毛竹快速生长期茎秆不同节间光合色素和光合酶活性的差异

为揭示毛竹(Phyllostachysedulis)快速生长期茎秆中的光合碳同化特征及其在不同节间的变化规律,以毛竹笋竹茎秆为材料,测定不同节间光合色素含量、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubisco)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)、苹果酸脱氢酶(NADP-MDH)、NADP-苹果酸酶(NADP-ME)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)以及丙酮酸磷酸双激酶(PPDK)活性。结果显示,茎秆中叶绿素a、叶绿素b以及类胡萝卜素含量随节间升高均呈下降趋势,叶绿素a/b比值呈逐渐上升趋势;随着节间的升高,茎秆中Rubisco、PEPC和PPDK活性在第1–10节间显著下降,之后酶活性降幅逐渐减缓;NADP-ME活性在第1–13节间呈显著下降趋势,之后酶活性趋于平稳;NADP-MDH活性在第1–25节间显著下降。PEPC/Rubisco活性比值随节间升高而不断增加,其范围介于18.37–65.09之间,明显大于典型C3植物中的活性比值。上述结果表明,茎秆不同节间的光合碳同化能力存在明显差异,中、下部节间生长相对较快;茎秆中存在多种C4酶且活性较高,这为此时期茎秆中存在C4光合途径提供了有力证据。     

狼针草光合特性对放牧干扰的响应

以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草甸草原围封草地和放牧草地为实验样地, 通过对两种草地类型中狼针草(Stipa baicalensis)的光合特性、水分关系、植物渗透调节等生理生态学特性测定分析, 比较研究放牧干扰对狼针草的影响。结果表明: 在放牧干扰下, 狼针草通过增强核酮糖二磷酸羧化酶(RUBPCase)活性、叶绿素含量、改变电子流的方向和速率、增强光系统II (PSII)活性(p < 0.05), 促进同化物的累积和植物的补偿生长, 应对放牧干扰的影响。放牧干扰下狼针草的光合速率日变化曲线呈单峰型, 而围封草地中呈“双峰型”, 出现“午休”现象, 正午RuBPCase的羧化能力下降是造成围封草地狼针草光合“午休”的非气孔因素之一, 而磷元素的缺失可能是导致二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶(Rubisco)活性下降的原因。在光合能量分配方面, 两种样地狼针草的PSII最大光化学量子产量(F_v/F_m)均出现光抑制现象。放牧草地中狼针草对光照增强较为敏感, F_v/F_m值下降趋势明显(p < 0.05)。和围封样地相比, 放牧样地的狼针草光化学猝灭(q_P)值升高, 而非光化学猝灭(NPQ)值降低(p < 0.05), 分配更多的能量于光合反应中心, 有利于同化物累积, 提高光合能力来适应放牧的影响。在放牧干扰下, 狼针草叶片水势与叶片含水量降低, 而渗透调节物质可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量增加(p < 0.05), 狼针草的蓄水性变弱, 需要通过增加体内渗透调节物质, 主动降低水势, 以保证从土壤中获取足够的水分维持自身生理活性。同时, 放牧干扰促进了狼针草对氮元素的吸收利用。放牧样地中狼针草光合氮、磷利用率均与叶比重呈负相关关系。     

樟树幼苗机械损伤叶片对挥发性有机化合物及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为探讨植物在机械损伤后C₆-C₁₀醛类化合物的释放机理, 及C₆-C₁₀醛类化合物对叶片光系统II (PSII)的影响, 以樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)为材料, 采用动态顶空气体循环法和热脱附/气相色谱/质谱联用技术(TDS-GC-MS), 对樟树幼苗叶片损伤后释放的C₆-C₁₀醛类化合物进行采集与分析, 并同步测定了脂氧合酶活性和损伤叶片的叶绿素荧光动力学参数。结果表明: 樟树幼苗叶片损伤后, 其挥发性有机化合物中己醛、庚醛、辛醛、壬醛和癸醛的释放量比损伤前分别增加了2.47、0.99、1.34、0.91和28.38倍(p < 0.01); 同时新增4种醛类化合物, 分别是: 2-己烯醛、2,4-己二烯醛、(E)-2-辛烯醛和(E)-2-壬烯醛。脂氧合酶活性比损伤前增加1.2倍(p < 0.01)。PSII单位反应中心复合体吸收的能量和被核心捕获的能量分别比损伤前下降12.8%和9.8% (p < 0.01)。单位面积反应中心的数量、电子传递量子产额、捕获激子能导致电子传递效率和叶片性能指数分别比损伤前增加23.3%、24.4%、22.6%和82.7% (p < 0.01)。损伤24 h后, 醛类化合物的种类、释放量、脂氧合酶活性及叶片叶绿素荧光动力学参数基本恢复到损伤前水平。说明机械损伤使PSII供体侧受损、脂氧合酶活性升高, 致使C₆-C₁₀醛类化合物大量释放, 樟树幼苗通过增加单位面积反应中心的数量来提高光合效率应对胁迫。     

