A Nonspecific Response of the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Pine Needles to Industrial Air Pollution and Shading

The pigment composition and light-response curves of the indices of prompt chlorophyll fluorescence were investigated in needles sampled from various parts of the tree crown in pine trees growing under natural conditions at various distances from a source of industrial air pollution (a copper-melting works). Shading and pollution decreased the threshold light level of the state corresponding to the second phase of the light-response curve of nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching, increased a nonradiating dissipation of the absorbed light energy, and decreased the rate of electron transfer between PSII and PSI. The patterns thus established demonstrate the existence of nonspecific chloroplast responses to pollution and shading similar in their mechanism, which decrease the efficiency of light energy utilization.     

Remote Sensing of Solar-excited Plant Fluorescence as a Measure of Photosynthetic Rate

Leaf level net photosynthetic rates (P _N) of laurel oak (Quercus hemispherica) juveniles grown under contrasting nutrient and CO₂ regimes were negatively correlated with red to far-red ratios, R/FR (690/760 nm), steady-state, solar-excited fluorescence ratios (r ² = 0.66, n = 12) measured across 12 plant canopies. Laurel oak juveniles that had been subjected to nitrogen stress over a period of a year demonstrated higher R/FR than their counterparts that had been provided with sufficient nitrogen. Plants that had been grown at elevated CO₂ concentrations, EC [700 mol (CO₂) mol^-1] also exhibited significantly higher R/FR when subjected to normal ambient carbon dioxide concentrations than their counterparts grown under ambient concentrations, AC [380 mol (CO₂) mol^-1]. All fluorescence measurements were obtained by observing a multi-plant canopy using a unique solar-blind passive sensor. This sensor, which utilizes Fraunhofer-line discrimination techniques, detects radiation at the cores of the lines comprising the atmospheric oxygen A- and B-bands, centered at 762 and 688 nm, respectively. These results support the use of solar-excited steady-state plant fluorescence as a potential tool for remote measurement of canopy radiation use efficiency.     

Uptake of the Herbicide Diuron as Visualised by the Fluorescence Imaging Technique

A new fluorescence imaging system for monitoring the uptake of the PSII-herbicide diuron (OCMU) was tested in tobacco leaves. UV-laser-induced (Λ_exc = 355 nm) fluorescence images were collected for blue fluorescence F440 (Λ_em = 440 nm), green fluorescence F520 (Λ_em = 520 nm), red chlorophyll fluorescence F690 (Λ_em = 690 nm) and for far-red chlorophyll fluorescence F740 (Λ_em = 740 nm). Diuron-treated leaf parts exhibited a higher red and far-red chlorophyll fluorescence emission (F690 and F740) than untreated leaf halves, whereas the blue and green fluorescence, F440 and F520, remained unaffected. As a consequence, the fluorescence ratios blue/red (F440/F690) and blue/far-red (F440/F740) significantly decreased in diuron-treated leaf parts. The time course of diuron uptake into the leaf could be followed by fluorescence images taken 10 and 30 min after diuron application. The novel high resolution fluorescence imaging method supplies information on the herbicide uptake of each point of the leaf area. Its great advantage as compared to the point data fluorescence measurements applied so far is discussed.     

Thermoinduction of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and the Age-Related Condition of Higher Plant Leaves

The age-related changes in the temperature dependence curves (TDC) of chlorophyll fluorescence were studied in leaf segments of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentumMill.), and cucumber (Cucumis sativumL.) plants grown under controlled photoculture conditions. Three major TDC patterns of chlorophyll fluorescence were identified within the temperature range of 25–70°C, with each of the patterns corresponding to a certain phase of leaf development. The transition from one type of thermogram to another was a gradual and ordered process. The magnitude of the low-temperature TDC peak increased until leaves completely expanded and declined with leaf senescence. In the course of leaf senescence, the thermograms exhibited an additional shoulder, which further changed into a peak at 55–65°C with increasing magnitude. Our data provide the basis for assessing leaf age from the type of chlorophyll fluorescence thermogram and the changes in the particular indices characteristic of TDC of chlorophyll fluorescence.     

