Temperature/light dependent development of selective resistance to photoinhibition of photosystem I

Exposure of winter rye leaves grown at 20°C and an irradiance of either 50 or 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ to high light stress (1600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, 4 h) at 5°C resulted in photoinhibition of PSI measured in vivo as a 34% and 31% decrease in ΔA₈₂₀/A₈₂₀ (P700⁺). The same effect was registered in plants grown at 5°C and 50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. This was accompanied by a parallel degradation of the PsaA/PsaB heterodimer, increase of the intersystem e⁻ pool size as well as inhibition of PSII photochemistry measured as F_v/F_m. Surprisingly, plants acclimated to high light (800 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) or to 5°C and moderate light (250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were fully resistant to photoinhibition of PSI and did not exhibit any measurable changes at the level of PSI heterodimer abundance and intersystem e⁻ pool size, although PSII photochemistry was reduced to 66% and 64% respectively. Thus, we show for the first time that PSI, unlike PSII, becomes completely resistant to photoinhibition when plants are acclimated to either 20°C/800 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ or 5°C/250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ as a response to growth at elevated excitation pressure. The role of temperature/light dependent acclimation in the induction of selective tolerance to PSI photoinactivation is discussed.     

Effects of temperature, salinity, and irradiance on the growth of the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea

The effects of temperature, salinity, and irradiance on the growth of the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea were examined in the laboratory. The irradiance at the light compensation point (I₀) was 14.40 μmol m^− 2 s^− 1 and the irradiance at growth saturation (I_s) was 114 μmol m^− 2 s^− 1. We exposed A. sanguinea to 48 combinations of temperature (5-30 °C) and salinity (5-40) under saturating irradiance; it exhibited its maximum growth rate of 1.13 divisions/day at a combination of 25 °C and salinity of 20. A. sanguinea was able to grow at temperatures from 10 to 30 °C and salinities from 10 to 40. This study revealed that A. sanguinea was a eurythermal and euryhaline organism; in Japan it should have formed blooms in early summer, when salinity was relatively low. In addition, it was noteworthy that A. sanguinea had markedly cold-durability, retaining the motile form of vegetative cells for more than 50 days at 5 °C and at salinities of 25-30.     

Photosynthesis and growth of Ulva ohnoi and Ulva pertusa (Ulvophyceae) under high light and high temperature conditions,and implications for green tide in Japan

The macroalga Ulva ohnoi constitutes a considerable fraction of green tides in coastal areas of Japan, but little is known about the physiological characteristics of this species. To investigate the environmental factors that promote the formation of green tides, we tested the responses of U. ohnoi and another common Japanese species, Ulva pertusa, to various levels of irradiance at different water temperatures. Because the two species are morphologically similar, we identified them using the PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Under laboratory conditions, we evaluated the photosynthetic, dark respiration, and relative growth rate at a range of water temperatures (5 to 35°C) and photosynthetically active radiation (0 to 1000 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). The maximum gross photosynthetic rate of U. ohnoi was larger than that of U. pertusa. The dark respiration rates revealed no significant differences among the species and temperature conditions. At 500 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, the relative growth rate of U. ohnoi was larger than that of U. pertusa in higher temperature and the difference was the largest at 20°C. The estimated compensation irradiance and estimated saturation irradiance of U. ohnoi and U. pertusa ranged from 0.709 to 5.510 and 40.530 to 58.674 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, which were lower than those in other intertidal green macroalgae, from 6 to 11 and 50 to 82 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, respectively. Thus, U. ohnoi which exists as free‐floating near the water surface and accumulating inside the green tide can survive extensively in the water column of the intertidal zone, furthermore, the species can maintain rapid growth in this situation. Therefore, as a result of this study, it is suggested that the ecological success of U. ohnoi in shallow waters such as the tidal flats, estuarine, and coasts of the inner bay in comparison with U. pertusa.     

