Negative feedback regulation is responsible for the non-linear modulation of photosynthetic activity in plants and cyanobacteria exposed to a dynamic light environment

Photosynthetic organisms exposed to a dynamic light environment exhibit complex transients of photosynthetic activities that are strongly dependent on the temporal pattern of the incident irradiance. In a harmonically modulated light of intensity I≈const.+sin(ωt), chlorophyll fluorescence response consists of a steady-state component, a component modulated with the angular frequency of the irradiance ω and several upper harmonic components (2ω, 3ω and higher). Our earlier reverse engineering analysis suggests that the non-linear response can be caused by a negative feedback regulation of photosynthesis. Here, we present experimental evidence that the negative feedback regulation of the energetic coupling between phycobilisome and Photosystem II (PSII) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 indeed results in the appearance of upper harmonic modes in the chlorophyll fluorescence emission. Dynamic changes in the coupling of the phycobilisome to PSII are not accompanied by corresponding antiparallel changes in the Photosystem I (PSI) excitation, suggesting a regulation limited to PSII. Strong upper harmonic modes were also found in the kinetics of the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll fluorescence, of the P700 redox state and of the CO₂ assimilation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) exposed to harmonically modulated light. They are ascribed to negative feedback regulation of the reactions of the Calvin-Benson cycle limiting the photosynthetic electron transport. We propose that the observed non-linear response of photosynthesis may also be relevant in a natural light environment that is modulated, e.g., by ocean waves, moving canopy or by varying cloud cover. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the non-linear photosynthetic response provides a new insight into dynamics of the regulatory processes.     

Complex metabolic oscillations in plants forced by harmonic irradiance

Plants exposed to harmonically modulated irradiance, approximately 1 + cos(omegat), exhibit a complex periodic pattern of chlorophyll fluorescence emission that can be deconvoluted into a steady-state component, a component that is modulated with the frequency of the irradiance (omega), and into at least two upper harmonic components (2omega and 3omega). A model is proposed that accounts for the upper harmonics in fluorescence emission by nonlinear negative feedback regulation of photosynthesis. In contrast to simpler linear models, the model predicts that the steady-state fluorescence component will depend on the frequency of light modulation, and that amplitudes of all fluorescence components will exhibit resonance peak(s) when the irradiance frequency is tuned to an internal frequency of a regulatory component. The experiments confirmed that the upper harmonic components appear and exhibit distinct resonant peaks. The frequency of autonomous oscillations observed earlier upon an abrupt increase in CO(2) concentration corresponds to the sharpest of the resonant peaks of the forced oscillations. We propose that the underlying principles are general for a wide spectrum of negative-feedback regulatory mechanisms. The analysis by forced harmonic oscillations will enable us to examine internal dynamics of regulatory processes that have not been accessible to noninvasive fluorescence monitoring to date.     

Effect of the anthocyanic epidermal layer on Photosystem II and I energy dissipation processes in Tradescantia pallida (Rose) Hunt

The effect of anthocyanic cells of the epidermal layer was investigated on photosynthetic activity of the higher plant Tradescantia pallida. To determine the possible indirect role of anthocyanin in photosynthesis, analysis was done on intact leaves and leaves where anthocyanic epidermal layer was removed. Energy dissipation processes related to Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI) activity was done using simultaneously Chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence and P700 transmittance signals change. In anthocyanic epidermal-less leaves, PSII photochemical activity was more decreased in dependence to increasing light irradiance exposure. We found that photoinhibition of PSII decreased PSI activity by reducing the electron flow toward PSI, especially under high light intensities. Under those conditions, it resulted in the accumulation of oxidized PSI reaction centers, which was stronger in leaves where the anthocyanic epidermal layer was removed. In conclusion, our results showed that the anthocyanic epidermal layer had a photoprotective effect only on the PSII and not on the PSI of T. pallida leaves, supporting the role of anthocyanin pigments in the regulation of photosynthesis for excess absorbed light irradiance.     

