苗期干旱及复水条件下不同花生品种的光合特性

为探索不同花生(Arachis hypogaea)品种的旱后恢复能力, 研究花生品种耐旱性与光合特性的关系, 通过盆栽土壤水分控制实验, 测定了12个花生品种苗期对干旱胁迫与复水过程的光合响应特征, 并讨论了所测各性状参数与抗旱性强弱的关系, 包括对水分胁迫伤害的修复能力。结果表明, 根据苗期生物量抗旱系数, ‘山花11号’、‘如皋西洋生’、‘A596’、‘山花9号’、‘农大818’的抗旱性较强, 且复水后植株产生超补偿生长效应, 补偿生长能力与抗旱性呈极显著正相关。叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(Φ_PSII)、光化学猝灭系数(q_P)随干旱进程逐渐降低, 复水后逐渐增加, 抗旱性强的花生品种变幅较小。干旱7天, 大多数花生品种的光合参数值未有显著性差异。干旱14天, 抗旱性越强的花生品种光合参数值越高, 不同抗旱性花生品种的光合参数值有显著差异。‘山花11号’、‘如皋西洋生’、‘A596’、‘山花9号’的P_n、G_s、Φ_PSII、F_v/F_m、q_P在复水5天时恢复至对照水平, 复水10天时超过对照, ‘79266’、‘ICG6848’、 ‘白沙1016’、‘花17’在复水10天时仍未达到对照水平, 复水过程中抗旱性强的品种的光合参数显著高于抗旱性弱的品种。相关分析表明, 干旱胁迫14天和复水5天后, 花生的P_n、Φ_PSII、F_v/F_m、q_P与品种抗旱性呈极显著正相关。因此, 可在苗期用40%土壤相对含水量胁迫14天及复水5天时花生的P_n、Φ_PSII、F_v/F_m、q_P鉴定品种的干旱伤害程度及修复能力, ‘山花11号’可作为强干旱适应性鉴定的标准品种。     

Photosynthesis, photochemistry and antioxidative defence in response to two drought severities and with re-watering in Allocasuarina luehmannii

Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and water potentials, together with ascorbate and glutathione concentrations, were studied during moderate and severe drought stress and in response to re-watering in Allocasuarina luehmannii seedlings. Moderate drought stress (MS) decreased stomatal conductance (g_s) and net CO₂ assimilation rates (A) to ∼40% and ∼60% of control values, respectively, and caused decreases in internal CO₂ concentration (C_i) and maximum light use efficiency of light-acclimated photosystem II (PSII) centres (Fv'/Fm'). Severe drought stress (SS) decreased g_s and A to ∼5% and ∼15% of the control values, respectively, and caused increases in C_i and PSII excitation pressure (1 − qP), as well as decreases in water potentials, effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and Fv'/Fm'. Ascorbate and glutathione concentrations remained unaffected by drought treatments, but ascorbate became more oxidised under severe stress. MS seedlings recovered within 1 day (C_i, Fv'/Fm') to 1 week (A, g_s) of re-watering. In comparison, SS seedlings had longer-lasting after-stress effects, with recovery of many variables (g_s, water potentials, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, Fv'/Fm') taking between 1 and 3 weeks from re-watering. We found no indication that interaction with antioxidants played a significant role in recovery. In conclusion, A. luehmannii seedlings appear to function normally under moderate drought, but do not seem to have particular metabolic tolerance mechanisms to endure severe drought, which may have implications for its persistence under climate change at the drier margins of its distribution.     

Photosynthetic characteristics in different peanut cultivars under conditions of drought and re-watering at seedling stage

