Variation of nitrogenase activity, photosynthesis and pigmentation of the cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua strain FS18 under different irradiance and pH values

Summary Our objective was to evaluate the physiological response of Fischerella ambigua FS18 to the combined influence of pH (5, 7 and 9) and light intensity (3 and 300 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹). Growth rates were similar at pH 9 and pH 7. There was no growth at pH 5. Increasing light intensity did not have any considerable influence on growth rates. Chlorophyll concentration was higher at pH 7 at all light intensities. Chlorophyll concentration decreased with increasing light intensity from 3 to 300 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹. Synthesis of the phycobiliproteins (PBP), phycocyanin (PC) and allophycocyanin (APC) had the highest rate in pH 7. Increasing irradiance decreased the concentrations of all PBPs. The light-saturated photosynthetic rate was clearly higher at high light intensity. With respect to nitrogenase activity, the highest rate was at pH 9 and 300 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹. Irradiance did not affect significantly this activity at pH 7. This cyanobacterium seems to be alkalophilic with maximum nitrogenase activity and photosynthesis at pH 9. It can also adapt its photosynthetic apparatus to the variable factors that are found in rice fields.