Effects of low nocturnal temperature on photosynthetic characteristics and chloroplast ultrastructure of winter rapeseed

We investigated the effects of low nocturnal temperature on photosynthetic apparatus of winter rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.). An artificial climate chamber was used to simulate the effects of low nocturnal temperature on seedling and stomatal morphology, chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthetic parameters, and dry matter distribution and accumulation in two winter rapeseed cultivars, Longyou-7 (ultra coldresistant) and Tianyou-2 (weak cold resistance). Compared with those at diurnal/nocturnal temperatures of 20°/10°C (control), rapeseed seedlings at 20°/5°C had increased leaf chlorophyll content, deepened green leaf color, decreased stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and photosynthetic rate (P_n), and improved root/shoot ratio; the majority of stomata remained open in Longyou-7 while those in Tianyou-2 were mostly closed or semi-closed. At diurnal/nocturnal temperatures of 20°/–5°C, rapeseed seedlings had decreased leaf chlorophyll content with increased C_i but decreased G_s and P_n; Tianyou-2 exhibited ruptured chloroplast membrane, dissolved grana, broken stroma lamella, and decreased root/shoot ratio, whereas Longyou-7 had chloroplasts retaining partial structure of grana with a small amount of starch granules in guard cells. Low nocturnal temperature damaged the photosynthetic membrane of chloroplasts and reduced P_n in the leaves of winter rapeseed influencing photosynthetic processes in this crop. The reduction of P_n was mainly related to stomatal limitation at diurnal/nocturnal temperatures of 20°/5°C and non-stomatal limitation at diurnal/nocturnal temperatures of 20°/–5°C.     

Photosynthetic pigments content, <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis>-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and acid phosphatase activities and mineral nutrients concentration in cadmium-exposed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.

In this study, the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) on plant growth, histology of roots, photosynthetic pigments content, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D; E.C. 4.2.1.24) and acid phosphatase activities (AP; E.C. 3.1.3.2), soluble phosphorus (Pi) measurement and mineral nutrients content in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Cucumber seedlings were grown in vitro in an agar-solidified substrate containing four CdCl₂ treatments (0, 100, 400, and 1000 μM) for ten days. Cd was readily absorbed by seedlings and its content was greater in the roots than in the shoot. Cd reduced shoot and root length, and fresh and dry biomass of seedlings. Inhibition of root cell elongation in Cd-treated seedlings was observed by the increase of the mean radial size of cells belonging to three zones of the root tip. The highest level of Cd reduced in a similar manner chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents. Increasing concentrations of Cd resulted in a linear decrease in carotenoids levels of cotyledons. Interestingly, the ALA-D activity in cotyledons was inhibited only at the highest level of Cd. Root and shoot AP activities were, respectively, activated and inhibited at all CdCl₂ concentrations. Root Pi concentration was increased in all Cd treatments and it was not altered in the shoot tissues. Moreover, in general, the nutrient contents were increased in the root and decreased in the shoot. Therefore, we suggest that Cd affects negatively growth, photosynthetic pigments, ALA-D and AP activities and partition of mineral nutrients in cucumber seedlings.     

Effect of Morpholine Systemic Fungicides on the Chloroplast Pigments of Wheat and Maize

Abstract

The growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of wheat and maize seedlings as influenced by a soil drench of 250 μM of tridemorph or fenpropimorph, were studied. It was found that the length of the shoot, primary leaf, and root, as well as the leaf area were significantly reduced in the fungicide treated seedlings. Although the dry matter percentage was higher in the treated seedlings as compared to the control, the fresh or dry weight per shoot remained lower in the fungicide treated seedlings. The chloroplast pigments in the treated seedlings of both crops were unaffected, suggesting that the fungicides had no significant effect on the chlorophyll or carotenoid biosynthesis.     

