RESPONSE OF PROROCENTRUM MARIAE-LEBOURIAE (DINOPHYCEAE) TO LIGHT OF DIFFERENT SPECTRAL QUALITIES AND IRRADIANCES: GROWTH AND PIGMENTATION1

Growth and pigment concentrations of the, estuarine dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae (Parke and Ballantine) comb. nov., were measured in cultures grown in white, blue, green and red radiation at three different irradiances. White irradiances (400–800 nm) were 13.4, 4.0 and 1.8 W · m^?2 with photon flux densities of 58.7 ± 3.5, 17.4 ± 0.6 and 7.8 ± 0.3 μM quanta · m^?2· s^?1, respectively. All other spectral qualities had the same photon flux densities. Concentrations of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll c were inversely related to irradiance. A decrease of 7- to 8-fold in photon flux density resulted in a 2-fold increase in chlorophyll a and c and a 1.6- to 2.4-fold increase in both peridinin and total carotenoid concentrations. Cells grown in green light contained 22 to 32% more peridinin per cell and exhibited 10 to 16% higher peridinin to chlorophyll a ratios than cells grown in white light. Growth decreased as a function of irradiance in white, green and red light grown cells but was the same at all blue light irradiances. Maximum growth rates occurred at 8 μM quanta · m^?2· s^?1 in blue light, while in red and white light maximum growth rates occurred at considerably higher photon flux densities (24 to 32 μM quanta · m^?2· s^?1). The fastest growth rates occurred in blue and red radiation. White radiation producing maximum growth was only as effective as red and blue light when the photon flux density in either the red or blue portion of the white light spectrum was equivalent to that of a red or of blue light treatment which produced maximum growth rates. These differences in growth and pigmentation indicate that P. mariae-lebouriae responds to the spectral quality under which it is grown.     

不同波长光照对罗汉果光合及生长影响

罗汉果试管苗在不同波长的LED(半导体)蓝(475±5nm)、黄(585±5nm)、红(660±5nm)及普通日光灯下培养,25d后观测发现,其外观的优劣依次为:蓝光>白光>红光>黄光;植株重量:蓝光>红光>黄光>白光;蓝光和白光下的植株叶大、色绿,植株矮壮,侧芽多;红光和黄光下的植株叶小、色黄绿,植株高、细、弯曲、节间长。测定罗汉果成熟叶片的吸收光谱,发现在波长380~500nm及660~680nm处有较强吸收。不同的光质下测定成熟叶片光合速率,大小依次为:红光>蓝光>白光>黄光。上述的各项试验表明,蓝光对罗汉果幼苗生长发育最好;红光和蓝光为成熟叶片光合作用的最佳光源。     

Effects of light-emitting diode light v. fluorescent light on growing performance,activity levels and well-being of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets

More energy-efficient, readily dimmable, long-lasting and more affordable light-emitting diode (LED) lights are increasingly finding applications in poultry production facilities. Despite anecdotal evidence about the benefits of such lighting on bird performance and behavior, concrete research data were lacking. In this study, a commercial poultry-specific LED light (dim-to-blue, controllable correlated color temperature (CCT) from 4500 to 5300 K) and a typical compact fluorescent light (CFL) (soft white, CCT=2700 K) were compared with regards to their effects on growing performance, activity levels, and feather and comb conditions of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets during a 14-week rearing period. A total of 1280-day-old pullets in two successive batches, 640 birds each, were used in the study. For each batch, pullets were randomly assigned to four identical litter-floor rooms equipped with perches, two rooms per light regimen, 160 birds per room. Body weight, BW uniformity (BWU), BW gain (BWG) and cumulative mortality rate (CMR) of the pullets were determined every 2 weeks from day-old to 14 weeks of age (WOA). Activity levels of the pullets at 5 to 14 WOA were delineated by movement index. Results revealed that pullets under the LED and CFL lights had comparable BW (1140±5 g v. 1135±5 g, P=0.41), BWU (90.8±1.0% v. 91.9±1.0%, P=0.48) and CMR (1.3±0.6% v. 2.7±0.6%, P=0.18) at 14 WOA despite some varying BWG during the rearing. Circadian activity levels of the pullets were higher under the LED light than under the CFL light, possibly resulting from differences in spectrum and/or perceived light intensity between the two lights. No feather damage or comb wound was apparent in either light regimen at the end of the rearing period. The results contribute to understanding the impact of emerging LED lights on pullets rearing which is a critical component of egg production.     

