大气CO2浓度升高对绿豆叶片光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

利用FACE系统在大田条件下通过盆栽试验研究了大气CO2浓度升高[CO2浓度平均为(550+60) μmol·mo1-1]对绿豆叶片光合生理和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:与对照[ CO2浓度平均为(389+40) μmol·mol-1左右]相比,大气CO2浓度升高使花荚期绿豆叶片净光合速率(Pn)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)分别升高11.7％和9.8％,气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)分别下降32.0％和24.6％,水分利用效率(WUE)提高83.5％;在蕾期,CO2浓度升高对绿豆叶片叶绿素初始荧光(Fo)、最大荧光(Fm)、可变荧光(Fv)、Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo没有显著影响;在鼓粒期,CO2浓度升高使绿豆叶片Fo增加19.1％,Fm和Fv分别下降9.0％和14.3％,Fv/Fo和Fv/Fm分别下降25.8％和6.2％.表明大气CO2浓度升高可能使绿豆生长后期光系统Ⅱ反应中心结构受到破坏,叶片的光合能力下降.     

大气CO2浓度升高对绿豆叶片光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

利用FACE系统在大田条件下通过盆栽试验研究了大气CO₂浓度升高\[CO₂浓度平均为（550±60) μmol·mol^-1\]对绿豆叶片光合生理和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明： 与对照\[CO₂浓度平均为（389±40）μmol·mol^-1左右\]相比,大气CO₂浓度升高使花荚期绿豆叶片净光合速率(P_n)和胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)分别升高11.7%和9.8%,气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)分别下降32.0%和24.6%, 水分利用效率(WUE)提高83.5%;在蕾期,CO₂浓度升高对绿豆叶片叶绿素初始荧光(F_o)、最大荧光（F_m）、可变荧光（F_v）、F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o没有显著影响;在鼓粒期,CO₂浓度升高使绿豆叶片F_o增加19.1%,F_m和F_v分别下降9.0%和14.3%,F_v/F_o和F_v/F_m分别下降25.8%和6.2%.表明大气CO₂浓度升高可能使绿豆生长后期光系统Ⅱ反应中心结构受到破坏,叶片的光合能力下降.     

Bradyrhizobium elkanii, Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Bradyrhizobium japonicum are the main rhizobia associated with Vigna unguiculata and Vigna radiata in the subtropical region of China

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) are important legume crops yet their rhizobia have not been well characterized. In the present study, 62 rhizobial strains isolated from the root nodules of these plants grown in the subtropical region of China were analyzed via a polyphasic approach. The results showed that 90% of the analyzed strains belonged to or were related to Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Bradyrhizobium elkanii, while the remaining represented Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhizobium etli and Sinorhizobium fredii. Diverse nifH and nodC genes were found in these strains and their symbiotic genes were mainly coevolved with the housekeeping genes, indicating that the symbiotic genes were mainly maintained by vertical transfer in the studied rhizobial populations.     

Drought-induced changes in chlorophyll fluorescence,photosynthetic pigments,and thylakoid membrane proteins of Vigna radiata

The effects of drought on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of PSII, photosynthetic pigments, thylakoid membrane protein (D1), and proline content in different varieties of mung bean plants were studied. Drought stress inhibits PSII activity and induces alterations in D1 protein. We observed a greater decline in the effective quantum yield of PSII, electron transport rate, and saturating photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD_sat) under drought stress in var. Anand than var. K-851 and var. RMG 268. This may possibly be due to either downregulation of photosynthesis or photoinhibition process. Withholding irrigation resulted in gradual diminution in total Chl content at Day 4 of stress. HPLC analysis revealed that the quantity of β-carotene in stressed plants was always higher reaching maxima at Day 4. Photoinactivation of PSII in var. Anand includes the loss of the D1 protein, probably from greater photosynthetic damage caused by drought stress than the other two varieties.     