Effects of drought stress on growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. seedlings

The present study aimed to determine effects of drought stress on Lycium ruthenicum Murr. seedlings. Our results showed that mild drought stress was beneficial to growth of L. ruthenicum seedlings. Their height, basal diameter, crown, leaf number, stem dry mass, leaf and root dry mass increased gradually when the soil water content declined from 34.7 to 21.2%. However, with further decrease of the soil water content, the growth of L. ruthenicum seedlings was limited. After 28 d of treatment, the seedlings were apparently vulnerable to drought stress, which resulted in significant leaf shedding and slow growth. However, growth was restored after rehydration. Drought treatments led to a decrease in contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a, b, and Chl (a+b) and increase in the Chl a/b ratio. After rewatering, the Chl content recovered to the content of the control plants. Under drought stress, minimal fluorescence and nonphotochemical quenching coefficient increased, thereby indicating that L. ruthenicum seedlings could protect PSII reaction centres from damage. Maximum fluorescence, maximum quantum yield, actual quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photochemical quenching decreased, which suggested that drought stress impacted the openness of PSII reaction centres. A comparison of these responses might help identify the drought tolerance mechanisms of L. ruthenicum. This could be the reference for the planting location and irrigation arrangements during the growing period of L. ruthenicum.     

Enhanced multiplication and improved <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex vitro</Emphasis> acclimatization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Decalepis arayalpathra</Emphasis>

The proposed work describes a protocol for high-frequency in vitro regeneration through nodal segments and shoot tips in Decalepsis arayalpathra, a critically endangered medicinal liana of the Western Ghats. Nodal segments were more responsive than shoot tips in terms of shoot proliferation. Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium supplemented with 5.0 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) was optimum for shoot initiation through both the explants. Among different combinations of plant growth regulators and growth additive screened, MS medium added with 5.0 μM BA + 0.5 μM indole-3-acetic acid + 20.0 μM adenine sulphate effectuated the highest response: 11.8 shoots per nodal segment and 5.5 shoots per shoot tip with mean shoot length of 9.2 and 4.8 cm, respectively. Half-strength MS medium with 2.5 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid was optimum for in vitro root induction. The plantlets with the well developed shoot and root were acclimatized in Soilrite? with 92 % survival rate in the field conditions. During acclimatization, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were gradually changed in dependence of formation of new leaves. Further, the changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as activity of carbonic anhydrase were also observed: a continuous rise in SOD activity, but a rise and fall in the activities of CAT, APX, and GR were also noticed. Maximum fresh mass (3.1 g plant^-1), dry mass (0.35 g plant^-1) of roots and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde content of 9.22 μg cm^-3(root extract) were recorded after 8 weeks of acclimatization.     

Biochar Application Improves the Drought Tolerance in Maize Seedlings

Application of biochar to agricultural soils is mostly used to improve soil fertility. Experimental treatments were comprised of two factors: i) drought at two level, i.e., 80% and 40% water holding capacity (WHC) which was maintained on gravimetric basis ii) three levels of biochar i.e., control, 2 t ha^-1 and 4 t ha^-1 added to soil. Experimentation was done to examine potential of biochar application to enhance the growth attributes, water relations, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidants activities in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Results of study revealed that biochar application increased the growth qualities (total seedlings biomass, dry weight of shoot and root, shoot length and root length). In addition; contents of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a + b and a/b), water relation (relative water contents, turgor potential, osmotic potential and water potential) were improved significantly due to addition of biochar. Addition of 4 t ha^-1 biochar led to significant rise activity of enzymatic antioxidant catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in leaf of maize seedling sunder drought as well as well watered circumstances. However, biochar applied at the rate 4 t ha^-1 improved the all the physiological and biochemical attributes in maize seedlings under drought. From the results it was concluded that biochar application is an efficient way to alleviate adverse effect of drought stress on maize. In drought prone areas, long term impacts of biochar on production of maize and properties of soil could be recommended as upcoming shove.     

The influence of waterlogging at different temperatures on penetration depth and porosity of roots and on stomatal diffusive resistance of pea and maize seedlings

The 8 days old seedlings of pea (cv. Ilowiecki) and maize (cv. Alma F1) were subjected to differentiated aeration conditions (control — with pore water tension about 15 kPa and flooded treatment) for 12 days at three soil temperatures (7, 15 and 25 °C). The shoots were grown at 25 °C while the soil temperature was differentiated by keeping the cylinders with the soil in thermostated water bath of the appropriate temperature. Lowering the root temperature with respect to the shoot temperature caused under control (oxic) conditions a decrease of the root penetration depth, their mass and porosity as well as a decrease of shoot height, their mass and chlorophyll content; the changes being more pronounced in maize as compared to the pea plants. Flooding the soil diminished the effect of temperature on the investigated parameters; the temperature effect remaining significant only in the case of shoot biomass and root porosity of pea plants. Root porosity of pea plants ranged from 2 to 4 % and that of maize plants — from 4 to 6 % of the root volume. Flooding the soil caused an increase in the root porosity of the pea plants in the entire temperature range and in maize roots at lower temperatures by about 1 % of the root volume. Flooding the soil caused a decrease of root mass and penetration depth as well as a decrease of plant height, biomass and leaf chlorophyll content.     