The effect of different wavelengths of light during incubation on the development of rhythmic pineal melatonin biosynthesis in chick embryos

Rhythmic pineal melatonin biosynthesis develops in chick embryos incubated under a light (L)-dark (D) cycle of polychromatic white light. The spectral sensitivity of the embryonic pineal gland is not known and was investigated in this study. Broiler breeder eggs (Ross 308, n=450) were incubated under white, red, green or blue light under the 12L : 12D cycle. Melatonin was measured in extracts of pineal glands by radioimmunoassay. The daily rhythm of pineal melatonin levels in 20-day-old chick embryos was confirmed during the final stages of embryonic life under all four wavelengths of light with expected higher concentrations during dark- than light-times. The highest pineal melatonin levels were determined in chick embryos incubated under red and white light and lower levels under green light. The incubation under blue light resulted in the lowest melatonin biosynthesis. Pineal melatonin concentrations increased substantially on post-hatching day two compared with pre-hatching levels and we did not find differences between birds incubated and kept in either white or green light. Our results demonstrate a selective sensitivity of the chick embryo pineal gland to different wavelengths of light. Rhythmic melatonin production is suggested as a possible mechanism, which transfers information about the quality of ambient light to the developing avian embryo.     

Enhancement of marennine production by blue light in the diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haslea ostrearia</Emphasis>

The marine diatom Haslea ostrearia Simonsen produces a blue pigment, marennine, which is used for greening oysters. This microalga is cultured industrially indoors with artificial light. The influence of light quality on marennine production by cultures of H. ostrearia was investigated in the laboratory and at a semi-pilot scale (300 L tanks). In the first series of experiments in the laboratory, a clone of H. ostrearia was cultured under light of different colors (white, blue, green, yellow, and red) and at two irradiances (‘low’ and ‘high’, 20 and 100 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively). Compared to the white light controls, growth was increased in blue light at the ‘low’, but not at the ‘high’ irradiance, and marennine production at the end of the exponential phase was the highest in cells grown under blue light, regardless of the light quality or intensity during growth. Increased marennine production during growth was also observed, whichever color of light (blue or white) was used during the acclimation phase. In a second series of experiments, intraclonal differences were studied by comparing marennine production in seven clones differing with regard to their mean cell size. The total marennine expressed either per cell or per culture volume, was higher in blue light for all the clones. Complementary experiments carried out under semi-industrial conditions confirmed this effect of blue light, which could be relevant for the industrial, indoor production of marennine.     

光质对温室甜椒干物质生产和分配指数的影响

为了研究不同光质对甜椒植株干物质生产与分配指数的影响,以甜椒茎有限生长品种"苏椒13号"为试验材料,于2010年计不同种彩色塑料薄膜(红、黄、蓝、绿、紫,白色为对照)试验。结果表明:不同光质处理的甜椒单位面积干物质生产量(Wt)与冠层截获的太阳光合有效辐射日积分(daily photosynthetic active radiation integral,PARi,MJ·m-2)之间的模型为Wt=22.07×e0.0054λPARi;单位面积植株总干重、果实的干物质分配指数、果实采收指数和单位面积果实产量均以红膜最高,紫膜最低;蓝膜的茎干物质分配指数最高,红膜最低;蓝膜、绿膜和紫膜的植株叶片干物质分配指数明显高于红膜和黄膜;不同光质处理对甜椒植株地上部分干物质分配指数的影响差异不显著;研究认为红膜和黄膜能够促进甜椒植株的干物质积累和果实发育,紫膜和蓝膜则有明显的抑制作用,该研究结果可为温室甜椒栽培的光质选择和环境调控提供决策依据。     