Antisense reductions in the PsbO protein of photosystem II leads to decreased quantum yield but similar maximal photosynthetic rates

Photosystem (PS) II is the multisubunit complex which uses light energy to split water, providing the reducing equivalents needed for photosynthesis. The complex is susceptible to damage from environmental stresses such as excess excitation energy and high temperature. This research investigated the in vivo photosynthetic consequences of impairments to PSII in Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype Columbia) expressing an antisense construct to the PsbO proteins of PSII. Transgenic lines were obtained with between 25 and 60% of wild-type (WT) total PsbO protein content, with the PsbO1 isoform being more strongly reduced than PsbO2. These changes coincided with a decrease in functional PSII content. Low PsbO (less than 50% WT) plants grew more slowly and had lower chlorophyll content per leaf area. There was no change in content per unit area of cytochrome b(6)f, ATP synthase, or Rubisco, whereas PSI decreased in proportion to the reduction in chlorophyll content. The irradiance response of photosynthetic oxygen evolution showed that low PsbO plants had a reduced quantum yield, but matched the oxygen evolution rates of WT plants at saturating irradiance. It is suggested that these plants had a smaller pool of PSII centres, which are inefficiently connected to antenna pigments resulting in reduced photochemical efficiency.     

Loss of the precise control of photosynthesis and increased yield of non‐radiative dissipation of excitation energy after mild heat treatment of barley leaves

The after effects of a short exposure of intact barley leaves to moderately elevated temperature (40°C, 5 min) on the induction transients and the irradiance dependencies of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence are presented. This mild heat treatment strongly reduced the oscillations in the rate of photosynthesis and in the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence. However, only a 25% irreversible inhibition of maximum photosynthetic capacity of photosystem II (PSII) measured by oxygen evolution was produced and the intrinsic quantum yield of PSII measured by the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (F_m‐ F_o)/F_m decreased by only 15%. In contrast, the above treatment increased radiationless dissipation processes in PSII by a factor of two. In heat‐treated leaves, photosynthesis was not saturated even by strong light. Both ΔpH‐dependent quenching of excitons in PSII (including formation of zeaxanthin) and state 1/state 2 transition were found to be stimulated. Heat exposure enhanced the control of PSII activity by PSI, as evidenced by a significant increase in the quenching effect of far‐red light on the maximum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence. It was deduced that after mild heat treatment, the photosynthetic apparatus in leaves lacks the precise coordinating control of electron transport and carbon metabolism owing to the inability of PSII to support electron transport at a level adequate for carbon metabolism. This effect was not related to the small irreversible thermal damage to PSII, but was rather due to a significant increase in non‐photochemical quenching of excitation energy.     

Acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana to the light environment: regulation of chloroplast composition

The regulation by light of the composition of the photosynthetic apparatus was investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. cv. Landsberg erecta. When grown in high- and low-irradiance white light, wild-type plants and photomorphogenic mutants showed large differences in their maximum photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll a/b ratios; such changes were abolished by growth in red light. Photosystem I (PSI) and PSII levels were measured in wild-type plants grown under a range of light environments; the results indicate that regulation of photosystem stoichiometry involves the specific detection of blue light. Supplementing red growth lights with low levels of blue light led to large increases in PSII content, while further increases in blue irradiance had the opposite effect; this latter response was abolished by the hy4 mutation, which affects certain events controlled by a blue-light receptor. Mutants defective in the phytochrome photoreceptors retained regulation of photosystem stoichiometry. We discuss the results in terms of two separate responses controlled by blue-light receptors: a blue-high-fluence response which controls photosystem stoichiometry; and a blue-low-fluence response necessary for activation of such control. Variation in the irradiance of the red growth light revealed that the blue-high-fluence response is attenuated by red light; this may be evidence that photosystem stoichiometry is controlled not only by photoreceptors, but also by photosynthetic metabolism.Abbreviations BHF blue-high-fluence - BLF blue-low-fluence - Chl chlorophyll - FR far-red light - LHCII light-harvesting complex of PSII - P_max maximum photosynthetic rate - R red light - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase This work was supported by Natural Environment Research Council Grant No. GR3/7571A. We would like to thank H. Smith (Botany Department, University of Leicester) and E. Murchie (INRA, Versailles) for helpful discussions.     