THE MECHANISM OF DAYLENGTH PERCEPTION IN THE RED ALGA ACROSYMPHYTON PURPURIFERUM1

The red alga Acrosymphton purpuriferum (J. Ag.) Sjöst. (Dumontiaceae) is a short day plant in the formation of its tetrasporangia. Tetrasporogenesis was not inhibited by 1 h night-breaks when given at any time during the long (16 h) dark period (tested at 2 h intervals). However, tetrasporogenesis was inhibited when short (8 h) main photoperiods were extended beyond the critical daylength with supplementary light periods (8 h) at an irradiance below photosynthetic compensation. The threshold irradiance below photosynthetic compensation. The threshold irradiance for inhibition of tetrasporogenesis was far lower when supplementary light periods preceded the main photoperiod than when they followed it (< 0.05 μmol.m⁻². s⁻¹ vs. 3 μmol.m⁻².s⁻¹. The threshold level also depended on the irradiance given during the main photoperiod and was higher after a main photoperiod in bright light than after one in dim light (threshold at 3 μmol.m⁻².s⁻¹ after a main photoperiod at ca. 65 μmol.m⁻².s⁻¹ vs. threshold at <0.5 μmol.m⁻².s⁻¹ after a main photoperiod at ca. 35 μmol.m⁻².s⁻¹. The spectral dependence of the response was investigated in day-extensions (supplementary light period (8 h) after main photoperiod (8 h) at 48 μmol. m⁻².s⁻¹) with narrow band coloured light. Blue light (λ= 420 nm) was most effective, with 50% inhibition at a quantum-dose of 2.3 mmol.m⁻². However, yellow (λ= 563 nm) and red light (λ= 600 nm; λ= 670 nm) also caused some inhibition, with ca. 30% of the effectiveness of blue light. Only far-red light (λ= 710 nm; λ= 730 nm) was relatively ineffective with no significant inhibition of tetrasporogenesis at quantum-doses of up to 20 mmol. m⁻².     

Effects of light intensity and quality on the growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content of Spirulina platensis

The quantitative and qualitative effects of light on carotenoid production by Spirulina were studied. Maximum total carotenoid production was measured in cells grown under white light at an irradiance of 432 μmol photon m^?2 s^?1, the onset of light saturation for this organism as determined by growth rates. A true maximum may exist at irradiances above 1500 μmol photon m^?2 s^?1 under white light. Individual carotenoids responded differently to light conditions. Under white light, β-carotene and echinenone were most abundant at the lowest and highest irradiance levels tested. Myxoxanthophyll and lutein/zeaxanthin did not change over the same irradiance range. Under red and blue light, we found decreased values of myxoxanthophyll, while β-carotene increased and lutein/zeaxanthin and echinenone showed little change. In general, maximum carotenoid production requires optimization of the culture conditions that favor growth.     

Abstracts of papers read at the winter meeting at the university of Newcastle Upon Tyne

Young plants of Laminaria hyperborea collected from the field were grown for 2·5–4 weeks in blue, green, red and white (simulated underwater) light fields at 5, 20 and 100 μmol m^-2s^-1. The absolute concentrations of all pigments showed little variation with irradiance in green and white light, but decreased in high irradiances of red and blue light. The ratio of fucoxanthin to chlorophyll a also increased in the latter treatments, as did the chlorophyll c:a ratio in bright red light. There was little difference in the action spectrum for photosynthesis between the different light qualities at any one irradiance, but the action spectra for plants grown at 100 μmol m^-2s^-1 showed deeper troughs and higher peaks than those for plants grown at lower irradiances. Gross photosynthesis per unit of thallus area at 10 μmol m^-2s^-1 decreased in plants with low total pigment concentrations, but the photosynthesis per unit of pigment concentration increased. This suggestion of self-shading of pigment molecules within the algal thalli was supported by a flattening of the action spectrum in plants with higher chlorophyll a contents. The variations observed between the action spectra for different plants could thus be attributed to the decrease in pigment content at high irradiances, and not to the light quality in which the plants were grown.     