光质与补光对水稻幼苗生长及光合速率的影响

测定水稻成龄离体叶片在波长380～800nm下的透射率,推算其吸收光谱;在培养室内,观测水稻幼苗在蓝(475±5nm)、黄(585±5nm)、红(660±5nm)色的半导体(LED)和普通日光灯下的生长状况,每天照光12h;同时,在大棚中将刚萌发的水稻幼苗白天自然日照,每晚(18:00～24:00)人工补蓝、红、黄、白光各0、2、4、6h,定期观测其生长情况,在补光50d后测成龄叶片的光合曲线。结果发现:水稻叶片在波长400～500nm之间及680nm附近有较强吸收;在不同光质下进行培养,单波蓝光对水稻幼苗的生长最好;补光对水稻幼苗生长均有促进作用,其中补白光4h效果最明显,其次是补黄光2h;补蓝光2、4h和补白光4h提高植株的光合能力。     

Assessment of lighting needs by W-36 laying hens via preference test

Light intensity, spectrum and pattern may affect laying hen behaviors and production performance. However, requirements of these lighting parameters from the hens’ standpoint are not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate hens’ needs for light intensity and circadian rhythm using a light tunnel with five identical compartments each at a different fluorescent light intensity of <1, 5, 15, 30 or 100 lux. The hens were able to move freely among the respective compartments. A group of four W-36 laying hens (23 to 30 weeks of age) were tested each time, and six groups or replicates were conducted. Behaviors of the hens were continuously recorded, yielding data on daily time spent, daily feed intake, daily feeding time, and eggs laid under each light intensity and daily inter-compartment movement. The results show that the hens generally spent more time in lower light intensities. Specifically, the hens spent 6.4 h (45.4%) at 5 lux, 3.0 h (22.1%) at 15 lux, 3.1 h (22.2%) at 30 lux and 1.5 h (10.3%) at 100 lux under light condition; and an accumulation of 10.0 h in darkness (<1 lux) per day. The 10-h dark period was distributed intermittently throughout the day, averaging 25.0±0.4 min per hour. This hourly light-dark rhythm differs from the typical commercial practice of providing continuous dark period for certain part of the day (e.g. 8 h at night). Distributions of daily feed intake (87.3 g/hen) among the different light conditions mirrored the trend of time spent in the respective light intensity, that is, highest at 5 lux (28.4 g/hen, 32.5% daily total) and lowest at 100 lux (5.8 g/hen, 6.7%). Hen-day egg production rate was 96.0%. Most of the eggs were laid in <1 lux (61.9% of total) which was significantly higher than under other light intensities (P<0.05). Findings from this study offer insights into preference of fluorescent light intensity by the laying hens. Further studies to assess or verify welfare and performance responses of the hens to the preferred lighting conditions and rhythm over extended periods are recommended.     

不同LED光源对乌塌菜生长、光合特性及营养品质的影响

与传统光源相比,LED具有光谱可控、亮度高但发热量小、寿命长等优势.LED光源可实现光谱可控,通过调制光谱与植物的感光细胞最优结合来影响植物的生长发育与营养品质.本研究利用LED精量调制光源,以‘菊花小八叶’乌塌菜品种为试验材料,设红光、蓝光、红/蓝光(3/1)、红/蓝光(7/1)、白/红/蓝光(3/2/1)5个处理,以白光为对照,研究不同光质对乌塌菜生长、光合特性及品质的影响.结果表明： 红光有利于乌塌菜生物量和茎粗的增大,而蓝光有抑制作用;叶绿素含量以红/蓝光(7/1)处理最高,且叶绿素总量与红/蓝光比值呈正相关,虽然蓝光显著降低叶绿素含量,但提高了叶绿素 a/b 值;光合速率和蒸腾速率均以红光处理最高,与对照相比分别增加43.8%和55.1%,而蓝光处理下有较高的气孔导度及胞间CO₂浓度.不同光质处理对乌塌菜的荧光参数有较大影响,白光的F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o和Φ_PSⅡ均最大;红光可以提高可溶性糖含量,蓝光能提高可溶性蛋白含量,白光能增加维生素C含量.综合分析,红/蓝光(7/1)处理在增加叶片光合色素含量,提高光合速率,促进植株生长和改善营养品质方面为最优组合.     