Photosynthesis dynamics and regulation sensed in the frequency domain

Foundations of photosynthesis research have been established mainly by studying the response of plants to changing light, typically to sudden exposure to a constant light intensity after dark acclimation or light flashes. This approach remains valid and powerful, but can be limited by requiring dark acclimation before time-domain measurements and often assumes that rate constants determining the photosynthetic response do not change between dark and light acclimation. We show that these limits can be overcome by measuring plant responses to sinusoidally modulated light of varying frequency. By its nature, such frequency-domain characterization is performed in light-acclimated plants with no need for prior dark acclimation. Amplitudes, phase shifts, and upper harmonic modulation extracted from the data for a wide range of frequencies can target different kinetic domains and regulatory feedbacks. The occurrence of upper harmonic modulation reflects nonlinear phenomena, including photosynthetic regulation. To support these claims, we measured chlorophyll fluorescence emission of the green alga Chlorella sorokiniana in light that was sinusoidally modulated in the frequency range 1000–0.001 Hz. Based on these experimental data and numerical as well as analytical mathematical models, we propose that frequency-domain measurements can become a versatile tool in plant sensing.

Characterizing photosynthesis in the frequency domain removes the need for dark adaptation and, thus, assumptions about the dark-to-light transition.     

Acclimation of the Photosynthetic Apparatus to Growth Irradiance in a Mutant Strain of Synechococcus Lacking Iron Superoxide Dismutase

The acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to growth irradiance in a mutant strain of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 lacking detectable iron superoxide dismutase activity was studied. The growth of the mutant was inhibited at concentrations of methyl viologen 4 orders of magnitude smaller than those required to inhibit the growth of the wild-type strain. An increased sensitivity of photosynthetic electron transport near photosystem I (PSI) toward photooxidative stress was also observed in the mutant strain. In the absence of methyl viologen, the mutant exhibited similar growth rates compared with those of the wild type, even at high growth irradiance (350 [mu]E m-2 s-1) where chronic inhibition of photosystem II (PSII) was observed in both strains. Under high growth irradiance, the ratios of PSII to PSI and of [alpha]-phycocyanin to chlorophyll a were less than one-third of the values for the wild type. In both strains, cellular contents of chlorophyll a, [alpha]-phycocyanin, and [beta]-carotene, as well as the length of the phycobilisome rods, declined with increasing growth irradiance. Only the cellular content of the carotenoid zeaxanthin seemed to be independent of growth irradiance. These results suggest an altered acclimation to growth irradiance in the sodB mutant in which the stoichiometry between PSI and PSII is adjusted to compensate for the loss of PSI efficiency occurring under high growth irradiance. Similar shortening of the phycobilisome rods in the sodB mutant and wild-type strain suggest that phycobilisome rod length is regulated independently of photosystem stoichiometry.     

Induction characteristics and response of photosynthetic quantum conversion to changes in irradiance in mulberry plants

A study was conducted, using rapid time course of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, and light-response curves of Chl fluorescence parameters, to determine the induction requirements and response of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and non-photochemical reactions after changes in irradiance in greenhouse mulberry plants. The induction of PSII photochemistry rapidly approached to steady state after leaves were treated from darkness to low irradiance (LI). When irradiance of leaves changed from darkness to high irradiance (HI), a biphasic induction was observed. A slight photoinhibition occurred in the leaves exposed to sunlight coming to the greenhouse, whereas a chronic photoinhibition occurred in the leaves fully exposed to sunlight outside the greenhouse. The chronic photoinhibition was demonstrated by sustained reduction of maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm). Moreover, the leaves of mulberry plants in greenhouse were sensitive to abrupt changes in irradiance and the sensitivity of leaves suffered in a short-term (1h) high light treatment was reduced, based on the changes in photosynthetic quantum conversion. These results demonstrated an inducible response of photosynthetic quantum conversion to changes in irradiance in mulberry.     

