Black leaf-clips increased minimum fluorescence emission in clipped leaves exposed to high solar radiation during dark adaptation

Tomato and pepper leaves were clipped with black leaf clips for dark adaptation under solar radiation in the late spring or early summer 2010 in southern Italy. The leaves showed highly variable maximum PSII quantum yield (F_v/F_m = 0.026−0.802) using a continuous-excitation fluorometer Pocket PEA. These results were confirmed using the modulated fluorometer FMS1 on tomato leaves in mid summer, with F_v/F_m as low as 0.222 ± 0.277 due to nearly equal minimum (F_o) and maximum (F_m) fluorescence emission. A significant clip effect on F_v/F_m occurred after only 12 (tomato) or 25 (pepper) min. Increasing the leaf temperature from 25 to 50°C reportedly induced an F_o increase and Fm decrease so that F_v/F_m approached zero. The hypothesis that black leaf clips overheated under intense solar irradiance was verified by shrouding the clipped leaves with aluminum foil. In clipped leaves of pepper, F_v/F_m with the black clip/Pocket-PEA was 0.769 ± 0.025 (shrouded) and as low as 0.271 ± 0.163 (nonshrouded), the latter showing a double F_o and 32% lower F_m. An 8% clip effect on F_v/F_m was observed with the white clip/FMS1. To avoid the clip effect in high irradiance environments, F_v/F_m measurements with black clip/Pocket PEA system required leaf dark adaptation with radiation-reflecting shrouds. It would be useful if manufacturing companies could develop better radiation-reflecting leaf clips for the Pocket PEA fluorometer.     

A portable, microprocessor operated instrument for measuring chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics in stress physiology

A portable instrument for measuring chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics is described and examples of measurements are given. The instrument is centered around a statistically-mixed bifurcated optical fiber. One fiber branch guides the actinic light to the sample, whereas the other branch carries the emitted chlorophyll fluorescence to the photodetector. Scattered actinic light is cut out from the detector by a red interference filter. The instrument measures fast as well as slow fluorescence induction kinetics, but is particularly well designed for analyzing fast kinetics. The high time resolution and strong, variable actinic light mean that both F_o (non-variable fluorescence) and F_m (maximal fluorescence at the P-peak) are well defined. A built in microprocessor unit with attached memory stores the fluorescence induction curve and calculates key fluorescence parameters such as F_o, F_m, F_v (variable fluorescence equals F_m?F_o), F_v/F_m (the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II) and t_1/2 (half rise time from F_o, to F_m). These values are digitally displayed after each recording and they (or the whole induction curve) can be stored in a memory and later retrieved. Because of a flexible setting of the instrument it can be used with high accuracy both for optically thick leaves and for diluted suspensions of algae or chloroplasts. A simple, light weight clamp cuvette for dark adaptation of leaves has been developed. It is equipped with a gate allowing the optical fiber to be inserted without daylight reaching the dark adapted portion of the leaf. The instrument has been developed for rapid monitoring of changes in activities and organization of the photosynthetic apparatus in vivo when plants are exposed to environmental stress both in the field and in the laboratory. Examples of measurements are given for differently treated leaves of Pinus sylvestris, Salix sp., Betula verrucosa, Zea mays, Epilobium angustifo-lium and for chloroplast thylakoids isolated from Spinacia oleracea.     

Down regulation of photosynthesis in Artabotrys hexapetatus by high light

Using variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) as the criterion, the down regulation of photosynthesis by high light stress was characterized in the detached leaves of Artabotrys hexapetatus. The decrease in F_v/F_m was corelated with the decrease in oxygen evolution by thylakoids isolated from high light exposed leaves. The decrease in F_v/F_m was linear with increasing time of exposure to high light. A comparison of recovery measured as F_v/F_m, in low light versus dark, revealed that the recovery in darkness was as significant as in low light. Since the relaxation of fluorescence was a rapid response after exposure to high light and the fact that the recovery occurs in total darkness, it is concluded that photoinhibition and down regulation of photosynthesis by high light are independent events.Abbreviation Fpl- initial plateau - F_m- maximum fluorescence - F_o- prompt fluorescence - F_v- variable fluorescence - PFD- photon flux density - PS I (II)- Photosystem I (II)     