观赏山楂耐热性及其叶片光合与叶绿素荧光特性研究

以引自国内外的15种观赏山楂苗木为材料,于上海夏季自然高温下对其叶片光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数进行测定,并观察它们的田间耐热性,以揭示其耐热的光合生理机制.结果显示,4种山楂表现出较强耐热性,6种较耐热,而5种耐热性较差;15种山楂叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)的种间差异显著(P<0.05),且耐热性强的品种P_n、T_r、G_s、WUE值较高,高温下能够维持较高的光合固碳水平;各品种山楂叶片的PSⅡ最大光能转换效率F_v/F_m、电子传递效率ΦPSⅡ和光能捕获效率F_v'/F_m'差异显著,耐热性强品种F_v/F_m保持在0.8以上,且ΦPSⅡ值与F_v'/F_m'较高.研究表明,观赏山楂主要通过加大气孔蒸腾散热、降低叶表面温度以及维持较高光能电子传递与转化效率来减轻高温对光合机构伤害,以维持植株正常光合作用;山楂叶片PSⅡ原初光能转换效率及潜在活性与其耐热性密切相关,F_v/F_m值可作为山楂耐热性鉴定指标.     

C_4植物玉米叶片光合效率的日变化

在没有水分、温度和营养等环境胁迫的田间条件下,晴天C_4植物玉米叶片光合效率的日变化方式明显地不同于许多C_3植物,即中午光合效率不降低,而是略有提高。日间玉米叶片的光合效率大体上随着光量子通量密度的变化而变化。从上午8时至下午14时用纱布遮荫6h,叶片的光合效率下降。用强光预照光可以提高在温度、水分和CO_2浓度恒定条件下离体叶片的光合效率。另外,即使在全日光强下玉米叶片的净光合速率也不饱和。这些表明,晴天中午玉米叶片光合效率的提高依赖于强光。用强光预照光引起玉米叶片叶绿素荧光参数F_v/F_m的轻微下降,表明强光引起的光合效率提高不是由于光系统Ⅱ光化学效率的改善。     

Characteristics of Photosynthetic Apparatus in Mn-Starved Maize Leaves

The effects of Mn-deficiency on CO₂ assimilation and excitation energy distribution were studied using Mn-starved maize leaves. Mn-deficiency caused about 70 % loss in the photon-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _N) compared to control leaves. The loss of P _N was associated with a strong decrease in the activity of oxygen evolution complex (OEC) and the linear electron transport driven by photosystem 2 (PS2) in Mn-deficienct leaves. The photochemical quenching of PS2 (q_P) and the maximum efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m) decreased significantly in Mn-starved leaves under high irradiance, implicating that serious photoinhibition took place. However, the high-energy fluorescence quenching (q_E) decreased, which was associated with xanthophyll cycle. The results showed that the pool of de-epoxidation components of the xanthophyll cycle was lowered markedly owing to Mn deficiency. Linear electron transport driven by PS2 de-creased significantly and was approximately 70 % lower in Mn-deficient leaves than that in control, indicating less trans-thylakoid pH gradient was built in Mn deficient leaves. We suggest that the decrease of non-radiative dissipation depending on xanthophyll cycle in Mn-starved leaves is a result of the deficiency of trans-thylakoid pH gradient.     

Response of the Photosynthetic Apparatus of the Diatom Thallassiosira weisflogii to High Irradiance Light

The response of the photosynthetic apparatus to high irradiance illumination (440–2200 W/m²) was studied in the diatom Thallassiosira weisflogii by fluorescence methods. Changes in the photosynthetic apparatus were monitored by measuring characteristics of chlorophyll fluorescence F ₀, F _m, F _v/F _m, and qN for several hours after illumination of the alga with high-intensity light. Incubation of the alga with 2 mM DTT, an inhibitor of de-epoxidase of carotenoids in the diadinoxanthin cycle, led to a decrease in the nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and a drop in the F _v/F _m ratio, a characteristic that reflects the quantum efficiency of the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus. Light-induced absorption changes associated with transformations of carotenoids of diadinoxanthin cycle were recorded in vivo in algal suspensions in the absence and in the presence of DTT. Using the microfluorometric method, we measured cell distribution over the efficiency of the primary processes of photosynthesis (F _v/F _m) after illumination. We found cells with a high tolerance of their photosynthetic apparatus to photooxidative damage. The relatively high tolerance of a portion of the cell population to high-light illumination can be related to light-induced transformation of carotenoids and to the functioning of other protective systems of the photosynthetic apparatus in diatoms.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Light Intensity on the Measurement of the Photosynthetic Rate in Plankton Microalgae by the Chlorophyll Fluorescence Method