Aims In China, peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is mainly cultivated in the semi-arid and rain-fed areas, and drought is the most prominent environmental stress to its growth. However, studies on the physiological responses of different peanut cultivars to drought and re-watering are lacking. Our objectives were to investigate the relationship between photosynthetic characteristics and drought tolerance, and to explore the ability to recover from drought damage in different peanut cultivars.
Methods A pot experiment was conducted with artificial water stress treatment, and the photosynthetic characteristics were determined in twelve peanut cultivars under the conditions of drought stress and re-watering at the seedling stage. The drought tolerance was assessed by drought resistance coefficient of biomass in seedling. The recovery capacity was assessed by compensatory growth of plant.
Important findings Five cultivars, including ‘Shanhua 11’, ‘Rugaoxiyangsheng’, ‘A596’, ‘Shanhua 9’, and ‘Nongda 818’, showed over-compensatory growth after re-watering, and their capacity of compensatory growth had significant positive correlation with drought tolerance (p < 0.01). The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), PSII actual quantum yield (ΦPSII), and photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) all decreased over the course of drought stress, and then increased following re-watering, with the amplitude of changes being smaller in the more drought tolerant cultivars. Seven days of drought did not result in significant differences in the photosynthetic characteristics among majority of the peanut cultivars tested (p > 0.05). After 14 days of drought, the values of photosynthetic variables differed significantly among the peanut cultivars with different drought tolerance (p < 0.05). The values of P_n, G_s, Φ_PSII, F_v/F_m, and q_P in the cultivars ‘Shanhua 11’, ‘Rugaoxiyangsheng’, ‘A596’, and ‘Shanhua 9’fully recovered five days after re-watering, while those in the cultivars ‘79266’, ‘ICG6848’, ‘Baisha 1016’, and ‘Hua 17’ did not fully recover even after 10 days of re-watering; the values of those photosynthetic variables were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the more drought tolerant cultivars following re-watering. Correlation analysis showed that the drought tolerance was significantly and positively correlated with P_n, Φ_PSII, F_v/F_m, and q_P after 14 days of drought stress and after five days of re-watering, respectively (p < 0.01). Therefore, under drought stress at 40% of relative water content (RWC) for 14 days and after five days of re-watering at the seedling stage, the P_n, Φ_PSII, F_v/F_m, and q_P could be used for identifying the level of damage and recovery capacity of peanut cultivars. The cultivar ‘Shanhua 11’ can be used as a reference for drought adaptability identification in peanut.     

Exogenous glycine betaine and proline play a protective role in heat-stressed barley leaves (Hordeum vulgare L.): A chlorophyll a fluorescence study

Abstract

Effects of drought and exogenous glycine betaine and proline on Photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry were studied in barley leaves under heat stress induced by exposing them to 45°C for 10 min. Polyphasic fluorescence transient (OJIP) was used to evaluate PSII photochemistry in leaves treated with either glycine betaine or proline, combined or not with heat treatment. A distinct K step in the fluorescence transient OJIP appeared in control leaves, indicating an inactivation of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). Drought stress and exogenous glycine betaine and proline modified the shape of the OJIP curve of leaves heated at 45°C and the K step was not as pronounced. Increased thermostability of PSII may be associated with the resistance of OEC and increased energy connectivity between PSII units. The thermostability of PSII was also reflected by a lower decrease in maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (?_Po = F _V/F _M) and performance index (PI). Exogenous application of glycine betaine or proline can play an important role in enhancing plant stress tolerance and may help reduce effects of environmental stresses.     

Cadmium effect on the growth, photosynthesis, ultrastructure and phytochelatin content of green microalga Scenedesmus armatus: A study at low and elevated CO2 concentration

Short-term experiments were carried out to examine the toxicity of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) at a concentration of 93 μM (EC_50/24) to green microalga Scenedesmus armatus, cultured at low (0.1%) and elevated (2%) concentration of CO₂. Cadmium did not affect the viability of cells cultured for 24 h in both CO₂ variants but markedly inhibited the growth of algae. This inhibition was more pronounced in cultures aerated with 0.1% (about 50% of control) than with 2% CO₂ (about 75% of control) and did not change during 72 h of culture. Cadmium inhibited the rate of oxygen evolution (P_oxy.) (70% of control) of cells cultured at 0.1% CO₂ and had no effect on P_oxy. of cells cultured at 2% CO₂. The values of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, i.e. F_M (maximum fluorescence yield), F_V (variable fluorescence), F_V/F_M (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Φ_PSII (effective quantum yield of PSII) and qP (photochemical quenching) were reduced by cadmium treatment in algae grown at 0.1% CO₂ concentration, whereas F₀ (initial fluorescence yield) remained unaffected. In high-CO₂ grown cells only F_V was significantly reduced. Cd-treated cells synthesized several thiol-containing peptides identified by HPLC as a dimer (PC₂), a trimer (PC₃) and a tetramer (PC₄) of phytochelatins (PC_S). High-CO₂ grown cells produced significantly more PCs than low-CO₂ grown cells and their individual appearance depended on the time of exposure and CO₂ level. The ultrastructural analysis of low-CO₂ grown cells showed in chloroplasts an increased number of small starch grains visible around the pyrenoid. In the enhanced vacuome compartment, various types of vacuoles were clearly seen in Cd-treated cells. Vacuoles containing non-membranous, electron-opaque deposits of an undefined structure and myelin-like figures were especially observed. The results suggest that algae living in conditions of elevated CO₂ are better protected against cadmium than those at ordinary CO₂ level, and productive processes are less affected than the growth ones.     