CO2浓度倍增对8种作物叶片光合作用、蒸腾作用和水分利用效率的影响

揭示作物光合作用、蒸腾作用和水分利用效率(WUE)对大气CO₂浓度变化的响应, 对预测未来大气CO₂浓度升高条件下作物生产力与需水规律的变化具有重要意义。在自然CO₂浓度、CO₂倍增和倍增后恢复到自然CO₂浓度3种情况下, 对大豆(Glycine max)、甘薯(Ipomoea batatas)、花生(Arachis hypogaea)、水稻(Oryza sativa)、棉花(Gossypium hirsutum)、玉米(Zea mays)、高粱(Sorghum vulgare)和谷子(Setaria italica) 8种作物的气体交换参数进行了研究。结果表明: CO₂浓度倍增可以提高光合速率, 降低蒸腾速率, 从而提高WUE, 其中光合速率提高的贡献更大; C₃比C₄作物的光合速率、WUE增幅大, C₃作物光合速率提高对WUE的贡献大于C₄作物; 通过对比倍增后恢复到自然CO₂浓度时气体交换参数随环境条件变化的响应确定了其内在调控机制; 倍增后恢复到自然CO₂浓度时作物光合速率低于自然CO₂浓度下的光合速率, 而蒸腾速率无明显差异。由此判断: CO₂浓度倍增下存在光合下调现象, 这可能是由于Rubisco酶蛋白含量、活化水平和比活性降低等“非气孔因素”造成的, 并非由气孔导度的降低引起的。     

根际CO2浓度富集对番茄光合生理的影响

本文采用气雾法栽培方式,研究了60 d根际CO₂浓度富集处理对番茄光合生理的影响.结果表明： 2500 μL·L^–1及以上CO₂浓度处理下,番茄植株叶片叶绿素含量、叶面积显著降低,叶片Mg²⁺ ATPase、Ca²⁺ ATPase和磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)活性显著减少,而根系PEPC活性显著增加,叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和胞间CO₂浓度均显著降低.表明根际高CO₂浓度条件下,根系PEPC活性增强、叶片固定CO₂的能力减弱、叶片Mg^2+ ATPase和Ca²⁺ ATPase活性显著降低,根际长期高CO₂浓度处理可能是导致植株光合生理指标下降的原因之一.
     

镉胁迫对旱柳光合作用和内肽酶变化的影响

通过水培方法,添加不同浓度CdCl2(0、5、25、50 μmol·L^-1)处理14 d,测定叶绿素含量、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubisco)和磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)活性、游离氨基酸含量及内肽酶活性,调查Cd对旱柳光合作用和内肽酶变化活性影响。结果发现：Cd处理降低了总叶绿素、叶绿素a、b含量; Rubisco活性随着介质中Cd浓度增加而降低;Cd抑制根和叶PEPC活性;同对照相比,根中游离氨基酸含量没有显著变化,而叶中游离氨基酸含量增加;不同浓度Cd处理降低根的内肽酶活性,高浓度Cd使叶内肽酶活力增加。这些结果表明,Cd通过降低叶绿素含量,促进叶内肽酶活性和抑制了CO₂羧化酶活性来影响旱柳光合作用。     

外源Ca2+对PEG处理下转C4型PEPC基因水稻光合生理的调节

磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)通过固定二氧化碳参与光合作用, 是关键的C₄植物光合作用酶。为了揭示高光效转C₄ PEPC基因水稻(Oryza sativa)对干旱胁迫的适应机理, 以高表达转C₄ PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为供试材料, 在植株的4-5叶期, 使用不同浓度外源CaCl₂溶液处理, 测定在15%聚乙二醇6000 (polyethylene glycol-6000, PEG-6000)胁迫下叶片相对含水量、光合参数、内源钙总含量、叶片总蛋白激酶活性、PEPC酶活性以及相关基因表达和蛋白质含量。结果表明, 0.5 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂明显提高PC叶片相对含水量(P<0.05), 2 mmol∙L^-1和10 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂则作用不显著, 对WT则影响不显著。不同浓度钙处理对PEG处理PC的净光合速率影响不显著, 而通过维持气孔导度减少水分胁迫。内源总钙浓度的数据显示, 在PEG6000处理下, PC具有维持稳定内源Ca²⁺浓度的能力, 过高浓度(10 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂)钙处理反而降低了PEPC酶活性、PEPC基因表达和可溶性蛋白的含量。     