Light-induced increase in initial chlorophyll fluorescence Fo level and the reversible inactivation of PS II reaction centers in soybean leaves

With a portable PAM-2000 fluorometer it was observed that responses of initial chlorophyll fluorescence F_o level to strong light were different in various plant species examined. When the photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II, F_v/F_m, declined, F_o increased significantly in leaves of some plants such as soybean and cotton, while F_o decreased remarkably in other plants such as wheat and barley. In order to explore the mechanism of the increase in F_o in soybean leaves, the change in D1 protein amount and effects of lincomycin and far-red light on these fluorescence parameters were observed by SDS–PAGE combined with gel scanning and chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. The following results were obtained. (1) The amount of inactive PS II reaction centers increased under strong light and decreased during subsequent dark recovery [Hong and Xu (1997) Chinese Sci Bull 42(8): 684–689]. (2) No net loss of D1 protein occurred after strong light treatment. (3) Lincomycin taken up through petioles following strong light treatment had no significant effect on D1 protein level and the decay of F_o in the dark. (4) Far-red light applied after strong light treatment could largely attenuate the increase in F_o and accelerate F_o decay in the dark. Based on these results, it is deduced that the increase in F_o under strong light is mainly due to reversible inactivation of part of PS II reaction centers, rather than the net loss of D1 protein and that reversible inactivation of PS II is prevalent in some plants.     

不同剂量~(137)Cs-γ辐射对毛竹幼苗叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响

利用不同剂量的137Cs-γ射线对毛竹(Phyllostachys heterocycla ‘Pubescens’)种子进行辐射,测定实生苗叶片中的光合色素含量和叶绿素荧光参数等指标,探讨辐射对毛竹幼苗生长的影响,为筛选有利的突变单株奠定良好基础。结果表明:30或60Gy的137Cs-γ射线辐射后,毛竹幼苗的光合色素含量以及最大荧光强度(Fm)、可变荧光强度(Fv)、PSII最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSII的潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、PSII实际光化学效率(Yield)和表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)等荧光参数值均高于90Gy辐射处理,说明较低剂量辐射后PSII反应中心的能量捕获效率高,且具有较强的光合能力;而90Gy的137Cs-γ射线辐射对毛竹的影响则与之相反。不同处理剂量之间叶片光能耗散程度以及表观光合电子传递速率-光合有效辐射(ETR-PAR)响应曲线的分析结果也进一步证实了以上结论。     

Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content in field-grown potato as affected by nitrogen supply, genotype, and plant age

Field experiments were conducted in Sicily (south Italy) to assess chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters in response of potato crop to nitrogen dose, to variation in genotype and in plant age, and to detect relationships between Chl content, fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m, and tuber yield. The experiment included five nitrogen doses (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g m⁻²) and four genotypes (Spunta, Sieglinde, Daytona, and Igea). Chl fluorescence parameters (initial fluorescence, F₀, maximum fluorescence, F_m, variable fluorescence, F_v, F_v/F_m, T_max (the time required to reach F_m), and Chl content were measured weekly between the appearance of the fifth and sixth leaves and the onset of plant senescence. A positive linear relationship was established between nitrogen supply and Chl content, F₀, and T_max. Nitrogen supply up to 10 g m⁻² also had a positive effect on F_m and F_v, but above this rate it reduced F_v/F_m. Spunta had the highest Chl content, F_m, F_v, and F_v/F_m, but the lowest F₀, whereas Sieglinde had the lowest Chl content, F_v, F_v/F_m, and T_max and the highest F₀. The cvs. Igea and Daytona exhibited intermediate Chl fluorescence parameters. Chl content and T_max decreased with increasing plant age, whereas F₀, F_m, and F_v increased until complete canopy development and thereafter declined until crop maturity. Tuber and plant dry matter yield were significantly correlated with Chl content, F₀, and T_max. Thus Chl fluorescence and content detect differences in the response of potato to N supply, can discriminate between genotypes, predict plant age, and yield performance under field conditions.     