乡土风箱果和紫叶风箱果叶片光合特性对土壤干旱的响应

研究叶片光合气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数对土壤干旱的响应,分析濒危的乡土风箱果和引种紫叶风箱果的抗旱能力及其差异.结果表明: 土壤干旱第7天时,紫叶风箱果叶片明显失水萎蔫,而乡土风箱果却有较高的叶片含水率和水分利用效率.土壤干旱降低了2种风箱果叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率,紫叶风箱果降低幅度明显大于乡土风箱果.土壤干旱7 d时,紫叶风箱果叶片的胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)高于未干旱处理,而乡土风箱果C_i低于未干旱处理.乡土风箱果叶片的电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(q_P)明显降低,而PSⅡ反应中心光能捕获效率(F_v′/F_m′)没有发生明显变化;但是紫叶风箱果叶片的F_v′/F_m′、ETR和q_P均明显降低,并且其降低幅度大于乡土风箱果.土壤干旱7 d时,乡土风箱果叶片OJIP曲线上J点的相对可变荧光(V_J)没有发生明显变化,而紫叶风箱果叶片V_J明显增加.紫叶风箱果的叶片碳同化能力和PSⅡ功能对土壤干旱的敏感性明显大于乡土风箱果,土壤干旱降低乡土风箱果光合能力的原因以气孔因素限制为主,而紫叶风箱果以非气孔因素限制为主.     

Drought stress effects on photosystem I content and photosystem II thermotolerance analyzed using Chl a fluorescence kinetics in barley varieties differing in their drought tolerance

Drought stress has multiple effects on the photosynthetic system. Here, we show that a decrease of the relative contribution of the I-P phase, ΔV_IP = − V _I = ( F _M− F _I)/(F_M− F_o), to the fluorescence transient OJIP is observed in 10 drought-stressed barley and 9 chickpea varieties. The extent of the I-P loss in the barley varieties depended on their drought tolerance. The relative loss of the I-P phase seems to be related to a loss of photosystem (PS) I reaction centers as determined by 820-nm transmission measurements. In the second part of this study, the interaction of drought and heat stress in two barley varieties (the drought tolerant variety A¨t Baha and the drought sensitive variety Lannaceur) was studied using a new approach. Heat stress was induced by exposing the plant leaves to temperatures of 25–45°C and the inactivation of the O₂-evolving complex (OEC) was followed measuring chlorophyll a (Chl a ) fluorescence using a protocol consisting of two 5-ms pulses spaced 2.3 ms apart. In active reaction centers, the dark interval is long enough to allow the OEC to recover from the first pulse; whereas in heat-inactivated reaction centers it is not. In the latter category of reaction centers, no further fluorescence rise is induced by the second pulse. Lannaceur, under well-watered conditions, was more heat tolerant than Aït Baha. However, this difference was lost following drought stress. Drought stress considerably increased the thermostability of PS II of both varieties.     

Photosynthetic responses of seven tropical seagrasses to elevated seawater temperature

This study uses chlorophyll a fluorescence to examine the effect of environmentally relevant (1–4 h) exposures of thermal stress (35–45 °C) on seagrass photosynthetic yield in seven tropical species of seagrasses. Acute response of each tropical seagrass species to thermal stress was characterised, and the capacity of each species to tolerate and recover from thermal stress was assessed. Two fundamental characteristics of heat stress were observed. The first effect was a decrease in photosynthetic yield (F_v / F_m) characterised by reductions in F and F_m′. The dramatic decline in F_v / F_m ratio, due to chronic inhibition of photosynthesis, indicates an intolerance of Halophila ovalis, Zostera capricorni and Syringodium isoetifolium to ecologically relevant exposures of thermal stress and structural alterations to the PhotoSystem II (PSII) reaction centres. The decline in F_m′ represents heat-induced photoinhibition related to closure of PSII reaction centres and chloroplast dysfunction. The key finding was that Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis and Thalassia hemprichii were more tolerant to thermal stress than H. ovalis, Z. capricorni and S. isoetifolium. After 3 days of 4 h temperature treatments ranging from 25 to 40 °C, C. rotundata, C. serrulata and H. uninervis demonstrated a wide tolerance to temperature with no detrimental effect on F_v / F_m′ qN or qP responses. These three species are restricted to subtropical and tropical waters and their tolerance to seawater temperatures up to 40 °C is likely to be an adaptive response to high temperatures commonly occurring at low tides and peak solar irradiance. The results of temperature experiments suggest that the photosynthetic condition of all seagrass species tested are likely to suffer irreparable effects from short-term or episodic changes in seawater temperatures as high as 40–45 °C. Acute stress responses of seagrasses to elevated seawater temperatures are consistent with observed reductions in above-ground biomass during a recent El Niño event.     