CsRCA超表达对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合作用的影响

以CsRCA超表达黄瓜株系T1-7、T1-2和野生型‘08-1’为试材,在三叶一心时用光照培养箱模拟高温环境[40 ℃,光量子通量密度(PFD) 600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1],研究了CsRCA超表达对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合作用的调控机理.结果表明: CsRCA超表达可显著提高转基因黄瓜幼苗核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/加氧酶(Rubisco)大、小亚基的mRNA 表达量,Rubisco和Rubisco活化酶(RCA)活性亦显著高于野生型植株.高温胁迫2 h后,超表达和野生型黄瓜幼苗的光合速率(P_n)、以吸收光能为基础的光化学性能指数(PI_ABS)、Rubisco活性和RCA活性及其mRNA表达量均显著降低.经JIP-test分析发现,高温胁迫导致叶绿素荧光快速诱导动力学曲线中K点明显上升, 而捕获的激子将电子传递到电子传递链中Q_A下游的其他电子受体的概率(Ψ_o)和用于电子传递的产额(φ_E0)均显著下降,说明PSⅡ放氧复合体(OEC)和Q_A之后的电子传递链在高温下受到抑制,但是超表达植株的变化幅度要小于野生型植株.可见CsRCA超表达可以通过提高Rubisco、RCA和PSⅡ活性,缓解高温对黄瓜幼苗光合作用的影响,增强其对高温的适应性.     

毛竹出笋后快速生长期茎秆色素含量与反射光谱的相关性

为了探讨毛竹出笋后快速生长期茎秆色素含量与反射光谱特性间的相互关系,测定了毛竹茎秆在快速生长期内的色素含量与反射光谱参数,并对两者进行了相关性分析.结果表明:(1)在毛竹出笋后快速生长期内,随着茎秆不断生长,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量也随之增加,在60 d时含量最高.(2)反射光谱参数GNDVI、PSDNa、PSSDa、PSSDb、PSDNb、mND705、mSR705、CRI1、ARI1和PRI等均随着茎秆生长而增加,NPCI、SIPI和RGI则随生长而降低;Sred随着茎秆生长基本呈现出不断增大的趋势.各参数在20 d到30 d时的变化均达到极显著水平(P＜0.01).(3)GNDVI、PSSRa、PSSRb、PSSRc、PSNDa、PSNDb、PSNDc、NPCI、mSR705、mND705、CRI2、PRI、Dλred和λred等反射光谱参数与叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量之间的相关性均达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),其中PSSRb、mSR705、CRI2、PRI、ARI1和ARI2与叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量之间的相关性高于或接近0.9,说明毛竹出笋后快速生长期反射光谱特征及其参数可用来估算叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量,并为利用反射光谱监测其生长趋势提供了可能.     

UV-B对设施桃叶片光合功能及叶绿体超微结构的影响

对温室栽培的油桃中油5号(Prunus persica var. nectarina cv. ‘Zhongyou5’)适量补充UV-B, 分析其对桃叶片光合功能及叶绿体超微结构的影响。结果表明, UV-B处理下各色素含量均有不同程度的增加, 其中叶绿素b的含量和净光合速率(P_n)提升幅度较大。相较于未补充UV-B的桃树(对照), UV-B处理的F_v/F_m无显著变化, F_v'/F_m'比值、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、非光化学猝灭系数(qN)以及PSII实际光化学量子效率(Φ_PSII)均有显著或极显著升高。透射电镜结果显示, UV-B处理下叶绿体基质片层空隙小, 堆叠紧密, 叶绿体外膜边缘清晰。可见, 温室内适量补充UV-B可快速改善叶片叶绿体的超微结构, 提升叶绿素分子捕获光能及向PSII传递的能力, 增大PSII反应中心的开放程度, 提高实际光能转化效率和PSII电子传递量子效率, 提高叶片的光合功能。该研究为设施果树光合性能改善和UV-B合理利用提供了理论依据。     