Effect of salt stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Medicago truncatula

In the present study, photosynthetic parameters including gas exchanges, pigment contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence, were compared in two contrasting local Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and TN8.20, in response to salt added to the nutrient solution. Plants were cultivated under symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) after inoculation with a reference strain Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011, a very tolerant strain to salinity (700 mM NaCl), and grown in a controlled glasshouse. On one month old plants (with active SNF), salt treatment (75 mM NaCl) was gradually applied. Photosynthesis, assimilating pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored throughout the experiment during both short and long terms, compared to control (non-saline) conditions. A genotypic variation in salt tolerance was found; TN6.18 was the more sensitive to salinity. The relative tolerance of TN8.20 was concomitant with the highest photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) affecting the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Y); the real quantum yield (?_exc) was the most affected in the sensitive line. Moreover, stomatal and PSII reaction centers activities differed clearly between the studied lines. We found that the effect of salinity on photosynthesis of M. truncatula was related to PSII activity reduction rather than to stomatal conductance limitation. Photosynthesis was reduced by the inhibition of CO₂ assimilation caused by PSII damage. This was clearly estimated by the Y, ?_exc and especially by the quantum yield of electron transport of PSII (Φ_PSII). Thus, on the basis of our results on the two local M. truncatula lines, we recommend the use of chlorophyll fluorescence as non-destructive screening method to discriminate susceptible and resistant legumes to salt stress.     

两种生境条件下6种牧草叶绿素含量及荧光参数的比较

昆仑山前山牧场海拔较高, 策勒绿洲海拔相对较低, 两者生境差异较大。以昆仑山前山牧场和策勒绿洲边缘两种不同生境条件下生长的6种牧草: 冰草(Agropyron cristatum)、无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis)、矮生高羊茅(Festuca elata)、披碱草(Elymus dahuricus )、红豆草(Onobrychis pulchella)及和田大叶(Medicago sativa var. luxurians)为试验材料, 研究了不同生境条件下牧草叶片叶绿素含量及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的变化情况。结果显示: (1)在两种生境条件下, 昆仑山前山牧场生境生长的牧草叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素的含量明显较高, 生长在策勒绿洲生境的牧草品种叶绿素a/b值较高; (2)昆仑山前山牧场生境牧草最大荧光、光系统II (PSII)最大光化学效率、PSII潜在活性和单位面积反应中心的数量的值明显高于策勒绿洲生境品种, 而初始荧光、单位反应中心吸收的光能、单位反应中心捕获的能量、单位反应中心耗散的能量、荧光诱导曲线初始斜率值则低于策勒绿洲生境品种。因此, 两种生境下环境因子发生了改变, 对牧草产生综合的胁迫作用; 策勒绿洲生境明显对牧草生长产生了抑制, 策勒绿洲生境牧草的色素含量降低以及PSII的机构遭到损坏, 导致反应中心一部分失活或裂解, 剩余有活性的反应中心的效率增加, 昆仑山生境则相对比较适宜牧草生长; 两种生境不同牧草叶绿素含量和叶绿素荧光参数的变化幅度不同。     

模拟酸雨胁迫对青冈幼苗光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

选择亚热带常绿阔叶林优势树种青冈幼苗为研究对象,设置3个酸雨处理：pH 2.5、pH 4.0、pH 5.6(CK),研究不同强度的模拟酸雨对青冈幼苗光合特性、叶绿素荧光参数和叶绿素含量的影响.结果表明：经过2年酸雨处理,青冈的净光合速率随着酸雨强度的增加而显著上升.pH 2.5、pH 4.0处理的酸雨增大了青冈的气孔导度和蒸腾速率,且对pH 2.5处理的影响更为显著.胞间CO₂浓度的大小顺序是pH 2.5>pH 5.6>pH 4.0.pH 2.5、pH 4.0处理青冈的最大净光合速率、光补偿点、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率显著高于对照,表观量子效率对酸雨胁迫不敏感.pH 2.5、pH 4.0处理青冈的PSⅡ原初光能转化效率和PSⅡ的潜在活性显著高于对照.青冈的叶绿素相对含量大小顺序是pH 2.5>pH 5.6>pH 4.0,且pH 2.5与pH 4.0之间有显著差异.说明青冈幼苗的光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数指标在pH 2.5和pH 4.0的酸雨处理下有所增加,且在pH 2.5强度下增加更为明显.     