The overaccumulation of glycinebetaine alleviated damages to PSII of wheat flag leaves under drought and high temperature stress combination

To analyze the physiological mechanisms underlying the increased tolerance to drought and high temperature stress combination by overproduction of glycinebetaine (GB) in wheat, a transgenic wheat line T6 and its wild-type (WT) Shi4185 were used. The transgenic line was generated by introducing a gene encoding betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) into a wheat line Shi4185. The gene was cloned from Garden Orache (Atriplex hortensis L.). Wheat plants were exposed to drought (withholding irrigation), high temperature stress (40 °C), and their combination at the flowering stage. Analyses of oxygen-evolving activity and photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry, modulated chlorophyll fluorescence, rapid fluorescence induction kinetics, and the polyphasic fluorescence transients (OJIP) were used to evaluate PSII photochemistry in wheat plants. The results suggest that the PSII in transgenic plants showed higher resistance than that in wild-type plants under the stresses studied here, this increased tolerance was associated with an improvement in stability of the oxygen-evolving complex and the reaction center of PSII; streptomycin treatment can impair the protective effect of overaccumulated GB on PSII. The overaccumulated GB may protect the PSII complex from damage through accelerating D1 protein turnover to alleviate photodamage. The results also suggest that the PSII under combined high temperature and drought stress shows higher tolerance than under high temperature stress alone in both transgenic and wild-type plants.     

Photosynthesis and activity of photosystem II in response to drought stress in Amur Grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.)

The Amur Grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) cultivars ??shuangFeng?? and ??ZuoShanyi?? were grown in shelter greenhouse under natural sunlight and subjected to drought. Sap flow rate, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence were measured on Amur Grape leaves subjected to different drought treatments. Significant decreases in P _N were associated with increasing intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), suggesting that the reduction in P _N was caused by nonstomatal limitation. Analysis of OJIP transients according to the JIP-test protocol revealed that specific (per PSII reaction center) energy fluxes for light absorption, excitation energy trapping and electron transport have significantly changed. The appearance of a pronounced K-step and J-step in polyphasic rise of fluorescence transient suggested the oxygen-evolving complex and electron transport were inhibited. Drought stress has relatively little effect on the parameter maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), but the performance index (PIABS) is more sensitive in different drought treatment. There are cultivar differences in the response of PSII activity to drought, the photosynthetic apparatus of ??ZuoShanyi?? cultivar is more resistant to drought than that of ??ShuangFeng??, and JIP-test could be a useful indicator for evaluation and selection to drought tolerance.     

Drought tolerance of photosynthetic electron transport under CO2‐enriched and normal air in cereal species

The quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport (ΦPSII), evaluated by means of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence analysis, has proven to be a useful screening test for drought tolerance in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). To explore the potential of this parameter further in detecting drought-tolerant genotypes, three cereal species were studied; ΦPSII measurements were carried out under two different gas mixtures, at three points of the induction curve (to obtain the maximal ΦPSII and both the transient and steady-state actual ΦPSII), and at three different water stress levels (moderate, severe and drastic). The species investigated were durum and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); two cultivars per species, characterized by different levels of drought tolerance, were tested. The two gas mixtures used were normal air (21% O₂, 0.035% CO₂ in N₂) to monitor the whole photosynthetic process under physiological conditions, and CO₂ enriched-low O₂ air (1% O₂, 5% CO₂ in N₂) to monitor ΦPSII reduction under stress mainly related to Calvin cycle activity. When ΦPSII related to both assimilatory and non-assimilatory metabolism was evaluated, the cultivar differences observed under normal Air were more representative of the agronomic performance upon drought stress than under high CO₂-low O₂ air. Maximal ΦPSII showed no difference among either cultivars, gas mixtures or stress levels, the efficiency of excitation capture being highly resistant to drought. The ΦPSII evaluated during the transient yielded predictable values in respect of drought tolerance for durum wheat and barley cultivars, highlighting the key role of regulatory processes such as the Mehler peroxidase reaction and possibly also cyclic electron transport, in preventing overreduction under stress. The results clearly show that when Chl fluorescence analysis is used as a parameter in plant breeding, different experimental conditions should be used depending on the physiological mechanism that is bred or selected for.     