Chemical profile of the North American native Myriophyllum sibiricum compared to the invasive M. spicatum

Myriophyllum spicatum L. is a nonindigenous invasive plant in North America that can displace the closely related native Myriophyllum sibiricum Komarov. We analyzed the chemical composition (including: C, N, P, polyphenols, lignin, nonpolar extractables, and sugars) of M. spicatum and M. sibiricum and determined how the chemistry of the two species varied by plant part with growing environment (lake versus tank), irradiance (full sun versus 50% shading), and season (July through September). M. spicatum had higher concentrations of carbon, polyphenols and lignin (C: 47%; polyphenols: 5.5%; lignin: 18%) than M. sibiricum (C: 42%; polyphenols: 3.7%; lignin: 9%) while M. sibiricum had a higher concentration of ash under all conditions (12% versus 8% for M. spicatum). Apical meristems of both species had the highest concentration of carbon, polyphenols, and tellimagrandin II, followed by leaves and stems. Tellimagrandin II was present in apical meristems of both M. spicatum (24.6 mg g⁻¹ dm) and M. sibiricum (11.1 mg g⁻¹ dm). Variation in irradiance from 490 (shade) to 940 (sun) μmol of photons m⁻² s⁻¹ had no effect on C, N, and polyphenol concentrations, suggesting that light levels above 490 μmol of photons m⁻² s⁻¹ do not alter chemical composition. The higher concentration of polyphenols and lignin in M. spicatum relative to M. sibiricum may provide advantages that facilitate invasion and displacement of native plants.     

Effect of CO2 concentration on the PIC/POC ratio in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi grown under light-limiting conditions and different daylengths

We compared the effect of CO₂ concentration ([CO₂], ranging from ∼5 to ∼34 μmol l⁻¹) at four different photon flux densities (PFD=15, 30, 80 and 150 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and two light/dark (L/D) cycles (16/8 and 24/0 h) on the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. With increasing [CO₂], a decrease in the particulate inorganic carbon to particulate organic carbon (PIC/POC) ratio was observed at all light intensities and L/D cycles tested. The individual response in cellular PIC and POC to [CO₂] depended strongly on the PFD. POC production increased with rising [CO₂], irrespective of the light intensity, and PIC production decreased with increasing [CO₂] at a PFD of 150 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, whereas below this light level it was unaffected by [CO₂]. Cell growth rate decreased with decreasing PFD, but was largely independent of ambient [CO₂]. The diurnal variation in PIC and POC content, monitored over a 38-h period (16/8 h L/D, PFD=150 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), exceeded the difference in carbon content between cells grown at high (∼29 μmol l⁻¹) and low (∼4 μmol l⁻¹) [CO₂]. However, consistent with the results described above, cellular POC content was higher and PIC content lower at high [CO₂], compared to the values at low [CO₂], and the offset was observed throughout the day. It is suggested that the observed sensitivity of POC production for ambient [CO₂] may be of importance in regulating species-specific primary production and species composition.     

Chromatic photoacclimation, photosynthetic electron transport and oxygen evolution in the Chlorophyll d-containing oxyphotobacterium Acaryochloris marina

Changes in photosynthetic pigment ratios showed that the Chlorophyll d-dominated oxyphotobacterium Acaryochloris marina was able to photoacclimate to different light regimes. Chl d per cell were higher in cultures grown under low irradiance and red or green light compared to those found when grown under high white light, but phycocyanin/Chl d and carotenoid/Chl d indices under the corresponding conditions were lower. Chl a, considered an accessory pigment in this organism, decreased respective to Chl d in low irradiance and low intensity non-white light sources. Blue diode PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) fluorometry was able to be used to measure photosynthesis in Acaryochloris. Light response curves for Acaryochloris were created using both PAM and O₂ electrode. A linear relationship was found between electron transport rate (ETR), measured using a PAM fluorometer, and oxygen evolution (net and gross photosynthesis). Gross photosynthesis and ETR were directly proportional to one another. The optimum light for white light (quartz halogen) was about 206 ± 51 μmol m^− 2 s^− 1 (PAR) (Photosynthetically Active Radiation), whereas for red light (red diodes) the optimum light was lower (109 ± 27 μmol m^− 2 s^− 1 (PAR)). The maximum mean gross photosynthetic rate of Acaryochloris was 73 ± 7 μmol mg Chl d^− 1 h^− 1. The gross photosynthesis/respiration ratio (P_g/R) of Acaryochloris under optimum conditions was about 4.02 ± 1.69. The implications of our findings will be discussed in relation to how photosynthesis is regulated in Acaryochloris.     