Evolution characteristics related to photosynthesis,growth and yield in some old and new cotton cultivars

Changes in photosynthetic attributes related to genetic improvement of cotton yield were studied in seven Chinese cotton cultivars widely grown in Xinjiang during the past 30 years. Our results showed that a chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of the 1980s cultivar was the highest among all after 60 days from planting (DAP). However, after 75 DAP, the Chl content, P _N, and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII of the old cultivars declined gradually, whereas those of the new cultivars remained relatively high. Compared to the old cultivars, leaves of the new cultivars endured a longer period and their senescence was slower, shoot and boll dry mass was higher, but the root to shoot ratio was lower. The lint yield of the 2000s cultivars was 14.7 and 21.4% higher than that of 1990s and 1980s cultivars, respectively. The high yield of the new cultivars was attributed to a greater number of bolls per unit of area with high lint percentage. We suggested that the improved photosynthetic capacity and the increased ability to deliver photosynthates to reproductive sites during the peak boll-setting stage to boll-opening stage were the key physiological basis in the evolution process of cotton cultivars from 1980s to 2000s for the cotton yield improvement within a short growing period.     

Santalum album: Kernel Composition, Morphological and Nutrient Characteristics of Pre-parasitic Seedlings under Various Nutrient Regimes

Omission of all nutrients or individual minerals (N, K, P, S,Ca) from the growth medium of pre-parasiticSantalum album seedlingsproduced significant morphological effects. Compared with fullyfertilized seedlings, shoot and root length, leaf area, leaflength and width, leaf number, internode length, shoot length/rootlength ratio, chlorophyll levels, fresh mass and dry mass wereall reduced; leaf thickness increased and stomatal numbers,petiole lengths, root lengths and haustorial numbers showedvariable but significant responses. Mineral-specific deficiencysymptoms were evident in all omission treatments after 3 months.Treatments in which N, K or all minerals were omitted had thegreatest dwarfing effect and increase in height and leaf numberceased after 3 months: only seedlings with no added nutrients(dependent on kernel nutrition) were healthy. The mineral contentof no-nutrient seedlings approximated that in kernels. The distributionof minerals between plant parts for each treatment is given.K concentrations and K/Ca ratios were relatively high in leavesof seedlings which received treatments containing K, especiallywhen Ca was absent. A high K/Ca ratio may be inherent inS. albumseedlings rather than acquired after subsequent host connection.All fully fertilized seedlings developed haustoria within 3months suggesting readiness for early host attachment. Seedlingsin no-nutrient, no-N, no-K or no-P treatments had fewer haustoria. Santalum album ; Indian sandalwood; sandalwood kernels; sandalwood seedlings; nutrient omission; healthy characteristics; deficiency characteristics     

玉米苗期耐低铁能力的综合评价及其预测

为了筛选和鉴定耐低铁玉米品种应用于生产,本研究以23个玉米品种为材料,测定低铁胁迫和正常供铁(对照)玉米幼苗的株高、茎粗、可见叶、展叶、叶面积、根长、根体积、总干重、活性铁、含铁量、铁积累量和叶绿素含量等15个性状,以各性状的相对值作为衡量指标,利用主成分分析、隶属函数分析和聚类分析对其进行耐低铁能力的综合评价。结果表明不同玉米品种耐低铁能力存在明显的基因型差异;邡玉1号、福康玉909、正大619、正红102、福得2号、正红2号耐低铁能力较强;展叶数、叶面积、根长、根干重、铁积累量可作为玉米耐低铁品种苗期筛选指标;可利用玉米苗期耐低铁能力的回归模型:D=(-384.23+2.71X4+2.50X5+3.22X6+1.70X9+4.86X14)×10-3对玉米苗期耐低铁能力进行预测。     