The PsbU subunit of photosystem II stabilizes energy transfer and primary photochemistry in the phycobilisome-photosystem II assembly of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The PsbU subunit of photosystem II (PSII) is one of three extrinsic polypeptides associated with stabilizing the oxygen evolving machinery of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. We investigated the influence of PsbU on excitation energy transfer and primary photochemistry by spectroscopic analysis of a PsbU-less (or deltaPsbU) mutant. The absence of PsbU was found to have multiple effects on the excited state dynamics of the phycobilisome and PSII. DeltaPsbU cells exhibited decreased variable fluorescence when excited with light absorbed primarily by allophycocyanin but not when excited with light absorbed primarily by chlorophyll a. Fluorescence emission spectra at 77 K showed evidence for impaired energy transfer from the allophycocyanin terminal phycobilisome emitters to PSII. Picosecond fluorescence decay kinetics revealed changes in both allophycocyanin and PSII associated decay components. These changes were consistent with a decrease in the coupling of phycobilisomes to PSII and an increase in the number of closed PSII reaction centers in the dark-adapted deltaPsbU mutant. Our results are consistent with the assumption that PsbU stabilizes both energy transfer and electron transport in the PBS/PSII assembly.     

Seasonal and diurnal monitoring of leaf polyamine content in Quercus ilex L. resprouts after fire in relation to changes in irradiation and photosynthetic parameters

Seasonal variations in free putrescine, spermidine and spermine content, gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were followed during winter and summer on leaves of a similar age from undisturbed holm oak trees (control, C) and resprouts (R) originated after fire. We observed a general trend of putrescine content decrease with increasing irradiance. Putrescine content decreased markedly from winter to summer, especially in R, which were located on a site with much higher irradiation. Daily summer variations in putrescine showed a decline at midday from morning values, and they were also more accentuated in R. Measurement of gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters showed marked differences between C and R under their respective light conditions. R showed higher values of PSII quantum yield (Φ_PSII), photochemical quenching (qP) and intrinsic efficiency of open PSII centres () The Φ_PSII/PPFD response curve showed that under the same irradiance, Φ_PSII was enhanced in R and mainly under high light conditions. In spite of increasing irradiance from winter to summer, and especially in burned areas, the mentioned chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were maintained indicating the adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus. Results derived from A/C _i and A/PPFD response curves showed enhanced photosynthetic capacity and lower non-stomatal limitation of photosynthesis in R during summer stress. The contribution of putrescine decline in the photoadaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus of species growing in natural forest habitats is considered.     

Dynamic Light Regulation of Photosynthesis (A Review)

Regulatory reactions providing the photosynthetic apparatus with the ability to respond to variations of irradiance by changes in activities of the light and the dark stages of photosynthesis within a time range of seconds and minutes are considered in the review. At the light stage, such reactions are related to the changes in both distribution of light energy between two photosystems and probability of nonphotochemical dissipation of absorbed quanta in PSI and PSII. These regulatory reactions operate in a negative feedback mode, thus avoiding overreduction of electron transport chain and minimizing the probability of generation of reactive oxygen species. The crucial role in preventing the generation of reactive oxygen species belongs to dynamic regulation of electron transport activity despite the presence of complex system of their detoxification in chloroplasts. In dark reactions of Calvin cycle, the regulatory responses involve a positive feedback principle being related to redox regulation of activities of several enzymes, which is sensitive to the reduction status of PSI acceptor side. The complex of regulatory reactions based on negative and positive feedback principles provides prolonged functioning of a chloroplast and high stability of photosynthetic activity under various light conditions.     