Responses of Jatropha curcas seedlings to cold stress: photosynthesis-related proteins and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics

Photosynthesis-related proteins and PSII functions of Jatropha curcas seedlings under cold stress were studied using proteomic and chlorophyll fluorescence approaches. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence measurement indicated that electron transport flux per reaction center (ET_o/RC) and performance index (PI_ABS) were relatively sensitive to low temperature, especially at early stage of cold stress. The increase in O–J phase and decrease in J–I phase of chlorophyll fluorescence transient indicated a protection mechanism of J.   curcas to photoinhibition at early stage of cold stress. Eight photosynthesis-related proteins significantly changed during cold stress were identified using liquid chromatography MS/MS. Results of correlation analyses between photosynthesis-related proteins and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that (1) ATP synthase and Rieske FeS protein were significantly correlated with electron transport of reaction center in PSII; (2) precursor for 33-kDa protein was positively correlated with fluorescence quenching of the O–J and J–I phases and PI_ABS during cold stress, which implies that it might be related to multiple process in PSII; (3) contrary correlations were found between F_J − F_o and two enzymes in the Calvin cycle, and the relations between these proteins and PSII function were unclear. The combined study using proteomic approaches and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements indicated that the early-stage (0–12 h) acclimation of PSII and the late-stage (after 24 h) H₂O₂ scavenging might be involved in the cold response mechanisms of J.   curcas seedlings.     

德国景天扦插苗对干旱胁迫的生理响应

以耐旱性较强的德国景天(Sedum hybridum)扦插苗为材料进行干旱胁迫处理(60d),并测定其叶片相对含水量、丙二醛含量、细胞伤害率、光合参数(净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率)、荧光参数(F_v/F_m、q~P、PHiPS2),以及苹果酸含量、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPCase)活性等生理指标。结果显示,干旱胁迫导致德国景天叶片相对含水量、光合参数、荧光参数降低,细胞伤害率、丙二醛含量升高;干旱胁迫30d时,各项生理指标变化幅度较小,但40d后变化幅度显著增加,并且德国景天叶片的苹果酸含量和PEPCase活性显著升高,表明C_3光合途径不断减弱,景天酸代谢(CAM)途径被激活,参与了德国景天对干旱胁迫的响应,提高了其耐旱性;当干旱胁迫达60d时,因超过其耐受范围,德国景天受损严重,逐渐死亡。这说明德国景天在生理上表现出极强的耐旱性,并且具有兼性CAM植物的特征,通过CAM途径活化提高植株耐旱性是德国景天重要的耐旱机理。     