土壤酸度对脂松苗木光合和叶绿素荧光的影响

脂松（Pinus resinosa）是北美东北部地区重要的造林树种之一,2004年在我国东北东部山地引种栽培初步获得成功.为扩大脂松栽培范围,采用盆栽方法研究不同土壤酸度（pH分别为4.5、5.5、6.5、7.5和8.0）对脂松苗木光合和叶绿素荧光参数的影响,确定其适生的土壤酸度范围.结果表明：土壤酸度对脂松苗木针叶叶绿素a、b和叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量、净光合速率(P_n)和荧光参数F_o、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_m、Φ_PSⅡ有显著影响（P<0.05）.pH 5.5处理的叶绿素含量和P_n最高,分别比pH 7.5和8.0 处理增加41%、50%和61%、88%;pH 7.5和8.0处理时最低.pH 5.5时叶绿素荧光参数F_v/F_m和Φ_PSⅡ均最高,分别比pH 7.5和8.0处理增加8%、12%和22%、35%;pH 7.5和8.0时则受到明显抑制.土壤pH值为5.5时最适宜脂松生长.     

High temperature effects on photosynthesis and water relations of grain legumes

Effects of high temperature on photosynthesis, and its interaction with water relations in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), faba bean (Vicia faba), and five cultivars of field pea (Pisum sativum) were investigated. Responses of all species were compared at 20/15, 30/15, or 30/25 °C day/night, and cowpea and pea were compared at 20/15 and 30/25 °C under well-watered and limited-water conditions. Response of pea to 20/15 and 30/25 °C during flowering was ascertained, and sensitivity of the photosystem of pea and faba bean to 40 °C was determined.High temperature decreased chlorophyll variable fluorescence (F_v), a measure of injury to photosynthesis, in all species except cowpea, which was highly tolerant. Leaf chlorophyll and most measures of growth were favored by high day temperature but not by high night temperature, and photosynthetic rates were enhanced by high temperatures that increased leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen (N) contents. High temperature diminished growth less than water deficiency and increased water use of all three species but only lowered the water potential in faba bean. Water deficiency generally decreased growth, water use, and water potential more at 30/25 °C than at 20/15 °C. Stress from high temperature during flowering of pea decreased all components of yield at maturity, particularly at nodes that flowered latest. Whole-chain photosynthetic activity in thylakoids of pea, faba bean, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were equally sensitive to high temperature, suggesting that Photosystem Il was the most labile component. The results show that high temperature affects photosynthesis, growth, and water relations of grain legumes, and sensitivity to the stress differs among species and genotypes.     

Monitoring chilling injury: A comparison of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, post-chilling growth and visible symptoms of injury in Zea mays

Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence emission from maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Northern Belle) seedlings chilled at 1.5°C in the dark for 3–30 h were compared with the ability of plants to resume growth in the immediate post-chilling period and with the development of visible symptoms of injury to the leaves. During chilling, the maximal rate of increase of the induced chlorophyll fluorescence rise. F_R, was measured on secondary leaf tissue. F_R decreased exponentially, at approximately the same rate in plants grown and chilled in hydroponic pots, in leaves detached from similar plants and in plants that were removed from the hydroponic pots and laid on wet filter paper adjacent to the detached leaves. The half-fall time for F_R in the 3 treatments was 7.8 ± 1.3 h, 8.6 ± 0.6 h and 8.8 ± 1.0 h, respectively. Following seedling removal from 1.5°C and return to 25/15°C, relative growth rates were determined from daily measurements of plant fresh weight gain. Compared with non-chilled seedlings, plants chilled for 3 h and longer showed depressed rates of growth. Inhibition of growth in the immediate post-chilling period (0–27 h) was linearly related to the duration of the chilling period and had a high positive correlation with the decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence (linearly related to log F_R) sustained during the chilling exposure. Visible symptoms of chilling injury developed during the post-chilling period on seedlings chilled for longer than 3 h. The decrease in log F_R during chilling was also linearly correlated with the severity of visual symptoms of chilling injury expressed in the post-chilling period. It is concluded that the extent of chilling injury in maize can be rapidly and non-destructively assessed from measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence.     