Influence of nitrogen supply and growth irradiance on photoinhibition and recovery in Heuchera americana (Saxifragaceae)

Prior work demonstrated that Heuchera americana, an evergreen herb inhabiting the deciduous forest understory in the southeastern United States, has a 3-4-fold greater photosynthetic capacity under the low-temperature, strong-light, open canopies of winter compared to the high-temperature, weak-light, closed canopies of summer. Moreover, despite the reductions in soil nitrogen, the chilling temperatures, and the increased quantum flux associated with winter, chronic photoinhibition was not observed in this species at this time of the year. We were interested in the photosynthetic acclimation and photoinhibition characteristics of this species when grown under contrasting light and nitrogen regimes. Newly expanded shade-acclimated leaves of forest-grown plants exposed to strong light varying in intensity and duration at 25°C showed a reduction in F_v/F_m (the ratio of variable to maximum room temperature chlorophyll fluorescence measured after dark adaptation), which was correlated with a decline in ø_a (the intrinsic quantum yield of CO₂-saturated O₂ evolution on an absorbed light basis). Plants grown in the glasshouse under contrasting light (high and low light; HL and LL, respectively) and nitrogen supply (high and low nitrogen; HN and LN, respectively) regimes showed that photosynthetic acclimation to HL was impaired in LN regimes. The HL-LN plants also had the lowest values of F_v/F_m and of ø on both incident and absorbed light bases and had 50% less chlorophyll (per unit area) compared to plants from other growth regimes. Controlled exposure to bright light at low temperatures (2-3°C) for 3 h resulted in a sharp decrease in F_v/F_m (and rise in F_o, the minimum fluorescence yield) in all plants. Shade-grown plants from both N regimes were highly susceptible to chronic photoinhibition, as indicated by a greater reduction in F_v/F_m and incomplete recovery after 18 h in weak light at 25°C. The HL-HN plants were the least susceptible to chronic photoinhibition, having the smallest decrease in F_v/F_m with near full recovery within 6 h. The decline in Fv/Fm in HL-LN plants was comparable to that of shade-acclimated plants, but recovered fully within 6 h. Low-N plants from both light regimes displayed greater increases in F_o which did not return to pretreatment levels after 18 h of recovery. These studies indicate that HL-LN plants were sensitive to chronic photoinhibition and, at the same time, had a high capacity for dynamic photoinhibition. Experimental garden studies showed that H. americana grown in an open field in summer were photoinhibited and did not fully recover overnight or during extended periods of weak light. These results are discussed in relation to the photosynthetic acclimation of H. americana under natural conditions.     

Exposure to solar radiation increases damage to both host tissues and algal symbionts of corals during thermal stress

Elevated seawater temperatures have long been accepted as the principal stressor causing the loss of symbiotic algae in corals and other invertebrates with algal symbionts (i.e., bleaching). A secondary factor associated with coral bleaching is solar irradiance, both its visible (PAR: 400–700 nm) and ultraviolet (UVR: 290–400 nm) portions of the spectrum. Here we examined the synergistic role of solar radiation on thermally induced stress and subsequent bleaching in a common Caribbean coral, Montastraea faveolata. Active fluorescent measurements show that steady-state quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) fluorescence in the zooxanthellae are markedly depressed when exposed to high solar radiation and elevated temperatures, and the concentration of D1 protein is significantly lower in high light when compared to low light treatments under the same thermal stress. Both photosynthetic pigments and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are also depressed after experimental exposure to high solar radiation and thermal stress. Host DNA damage is exacerbated under high light conditions and is correlated with the expression of the cell cycle gene p 53, a cellular gatekeeper that modulates the fate of damaged cells between DNA repair processes and apoptotic pathways. These markers of cellular stress in the host and zooxanthellae have in common their response to the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species during exposure to high irradiances of solar radiation and elevated temperatures. Taking these results and previously published data into consideration, we conclude that thermal stress during exposure to high irradiances of solar radiation, or irradiances higher than the current photoacclimatization state, causes damage to both photochemistry and carbon fixation at the same time in zooxanthellae, while DNA damage, apoptosis, or necrosis are occurring in the host tissues of symbiotic cnidarians.Abbreviations _PSII Functional absorption cross-section for PSII - F_o, F_m Minimum and maximum yields of chlorophyll a fluorescence measured after dark acclimation (relative units) - F_v Variable fluorescence after dark acclimation (=F_m–F_o), dimensionless - F_v/F_m Maximum quantum yield of photochemistry in PSII measured after dark acclimation, dimensionless - F, F_m Steady-state and maximum yields of chlorophyll a fluorescence measured under ambient light (relative units) - F/F_m Quantum yield of photochemistry in PSII measured at steady state under ambient light Communicated by R.C. Carpenter     

Influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthetic and growth characteristics in field-grown cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz)

The effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B between 290 and 320 nm) on photosynthesis and growth characteristics were investigated in field grown cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz). Plants were grown at ambient and ambient plus a 5.5kJ m^?2 d^?1 supplementation of UV-B radiation for 95 d. The supplemental UV-B fluence used in this experiment simulated a 15% depletion in stratospheric ozone at the equator (0°N). Carbon dioxide exchange, oxygen evolution, and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) were determined for fully expanded leaves after 64–76 d of UV-B exposure. AH plants were harvested after 95 d of UV-B exposure, assayed for chlorophyll and UV-B absorbing compounds, and separated into leaves, petioles, stems and roots. Exposure to UV-B radiation had no effect on in situ rates of photosynthesis or dark respiration. No difference in the concentration of UV-B absorbing compounds was observed between treatments. A 2-d daytime diurnal comparison of F_v to F_m ratios indicated a significant decline in F_v/F_m ratios and a subsequent increase in photoinhibition under enhanced UV-B radiation if temperature or PPF exceeded 35°C or 1800μmol m^?2 s^?1, respectively. However, UV-B effects on fluorescence kinetics appeared to be temporal since maximal photosynthetic rates as determined by oxygen evolution at saturated CO₂ and PPF remained unchanged. Although total biomass was unaltered with UV-B exposure, alterations in the growth characteristics of cassava grown with supplemental UV-B radiation are consistent with auxin destruction and reduced apical dominance. Changes in growth included an alteration of biomass partitioning with a significant increase in shoot/root ratio noted for plants receiving supplemental UV-B radiation. The increase in shoot/root ratio was due primarily to a significant decrease in root weight (–32%) with UV-B exposure. Because root production determines the harvest-able portion of cassava, UV-B radiation may still influence the yield of an important tropical agronomic species, even though photosynthesis and total dry biomass may not be directly affected.     

Sensitivity of the relative Fpl level of chlorophyll fluorescence induction in leaves to the heat stress

The (F_pl-F_o)/F_v value of the fluorescence induction curve is shown to be a more suitable parameter to detect a wider range of heat stress damage to thylakoid membranes as compared to quantities t _1/2 (time of fluorescence rise from F_o to (F_o+F_m)/2 level) and % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0Jf9crFfpeea0xh9v8qiW7rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaacq% aHepaDaaaaaa!39D5!\[\overline \tau \] (the fluorescence induction time defined as the area above the induction curve normalized to F_v=1). A method for exact and automatic F_pl determination is presented.A break point in the quality and behaviour of the fluorescence induction curve of barley leaves incubated at 49°C was reached at the moment (about 240 s) when the transformation of PS II active (Q_B-reducing) to PS II inactive (Q_B-non-reducing) centres was completed. The meaning of the standard F_v and F_v/F_m parameter was then changed.The method of F_pl determination described here may help to increase the analytical value of the standard chlorophyll fluorometers.Abbreviations F_o initial fluorescence - F_m maximal fluorescence - F_pl fluorescence at first inflection point (plateau) - F_v variable fluorescence (F_v=F_m–F_o) - PSM plant stress meter - SD standard deviation     

Chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf chlorophyll content of bean leaves injured by spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The use of chlorophyll fluorescence as a method for detecting and monitoring plant stress arising from Tetranychus urticae (Koch) feeding injury was investigated. The effect of mite density (1–32 mites per 1.5 cm² of leaf) and the duration of the feeding period (1–5 days) on the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves were examined. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were dependent both on mite density and duration of feeding. Decreases in F _o, the initial fluorescence and F _m, the maximum fluorescence led to a decrease in the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, F _v/F _m. The decrease in F _v/F _m is typical of the response of many plants to a wide range of environmental stresses and indicates a reduced efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry. T _1/2, which is proportional to the pool size of electron acceptors on the reducing side of PSII, was also reduced in response to mite-feeding injury. The leaf chlorophyll content decreased with increasing mite density and duration of feeding but did not appear to contribute to the decrease in F _v/F _m. Chlorophyll fluorescence is an effective method for detecting and monitoring stress in T. urticae-injured bean leaves.     

低温弱光胁迫及恢复对切花菊光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以切花菊品种‘神马’为试材,在偏低温弱光(16℃/12℃,PFD100μmol.m-2.s-1)和临界低温弱光(12℃/8℃,PFD60μmol.m-2.s-1)下分别胁迫11d,然后转入正常条件(22℃/18℃,PFD450μmol.m-2.s-1)恢复11d,研究不同低温弱光强度及恢复对菊花光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:低温弱光导致菊花叶片的净光合速率(Pn)和气孔限制值(Ls)下降,而胞间CO2浓度(Ci)上升.偏低温弱光胁迫下菊花叶片暗适应下最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和初始荧光(Fo)无明显变化,但光适应下最大光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)在处理前期略有下降,后期则有所回升;而临界低温弱光处理的Fo明显升高,Fv/Fm和Fv′/Fm′显著降低.PSⅡ光合电子传递量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)均随着低温弱光胁迫程度的增加和时间的延长而降低;偏低温弱光处理植株在解除胁迫后能迅速恢复到对照水平,而临界低温弱光处理植株回升速度较慢;同时,低温弱光胁迫下吸收光强用于分配光化学反应部分(Prate)的比例减少,而天线热耗散(Drate)和反应中心的能量耗散(Ex)比例上升,但天线热耗散为过剩光能的主要分配途径.     

Underestimate of PS2 efficiency in the field due to high leaf temperature resulting from leaf clipping and its amendment

Chlorophyll fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m, an indicator of the maximum efficiency of PS2, is routinely measured in the field with plant leaves darkened by leaf clips. I found that on a sunny day of subtropical summer, the F_v/F_m ratio was often underestimated because of a large F₀ value resulted from a high leaf temperature caused by clipping the leaf under high irradiance, especially for long (e.g. 20 min) duration. This phenomenon may overestimate the down-regulation of PS2 efficiency under high irradiance. When leaf temperature was lower than 40 °C, the F₀ level of rice leaves under clipping remained practically unchanged. However, F₀ increased drastically with leaf temperature rising over 40 °C. In most measurements, no significant difference in F_m was found between rice leaves dark-adapted by leaf clips for 10 min and for 20 min. Therefore, shading leaf clips to prevent a drastic increase of leaf temperature, using F₀ measured immediately after the leaf being darkened to calculate F_v/F_m, as well as shortening the duration of leaf clipping are useful means to avoid an underestimate of F_v/F_m.     