Two patterns of leaf photosynthetic response to irradiance transition from saturating to limiting one in some plant species

Plants often regulate the amount and size of light-harvesting antenna (LHCII) to maximize photosynthesis at low light and avoid photodamage at high light. Gas exchange, 77 K chlorophyll fluorescence, photosystem II (PSII) electron transport as well as LHCII protein were measured in leaves irradiated at different light intensities. After irradiance transition from saturating to limiting one leaf photosynthetic rate in some species such as soybean and rice declined first to a low level, then increased slowly to a stable value (V pattern), while in other species such as wheat and pumpkin it dropped immediately to a stable value (L pattern). Saturating pre-irradiation led to significant declines of both 77 K fluorescence parameter F685/F735 and light-limited PSII electron transport rate in soybean but not in wheat leaves, indicating that some LHCIIs dissociate from PSII in soybean but not in wheat leaves. The L pattern of LHCII-decreased rice mutant and the V pattern of its wild type demonstrate that the V pattern is linked to dissociation/reassociation of some LHCIIs from/to PSII.     

End product feedback effects on photosynthetic electron transport

The inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport when starch and sucrose synthesis limit the overall rate of photosynthesis was studied inPhaseolus vulgaris L. andXanthium strumarium L. The starch and sucrose limitation was established by reducing photorespiration by manipulation of the partial pressure of O₂ and CO₂. Chlorophylla fluorescence quenching, the redox state of Photosystem I (estimated by the redox status of NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase), and the intermediates of the xanthophyll cycle were investigated. Non-photochemical fluorescence quenching increased, NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase remained at 100% activity, and the amount of violaxanthin decreased when starch and sucrose synthesis limited photosynthesis. In addition, O₂-induced feedback caused a decrease in photochemical quenching. These results are consistent with a downward regulation of photosynthetic electron transport during end product feedback on photosynthesis. When leaves were held in high CO₂ for 4 hours, the efficiency of Photosystem II was reduced when subsequently measured under low light. The results indicate that the quantum efficiency of open Photosystem II centers was reduced by the 4 hour treatment. We interpret the results to indicate that feedback from starch and sucrose synthesis on photosynthetic electron transport stimulates mechanisms for dissipating excess light energy but that these mechanisms do not completely protect leaves from long-term inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport capacity.     

快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学分析在光合作用研究中的应用

JIP-测定(JIP-test)是以生物膜能量流动为基础建立的分析方法.利用该方法可以获得有关光系统Ⅱ的大量信息.文章介绍了快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线的定义、数据分析方法及相关参数的意义,并举例说明如何利用该方法分析不同环境条件对光合机构主要是PSⅡ的供体侧、受体侧及PSⅡ反应中心的影响.     

Response of the photosynthetic apparatus of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to the onset of drought stress under field conditions studied by gas-exchange analysis and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging.

The functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown during the onset of water limitation was studied by gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence to better understand the adaptation mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus to drought conditions. For this, cotton was grown in the field in Central Asia under well-irrigated and moderately drought-stressed conditions. The light and CO(2) responses of photosynthesis (A(G)), stomatal conductance (g(s)) and various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined simultaneously. Furthermore, chlorophyll fluorescence images were taken from leaves to study the spatial pattern of photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and non-photochemical quenching parameters. Under low and moderate light intensity, the onset of drought stress caused an increase in the operating quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (varphi(PSII)) which indicated increased photorespiration since photosynthesis was hardly affected by water limitation. The increase in varphi(PSII) was caused by an increase of the efficiency of open PSII reaction centers (F(v)'/F(m)') and by a decrease of the basal non-photochemical quenching (varphi(NO)). Using a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system a low spatial heterogeneity of varphi(PSII) was revealed under both irrigation treatments. The increased rate of photorespiration in plants during the onset of drought stress can be seen as an acclimation process to avoid an over-excitation of PSII under more severe drought conditions.     

华山新麦草光合特性对干旱胁迫的响应

以濒危植物华山新麦草为材料进行盆栽试验,设置3个水分梯度,研究生长指标、气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数、光合色素含量、光响应特征及丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果表明:随干旱胁迫的加剧,株高、叶宽和光合色素含量降低,根长和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加;水分胁迫导致净光合速率(PN)、气孔导度(gs)、蒸腾速率(E)、最大荧光(Fm)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)、初始荧光(Fo)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)升高;光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)不变;干旱胁迫下光响应曲线拟合结果显示,干旱胁迫造成最大光合速率和光能利用效率下降.综上表明,干旱对光系统Ⅱ的伤害是制约华山新麦草光合作用的主要原因.     