DAY AND NIGHT KINETICS OF GROWTH RATE IN GREEN,BROWN, AND RED SEAWEEDS1

Growth rates in terms of area increase per 30 min were measured in flat thalli of several seaweed, species by means of computer-assisted image analysis, at 12 h light per day and a photon fluence rate of 20 μmol · m^-2· s^?1. Light fields included white fluorescent, imitated underwater, blue, green, and red light. In the green alga Ulva pseudocurvata Koeman et Hoek, blue light caused an immediate reduction of thallus area and growth rate after the onset of light, whereas green light and red light resulted in an initial peak in growth rate followed by inhibition 60 min after the onset of light. More growth was observed in darkness than in blue light in U. pseudocurvata. All brown and red algae tested, with Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamour. and Palmaria palmata Stackh. as the main investigated species, grew faster during the day than during the night, irrespective of light quality during the main light phase. The upper intertidal red alga Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) J. Ag. achieved most of its thallus expansion per 24 h during the first 3 h of the light phase, with maximum growth rates of 2–3% increase in area per hour. Maximal growth rates were 0.7% for juvenile laminarian sporophytes and were lower than this in Palmaria palmata and other perennial red algae. The temporary growth inhibition by light in Ulva pseudocurvata suggests photomorphogenetic events, similar to the kinetics of stem elongation in higher plant seedlings after blue or red light pulses in darkness.     

Influence of light colours on growth and stress response of pearl gourami <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichopodus leerii</Emphasis> under laboratory conditions

This study aimed to investigate the influence of illumination with different light spectra on growth and stress response in pearl gourami Trichopodus leerii Bleeker, 1852. Fish (6.35 ± 0.43 cm, 5.69 ± 0.67 g) were reared in 8 glass aquaria each with 25 fish under one of four different lighting conditions: yellow (max 546 nm), red (max 605 nm), blue (max 470 nm) and white (control). Experiments lasted for 90 days. The stress response was evaluated by measuring cortisol levels. No significant effect was observed on final body weight, length and specific growth rate of fish. However, best values for these characteristics were achieved for fish reared under yellow light. A significant higher weight gain, condition factor was found in fish reared under yellow light compared with fish reared under blue or red light. In contrast, a lower final body weight, specific growth rate and weight gain were achieved for fish reared under red light. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in fish under yellow light compared with red or blue light. Stressed fish showed lower cortisol levels under yellow light compared with other light exposures. The study indicates that, pearl gourami grows better under yellow light and that yellow light lowers the stress-induced cortisol response.     

ACCLIMATION OF THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC APPARATUS OF PALMARIA PALMATA (RHODOPHYTA) TO LIGHT QUALITIES THAT PREFERENTIALLY EXCITE PHOTOSYSTEM I OR PHOTOSYSTEM II1

Acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to light absorbed primarily by phycobilisomes (which transfer energy predominantly to photosystem II) or absorbed by chlorophyll a (mainly present in the antenna of photosystem I) was studied in the macroalga Palmaria palmata L. In addition, the influence of blue and yellow light, exciting chlorophyll a and phycobilisomes, respectively, ivas investigated. All results were compared to a white light control. Complementary chromatic adaptation in terms of an enhanced ratio of phycoerythrin to phycocyanin under green light conditions was observed. Red light (mainly absorbed by chlorophyll a) and green light (mainly absorbed by phycobilisomes) caused an increase of the antenna system, which was not preferentially excited. Yellow and blue light led to intermediate states comparable to each other and white light. Growth was reduced under all light qualities in comparison to white light, especially under conditions preferably exciting phycobilisomes (green light-adapted algae had a 58% lower growth rate compared to white light-adapted algae). Red and blue light-adapted algae showed maximal photosynthetic capacity with white light excitation and significantly lower values with green light excitation. In contrast, green and yellow light-adapted algae exhibited comparable photosynthetic capacities at all excitation wavelengths. Low-temperature fluorescence emission analysis showed an increase of photosystem II emission in red light-adapted algae and a decrease in green light-adapted algae. A small increase of photosystem I emission teas also found in green light-adapted algae, but this was much less than the photosystem II emission increase observed in red light-adapted algae (both compared to phycobilisome emission). Efficiency of energy transfer from phycobilisomes to photosystem II was higher in red than in green light-adapted algae. The opposite was found for the energy transfer efficiency from phycobilisomes to photosystem I. Zeaxanthin content increased in green and blue light-adapted algae compared to red, white, and yellow light-adapted algae. Results are discussed in comparison to published data on unicellular red algae and cyanobacteria.     

Effect of different light qualities on the ultrastructure, thylakoid membrane composition and assimilation metabolism of Chlorella fusca

Chlorella fusca (Shihira et Krauss) strain C-1.1.10 was grown under three different light qualities (red, white or blue light) in homocontinuous cultures. Under electron microscopy, blue light cultures showed enlarged cells, thinner cell walls and lower starch content than red light cells. Under blue light, the degree of stacking of the thylakoid membranes was significantly lower than under white or red light conditions. Changing the light from blue to red the ratio of exposed to appressed membranes was doubled. Compared to red light cells, blue light cells exhibited higher photosynthetic rates per chlorophyll molecule and contained less chlorophyll per dry weight. Blue light stimulated the content of soluble protein as well as that of soluble carbohydrates. The dry weight productivity per unit time was enhanced under blue light conditions. The thylakoid protein complexes which are generally assumed to be localized in the exposed membranes were found in higher concentrations under blue light than under red light. In blue light, both the Photosystem II/Photosystem I ratio and the ratio of light-harvesting chlorophyll protein to P-700 chlorophyll a -protein were lower than in red light. Blue light cells contained twice the concentration of cytochrome f , which correlates well with their higher photosynthetic capacity. When altering the light quality, the degree of change in the reaction center complexes was much lower than expected given the corresponding degree of change in the ratio of exposed to appressed membranes. These results are discussed in light of the question as to whether the variation in the stoichiometry of the laterally distributed complexes can be explained by changes in the degree of stacking alone.     

光处理对白头翁愈伤组织生长及代谢产物合成的影响

以白头翁试管苗叶片为外植体,于MS＋TDZ0.2 mg/L＋2,4-D 0.2 mg/L上进行愈伤组织诱导和增殖,进行不同光质照射,观察光处理下白头翁愈伤组织的生长和代谢产物合成情况.结果表明：黄光能提高愈伤组织的诱导率,产生的愈伤组织质地最好;光质对愈伤组织的鲜重增殖倍数依次为：黄（16.69）〉 红（11.41）〉 绿（8.97）〉 白（6.74）〉蓝（5.97）,延长光照时间会促进细胞生长;与白光相比,黄光和红光能显著促进干物质的积累,而蓝光明显抑制,绿光与白光两处理之间差异不明显.自然光照下,白头翁叶片中代谢产物极少,而黄、蓝和绿光均诱导合成了包括皂苷在内的数种代谢产物,而红光处理同白光一样只诱导出了一种代谢产物.由此可见,光处理可以调控白头翁愈伤组织的生长状态及皂苷等次生代谢物的积累.     