EFFECTS OF UV‐B RADIATION ON THE D1 PROTEIN REPAIR CYCLE OF NATURAL PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITIES FROM THREE LATITUDES (CANADA,BRAZIL, AND ARGENTINA)1

Ultraviolet radiation effects were examined in natural phytoplankton communities from Rimouski (Canada), Ubatuba (Brazil), and Ushuaia (Argentina). Outdoor pump‐mixed mesocosms were submitted to ambient solar radiation (NUVB) and ambient with additional UV‐B radiation (UVBR) from lamps (HUVB), corresponding to a local 60% ozone depletion scenario. At all sites, neither algal biomass nor dark‐adapted F_v/F_m were significantly affected by additional UVBR, suggesting the presence of active UV protection or repair mechanisms. To examine the role of D1 protein turnover, essential for PSII repair, short‐term surface incubations were performed in the presence or absence of lincomycin, a chloroplast protein synthesis inhibitor. Effects on PSII were determined using chl a in vivo fluorescence, whereas the D1 protein was detected immunochemically. In the absence of D1 repair, D1 pools and F_v/F_m decreased to a similar extent under both light treatments. In the presence of D1 repair, D1 pools suffered faster net degradation under HUVB compared with NUVB, whereas F_v/F_m was maintained for both light treatments, suggesting that HUVB exposure in field populations had more effect on D1 synthesis and PSII repair than on D1 degradation. The fewer undamaged reaction centers remaining in phytoplankton under HUVB were able to maintain F_v/F_m or actually recovered during the dark acclimation before F_v/F_m measurements. The D1 pools suffered faster net degradation at the tropical site where high irradiance drove faster D1 degradation and high water temperature enabled fast enzymatic activities. This study shows the crucial role of dynamic changes in D1 turnover in the photobiology of natural planktonic communities across a range of latitudes.     

The non-photochemical reduction of plastoquinone in leaves

Although it is generally assumed that the plastoquinone pool of thylakoid membranes in leaves of higher plants is rapidly oxidized upon darkening, this is often not the case. A multiflash kinetic fluorimeter was used to monitor the redox state of the plastoquinone pool in leaves. It was found that in many species of plants, particularly those using the NAD-malic enzyme C₄ system of photosynthesis, the pool actually became more reduced following a light to dark transition. In some Amaranthus species, plastoquinone remained reduced in the dark for several hours. Far red light, which preferentially drives Photosystem I turnover, could effectively oxidize the plastoquinone pool. Plastoquinone was re-reduced in the dark within a few seconds when far red illumination was removed. The underlying mechanism of the dark reduction of the plastoquinone pool is still uncertain but may involve chlororespiratory activity.Abbreviations apparent F_o observed fluorescence yield after dark adaptation - F_m maximum fluorescence when all Q_A is fully reduced - F_o minimum fluorescence yield when Q_A is fully oxidized and non-photochemical quenching is fully relaxed - F_s steady state fluorescence yield - PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density - PQ plastoquinone - Q_A primary quinone acceptor of the Photosystem II reaction center - Q_B secondary quinone acceptor to the Photosystem II reaction center - F F_m minus F_s     

Iron deficiency causes changes in chlorophyll fluorescence due to the reduction in the dark of the Photosystem II acceptor side

Iron deficiency was found to affect the redox state of the Photosystem II acceptor side in dark-adapted, attached leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Dark-adapted iron-deficient leaves exhibited relatively high F_o and F_pl levels in the Kautsky chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve when compared to the iron-sufficient controls. However, far-red illumination led to marked decreases in the apparent F_o and F_pl levels. Modulated fluorescence showed that far-red light decreased the fluorescence yield to the true F_o levels by increasing photochemical quenching, without inducing changes in the level of non-photochemical quenching. In dark-adapted, iron-deficient leaves, far-red illumination induced a faster fluorescence decay in the µs-ms time domain, indicating an improvement in the electron transport after the primary quinone acceptor in the reducing side of Photosystem II. All these data indicate that in iron-deficient leaves the plastoquinone pool was reduced in the dark. The extent of the plastoquinone reduction in sugar beet depended on the chlorophyll concentration of the leaf, on the time of preillumination and on the duration of dark adaptation. The dark reduction of plastoquinone was observed not only in sugar beet but also in other plant species affected by iron deficiency both in controlled conditions and in the field.     