Effect of low light intensity on growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch

Effects of low light intensity on growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites of a medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. were investigated. Hydroponic-cultivated one year-old rhizome seedlings were grown under three low irradiances, 200, 100, and 50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for 135 days. Control plants were cultured under natural light conditions. Low light intensity stress decreased leaf thickness, photosynthesis and biomass, but increased leaf area and chlorophyll concentrations. Low light intensity also significantly increased accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin in the root, while the maximum values of both secondary metabolites were obtained under an irradiance of 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Concentrations of both secondary metabolites were negatively correlated with root biomass. The results suggested that G. uralensis could endure an environment with low light intensity and suitable light control might increase the secondary metabolite contents within agroforestry systems.     

Responses of vegetative gametophytes of Undaria pinnatifida to high irradiance in the process of gametogenesis

The population of Undaria pinnatifida in its ecologic niche sustains itself in high temperature summer in the form of vegetative gametophytes, the haploid stage in its heteromorphic life cycle. Gametogenesis initiates when seawater temperature drops below the threshold levels in autumn in the northern hemisphere. Given that the temperature may fall into the appropriate range for gametogenesis, the level of irradiance determines the final destiny of a gametophytic cell, either undergoing vegetative cell division or initiating gametogenesis. In elucidating how vegetatively propagated gametophytes cope with changes of irradiance in gametogenesis, we carried out a series of culture experiments and found that a direct exposure to irradiance as high as 270 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 was lethal to dim‐light (7–10 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) adapted male and female gametophytes. This lethal effect was linearly corelated with the exposure time. However, dim‐light adapted vegetative gametophytes were shown to be able tolerate as high as 420 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 if the irradiance was steadily increased from dim light levels (7–10 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) to 90, 180 and finally 420 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, respectively, at a minimum of 1–3 h intervals. Percentage of female gametophytic cells that turned into oogonia and were eventually fertilized was significantly higher if cultured at higher but not lethal irradiances. Findings of this investigation help to understand the dynamic changes of population size of sporophytic plants under different light climates at different site‐specific ecologic niches. It may help to establish specific technical details of manipulation of light during mass production of seedlings by use of vegetatively propagated gametophytes.     

CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION RHYTHMICITY BY ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENDOGENOUS SIGNALS IN ULVA PSEUDOCURVATA (CHLOROPHYTA)1

A field population of Ulva pseudocurvata Koeman et C. Hoek (hereafter termed Ulva) at Sylt Island (North Sea, Germany) exhibited biweekly peaks of gametophytic reproduction during the colder seasons and approximately weekly peaks during summer. The reproductive events lasted 1–5 d and were separated from each other by purely vegetative phases. Under constant conditions in the laboratory, a free‐running rhythm was observed with reproductive peaks occurring approximately every 7 d. When artificial moonlight was provided every 4 weeks, fewer reproductive events occurred, and the reproductive rhythm became synchronized to the environmental artificial moonlight rhythm. In the laboratory, apical disks were entirely converted into reproductive tissue after 8 d cultivation, while almost all basal disks stayed vegetative, which prevented the entire loss of the vegetative thallus during reproductive events. Seasonal size reduction of the thallus occurred from late autumn onward and was determined to be controlled by a genuine photoperiodic response, since size reduction could be induced from May onward by experimental short‐day (SD) treatment but was prevented in a long‐day (LD) or night‐break regime (NB). A daily fine‐tuning occurred with gamete release early in the morning at the first sign of daylight, following an obligatory dark (“night”) period of at least 1 h duration. No release took place if the overnight dark phase was replaced by continuous light. Blue, green, or red light all triggered gamete release after a dark phase at an irradiance of 0.1 μmol photons · m^?2 ·s^?1, while 0.001 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1 was equivalent to a dark control.     