Effects of environmental colour on growth of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), maintained individually or in groups

Examined was the influence of different colours of light on the growth of adult Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) held either individually (initial size 12.8 ± 1.1 cm; 62.9 ± 15.6 g) or in groups (initial size 7.8 ± 0.8 cm; 17.2 ± 6.4 g). Various colours (blue 434.5 nm, violet 430.0 nm, red 609.7 nm, green 525.2 nm and yellow 545.2 nm) did not affect weight gain of fish held individually (initial to final weights: blue 62.5 ± 18.4 to 72.9 ± 16.0 g, violet 63.5 ± 17.8 to 78.0 ± 19.1 g, green 62.1 ± 13.0 to 72.9 ± 15.7 g, and yellow 60.4 ± 20.4 to 71.0 ± 21.1 g); red seemed to restrict growth (initial to final weights: 65.8 ± 13.3 to 71.8 ± 10.8 g). Final weight differences were observed among individuals in groups maintained under blue, violet, red and green light (smaller and larger fish: blue 13.2 ± 5.0 and 18.9 ± 7.0 g, violet 17.3 ± 5.2 and 23.8 ± 4.7 g, red 14.7 ± 3.3 and 23.9 ± 4.7 g, and green 19.4 ± 7.8 and 28.6 ± 8.1 g); however, under the yellow light there were no differences in final weights (smaller fish 19.1 ± 4.8 g; larger fish 26.2 ± 5.2 g). Under the red light, heterogeneity in growth was observed earlier than with the other colours. It is therefore suggested that the red colour might have some harmful effects on Nile tilapia growth, limiting weight gain when fish are individually maintained, and with weight differences increasing when fish are held in groups. On the other hand, the yellow light seems to be positive for Nile tilapia, as it appears not to affect individually‐held fish, but reduces variation in growth of group‐maintained fish, promoting growth homogeneity.     

不同波段LED光源对毛健夜蛾行为的影响

为探明不同波段LED光对毛健夜蛾Brithys crini (Fabricius)行为的影响, 在实验条件下观察了4种不同波段（红光： 620~625 nm; 绿光： 520~523 nm; 蓝色： 465~467 nm; 白光： 460~465 nm）LED光源下毛健夜蛾幼虫的假死、 爬行、 静止、 取食、 排便、 瞭望及其他行为和成虫交配及产卵行为。结果表明： （1）毛健夜蛾幼虫在红光、 绿光、 蓝光和白光4种LED光源下, 爬行、 静止和取食行为时间分配差异极显著（爬行、 静止和取食： P=0.000）, 红光组爬行的时间占98.06%, 绿光组取食时间占83.65%, 蓝光组爬行和静止时间占91.56%, 白光组爬行时间占61.16%; 爬行、 静止、 取食、 瞭望及其他行为发生率差异显著, 红光组和白光组爬行行为发生率最高, 分别为47.37%和32.00%, 绿光组取食行为发生率最高为40.00%, 蓝光组爬行行为发生率最高为32.35%; （2）毛健夜蛾跌落幼虫在4种LED光源下, 假死发生率差异不显著, 但假死持续时间有显著性差异, 红光组假死持续时间显著长于蓝光组和白光组; （3）4种LED光源处理后, 交配和未交配的单雌产卵量无显著差异; （4）第1-2天的暗期分别使用4种光源, 则交配和产卵高峰均出现在第3天的暗期, 而第1-2天的暗期不使用光源, 则交配和产卵高峰出现在第1天的暗期。这些研究结果初步揭示了不同波段光源对毛健夜蛾行为影响不同。     

光强与光质对银杏光合作用及黄酮苷与萜类内酯含量的影响

对2年生银杏（Ginkgo biloba L.)苗进行遮荫和光膜处理,测定光合速率及碳水化合物,银杏黄酮苷与萜类内酯的含量。光合速率在自然光下测定时从大到小依次为：黄膜＞蓝膜和红膜＞绿膜＞紫膜和白膜,在光膜下测定时为：黄膜＞红膜＞蓝膜、紫膜和白膜＞绿膜。光强和光质对碳水化合物含量有显著影响。光质对萜类内酯的生物合成和积累有影响,紫膜处理的银杏萜类内酯含量最高,为3.89mg/g,比白膜（对照） 高85．23％,其次是绿膜,为2．80mg/g。覆膜和蔗荫显著减少银杏黄酮苷含量,这可能与紫外辐射强度减弱有关。     