内生固氮菌对甘蔗伸长期光合生理特性的影响

利用联合生物固氮是有效降低甘蔗生产成本的途径之一.在温室无氮栽培条件下,将内生固氮菌株A01分别接种到6个不同基因型甘蔗(GT24、GT9、YC84/153、GT18、CP65/357和F172)中,在甘蔗伸长期测定+1叶片的叶绿素含量(叶绿素a、叶绿素b)、光合作用参数净光合速率(Pn)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔...     

Dynamics of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence and reflectance to detect stress-induced variations in canopy photosynthesis

Passive measurement of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (F) represents the most promising tool to quantify changes in photosynthetic functioning on a large scale. However, the complex relationship between this signal and other photosynthesis-related processes restricts its interpretation under stress conditions. To address this issue, we conducted a field campaign by combining daily airborne and ground-based measurements of F (normalized to photosynthetically active radiation), reflectance and surface temperature and related the observed changes to stress-induced variations in photosynthesis. A lawn carpet was sprayed with different doses of the herbicide Dicuran. Canopy-level measurements of gross primary productivity indicated dosage-dependent inhibition of photosynthesis by the herbicide. Dosage-dependent changes in normalized F were also detected. After spraying, we first observed a rapid increase in normalized F and in the Photochemical Reflectance Index, possibly due to the blockage of electron transport by Dicuran and the resultant impairment of xanthophyll-mediated non-photochemical quenching. This initial increase was followed by a gradual decrease in both signals, which coincided with a decline in pigment-related reflectance indices. In parallel, we also detected a canopy temperature increase after the treatment. These results demonstrate the potential of using F coupled with relevant reflectance indices to estimate stress-induced changes in canopy photosynthesis.     

绿盲蝽为害对枣树叶片光合作用及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

【目的】探讨绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)为害对枣树叶片光合作用的影响及其机制。【方法】以一年生冬枣Zizyphus jujuba cv.Dongzao和酸枣Ziziphus jujuba var.spinosa树叶片为试材,测定了绿盲蝽为害1,3,5和7 d时枣树叶片光合速率、气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数和叶绿素含量的变化。【结果】绿盲蝽为害3,5和7 d时冬枣叶片的净光合速率(net photosynthesis rate,Pn)较对照分别降低了55.83%,55.42%和59.61%;而酸枣叶片净光合速率仅在5和7 d时较对照分别降低了26.66%和27.34%。冬枣叶片的气孔导度被绿盲蝽为害3,5和7 d时较对照明显降低。冬枣叶片光合速率的下降与气孔导度(stomatal conductance,Gs)和总叶绿素含量的下降呈显著正相关,而酸枣叶片光合速率的下降仅与叶绿素含量显著正相关。绿盲蝽为害后冬枣和酸枣叶片的快速荧光诱导曲线受到显著影响。冬枣叶片的最大光化学效率(maximum photochemical efficiency,Fv/Fm)在绿盲蝽为害不同时间时相对于对照明显降低,而酸枣叶片没有受到明显的影响。绿盲蝽为害不同时间对冬枣和酸枣叶片的光系统Ⅱ放氧复合体(oxygen-evolving complex,OEC)以及光反应活性中心均造成了伤害,但酸枣受到的伤害程度明显低于冬枣。绿盲蝽为害5和7 d后冬枣叶片的光系统Ⅱ的电子传递活性降低,而酸枣叶片光系统Ⅱ的电子传递活性没有受到显著影响。绿盲蝽为害导致冬枣和酸枣叶片的电子传递的量子产额较对照明显降低,酸枣叶片中的降低幅度低于冬枣。【结论】绿盲蝽为害造成枣树叶片净光合速率明显降低,不同品种存在明显差异,冬枣叶片Pn降低程度明显高于酸枣。绿盲蝽为害后枣树叶片净光合速率的下降与叶绿素含量降低呈显著正相关。绿盲蝽为害影响了枣树叶片PSⅡ的结构和功能,导致供体侧的OEC受到伤害,光合作用PSⅡ反应中心失活,PSⅡ反应中心关闭程度增加,电子传递活性受到了抑制,其中酸枣叶片PSⅡ受到的影响明显低于冬枣叶片。     