干旱胁迫对大豆鼓粒期叶片光合能力和根系生长的影响

以晋大70(抗旱型)和晋豆26(敏感型)2个大豆品种为材料,采用盆栽方法,在鼓粒期设置充分供水、轻度干旱和重度干旱3种水分处理,研究了干旱胁迫对大豆鼓粒期叶片光合能力和根系生长的影响.结果表明： 随着干旱程度加剧,2个品种的叶面积、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、叶片气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO₂浓度、株质量、株高、籽粒产量和收获指数均降低;根长和根质量在轻度干旱胁迫下增加,在重度干旱胁迫下减少;根冠比随干旱程度加剧而升高.重度干旱胁迫下,抗旱型品种晋大70根冠比的增幅达到135.7%,大于敏感型品种晋豆26根冠比的增幅(116.7%),晋大70的叶面积和叶绿素含量分别为对照的69.3%和85.5%,均优于晋豆26,晋大70的气孔导度和净光合速率分别下降了67.9%和77.9%,降幅均小于晋豆26,晋大70的收获指数的降幅为43.8%,小于晋豆26 (78.8%).不同干旱处理下,2个品种的叶面积、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO₂浓度两两之间均呈显著正相关;株质量、株高、根长、根质量、籽粒产量、收获指数两两之间均呈显著正相关;根冠比与根质量呈显著正相关,而与其他5个指标呈显著负相关.     

Growth and survival of cork oak (Quercus suber) seedlings after simulated partial cotyledon consumption under different soil nutrient contents

Aims

We examined the importance of partial seed consumption (cotyledon loss) by rabbits in the early establishment of seedlings of cork oaks restricted to nutrient-impoverished soils.

Methods

To determine the importance of cotyledons in the growth and development of seedlings, we simulated two levels of predation [light (30 % cotyledon loss) and heavy (60 % loss) partial consumption] and two soil nutrient contents (nutrient-poor soil, nutrient-rich soil). Seedlings height, root length, dry root and shoot biomass, specific leaf mass, leaf density, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and photosynthetic pigment concentrations were determined.

Results

Results indicated that effect of nutrient level on the growth of the oak seedlings was more important than that of cotyledon biomass. However, in nutrient–poor soils, cotyledon biomass played a major role in the early performance of cork oaks. Acorns grown in nutrient-rich substrate, despite having greater aerial vigor, were slower to develop a vertical root, and hence less likely to reach permanent moisture. Cotyledon loss caused a decrease in the biomass of roots and shoots when acorns were heavily consumed, and as a result experienced a reduction in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll concentration. Survival of seedlings was unaffected by either soil type or cotyledon loss.

Conclusions

Our results show that effects of soil type on the survival of oak seedlings were more important than those of cotyledon biomass. However, in a competitive situation, cotyledon biomass, as an indicative of growth nutrient support rather than an energy source, could be vital in a nutrient-poor environment, particularly in Mediterranean climate regions and for species with little inherent drought tolerance (as is the case of Quercus spp.), where rapid root growth is required to ensure that contact with soil moisture is maintained over the first summer.     

The effects of phenolic acids on the photosynthetic characteristics and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">euramericana</Emphasis> cv. ‘Neva’ seedlings

Populus × euramericana cv. ‘Neva’ is an important tree species in northern China. In the study, we used its potted oneyear- old seedlings as experimental material and established three treatments (CK, 0.5X, and 1.0X) according to the concentrations of phenolic acids in order to examine the effects of different concentrations on the photosynthetic characteristics and growth of poplar. With increasing concentrations of phenolic acids, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal limitation, transpiration rate, apparent quantum yield, photochemical quenching coefficient, electron transport rate, chlorophyll content, and total biomass decreased significantly. The intercellular CO₂ concentration, light-compensation point, nonphotochemical quenching, malondialdehyde content, and root/shoot ratio increased significantly. Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities initially decreased and then increased. We concluded that phenolic acids significantly inhibited poplar’s photosynthesis and the higher phenolic acid concentration, the greater inhibition of photosynthesis occurred. This inhibition effect was mainly caused by nonstomatal factors. Phenolic acids induced noticeable photoinhibition, resulted in the irreversible damage of membrane structure, and then changed intracellular metabolic processes. To cope with phenolic acid stress, poplar seedlings increased dissipation of excess light energy and distributed relatively more biomass to underground parts within carbon allocation.     