The spectral composition of a white light influences its attractiveness to Culex pipiens mosquitoes

Insect attraction to artificial light can potentially facilitate disease transmission by increasing contact between humans and vectors. Previous research has identified specific wavelength bands, such as yellow and red, that are unattractive to biting flies. However, narrow-band, non-white lights are unsuitable for home lighting use as their very poor color rendering is often considered aesthetically undesirable. The creation of a white light that is unattractive to insects has so far remained elusive. White light can be created by combining a number of narrow-band light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Through choice chamber experiments on Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens) mosquitoes, we examine whether combining specific wavelength bands has an additive, subtractive or synergistic effect on insect attraction. We show that a white light created by combining narrow-band red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs is less attractive to Cx. pipiens than a broad-spectrum white light; and that a white light created by combining narrow-band blue and yellow LEDs is more attractive than a broad-spectrum white light. White light produced by RGB combinations could therefore serve as a safer and cheaper light in countries where phototactic vectors and vector-borne disease are endemic.     

THE EFFECT OF LIGHT QUALITY ON THE CARBON METABOLISM AND EXTRACELLULAR RELEASE OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII DANGEARD1

The influence of red, blue, green, and white light on growth and photosynthetic rates, carbon metabolism, and rates of release of extracellular compounds in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard was examined. Relative growth constants were 0.28, 0.32, 0.40, and 0.41 in green, white, blue, and red light, respectively. Photosynthetic rates were higher in white, blue, or red than in green light of the same intensity. More than 66% of the ¹⁴CO₂ assimilated by cells grown under blue or green light was incorporated into the ethanol-insoluble fraction, compared with about 50% in cells grown under white or red light. The percentage of sugars in this fraction was significantly higher in cells grown under green or red light than in cells cultured in white or blue light, while the percentage of proteins was highest in blue light. Light quality also influenced the composition of the ethanol-soluble fraction. The percentage of organic acids was highest in cells grown in green and white light, while amino acids were highest in blue and green cultures. The percentage of ethanol-soluble sugars was greatest in cultures grown in blue and red light. The percentage release of dissolved organic carbon into the medium was highest in white light and lowest in blue or red light. The nature of the extracellular products varied according to the quality of light under which the cells were cultured, but had no consistent relation to the nature or concentration or components in the ethanol-soluble fraction.     

Growth and cell cycle of Ulva compressa (Ulvophyceae) under LED illumination

The cell‐cycle progression of Ulva compressa is diurnally gated at the G₁ phase in accordance with light–dark cycles. The present study was designed to examine the spectral sensitivity of the G₁ gating system. When blue, red, and green light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) were used for illumination either alone or in combination, the cells divided under all illumination conditions, suggesting that all colors of light were able to open the G₁ gate. Although blue light was most effective to open the G₁ gate, red light alone or green light alone was also able to open the G₁ gate even at irradiance levels lower than the light compensation point of each color. Occurrence of a period of no cell division in the course of a day suggested that the G₁ gating system normally functioned as under ordinary illumination by cool‐white fluorescent lamps. The rise of the proportion of blue light to green light resulted in increased growth rate. On the other hand, the growth rates did not vary regardless of the proportion of blue light to red light. These results indicate that the difference in growth rate due to light color resulted from the difference in photosynthetic efficiency of the colors of light. However, the growth rates significantly decreased under conditions without blue light. This result suggests that blue light mediates cell elongation and because the spectral sensitivity of the cell elongation regulating system was different from that of the G₁ gating system, distinct photoreceptors are likely to mediate the two systems.