基于叶绿素荧光参数的小麦叶片叶绿素相对含量估算方法

叶绿素含量是植物学和农业相关研究领域常用的生理指标.叶绿素含量和叶片光合功能密切相关,但是现有的叶绿素含量的测定方法无法实现叶绿素含量和光合功能的同步测定和关联分析.为解决该问题,本研究通过测定35个小麦品种旗叶的SPAD值和叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线,分别使用不同时间的快速叶绿素荧光动力学曲线的荧光值,以及33个常用荧...     

缺硫对脐橙叶片光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用营养液培养的方法,对缺硫脐橙叶片的光合特性进行了研究。结果表明,在缺硫情况下,脐橙叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、光呼吸速率(Pr)、光合色素含量、可溶性蛋白质含量、初始荧光(Fo)、光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、最大荧光(Fm)和电子传递速率(ETR)显著下降,而光呼吸/光合比(Pr/Pn)显著升高。缺硫脐橙植株的光合能力降低,可能是叶绿体发育不全或特性功能蛋白含量不足所致。     

不同强度的红光和蓝光下菜豆叶片的荧光特性

光质和光强均是影响植物光合作用的重要外部因素,该文以菜豆(Phaseolus vulgaris)为材料,通过叶绿素荧光技术比较研究了菜豆叶片在不同光强的红光和蓝光下叶绿素荧光特性的变化规律。结果表明:随着红光和蓝光光强的增加,菜豆叶片的光适应下的最大光化学效率(Fv'/Fm')呈下降趋势,但与在红光下相比,蓝光下叶片的Fv'/Fm'值较高。随着蓝光光强的增加,菜豆叶片PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Y(Ⅱ))和光化学猝灭系数(q P和q L)先呈上升趋势之后逐渐趋于平稳;而随着红光光强的增加,以上参数呈下降趋势。随着红光和蓝光光强的增加,非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)、相对电子传递速率(ETR)以及调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y(NPQ)均呈上升趋势,但与在红光下相比,蓝光下叶片NPQ和Y(NPQ)的值较低,而ETR值较高。非调节性能量耗散产量Y(NO)随着红光光强增加而呈上升趋势,而随着蓝光光强增加呈下降趋势。综上可见,随着光强的增加菜豆叶片的光化学效率呈降低趋势,但叶片在蓝光下的光化学吸收和利用效率高于红光。研究结果可为植物对光强和光质的响应提供一定的参考。     

Temperature dependence of delayed chlorophyll fluorescence in intact leaves of higher plants. A rapid method for detecting the phase transition of thylakoid membrane lipids

The temperature dependence of the yield of in vivo prompt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence was investigated in maize and barley leaves. In the chilling-sensitive maize, delayed fluorescence at steady-state level showed a maximum near the temperature at which thylakoid membrane lipids undergo a phase transition as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. In the chilling-resistant barley, no phase transition was detected above 0°C and the delayed light emission varied in a monotonic fashion. It was shown that measurements of delayed luminescence intensity in vivo can provide a rapid and sensitive method for detecting the phase change of membrane lipids in intact leaves of chilling-sensitive plant species such as tomato, cotton, cucumber, castor bean or avocado. In contrast, the use of steady-state prompt chlorophyll fluorescence as an indicator of membrane fluidity change was not successful.     