Irradiance prior to and during desiccation improves the tolerance to excess irradiance in the desiccated state of the old forest lichen Lobaria pulmonaria

Hydrated thalli of the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria were either preconditioned to dim irradiance (DI, 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) or medium irradiance (MI, 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 6 h. After this 6 h period, the thalli were allowed to desiccate under the two respective irradiances. Thereafter, these dry lichens were exposed to high irradiance (HI, 1 000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 60 h. After this HI treatment, the maximal photochemical quantum yield (F_V/F_M) and the de-epoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle pigments (DEPS) were highest in thalli preconditioned to MI. Hence irradiance in the last hydrated period before sampling is significant for the physiological state of lichens. A standardized irradiance pre-treatment before start of experiments is recommended.     

Carbon gain and photosynthetic response of chrysanthemum to photosynthetic photon flux density cycles

Most models of carbon gain as a function of photosynthetic irradiance assume an instantaneous response to increases and decreases in irradiance. High- and low-light-grown plants differ, however, in the time required to adjust to increases and decreases in irradiance. In this study the response to a series of increases and decreases in irradiance was observed in Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. “Fiesta” and compared with calculated values assuming an instantaneous response. There were significant differences between high- and low-light-grown plants in their photosynthetic response to four sequential photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) cycles consisting of 5-minute exposures to 200 and 400 micromoles per square meter per second (μmol m⁻²s⁻¹). The CO₂ assimilation rate of high-light-grown plants at the cycle peak increased throughout the PPFD sequence, but the rate of increase was similar to the increase in CO₂ assimilation rate observed under continuous high-light conditions. Low-light leaves showed more variability in their response to light cycles with no significant increase in CO₂ assimilation rate at the cycle peak during sequential cycles. Carbon gain and deviations from actual values (percentage carbon gain over- or underestimation) based on assumptions of instantaneous response were compared under continuous and cyclic light conditions. The percentage carbon gain overestimation depended on the PPFD step size and growth light level of the leaf. When leaves were exposed to a large PPFD increase, the carbon gain was overestimated by 16 to 26%. The photosynthetic response to 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD increases and decreases was rapid, and the small overestimation of the predicted carbon gain, observed during photosynthetic induction, was almost entirely negated by the carbon gain underestimation observed after a decrease. If the PPFD cycle was 200 or 400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, high- and low-light leaves showed a carbon gain overestimation of 25% that was not negated by the underestimation observed after a light decrease. When leaves were exposed to sequential PPFD cycles (200-400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), carbon gain did not differ from leaves exposed to a single PPFD cycle of identical irradiance integral that had the same step size (200-400-200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) or mean irradiance (200-300-200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹).     

Comparison of stress susceptibility of in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae among five coral species

Coral species in a similar habitat often show different bleaching susceptibilities. It is not understood which partner of coral-zooxanthellae complexes is responsible for differential stress susceptibility. Stress susceptibilities of in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae from five species of corals collected from shallow water in Okinawa were compared. To estimate stress susceptibility, we measured the maximum quantum yields (F_v/F_m) of in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae after 3-h exposure to either 28 or 34 °C at various light intensities and their recovery after 12 h under dim light at 26 °C. Significant reduction in photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) of photosystem II (PSII) was observed in in hospite zooxanthellae exposed to high light intensity (1000 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹), while PSII activity of isolated zooxanthellae decreased significantly even at a lower light intensity (70 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹). The recovery of the PSII activity after 12 h was incomplete in both in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae, indicating the presence of chronic photoinhibition. The stress susceptibility of isolated zooxanthellae was more variable among species than in hospite zooxanthellae. The order of stress susceptibility among the five coral species was different between in hospite and isolated zooxanthellae. The present results suggest that the host plays a significant role in determining bleaching susceptibility of corals, though zooxanthellae from different host have different stress susceptibilities.     