Evidence for the expression of morphological and biochemical characteristics of C3-photosynthesis in chlorohyllous callus cultures of Zea mays

A Zea mays callus culture containing chlorophyll was established and grown photomixotrophically. Cell chloroplast structure, and pigment and soluble protein contents were examined. Expression of some key enzymes of C₄ carbon metabolism was compared with that of etiolated (heterotrophic) and green photoautotrophic leaves. Chlorophyll content of the callus was 15–20% that of green leaves. Soluble protein content of callus was half that of leaf cells. Electron microscopic observations showed that green callus cells contained only typical granal chloroplasts. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.38) activities in green callus were ca 30% those of green leaves but 2–3 times higher than in etiolated leaves. Quantitative enzyme protein determination, using antibodies specific to maize leaf Rubisco showed that the chloroplastic carboxylase represented about 7% of total soluble protein in green callus, in parallel to its low chlorophyll content. The specific activity of Rubisco in callus and leaves was unchanged. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31) activity in green callus was about 20% that of green leaves and similar to that measured in etiolated leaves. Apparent K_m (PEP) values (0.08 mM) for PEPC isolated from green callus and etiolated leaves were very different from values (0.5 mM) obtained with PEPC from green leaves. These kinetic characteristics together with the absence of inhibition by malate and activation by glucose-6-phosphate suggest that the properties of PEPC isolated from green callus and etiolated maize leaves are very similar to those of PEPPC from C₃ plants. Using PEPC antibodies specific to green maize leaf enzyme, immunotitration of PEPC preparations containing identical enzyme units allowed complete precipitation of the green leaf enzyme with increasing antibody volumes. In contrast, 60–70% of the activity of PEPC from etiolated and green callus was inhibited, suggesting low affinity for the maize green leaf PEPC antiserum (typical C₄ form). Ouchterlony double diffusion tests revealed only partial recognition of PEPC in green callus and etiolated leaves. NAD-malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH, EC 1.1.1.37) activity in callus was 2 and 3 times higher, respectively, than in etiolated and green leaves. NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME, EC 1.1.1.40) activity in callus cultures was much lower than in green leaves. All our data support the hypothesis that cultures of fully dedifferentiated chlorophyllous tissues of Zea mays possess a C₃-like metabolism.     

Effects of growth light and nitrogen nutrition on the organization of the photosynthetic apparatus in leaves of a C4 plant, Amaranthus cruentus

Properties of C4 photosynthesis were examined in Amaranthus cruentus L. (NAD-malic enzyme (ME) subtype, dicot) grown under different light and nitrogen (N) conditions, from the viewpoint of N investment into their photosynthetic components. In low-light (LL) leaves, chlorophyll content per leaf area was greater and chlorophyll alb ratio was lower than in high-light (HL) leaves. These indicate that LL leaves invest more N into their light-harvesting systems. However, this N investment did not contribute to the increase in the quantum yield of photosynthesis on the incident photon flux density (PFD) basis (Qi) in LL leaves. N allocation to ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylasel oxygenase (Rubisco) was significantly higher in HL-high N (HN) leaves than in other leaves. On the other hand, N allocation to C4 enzymes [phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and pyruvate Pi dikinase (PPDK)] was unaffected by the growth conditions. Maximum photosynthetic rates (Pmax) per Rubisco content were similar irrespective of the growth light treatments. Carbon isotope ratios (delta13 C) in the leaf dry matter were more negative in LL leaves than in HL leaves (LL = -19.3% per hundred, HL = -16.0% per hundred) and independent of leaf N. Vein density was highest in HL-HN leaves, and leaf thickness was unaffected by the growth light treatments. From these results, we conclude that A. cruentus leaves would not acclimate efficiently to low growth light.     