The photosynthesis of individual algal cells during the cell cycle of Scenedesmus quadricauda studied by chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic microscopy

A microscope for imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics was equipped with a chamber that allows the growth of an immobilised population of algae and their study under well-defined conditions. Single cells of the chlorococcal alga Scenedesmus quadricauda were grown and recorded for periods of whole cell cycles (up to 48 h) displaying a normal course of cell development. Heterogeneity in fluorescence yield among individual coenobia in the population and among different cells in one coenobium were analysed. Differences were observed both in the shape of Kautsky transients and in the modulation of fluorescence parameter values during the progress of the cell cycle. The extent of heterogeneity in fluorescence parameters was cell cycle dependent – in some phases of the cycle, the population was almost homogeneous, while distinct heterogeneity was observed, in particular between the protoplast division and the release of the daughter coenobia. The heterogeneity was not random but reflected developmental processes.     

Effects of solar UV stress on chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics of intertidal macroalgae from southern Spain: a case study in Gelidium species

Photoinhibition and recovery kinetics after short exposure to solar radiation following three different irradiance treatments of irradiances (PAR, PAR+UVA and PAR+UVA+UVB) was assessed in two intertidal species of the genus Gelidium, Gelidium sesquipedale and G. latifolium, collected from Tarifa (southern Spain) using in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence (PAM fluorometry). After 3 h UV radiation exposure, optimal quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) in G. sesquipedale decreased between 25 and 35% relative to the control. Under PAR alone, values decreased to 60%. In G. latifolium, photoinhibition did not exceed 40%. Similar results were found for the effective quantum yield (ΔF/Fm′), however, no marked differences in relation to light treatments were seen. When plants were shaded for recovery from stress, only in G. latifolium a significant increase in photosynthesis was observed (between 80 and 100% of control). In contrast, photosynthesis of G. sesquipedale suffered a chronic photoinhibition or photodamage under the three light irradiances. Full solar radiation (PAR+UVA+UVB) affected also the electron transport rate in both species. Here, initial slopes of electron transport vs. irradiance curves decreased up to 60% of controls. Although the recovery kinetic under PAR+UVA+UVB conditions was delayed in G. latifolium, after 24 h recovery this species reached significantly higher than G. sesquipedale. PAR impaired electron trasport only in G. sesquipedale. Overall, both species are characterized by different capacity to tolerate enhanced solar radiation. G. latifolium is a sun adapted plant, well suited to intertidal light conditions, whereas G. sesquipedale, growing at shaded sites in the intertidal zone, is more vulnerable to enhanced UV radiation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ozone sensitivity in herbaceous species as assessed by direct and modulated chlorophyll fluorescence techniques

Seven plant species were exposed in open-top chambers to four levels of ozone (O₃) during two growing seasons and screened for treatment effects on the fast chlorophylla(Chl) fluorescence transient kinetics of dark-adapted leaves, and on the fluorescence signals obtained from the same leaves in illuminated steady-state. The aim was to identify the nature of O₃ effects on PSII, and to determine inter-specific differences. In dark-adapted leaves, O₃ caused a reduction in variable fluorescence (F_V : F₀), indicating an overall reduction in the efficiency of primary photochemistry. A large increase in excitation energy dissipation per active reaction centre (DI₀/RC) and a smaller increase in the trapping rate of excitons (TR₀/RC), showed that a fraction of the reaction centres was inactivated while the rest sustained full functionality. The magnitude of the effect increased in the order ofBromus erectusCentaurea jacea Trisetum flavescens Rumex obtusifolius Plantago lanceolataTrifolium pratense Knautia arvensis. The inter-specific variability in PSII responses could not be explained solely by specific differences in modelled O₃ uptake by the leaves. Visible leaf injury was not related to changes in fluorescence emission. In illuminated steady-state, O₃ sensitivity was most expressed in the change in quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport (Φ_PSII). The ranking of species differed from the ranking obtained in dark-adapted leaves. These results suggest that the mechanistic basis for O₃ effects on PSII is similar in all species, but that inter-specific differences exist in the magnitude of change which cannot be explained solely by different O₃ uptake rates. The observed changes in fluorescence signals are not O₃-specific.