光叶眼子菜响应夏季高温的模拟研究

为探讨南四湖优势物种光叶眼子菜在夏季浅水区的衰亡原因, 用25℃、30℃、35℃和40℃的恒温水浴模拟夏季高温处理光叶眼子菜(Co. Potamogeton lucens L.)3h。生化结果显示, 在35℃及以上高温下, 光叶眼子菜的蛋白质含量、可溶性糖含量和叶绿素含量显著下降, 丙二醛含量显著上升, 说明35℃以上高温对光叶眼子菜产生了显著伤害。光叶眼子菜的光合系统对高温更为敏感, 在高温胁迫下标准化的叶绿素荧光动力学曲线上J相和K相显著隆起, 但并未发现明显的L-band。进一步解析叶片的叶绿素荧光动力学参数, 结果显示: 随着处理温度的升高, 反应中心的初始关闭速率(dVG/dt_o, dV/dt_o)变慢, 但到达P相的所需时间(T_fm)变短; 光系统Ⅱ (Photosystem Ⅱ, PSⅡ)的光化学效率(F_v/F_m)减小, 非光化学效率(K_n)、J相相对可变荧光强度(V_j)和热耗散(DI_o/RC、DI_o/CS_o、F_o/F_m)增大; 尽管高温下质体醌周转次数(N)、还原速率(S_m/T_fm)和I相相对可变荧光强度(V_i)变化不显著, 但质体醌库(S_m)明显减小; 单个反应中心光能的吸收(ABS/RC)和捕获效率(TR_o/RC)增加, 电子传递效率(ET_o/RC)却呈下降趋势; 单位激发态面积的光能捕获(TR_o/CS_o)和电子传递效率(ET_o/CS_o)均降低, 反应中心数目(RC/CS_o)显著减少。上述高温胁迫效应导致整个叶片的结构功能指数(SFI_abs)、性能指数(PI_abs)以及光合驱动力(DF)显著降低。高温对光叶眼子菜的伤害主要是导致其光系统II放氧复合体失活、反应中心数目减少和反应中心的光化学效率下降, 进而诱导活性氧的产生, 对细胞造成伤害。因此, 光叶眼子菜属于对高温敏感的水生植物。     

Effects of salinity stress on photosystem II function in cyanobacterial Spirulina platensis cells

The changes in PSII photochemistry in Spirulina platensis cells exposed to salinity stress (0–0.8 M NaCl) for 12 h were studied. Salinity stress induced a decrease in oxygen evolution activity, which correlated with the decrease in the quantum yield of PSII electron transport ( Φ _PSII). Phycocyanin content decreased significantly while chlorophyll content remained unchanged in salt-stressed cells. Salinity stress induced an increase in non-photochemical quenching (q_N) and a decrease in photochemical quenching (q_P). Analyses of the polyphasic fluorescence transients (OJIP) showed that with the increase in salt concentration, the fluorescence yield at the phases J, I and P declined sharply and the transient almost levelled off at salt concentration of 0.8 M NaCl. The effects of DCMU on the polyphasic rise of fluorescence transients decreased significantly. Salinity stress resulted in a decrease in the efficiency of electron transfer from Q_A⁻ to Q_B. The slope at the origin of the relative variable fluorescence curves (dV/dt_o) and the relative variable fluorescence at phase J (V_J) increased in the absence of DCMU, but decreased in the presence of DCMU. The shape of the relative variable fluorescence transients in salt-stressed cells was comparable to that of the control cells incubated with DCMU. The results in this study suggest that salt stress inhibited the electron transport at both donor and acceptor sides of PSII, resulted in damage to phycobilisome and shifted the distribution of excitation energy in favour of PSI.     

钙与脱落酸对干旱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合及相关酶活性的影响

为探讨在干旱胁迫下钙与脱落酸对黄瓜幼苗光合作用及相关酶活性的影响,以黄瓜为试材,正常营养液栽培为对照,利用PEG-6000(聚乙二醇)营养液添加模拟干旱胁迫,设干旱胁迫条件下幼苗叶片喷施清水、脱落酸(ABA)、CaCl₂+ABA、LaCl₃(钙离子通道抑制剂)+ABA及EGTA(钙离子螯合剂)+ABA等5个处理.结果表明: 干旱胁迫抑制了黄瓜幼苗的营养生长、降低了幼苗叶片的抗氧化酶和硝酸还原酶活性,以及光合作用和荧光参数等,通过叶面喷施ABA减小了幼苗叶片中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性,以及光合作用(P_n、g_s)和荧光参数(F_v′/F_m′、q_P和ETR)的下降幅度,有效缓解了干旱胁迫对植株造成的伤害;喷施CaCl₂+ABA显著促进了ABA的这种正向缓解作用,而喷施LaCl₃+ABA和EGTA+ABA都没有表现出促进作用.     

Alterations in leaf photosynthetic electron transport in Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) under different light intensity and soil water conditions

• Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum L.) are often affected by stressful environments, such as high light and drought, during summer cultivation, which hinders their growth.
• We used CO₂ assimilation, OJIP transient and MR curves to analyse the photosynthetic characteristics of Welsh onion.
• The results showed that single high light stress caused a decrease in the net photosynthesis rate through stomatal limitation, while the single drought treatment and the combined stress induced nonstomatal limitation. F_O and F_J increased, F_m decreased, and a distinct K‐phase was induced. High light and drought stress blocked MR transients, leading to a gradual decrease in V_PSI and V_PSII‐PSI.
• In general, photosynthesis of Welsh onion was inhibited by high light and drought, which destroyed the receptor and donor side of PSII and reduced electron transport capacity of PSII and PSI.