Stoichiometry of Photosystem I, Photosystem II, and Phycobilisomes in the Red Alga Porphyridium cruentum as a Function of Growth Irradiance

Cells of the red alga Porphyridium cruentum (ATCC 50161) exposed to increasing growth irradiance exhibited up to a three-fold reduction in photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) and phycobilisomes but little change in the relative numbers of these components. Batch cultures of P. cruentum were grown under four photon flux densities of continuous white light; 6 (low light, LL), 35 (medium light, ML), 180 (high light, HL), and 280 (very high light, VHL) microeinsteins per square meter per second and sampled in the exponential phase of growth. Ratios of PSII to PSI ranged between 0.43 and 0.54. About three PSII centers per phycobilisome were found, regardless of growth irradiance. The phycoerythrin content of phycobilisomes decreased by about 25% for HL and VHL compared to LL and ML cultures. The unit sizes of PSI (chlorophyll/P₇₀₀) and PSII (chlorophyll/Q_A) decreased by about 20% with increase in photon flux density from 6 to 280 microeinsteins per square meter per second. A threefold reduction in cell content of chlorophyll at the higher photon flux densities was accompanied by a twofold reduction in β-carotene, and a drastic reduction in thylakoid membrane area. Cell content of zeaxanthin, the major carotenoid in P. cruentum, did not vary with growth irradiance, suggesting a role other than light-harvesting. HL cultures had a growth rate twice that of ML, eight times that of LL, and slightly greater than that of VHL cultures. Cell volume increased threefold from LL to VHL, but volume of the single chloroplast did not change. From this study it is evident that a relatively fixed stoichiometry of PSI, PSII, and phycobilisomes is maintained in the photosynthetic apparatus of this red alga over a wide range of growth irradiance.     

田间大豆叶片成长过程中的光合特性及光破坏防御机制

田间大豆叶片在成长进程中光饱和光合速率持续提高,但气孔导度的增加明显滞后.尽管叶片在成长初期就具有较高的最大光化学效率,但是仍略低于发育成熟的叶片.随着叶片的成长,光下叶片光系统Ⅱ实际效率增加;非光化学猝灭下降.幼叶叶黄素总量与叶绿素之比较高,随着叶面积的增加该比值下降,在光下,幼叶的脱环氧化程度较高.因此认为大豆叶片成长初期就能够有效地进行光化学调节;在叶片生长过程中依赖叶黄素循环的热耗散机制迅速建立起来有效抵御强光的破坏.     

CO2 response of cyclic electron flow around PSI (CEF-PSI) in tobacco leaves--relative electron fluxes through PSI and PSII determine the magnitude of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of Chl fluorescence

We hypothesized that cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (CEF-PSI) participates in the induction of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence when the rate of photosynthetic linear electron flow (LEF) is electron-acceptor limited. To test this hypothesis, the relationships among photosynthesis rate, electron fluxes through both PSI and PSII [Je(PSI) and Je(PSII)] and Chl fluorescence parameters were analyzed simultaneously in intact leaves of tobacco plants at several light intensities and partial pressures of ambient CO2 (Ca). At low light intensities, decreasing Ca lowered the photosynthesis rate, but Je(PSI) and Je(PSII) remained constant. Je(PSI) was larger than Je(PSII), indicating the existence of CEF-PSI. Increasing the light intensity enhanced photosynthesis and both Je(PSI) and Je (PSII). Je(PSI)/Je(PSII) also increased at high light and at high light and low Ca combined, showing a strong, positive relationship with NPQ of Chl fluorescence. These results indicated that CEF-PSI contributed to the dissipation of photon energy in excess of that consumed by photosynthesis by driving NPQ of Chl fluorescence. The main physiological function of CEF-PSI in photosynthesis of higher plants is discussed.