Effect of inorganic carbon supply on the photosynthetic physiology of Gracilaria tenuistipitata

Gracilaria tenuistipitata Zhang et Xia was cultured for 15 d at low, normal and high inorganic carbon concentrations under constant light, temperature and nutrient conditons. Carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1.) activity, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.39) content, pigment content and C/N ratio were measured, and also the photosynthesis and growth rates. Both Rubisco content and CA activity increased under conditions of low inorganic carbon (C_i) but decreased at high C_i with respect to the control. The amount of pigments declined considerably at high C_i and was slightly higher at low C_i. The maximum rate of photosynthesis and the photosynthetic efficiency increased in low C_i and the opposite was found at high C_i concentration. The effects of C_i concentration on maximum rate of photosynthesis and photosynthetic efficiency are discussed in relation to the variation in pigment and Rubisco contents and CA activity. The data indicate that C_i may be an important factor controlling the photosynthetic physiology of G. tenuistipitata with regard, not only to the enzymes of C_i metabolism, but also to the pigment content.Abbreviations APS_max maximum apparent photosynthetic rate - CA carbonic anhydrase - Chl chlorophyll - C_i inorganic carbon - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase This work has been supported by grants No. PB91-0962 and No. MAR90-0365 from Spanish Direction for Science and Technology (DIGICYT). M.J. G-S holds a fellowship from the DIGICYT.     

Carbon assimilation by tree stems: potential involvement of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

In woody species, the photosynthesis of stems, especially young branches, occurs by refixing part of the internal respiratory CO₂. The present study aims to improve the physiological characterization of stem photosynthesis by examining enzymatic characteristics. During an entire growing season, three enzymatic activities that are linked to C₃ and C₄ metabolism were investigated in relation to the CO₂ efflux and chlorophyll content of current year stems of European beech and were compared to the corresponding characteristics of leaves. High activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and NADP malic enzyme were detected in stems (up to 13 times and 30 times higher in stems than in leaves, respectively), whereas Rubisco activity remained low in comparison with leaves. Stem maximal Rubisco and PEPC activities occurred at the beginning of the season when the total chlorophyll content and the CO₂ assimilation rate were also maximal. Stems were characterized by a PEPC:Rubisco ratio that was equal to 2.5 [an intermediate value between that of C₃-plants (about 0.1) and that of C₄-plants (about 10)], whereas it was equal to 0.1 in leaves. Eight other tree species were also measured and the PEPC:Rubisco ratio was, on average, equal to 3.6. The potential role of PEPC in stem carbon assimilation is discussed in relation to its known involvement in the anaplerotic function of C₃ plants and in the carbon metabolism of the C₄ pathway.     

Photosynthetic enzyme accumulation during leaf development of Arundinella hirta, a C4 grass having Kranz cells not associated with veins

The leaf of the NADP-malic enzyme type C(4) grass, Arundinella hirta, has not only mesophyll cells (MCs) and bundle sheath cells (BSCs, usual Kranz cells) but also another type of Kranz cells (distinctive cells; DCs) that are not associated with vascular bundles. We investigated photosynthetic enzyme accumulation along the base-to-tip maturation gradient of developing leaves by immunogold electron microscopy. In mature leaves, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) were detected in the MC cytosol and in the BSC and DC chloroplasts, respectively. Pyruvate, P(i) dikinase (PPDK) was present in the chloroplasts of all photosynthetic cells but with higher levels in the MCs. Rubisco was first detected in the basal region of emerging leaf blades where the BSCs and DCs became discernable. Subsequently, the accumulation of PEPC and PPDK was initiated in the region where the granal proliferation in the chloroplasts was conspicuous; and, suberized lamellae were formed in the cell walls of the Kranz cells. There was no difference in the patterns of cellular development and enzyme accumulation between the BSCs and DCs or between the MCs adjacent to each type of Kranz cells. These results demonstrate that, although the DCs are not associated with veins, they behaved like BSCs with respect to enzyme induction and cellular differentiation.     

Light-dependent development of single cell C4 photosynthesis in cotyledons of Borszczowia aralocaspica (Chenopodiaceae) during transformation from a storage to a photosynthetic organ

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous work has shown that Borszczowia aralocaspica (Chenopodiaceae) accomplishes C4 photosynthesis in a unique, polarized single-cell system in leaves. Mature cotyledons have the same structure as leaves, with chlorenchyma cells having biochemical polarization of dimorphic chloroplasts and C4 functions at opposite ends of the cell. KEY RESULTS: Development of the single-celled C4 syndrome in cotyledons was characterized. In mature seeds, all cell layers are already present in the cotyledons, which contain mostly lipids and little starch. The incipient chlorenchyma cells have a few plastids towards the centre of the cell. Eight days after germination and growth in the dark, small plastids are evenly distributed around the periphery of the expanding cells. Immunolocalization studies show slight labelling of Rubisco in plastids in seeds, including chlorenchyma, hypodermal and water storage, but not epidermal, cells. After imbibition and 8 d of growth in the dark labelling for Rubisco progressively increased, being most prominent in chlorenchyma cells. There was no immunolabelling for the plastid C4 enzyme pyruvate, Pi dikinase under these conditions. Cotyledons developing in light show formation of chlorenchyma tissue, induction of the cytosolic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and development of dimorphic chloroplasts at opposite ends of the cells. Proximal chloroplasts have well-developed grana, store starch and contain Rubisco; those located distally have reduced grana, lack starch and contain pyruvate, Pi dikinase. CONCLUSIONS: The results show cotyledons developing in the dark have a single structural plastid type which expresses Rubisco, while light induces formation of dimorphic chloroplasts from the single plastid pool, synthesis of C4 enzymes, and biochemical and structural polarization leading to the single-cell C4 syndrome.     