The use of relative variable fluorescence (RVF) of chlorophyll, as measured in the presence of Diuron, an inhibitor of electron transfer, for the estimation of the photosynthetic activity of plankton microalgae was analyzed under a wide range of light intensities in the PAR region. Oxygen evolution rates (estimated by the method of light and dark bottles and the amperometric method), RVF, and chlorophyll a concentration were measured in parallel in natural algal cenoses and microecosystems. When the previously used regression equation, in the form A = b(F/F_d)C_chlI, where A is O₂ evolution rate (g/(m³ h), F/F_d is RVF (relative units), C_chl is chlorophyll a concentration (mg/m³), and I is light intensity (W/m²), was verified in the PAR region, we observed a nonlinear dependence of the correction coefficient b on I, which can be described by the formula b = 6.227 × 10³I. This result agrees with the hypothesis that chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching comprises photochemical (qQ) and energy (qE) components. On the basis of the energy model, we determined the upper limit b_max = 0.003 for light intensity range I< 4.4 W/m² and the lower limit b_min = 0.0003 for I = 400 W/m².     

Fluorescence and Photosynthetic Activity of Chloroplasts in Acid and Alkaline Zones of Chara corallina

Continuous profiles of local pH near the cell surface of Chara corallinawere recorded during uniform longitudinal movement of an internodal cell relative to a stationary pH microelectrode. Under illumination, the pH profile consisted of alternating acid and alkaline bands with a pH difference of up to 3 pH units. After darkening, the bands disappeared and pH became uniformly distributed along the cell length. Chlorophyll fluorescence of chloroplasts was measured by microfluorometry at different locations within one cell, and significant differences were observed in close relation to light-dependent pH banding. The chlorophyll fluorescence yield was lower in zones of low external pH than in alkaline zones both under actinic and saturating light. The fluorescence parameters Fand F" _m and the quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) displayed variations along the cell length in accordance with pH changes in unstirred layers of the medium. The results show that PSII photochemical efficiency and the rate of noncyclic electron transport are higher in the chloroplasts of acid zones (zones of H⁺extrusion from the cell) than in alkaline zones. The dependence of photosynthetic electron transport on local pH near the cell surface may result from different contents of CO₂in acid and alkaline regions. The acid zones are enriched with CO₂that readily permeates through the membrane providing the substrate for the Calvin cycle. Conversely, a poorly permeating form, HCO^– ₃is predominant in alkaline zones, which may restrict the dark reactions and photosynthetic electron flow.     

Measurement of Differences in Red Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Photosynthetic Activity between Sun and Shade Leaves by Fluorescence Imaging

With a flash-lamp chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence imaging system (FL-FIS) the photosynthetic activity of several thousand image points of intact shade and sun leaves of beech were screened in a non-destructive way within a few seconds. The photosynthetic activity was determined via imaging the Chl fluorescence at maximum F_p and steady state fluorescence F_s of the induction kinetics (Kautsky effect) and by a subsequent determination of the images of the fluorescence decrease ratio R_Fd and the ratio F_p/F_s. Both fluorescence ratios are linearly correlated to the photosynthetic CO₂ fixation rates. This imaging method permitted to detect the gradients in photosynthetic capacity and the patchiness of photosynthetic quantum conversion across the leaf. Sun leaves of beech showed a higher photosynthetic capacity and differential pigment ratios (Chl a/b and Chls/carotenoids) than shade leaves. Profile analysis and histogram of the Chl fluorescence yield and the Chl fluorescence ratios allow to quantify the differences in photosynthetic activity between different leaf parts and between sun and shade leaves with a high statistical significance.     