     

Photosynthesis and photoprotection responses to water stress in the wild-extinct plant Lysimachia minoricensis

Lysimachia minoricensis is an endemic species of the Balearic Islands that has become extinct in the wild, but persists in botanical gardens. Attempts of re-introducing the species into its natural habitat, which consisted in temporary dry streams, have failed. Low genetic variability has been reported for the garden individuals, suggesting that a reduced potential to adapt to environmental changes could be among the reasons for its extinction. In the present study, we particularly test whether photosynthesis and photoprotection responses of this species to water stress could help explaining the lack of success of this species in its natural habitat.

Plants of L. minoricensis were grown in pots in a growth chamber. Soil water depletion was imposed over 20 days by stopping irrigation. Early stomata closure was observed in response to soil water depletion while leaves desiccated progressively. Although net photosynthesis was low in irrigated plants, due to a remarkably low mesophyll conductance to CO₂, substantial photosynthetic activity was kept at severe drought, where leaf relative water content was as low as 50%, suggesting that L. minoricensis is a very drought-tolerant species. In parallel with decreased photosynthesis, thermal dissipation of the excess light and photorespiration progressively increased. The former was linearly related to increased de-epoxidation of the xanthophylls cycle. Photoprotection was effective, as pre-dawn maximum photochemical efficiency was maintained higher than 0.75 through the entire experiment. Moreover, photosynthetic capacity was largely (80%) recovered only 24 h after re-watering. These results show that stomatal regulation, photosynthetic metabolism and photoprotection in L. minoricensis are well adapted to water stress, suggesting that additional factors may be responsible for its status as a wild-extinct plant.     

Physiological responses of the legume model Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong to water deficit

In Medicago truncatula Gaertn. cv. Jemalong plants some mechanisms involved in drought resistance were analysed in response to a progressive water deficit imposed by suppression of soil irrigation. Withholding water supply until the soil had reached one-half of its maximum water content had no significant effect on leaf RWC, gas exchanges or chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Under severe drought conditions, the plants resistance to water shortage involved mainly drought avoidance mechanisms through a decrease in stomatal conductance. The consequent decrease in the internal CO₂ concentration (C_i) should have limited the net CO₂ fixation (A). Since A decreased slightly more than C_i under severe water deficit, non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis may have also occurred. Analysis of A/C_i curves showed reduced carboxylation efficiency due to limitations in RuBP regeneration and Rubisco activity, confirming the presence of non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis. Drought tolerance mechanisms involving osmotic adjustment and an increase in cell membrane integrity were also present. Altogether, these mechanisms allowed M. truncatula cv. Jemalong plants to still maintain a quite elevated level of net CO₂ fixation rate under severe water deficit conditions. These results may contribute to identify useful physiological traits for breeding programs concerning drought adaptation in legumes.     

QTLs affecting morph-physiological traits related to drought tolerance detected in overlapping introgression lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Plant photosynthetic traits such as net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomata conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (T_r), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), are known to relate to drought tolerance in plants, but the genetic basis of these traits remains largely uncharacterized because of the difficulty in phenotyping physiological traits in a large mapping population. In this study, a set of 55 overlapping introgression lines (ILs) in the Teqing (indica) background were used to genetically dissect several morph-physiological traits and their relationship with grain yield under water stress and non-stress conditions. These traits included specific leaf weight (SLW), chlorophyll content (CC), leaf stomata frequency (SF), P_n, g_s, T_r, and C_i. A total of 40 QTLs affecting the measured traits were identified and mapped to 21 genomic regions in the rice genome. Clustered QTLs affecting P_n, g_s, T_r, and C_i in the same genomic regions suggest common genetic bases for the physiological traits. Low or no phenotypic correlations between leaf morphological traits and photosynthetic traits and between morph-physiological traits and grain yield (GY) appeared to be due to inconsistence in QTL effect for clustered QTLs, unlinked QTLs affecting different traits, and to possible epistasis that could not be adequately addressed in this study. Our results indicate that improving drought tolerant (DT) of rice by selecting any single secondary traits is not expected to be effective and the identified QTLs for GY and related morph-physiological traits should be carefully confirmed before to be used for improving DT in rice by MAS.