狭果鹤虱幼苗营养生长和生物量分配对凝结水梯度的响应

以新疆艾比湖湿地国家级自然保护区荒漠短命植物狭果鹤虱为研究对象,研究少凝结水、自然凝结水和倍增凝结水3个梯度下狭果鹤虱幼苗形态、生理响应对策及单株植物的干物质分配格局.结果表明: 随凝结水量增加,狭果鹤虱幼苗与叶片吸收水分有关的性状叶绿素相对含量、叶片水势、株高、冠幅、茎质量和叶质比均显著增高,而与根吸收和运输水分有关的性状主茎径、根长和根径无显著变化;株高和叶绿素相对含量对凝结水量的响应最迅速;不同凝结水梯度下,狭果鹤虱幼苗对茎的生物量投入比例无显著差异,但随幼苗生长,3个梯度植物的根质比均逐渐下降,少凝结水处理植株降幅相对较小.狭果鹤虱幼苗主要通过改变地上部分性状响应凝结水量的变化,叶片光合潜力和干物质比重随凝结水量增加而显著增加.     

丛枝菌根真菌对砂培玉米幼苗根系特征、光合生理与镉累积的影响

【背景】丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)是一类重要的土壤微生物,能显著影响植物对镉(cadmium,Cd)的耐性与累积,但其对不同形态Cd胁迫的响应尚不清楚。【目的】探讨不同形态Cd胁迫下接种AMF对玉米(Zea mays L.)生长和Cd累积的影响。【方法】采用30 cm高的培养容器填装石英砂(0.2 mm),开展室内砂培玉米试验,研究溶解态和胶体态Cd (1 mg/kg)胁迫下,接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)对玉米幼苗生长、根系特征、光合生理及Cd累积的影响。【结果】双因素分析表明,AMF和Cd形态均对玉米生长(株高和生物量)、根系特征、光合生理(叶绿素含量和光合速率)与Cd累积量存在显著的影响,但二者之间没有显著交互作用。与未接种处理相比,接种AMF显著降低玉米株高、生物量、叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率,抑制玉米根长、根表面积、根体积和根尖数;同时增加了玉米根系Cd含量,但减少玉米地上部Cd含量以及地上部与根系Cd累积量;与胶体态Cd处理相比,溶解态Cd显著降低玉米的根长、根表面积、平均根系直径、根尖数和地上部Cd累积量,但增加了植株叶片光合速率、根系Cd含量和累积量。相关分析发现,玉米根长、根表面积和根尖数与地上部Cd含量呈显著或极显著正相关,与根系Cd含量呈极显著负相关。【结论】溶解态Cd比胶体态Cd对砂培玉米幼苗的毒害效应严重,而且接种AMF加重溶解态和胶体态Cd对玉米幼苗的损伤,但降低了植株对Cd的累积。     

砷对玉米生长、抗氧化系统及离子分布的影响

采用温室砂培试验,研究了不同浓度砷（As）处理对玉米郑单958幼苗生物量积累、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统、As及矿质离子吸收、分布的影响.结果表明：低浓度（＜2 mg·L^-1）的As刺激了玉米幼苗的生长,植株株高、主根长和生物量积累均显著增加;高浓度（＞4 mg·L^-1）As严重抑制了玉米幼苗生长.2 mg·L^-1As处理下,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b含量均达到峰值;随As处理浓度增加,叶绿素含量逐渐下降;电镜观察发现,10 mg·L^-1 As处理下,叶片叶绿体结构遭到破坏,类囊体膜溶解.根系3种抗氧化酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性均随As浓度增加而增大;叶片3种抗氧化酶活性在8 mg·L^-1出现峰值,且对As处理的敏感性表现为POD>CAT>SOD.MDA、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量与As浓度呈正相关.高浓度的As明显抑制了P、K、Ca、Fe等元素的吸收.根系对As胁迫的反应比地上部更为敏感,因此根系生长发育指标更适合作为植物As毒害的指示指标.     

