The Effect of Monochromatic Light on α-Linolenic and Trans-3-Hexadecenoic Acids Biosynthesis, and Its Correlation to the Development of the Plastid Lamellar System

Seven day old etiolated Zea mays L. (cv. Wisconsin 355) seedlings were illuminated for 20 h under monochromatic radiations (100 Á pass band) produced by a spectral illuminator of high energy. Four regions of the visible spectrum were observed to stimulate chlorophyll synthesis. With poorly developed leaves (grown for 7 days at 22°C: experiment A). the most efficient wavelengths were found to be in the blue and green (between 445 and 505 nm). yellow (between 580 and 605 nm) and red (maximum 650 nm) parts of the spectrum. With well developed leaves (grown for 7 clays al 27°C: experiment B), a slight displacement of the maxima towards shorter wavelengths was observed. ¹⁴C-acetate was furnished to illuminated maize seedlings to follow lipid synthesis during greening. In the leaves of experiment A, the biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol followed chlorophyll accumulation. In the more developed leaves of experiment B. containing higher amounts of galactolipids, the biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol followed chlorophyll accumulation only in blue and yellow light. The biosynthesis of trans-3-hexadecenoic acid was strictly dependent on the wavelength of the irradiating light in the leaves of experiment A; it was optimal under blue (420 nm) and still very high under yellow (580 nm) and red (650 nm). In the more developed leaves of experiment B, it was optima in blue (445 nm) and in yellow (580 nm), and the red maximum was shifted to 630 nm. All C-trans-3-hexadecenoic acid was incorporated into phosphatidylglycerol. A marked relationship was observed between the intensity of galactolipid synthesis and the development of the lamellar system of maize plastids during greening. A positive correlation could be established between the biosynthesis of trans-3-hcxadeccnoie acid and the development of well constituted grana stacks in the plastids.