Physiological responses to flooding and light in two tree species native to the Amazonian floodplains

In Amazonian floodplains, plant survival is determined by adaptations and growth strategies to effectively capture sunlight and endure extended periods of waterlogging. By measuring gas exchange, quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (PSII), and growth parameters, we investigated the combined effects of flooding gradients and light on two common evergreen floodplain tree species, the light-tolerant Cecropia latiloba and the shade-tolerant Pouteria glomerata. Individual plants were subjected to different combinations of light and flooding intensity in short-term and long-term experiments. Plants of C. latiloba lost all their leaves under total submersion treatments (plants flooded to apex and with reduced irradiance) and showed highest maximum assimilation rates (A_max) in not flooded, high light treatments (6.1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹). Individuals of P. glomerata showed similar patterns, with A_max increasing from 1.9 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ under total flooding to 7.1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ in not flooded, high light treatments. During the long-term flooding experiment, quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) of C. latiloba was not affected by partial flooding. In contrast, in P. glomerata F_v/F_m decreased to values below 0.73 after 120 days of total flooding. Moreover, total submergence led P. glomerata to reduce significantly light saturation point (LSP), as compared to C. latiloba. For both species morphological adjustments to long-term flooding, such as the production of adventitious roots, resulted in reduced total biomass, relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf mass ratio (LMR). Growth increase in C. latiloba seemed to be more limited by low-light than by flooding. Therefore, the predominant occurrence of this species is in open areas with high light intensities and high levels of inundation. In P. glomerata flooding induced high reductions of growth and photosynthesis, whereas light was not limiting. This species is more abundant in positions where irradiance is reduced and periods of submergence are slightly modest. We could show that the physiological requirements are directly responsible for the flooding (C. latiloba) and shade (P. glomerata) tolerance of the two species, which explains their local distribution in Amazonian floodplain forests.     

Nitrate uptake and storage in the seaweed Ulva rigida C. Agardh in relation to nitrate availability and thallus nitrate content in a eutrophic coastal lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Po River Delta, Italy)

The seasonal cycle of biomass and tissue composition of Ulva rigida C. Agardh, in relation to nitrogen availability in the water column, was studied in 1991-1992 in the Sacca di Goro, a highly eutrophic lagoon in the Po River Delta (Italy). Nitrate uptake rates and storage capacity were also determined in laboratory experiments. The seasonal growth of U. rigida was related to the seasonal trend of nitrogen concentration in the water column. U. rigida biomass increased exponentially during spring and attained peaks of about 300-400 g dry mass (DM) m⁻² in June. As biomass increased, U. rigida depleted nitrate in the water column. Thallus nitrate reserves also declined from 100 μmol N (g DM)⁻¹ to almost undetectable levels, and total thallus nitrogen declined from 4% to 2.5% DM and 1.25% DM in 1991 and 1992, respectively. During summer, U. rigida decomposition increased, and organic nitrogen concentrations in the water column increased. The uptake experiments demonstrated an inverse relationship between thallus nitrate content and nitrate uptake rates. A modified Michaelis-Menten equation that accounts for thallus nitrate fit the uptake data well. U. rigida can accumulate up to about 400-500 μmol nitrate (g DM)⁻¹ in cellular reserves. U. rigida in the Sacca di Goro has higher K_m and lower V_max/K_m ratios for nitrate uptake than other chlorophycean species, indicating a low efficiency of uptake at low nitrate concentrations. This low uptake efficiency, and the ability to exploit N availability by storing cellular nitrate pools in excess of immediate growth needs, may represent a physiological response to an eutrophic environment where nitrate is in large supply for most of the year.     

Irreversible photoinhibition of photosystem II is caused by exposure of Synechocystis cells to strong light for a prolonged period

Irreversible photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII) occurred when Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells were exposed to very strong light for a prolonged period. When wild-type cells were illuminated at 20 °C for 2 h with light at an intensity of 2,500 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, the oxygen-evolving activity of PSII was almost entirely and irreversibly lost, whereas the photochemical reaction center in PSII was inactivated only reversibly. The extent of irreversible photoinhibition was enhanced at lower temperatures and by the genetically engineered rigidification of membrane lipids. Western and Northern blotting demonstrated that, after cells had undergone irreversible photoinhibition, the precursor to D1 protein in PSII was synthesized but not processed properly. These observations may suggest that exposure of Synechocystis cells to strong light results in the irreversible photoinhibition of the oxygen-evolving activity of PSII via impairment of the processing of pre-D1 and that this effect of strong light is enhanced by the rigidification of membrane lipids.     