Impact of exogenously applied tocopherol on some key physio-biochemical and yield attributes in mungbean [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> (L.) Wilczek] under limited irrigation regimes

The lipophilic vitamin E, α-Tocopherol (α-Toc), has been considered as a potent cellular antioxidant naturally occurring in biological membranes. It plays a number of key metabolic roles in plants exposed to various stressful cues. A field experimental was conducted on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under varying water-limited regimes and the plants were sprayed with four levels of α-Toc (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L^?1) at the vegetative stage of plant growth. The results showed that limited field irrigation regimes (desiccated conditions) caused a marked reduction in growth parameters (shoot and root fresh and dry weights; shoot and root lengths), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b), total soluble proteins (TSP) and yield attributes (number of pods, seeds per plant, weight of ripened pods and 100-seeds weight), while, in contrast, water deficiency induced an increase in phenolics, proline, glycine betaine (GB), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), reducing and non-reducing sugars, total free amino acids, endogenous tocopherol levels, and activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). However, the foliar spray of α-Toc significantly improved shoot and root fresh and dry weights, shoot and root lengths, chlorophyll a and b contents, phenolics, proline, GB, reducing and non-reducing sugars, TSP, total free amino acids, endogenous tocopherol level, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT), as well as yield parameters. On the other hand, it significantly decreased the MDA and H₂O₂ levels. Of all varying levels of α-Toc used, 100 mg L^?1 was most effective in causing enhanced accumulation of ascorbic acid (AsA), MDA, and cellular tocopherols particularly in cv. Cyclone 7008, while proline and catalase in cv. Cyclone 8009. Of both cultivars, Cyclone 7008 was superior to the other cultivar in proline, TSP, SOD, and POD enzymes, but cv. Cyclone 8009 being superior in shoot fresh weights, root fresh weight, shoot and root lengths, chlorophyll a and b, phenolics, H₂O₂, AsA, MDA, CAT, number of pods, seeds, weight of ripened pods, and weight of 100 seeds under dry land conditions. Overall, exogenously applied tocopherol improved yield and myriad of key physio-biochemical attribute in mungbean.     

大豆幼苗对套作玉米遮荫环境的光合生理生态响应

以2个耐荫性不同的大豆品种为材料,田间试验设置大豆单作和玉米-大豆套作2个种植模式处理,研究不同耐荫性大豆品种的幼苗光合生理生态特性对套作玉米遮荫环境的响应。结果表明:1)玉米-大豆套作模式中,玉米遮荫显著降低大豆冠层的光合有效辐射,导致大豆幼苗光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率显著下降(P0.05),分别达37.9%、54.2%和42.4%,但品种间无显著差异;而胞间二氧化碳浓度和Fv/Fm无显著变化,且光合速率的下降与气孔导度存在显著相关关系,光合速率下降主要是由气孔限制和CO2同化过程中能量不足所致;2)玉米遮荫显著降低大豆幼苗叶面积指数、叶片碳含量、叶片和根系干重及总生物量,且品种间差异显著,相关性分析显示,叶面积指数下降是导致生物量减少的主要原因;3)玉米遮荫环境中,大豆幼苗的叶片叶绿素和氮素含量提高以增强光捕获能力,但它们并不能补偿因光截获面积降低而引起的光截获量下降。     

Gamma radiation effects on seed germination, growth and pigment content, and ESR study of induced free radicals in maize (Zea mays)

The effects of gamma radiation are investigated by studying plant germination, growth and development, and biochemical characteristics of maize. Maize dry seeds are exposed to a gamma source at doses ranging from 0.1 to 1 kGy. Our results show that the germination potential, expressed through the final germination percentage and the germination index, as well as the physiological parameters of maize seedlings (root and shoot lengths) decreased by increasing the irradiation dose. Moreover, plants derived from seeds exposed at higher doses (≤0.5 kGy) did not survive more than 10 days. Biochemical differences based on photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids) content revealed an inversely proportional relationship to doses of exposure. Furthermore, the concentration of chlorophyll a was higher than chlorophyll b in both irradiated and non-irradiated seedlings. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy used to evaluate the amount of free radicals induced by gamma ray treatment demonstrates that the relative concentration of radiation-induced free radicals depends linearly on the absorbed doses.     

Changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of maize in response to simulated natural temperature fluctuations

The response of the photosynthetic apparatus to low temperature periods differed among three hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in a phytotron. Light-saturated photosynthetic rates, leaf chlorophyll content, and mesophyll cell photosynthetic unit density all declined with increasing duration of low temperature. No single metabolic or physiological parameter appeared to control the response of the three hybrids to low temperature stress. Among all temperature treatments, net photosynthetic rate on a leaf area basis was more closely correlated with leaf chlorophyll content than with any other measured parameter. Final shoot dry weight was most highly correlated with stomatal conductance to CO₂.