown trout. This suggests that in striped bass Na+-uptake in FW may rely more on a relatively high abundance/activity of Na+,K+-ATPase compared to trout, where H+-ATPase is critical for establishing a thermodynamically favorable gradient for Na+-uptake.     

Na transport and enzyme activities in the intestine of the freshwater and sea-water adapted trout (Salmo gairdnerii R.)

Unidirectional fluxes of Na+ obtained in perfused preparation and mucosal enzyme equipment (alkaline phosphatase, ouabain-sensitive Na+, K+-ATPase) have been determined in the middle and posterior intestine of freshwater (FW) and sea-water (SW) adapted trout. In FW, influxes and outfluxes were higher in the middle than in the posterior intestine, although net fluxes were similar. SW adaptation induced an increase of influxes and net fluxes mainly in the posterior intestine. SW adaptation decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity only in the posterior intestine. Na+,K+-ATPase activity was always higher in the middle than in the posterior intestine in FW and SW and increased in both parts by SW adaptation. Thus, it seems that SW adaptation of rainbow trout modifies Na intestinal absorption principally in its posterior part and in relation with the Na+, K+-ATPase activity.     

Handling of ferric iron by branchial and intestinal epithelia of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch)

With a view to test how the branchial and intestinal tissues of fish, the two sites of metal acquisition, utilize the water-borne ferric [Fe(III)] iron and whether the accumulation of this form of iron influences cellular Na/K gradient in these tissues, the gills and intestines of climbing perch adapted to freshwater (FW) and acclimated to dilute seawater (20 ppt; SW) were analyzed for ouabain-sensitive Na+, K+-ATPase activity, Fe and electrolyte contents after loading a low (8.95 microM) or high dose (89.5 microM) of Fe(III) iron in the water. The SW gills showed higher levels of total Fe after treating with 8.95 microM of Fe(III) iron which was not seen in the FW gills. Na+, K+-ATPase activity, reflecting Na/K pump activity, showed an increase in the FW gills and not in the SW gills. Substantial increase in the branchial Na and K content was observed in the SW gills, but the FW gills failed to show such effects after Fe(III) loading. The total Fe content was declined in the FW intestine but not in the SW intestine. Water-borne Fe(III) iron decreased the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase in the SW intestine while not changing its activity in the FW intestine. The Na and K content in the FW intestine did not respond to Fe(III) iron exposure but showed a reduction in its Na levels in the SW intestine. The moisture content in the gills and intestines of both the FW and SW perch remained unaffected after Fe(III) loading. In FW fish, the plasma Na levels were decreased by a low dose of Fe(III) iron, though a high dose of Fe(III) iron was required in the SW fish for such an effect. Overall, the results for the first time provide evidence that gills act as a major site for Fe(III) iron absorption and accumulation during salinity acclimation which depends on a high cellular Na/K gradient.     

Transient changes of the intestinal absorption of sodium and chloride in the rainbow trout after abrupt transfer into sea-water

1. Unidirectional fluxes of Na+ and Cl-, ouabain-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the protein content have been determined in the intestine of trout in fresh water (FW) and 1, 2, 7 days after sea-water (SW) transfer. 2. After abrupt transfer in SW the Na+ and Cl- transports follow in two phases: first, a permeabilization of the epithelium during the first day; secondly, a transient impermeabilization and increase of the protein content of the mucosa (2 days after SW transfer) and a progressive increase of both the unidirectional Na+, Cl- fluxes and the Na+,K+-ATPase activity (7 days after SW transfer). 3. After 7 days SW the adaptation of the enterocytes which is different for Na+ and Cl- and for the middle and the posterior intestine is not achieved.     

Osmoregulatory action of 17beta-estradiol in the gilthead sea bream Sparus auratus

The osmoregulatory action of 17beta-estradiol (E2) was examined in the euryhaline teleost Sparus auratas. In a first set of experiments, fish were injected once with vegetable oil containing E2 (1, 2 and 5 microg/g body weight), transferred 12h after injection from sea water (SW, 38 ppt salinity) to hypersaline water (HSW, 55 ppt) or to brackish water (BW, 5 ppt salinity) and sampled 12h later (i.e. 24 h post-injection). In a second experiment, fish were injected intraperitoneally with coconut oil alone or containing E2 (10 microg/g body weight) and sampled after 5 days. In the same experiment, after 5 days of treatment, fish of each group were transferred to HSW, BW and SW and sampled 4 days later (9 days post-implant). Gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity, plasma E2 levels, plasma osmolality, and plasma levels of ions (sodium and calcium), glucose, lactate, protein, triglyceride, and hepatosomatic index were examined. Transfer from SW to HSW produced no significant effects on any parameters assessed. E2 treatment did not affect any parameter. Transfer from SW to BW resulted in a significant decrease in plasma osmolality and plasma sodium but did not affect gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. A single dose of E2 attenuated the decrease in these parameters after transfer from SW to BW, but was without effect on gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. An implant of E2 (10 microg/g body weight) for 5 days significantly increased plasma calcium, hepatosomatic index, plasma metabolic parameters, and gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. In coconut oil-implanted (sham) fish, transfer from SW to HSW or BW during 4 days significantly elevated gill Na+,K+ -ATPase. Gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity remained unaltered after transfer of E2-treated fish to HSW or BW. However, in E2-treated fish transferred from SW to SW (9 days in SW after E2-implant), gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity decreased with respect to HSW- or BW-transferred fish. Shams transferred to HSW showed increased levels of lactate, protein, and trygliceride in plasma, while those transferred to BW only displayed increased trygliceride levels. E2-treated fish transferred to HSW showed higher protein levels without any change in other plasmatic parameters, while those transferred to BW displayed elevated plasma glucose levels but decreased osmolality and protein levels. These results substantiate a chronic stimulatory action of E2 on gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity in the euryhaline teleost Sparus auratas.     