The Susceptibility of Cucumber and Sweet Pepper to Chilling Under Low Irradiance is Related to Energy Dissipation and Water-Water Cycle

The photoprotection of energy dissipation and water-water cycle were investigated by comparing chilling sensitivity of photosystems 2 (PS2) and 1 (PS1) in two chilling-sensitive plants, cucumber and sweet pepper, upon exposure to 4 °C under low irradiance (100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 6 h. During chilling stress, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PS2 (F_v/F_m) decreased only slightly in both plants, but the oxidisable P700 decreased markedly, which indicated that PS1 was more sensitive to chilling treatment under low irradiance than PS2. Sweet pepper leaves had lower F_v/F_m, higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and higher oxidisable P700 during chilling stress. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in cucumber leaves was higher, but APX activity decreased apparently compared to that at room temperature. The productions of active oxygen species (H₂O₂, O₂ ⁻) increased in both plants, faster in cucumber leaves than in sweet pepper leaves. In sweet pepper leaves, a stronger de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle pigments, a higher NPQ could act as a major protective mechanism to reduce the formation of active oxygen species during stress. Thus sensitivity of both plants to chilling under low irradiance was dominated by the protective mechanisms between PS1 and PS2, especially the energy dissipation and the water-water cycle. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Influence of Dark Adaptation Temperature on the Reappearance of Variable Fluorescence following Illumination

The effect of chilling temperatures (5°C) on chlorophyll fluorescence transients was used to study chilling-induced inhibition of photosynthesis in plant species with differing chilling sensitivities. A Brancker SF-20 fluorometer was used to measure induced fluorescence transients from both attached and detached leaves of chilling-sensitive cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Ashley) and chilling-resistant pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Alaska). The rate of reappearance of the variable component of fluorescence (F_v), following a period of illumination at 25°C, was dependent on the temperature at which the leaf was allowed to dark adapt in chilling-sensitive cucumber, but not in chilling-resistant pea. In cucumber, dark adaptation at 25°C following illumination resulted in a much faster return of F_v than dark adaptation at 5°C following illumination. However, F_v reappearance during the dark adaptation period in chilling-resistant pea was temperature independent. The difference in the temperature response of F_v following illumination correlated with temperature sensitivity of these two species. The process responsible for the difference in F_v may represent a site of chilling sensitivity in the photosynthetic apparatus.     

低温胁迫下丛枝菌根真菌对玉米光合特性的影响

利用盆栽试验,在15 ℃和5 ℃低温胁迫下研究了丛枝菌根（AM）真菌对玉米生长、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光和光合作用的影响.结果表明：低温胁迫抑制了AM真菌的侵染;接种AM真菌的玉米地上部和地下部干物质量、相对叶绿素含量高于不接种植株.与非菌根玉米相比,菌根玉米具有较高的最大荧光（F_m）、可变荧光（F_v）、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）和潜在光化学效率（F_v/F_o）及较低的初始荧光（F_o）,并且在5 ℃处理中差异显著.接种AM真菌使玉米叶片的净光合速率（P_n）和蒸腾速率（T_r）显著增强;低温胁迫下,菌根植株的气孔导度（G_s）显著高于非菌根植株;而胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）显著低于非菌根植株.表明AM真菌可通过提高叶绿素含量及改善叶片叶绿素荧光和光合作用来减轻低温胁迫对玉米植株造成的伤害,提高玉米耐受低温的能力,进而提高玉米的生物量,促进玉米生长.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence and anthocyanin content in chilled maize plants after return to a non- chilling temperature under various irradiances

The effect of irradiance on the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) and on the anthocyanin content of chilled (0.5 °C) young maize plants was investigated after returning the plants to a non-chilling temperature (25 °C). Compared to control plants grown throughout at 25 °C in the light, the F_v/F_m hardly changed during chilling or when returned to a non-chilling temperature in the dark, but there was a decrease in this parameter if the plants were shifted to the light after the cold treatment. Similarly, compared to the control plants there was no change in the anthocyanin content either at low temperature or after transfer to 25 °C in the dark. However, there was a sudden increase in the anthocyanin level after returning the plants from dark cold conditions to a non-chilling temperature in the light.