Effect of zooplankton availability on the rates of photosynthesis, and tissue and skeletal growth in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata

This work investigated the effect of light and feeding on tissue composition as well as on rates of photosynthesis and calcification in the zooxanthellae (zoox) scleractinian coral, Stylophora pistillata. Microcolonies were maintained at three different light levels (80, 200, 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and subjected to two feeding regimes (starved and fed) over 9 weeks. Corals were fed both natural plankton and Artemia salina nauplii four times a weeks and samplings were made after 2, 5, and 9 weeks. Results confirmed that feeding enhances coral growth rate and increases both the dark and light calcification rates. These rates were 50-75% higher in fed corals (FC; 60±20 and 200±40 nmol Ca²⁺ cm⁻² h⁻¹ for dark and light calcification, respectively) compared to control corals (CC; 30±9 and 124±23 nmol Ca²⁺ cm⁻² h⁻¹). The dark calcification rates, however, were four times lower than the rates of light calcification (independent of trophic status). After 5 weeks, chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentrations were four to seven times higher in fed corals (7-21 μg cm⁻²) than in control corals (2-5 μg cm⁻²). The amount of protein was also significantly higher in fed corals (2.11-2.50 mg cm⁻²) than in control corals (1.08-1.52 mg cm⁻²). Rates of photosynthesis in fed corals were 2-10 times higher (1.24±0.75 μmol O₂ h⁻¹ cm⁻²) than those measured in control corals (0.20±0.08 μmol O₂ h⁻¹ cm⁻²).     

COMPARISON OF DEVELOPMENT AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC GROWTH FOR FILAMENT CLUMPS AND REGENERATED MICROPLANTLET CULTURES OF AGARDHIELLA SUBULATA (RHODOPHYTA, GIGARTINALES)

Two axenic, in vitro liquid suspension cultures were established for Agardhiella subulata (C. Agardh) Kraft et Wynne, and their growth characteristics were compared. This study illustrated how reliable routes for the development of suspension cultures of macrophytic red algae of terete thallus morphology can be achieved for biotechnology applications. Undifferentiated filament clumps of 2–8 mm diameter were established by induction of callus-like tissue from thallus explants, and lightly branched microplantlets of 2–10 mm length were established by regeneration of filament clumps. The filament clumps were susceptible to regeneration. Adventitious shoot formation was reliably induced from 40% to 70% of the filament clumps by gentle mixing at 100 rev min^?1 on an orbital shaker. The specific growth rate of the microplantlets was higher than the filament clumps in nonagitated well plate culture (4%–6% per day for microplantlets vs. 2%–3% per day for filament clumps) at 24° C and 8–36 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1 irradiance (10:14 h LD cycle) when grown on ASP12 artificial seawater medium at pH 8.6–8.9 with 20%–25% per day medium replacement. Oxygen evolution rate vs. irradiance measurements showed that relative to the filament clumps, microplantlets had a higher maximum specific oxygen evolution rate (P_o,max= 0.181 ± 0.035 vs. 0.130 ± 0.023 mmol O₂·g^?1 dry cell mass·h^?1), but comparable respiration rate (Q_o= 0.040 ± 0.013 vs. 0.033 ± 0.017 mmol O₂·g^?1 dry cell mass·h^?1), compensation point (I_c= 3.8 ± 2.4 vs. 5.7 ± 1.2 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1), and light intensity at 63.2% of saturation (I_k= 17.5 ± 3.9 vs. 14.9 ± 2.6 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1). The microplantlet culture was more suitable for suspension culture development than the filament clump culture because it was morphologically stable and exhibited higher growth rates.