CO(2) Assimilation and Activities of Photosynthetic Enzymes in High Chlorophyll Fluorescence Mutants of Maize Having Low Levels of Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase

Photosynthetic properties were examined in several hcf (high chlorophyll fluorescence 11, 21, 42 and 45) nuclear recessive mutants of maize which were previously found to have normal photochemistry and low CO₂ fixation. Mutants usually either died after depletion of seed reserves (about 18 days after planting), or survived with slow growth up to 7 or 8 weeks. Both the activity and quantity of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) were low in the mutants (5-25% of the normal siblings on a leaf area basis) and the loss of Rubisco tended to parallel the reduction in photosynthetic capacity. The Rubisco content in the mutants was often marginal for photosynthetic carbon gain, with some leaves and positions along a leaf having no net photosynthesis, while other leaves had a low carbon gain. Conversely, the activities of C₄ cycle enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, pyruvate, Pi dikinase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, and NADP-malic enzyme, were the same or only slightly reduced compared to the normal siblings. The mutants had about half as much chlorophyll content per leaf area as the normal green plants. However, the Rubisco activity in the mutants was low on both a leaf area and chlorophyll basis. Low Rubisco activity and lower chlorophyll content may both contribute to the low rates of photosynthesis in the mutants on a leaf area basis.     

Effects of rapidly imposed water deficit on photosynthetic parameters of three C<Subscript>4</Subscript> grasses

Water deficit, when rapidly imposed on three C₄ grasses of the different metabolic subtypes, Paspalum dilatatum Poiret (NADP-malic enzyme), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers (NAD-malic enzyme) and Zoysia japonica Steudel (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), caused decreases in photosynthetic rates, in the quantum yield of PS II and photochemical quenching, and in the activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). The results provide evidence for non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis differing in nature between the three species.     

Photosynthetic Metabolism and Activity of Carboxylating Enzymes in Emergent,Floating, and Submersed Leaves of Hydrophytes

Radioisotope techniques were used to compare photosynthetic CO₂ fixation, activities of carboxylating enzymes, and the composition of photosynthates in 42 species of aquatic plants (emergent, floating, and submersed hydrophytes) collected from rivers Sysert' and Iset' in Sverdlovsk oblast (Russia). The submersed leaves, in comparison with the emergent and floating leaves, featured lower rates of potential photosynthesis (by 2.2 mg CO²/(dm² h) on average), low content of the fraction I protein, and low activity of Rubisco and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). The averaged activities of Rubisco and PEPC were diminished in submersed leaves by 10 and 1 mg/(dm² h), respectively. Different hydrophyte groups showed similar composition of assimilates accumulated after 5-min photosynthesis and did not differ in this respect from terrestrial plants. However, the incorporation of ¹⁴C into sucrose and starch in submersed leaves (30 and 9% of total labeling, respectively) was lower than in emergent and floating leaves (45 and 15%, respectively). At the same time, the incorporation of ¹⁴C into C₄ acids (malate and aspartate) was 1.5 times higher in submersed leaves than in other leaf types. Analysis of leaf differentiation, the Rubisco/PEPC activity ratio, the PEPC activity, and the composition of primary photosynthates in the pulse–chase experiments revealed no evidence of the C₄ effect in the submersed hydrophytes examined. The adaptation of hydatophytes to specific conditions of an aquatic environment was structurally manifested in the reduction (by a factor of 3–5) in the number of chloroplasts per 1 cm² leaf area. This small number of chloroplasts was responsible for low photosynthetic rates in submersed leaves, although metabolic activities of individual chloroplasts were similar for all three hydrophyte groups.