Membrane ion transport systems during oxidative stress in rodent brain: protective effect of stobadine and other antioxidants

The effect of oxidative stress in vitro induced by radical generating systems (RGS) (Fe2+-EDTA and Fe2+-EDTA plus H2O2) on synaptosomal and microsomal ion transport systems as well as on the membrane fluidity was investigated. Oxidative insult reduced Na+, K+-ATPase activity by 50.7% and Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake measured in choline media by 46.7%. Membrane fluidity was also significantly reduced as observed with the fluorescent probe. Stobadine (ST) prevented the decrease in membrane fluidity and Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake, however Na+, K+-ATPase activity was only partially protected, indicating a more complex mechanism of inhibition. Incubation of microsomes with RGS led to the loss of ability of membranes to sequester Ca2+, as well as to the decrease of Ca2+-ATPase activity and to the increase of Ca2+ permeability to 125.1%. The relative potency of the two RGS to decrease membrane fluidity correlated well with the system's potencies to induce lipid peroxidation. The extent of protection against depression of Ca2+ uptake values and Ca2+-ATPase activity by membrane soluble antioxidants (U-74500A, U-83836E, t-butylated hydroxytoluene-BHT and ST) was dependent on the experimental conditions and on the dose and nature of antioxidant used. ST seems to be at least as affective as BHT and 21-aminosteroids, and more potent than tocopherol acetate. Water soluble glutathione had no significant effect on the RGS induced inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase activity. Combination of ST with glutathione enhanced ST antioxidant efficacy, so drug combination might be beneficial therapeutically.     

Dexamethasone modulates the activity of the eel branchial Na+/K+ATPase in both chloride and pavement cells

In fish, gills actively accumulate ions in freshwater (FW) with Na+ absorption taking place at the level of pavement cells, and excrete monovalent ions, mainly Na+ and Cl-, through the chloride cells in sea water (SW). The Na+/K+ATPase plays a crucial role in the functionality of osmoregulatory cells and we showed previously that angiotensin II modulates its activity in the eel gill (1). We here show the effects of synthetic steroid dexamethasone (DEX) on the activity of Na+/K+ATPase in both gill pavement and chloride cells from FW- and SW-adapted animals. Results showed that in the chloride cells 100 nM DEX provoked a significant increment in the activity of Na+/K+ATPase in both SW- and FW-adapted animals. This effect was greatest at 2 hours in SW, and at 6 hours in FW. The increment in the activity of the Na+/K+ATPase was dose-dependent in both environmental adaptations. Conversely, in pavement cells from FW-adapted eels 100 nM DEX decremented the activity of Na+/K+ATPase (4-fold reduction after 6 hour incubations), while in SW, DEX increased the enzyme activity of about 25% at 2 hours, and of about 55% at 6 hours. These results are consistent with the different physiological roles that pavement and chloride cells have in the two different adaptive conditions.     

Responses of Rubisco and Rubisco activase in cucumber seedlings to low temperature and weak light

Using 'Jinyou 3' cucumber seedlings as test materials, this paper studied their photosynthetic rate (P(n)), Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and Rubisco activase (RCA) activities, and gene expression of Rubisco and RCA under optimal temperature and weak light (WL: 25 degrees C/18 degrees C, 100 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), suboptimal temperature and weak light (ST+WL: 18 degrees C/12 degrees C, 100 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), and low temperature and weak light (LT+WL: 10 degress C/5 degrees C, 100 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)). Comparing with the control (25 degrees C/18 degrees C, 400 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), treatments WL, ST+WL, and LT+WL all led to a remarkable decrease in leaf area and dry matter mass. At initial stage, the P(n), Rubisco activity, rbcL and rbcS expression, RCA activity, and CsRCA expression in the three treatments declined by a big margin; 5-7 days later, these parameters tended to be less changed in treatment WL, ascended slowly in treatment ST+WL, and decreased continuously in treatment LT+WL. These results suggested that the photosynthetic apparatus of test cucumber seedlings could gradually adapt to weak light or suboptimal temperature and weak light. The Rubisco and RCA activities and the gene expression of Rubisco and RCA showed the similar responses to low temperature and weak light as the P(n), suggesting that the decline in Rubisco and RCA activities and gene expression in cucumber seedlings under low temperature and weak light could be the important reason leading to the decrease of P(n).