外源NO对增补UV-B辐射下兴安落叶松幼苗叶片光合色素和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

在增强UV-B辐射下,以3年生兴安落叶松幼苗为实验材料,研究了外源NO供体硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)对幼苗的光合色素（Chla、Chlb和Car）和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。方差分析结果表明0.5 mmol·L^-1的SNP对增补UV B胁迫下的兴安落叶松幼苗产生显著影响。0.5 mmol·L^-1的SNP能够显著抑制增补UV-B辐射后光合色素、F_v/F_m、Φ_PSⅡ、F_v′/F_m′和qP的明显下降以及Chla /Chlb、F_o和NPQ的升高。表明了外源NO能够减轻UV-B辐射胁迫下兴安落叶松幼苗光合反应中心的生理损伤,从而增强兴安落叶松幼苗对增补UV-B辐射胁迫环境的适应能力。     

Changes in the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Broad Bean Leaves as Dependent on the Content of Heavy Metals in the Growth Medium

The content of chlorophyll, the rate of O₂ evolution, the slow phase of fluorescence induction, and photoinduced changes in the intensity of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal I from the reaction center of photosystem I (P⁺700) were studied in leaves of Vicia faba L. grown in 10^–7–10^–3 M aqueous solutions of CdCl₂, SnCl₂, CuCl₂, and MgCl₂. At low concentrations of heavy metal (Cd, Sn, and Cu) chlorides, the content of chlorophyll per fresh weight decreased. However, the rate of O₂ evolution calculated per chlorophyll basis, O₂/(t chlorophyll), increased. High concentrations of heavy metals significantly suppressed plant development and inhibited photosynthetic O₂ evolution. In contrast, plant treatment with MgCl₂ (10^–5–10^–3 M) resulted in an increase in the content of chlorophyll and a stimulation of leaf photosynthetic activity. A positive correlation between the F _M/F _T ratio and O₂/(t chlorophyll) (r = 0.89, P > 0.999) was found. We observed a negative correlation between the values of P/P ₀ of EPR signal I (white/far-red light) and O₂/(tchlorophyll) (r = –0.89, P > 0.999). The data obtained indicate nonspecific and nonmonotone changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants treated with heavy metals: low concentrations of heavy metals (10^–7–10^–6 M) stimulated photosynthetic activity, whereas high concentrations (10^–4–10^–3 M) suppressed it.     

Photoabatement by Anthocyanin Shields Photosynthetic Systems from Light Stress

Leaves and other chlorophyllous tissues of plants often show transient or permanent anthocyanin coloration. The question of whether anthocyanins can function as effective light screens to modulate photosynthesis in plants was addressed by comparing photosynthetic responses in reddish-purple pods with those in green pods of the ornamental leguminous tree Bauhinia variegata. For these comparisons the actinic radiation employed was either red radiation (RR) which was poorly absorbed by anthocyanin or blue-green radiation (BGR) which was strongly absorbed by anthocyanin. Photon yields of photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry and photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching coefficients (q_p), measured over a range of photon flux densities (PFD) up to 1200 μmol m^-2 s^-1 at 23 °C and at five temperatures from 8 to 28 °C at a PFD of 260 μmol m^-2 s^-1, were almost identical in green pods irradiated with either RR or BGR and in purple pods irradiated with RR. However, q_p values remained much higher in purple pods irradiated with BGR, e.g., 0.80 in BGR versus 0.29 in RR at a PFD of 1200 μmol m-2 s^-1 at 23 °C, and 0.67 in BGR versus 0.28 in RR at a PFD of 260 μmol m^-2 s-1 at 8 °C. The higher values of q_p in BGR compared to RR indicated that photoabatement by anthocyanin allowed the first stable acceptor of PS2, Q_A, to be kept in a more oxidized state, thus decreasing the likelihood of photoinhibition. This was confirmed by demonstrating a lower susceptibility to photoinhibition in purple pods than in green pods in the sunlight, either naturally in pods on trees or in detached pods exposed to photoinhibitory conditions. We conclude that photoabatement by anthocyanin is a mechanism for allowing maintenance of higher oxidative levels of PS2 acceptor during episodes of high radiation stress, thereby minimizing photodamage to photosynthetic tissues. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Reddening of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Leaves on Functional Activity of Photosynthetic Apparatus

Strong inhibition of rates of CO₂ assimilation and transpiration, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency as well as photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical activity were related to the severity of reddening. The inhibition of photosynthesis in red cotton leaves was due to both decreased photochemical activity and stomatal limitation. Lowered photosynthetic capacity could be one of the main factors of reduced yield in reddening cotton.     

以光合效率度量天然白桦种群生态位初探

生态位常被理解为“一个生物单位 (个体、种群或物种 )生存条件或适应性的总集合体[3 ,5] 。过去常用于动物种群生态学研究 ,Ｗｈｉｔｔａｋｅｒ首次将生态位理论应用于森林生态学研究[5] 。目前 ,国内外对生态位的研究主要集中在以下方面 :①把生态位与资源利用谱等同起来 ;②生态位占据与竞争联系在一起 ;③生态位是多维空间内具有一定功能的 ,为一个种或种群所占有的功能单位 ,亦即符合该种适合性的小区。这就涉及到“功能单位”的应有宽度及其计测标准和方法 ;④各种有机体均有其在自然群落中的地位、功能作用或某种生活方式 ,它们之间…     

铜胁迫条件下土壤微生物对海州香薷光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为探讨铜（Cu）胁迫条件下土壤微生物对海州香薷（Elsholtzia splendens）光合生理和叶绿素荧光参数的影响,实验设置添加Cu（Cu胁迫）、接种土壤微生物、添加Cu与接种土壤微生物等3个处理,以不添加Cu与不接种土壤微生物为对照（CK）。结果表明：接种土壤微生物处理的植株相对叶绿素含量、净光合速率（P_n）、水分利用效率（WUE）均显著高于CK;且对初始荧光（F_o）和最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）均有显著性影响。与CK相比,添加Cu降低了海州香薷的P_n和气孔导度（G_s）,但胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）的变化与P_n相反,表明其对光合作用的影响主要是非气孔限制因素。添加Cu的植株相对叶绿素含量显著下降,但Cu胁迫下接种土壤微生物提高了植株相对叶绿素含量,差异显著。在Cu胁迫条件下,接种土壤微生物的植株具有较高的F_v/F_m及较低的F_o,显著提高了海州香薷的WUE、P_n、G_s。说明接种土壤微生物可通过提高相对叶绿素含量、改善叶绿素荧光和光合作用来减轻Cu胁迫对海州香薷植株造成的伤害,从而提高海州香薷耐受Cu胁迫的能力。     

Identification of Photosynthetic Mutants of Arabidopsis by Automatic Screening for Altered Effective Quantum Yield of Photosystem 2

Quantification of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence is a versatile tool for analysing the photosynthetic performance of plants in a non-intrusive manner. A pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer was combined with a CNC router for the automated measurement of the effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (₂) of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. About 90 000 individual plants representing 7 500 lines derived from En-transposon and T-DNA mutagenised Arabidopsis populations were screened for mutants with altered ₂. Forty-eight recessive ₂ mutations were identified of which most exhibit also altered pigmentation and increased photosensitivity. For three ₂ mutants the corresponding mutated genes were identified that code all for chloroplast-located proteins. Comparison of the ₂ mutant screen with other screening methods based on the measurement of Chl fluorescence shows that the ₂ mutants identified are different to mutants identified by high Chl fluorescence. Some ₂ mutants, on the contrary, are common to mutants identified by screens based on non-photochemical quenching.     

大气CO2浓度倍增和施氮对冬小麦光合及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

采用开顶式气室,通过土培盆栽实验研究了不同大气CO2浓度(背景空气浓度375μmol·mol-1和倍增浓度750μmol·mol-1)和氮素水平(不施氮和施氮0.25 g/kg)下两个冬小麦品种(小偃6号和小偃22)主要生育期(拔节、孕穗、扬花、灌浆期)叶片叶绿素含量和荧光动力学参数的变化.结果显示,与背景CO2浓度相比,在不施氮条件下大气CO2浓度倍增处理的小麦叶片出现明显的光合下调现象,而施氮时变化不明显;同时,CO2浓度倍增后小麦各主要生育期叶片叶绿素含量均有不同程度地下降,荧光参数初始荧光(F0)值明显提高,最大荧光(Fm)、可变荧光(Fv)、最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)和PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/F0)值均显著降低.施氮可提高冬小麦各个时期叶片叶绿素含量、Fm、Fv、和Fv/F0值,降低F0值;不施氮条件下,大气CO2浓度倍增对冬小麦各主要生育时期叶绿素含量和荧光参数的影响明显,而施氮后影响微弱.研究表明,大气CO2浓度升高对冬小麦光合速率、叶绿素含量和光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的光合电子传递和潜在活性具有一定抑制作用,通过施氮可以有效地缓解其负面效应.