Responses of photosynthesis to NaCl in gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum

Gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum were cultured in 0.0 to 1.0% NaCl solutions or in NaCl‐free solution and then transferred to 1.0% NaCl solution. Photosynthetic light‐response curves, efficiency of the primary photochemical reaction, relative electron transport rate, and photochemical and non‐photochemical quenching at steady state were determined by photosynthetic O₂ evolution and in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence. Results obtained showed that the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, F_v/F_m and F'_v/F'_m and αO₂ (the initial linear slope of the photosynthetic light‐response curve) increased in gametophytes grown in NaCl. Linear electron transport rate was stimulated by NaCl. Based on the chlorophyll content, light‐saturated photosynthesis in gametophytes grown in 0.2 to 0.7% NaCl increased slightly; it decreased in gametophytes grown in 1.0% NaCl. Photochemical quenching decreased in NaCl‐grown gametophytes at all photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels measured, but there was no increase in non‐photochemical quenching. The chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with increasing NaCl concentration in culture solutions. These results indicated that NaCl enhanced photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and photosynthetic linear electron transport, thus resulting in the development of an excitation pressure in PSII. Such excitation pressure might act as a signal for photosynthetic acclimation to salt stress, thus allowing the gametophytes to grow in their natural habitats.     

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum (L.) to salinity and water stress

Tolerance of gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum to NaCl and dehydration was investigated under controlled conditions following the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, qP, qN). Salt tolerance was increased by growing gametophytes in low concentrations of NaCl. However, such treatment could not increase the tolerance of gametophytes to dehydration. Under water stress, a decrease in photochemical quenching (qP) was accompanied by an increase in non-photochemical quenching (qN). Under salt stress, qP also decreased, but qN did not change significantly in salt-hardened gametophytes.     

Ultrastructural changes in gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum L. cultured in different sodium chloride concentrations

Gametophytes cultured in solutions containing 0.0 to 0.7 % NaCl exhibited no change in ultra structural organization of chloroplasts. In 1.0% NaCl-grown gametophytes, there were thinner granal stacks, relatively larger spaces between granal thylakoidal membranes and larger plastoglobuli in the chloroplasts. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in photosynthesis. Cup shape, horseshoe shape, ring shape, and amoeboid mitochondria were observed in gametophytes grown in 0.0 to 0.7% NaCl. Only round mitochondria were observed in the gametophytes grown in 1.0 % NaCl. Mitochondria seemed to be more resistant to salt stress compared to chloroplasts. There was no direct relationship between changes in respiration rate and changes in mitochondrial shape among gametophytes grown in different NaCl concentrations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preferential accumulation of d-pinitol in Acrostichum aureum gametophytes in response to salt stress

Growth and metabolic responses to salt stress were studied in gametophytes of Acrostichum aureum L. (a mangrove fern). Gametophytes were cultured in 0–170 m M NaCl solutions. The growth of gametophytes was best in low NaCl concentrations (35 and 85 m M ), and was retarded at higher NaCl concentrations. Photosynthetic rate of gametophytes was also significantly reduced when grown in high NaCl concentrations. Severe salt stress (>120 m M NaCl) led to a preferential accumulation of d -pinitol in gametophytes, whereas the sporophyte accumulated d -1- O -methyl- muco -inositol. The content of d -pinitol reached up to 50% of the soluble carbohydrate pool of gametophytes under 155 and 170 m M NaCl. The accumulation of d -pinitol and other cyclitols in gametophytes was correlated with the retention of photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and the survival of gametophytes after transfer to solutions containing 340 and 600 m M NaCl, respectively.     

Effects of Inorganic Nitrogen Availability on the Sporophytes of Acrostichum Aureum L.

Plants grown at low irradiance were fertilized with 0, 60, and 600 g m_-3 NH₄NO₃ once every fortnight. Plants treated with high N concentrations showed an increased growth, producing longer and broader fronds with larger areas, and were darker green in colour. Nitrogen also increased the content of chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids per leaf area unit. Different N treatments did not affect the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem 2, as reflected by the high values of Chl fluorescence kinetics F_v/F_m, ranging between 0.81 to 0.84, and F_v/F₀ of 4.30 to 5.10. An increase in photochemical quenching (q_P), accompanied by a decrease in non-photochemical quenching (q_N), was observed in sporophytes fertilized with increased concentrations of NH₄NO₃. Nitrogen availability allowed sporophytes of Acrostichum aureum to become more established under natural condi tions. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of CO2 on growth and photosynthesis of Pyrrosia piloselloides (L.) Price gametophytes

The effects of CO2 concentration on spore germination, growth, and net photosynthetic rate (PN) of gametophytes of a tropical epiphytic fern, Pyrrosia piloselloides, were investigated over a 100-d period. Increasing CO2 concentration stimulated spore germination and enhanced gametophytic growth. The appearance of sexual organs and formation of sporophytes were accelerated with higher CO2 during growth. Radiant energy saturated PN and dark respiration rate also increased with increasing CO2 concentrations during growth.     

Hoary cress (Cardaria draba (L.) Desv.) seed germination ecology,longevity and seedling emergence

The effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), prechilling, temperature, salt stress and osmotic potential on seed germination and sowing depth on seedling emergence and burial depth on seed viability of hoary cress (Cardaria draba (L.) Desv.), were studied in a series of laboratory, glasshouse and outdoor experiments. The optimal temperature for hoary cress seed germination was 20°C, both in light/dark and darkness regimes. Seed germination of hoary cress at 400 ppm concentration of GA₃ in a light/dark regime was maximal. Potassium nitrate concentrations increased the percentage of germination in comparison with the control treatment. Increasing the duration of dry prechilling to 30 and 45 days promoted the seed germination of hoary cress. Germination of hoary cress markedly decreased as salt and drought stress increased. Seed germination of hoary cress occurred at a range of pH from 3 to 11. Seedling emergence significantly decreased as planting depth increased. Total seed viability decreased with increasing burial depth. The maximum increase in mortality occurred in seeds that were buried at 5‐cm depth.     

Potassium nutrition of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties under NaCl salinity

A salt-tolerant (Pokkali) and a salt-sensitive (IR28) variety of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown in a phytotron to investigate the effect of K (0, 25, 50 and 75 mg K kg^–1 soil) application on their salt tolerance. Potassium application significantly increased potential photosynthetic activity (Rfd value), percentage of filled spikelets, yield and K concentration in straw. At the same time, it also significantly reduced Na and Mg concentrations and consequently improved the K/Na, K/Mg and K/Ca ratios. IR28 responded better to K application than Pokkali. Split application of K failed to exert any beneficial effect over basal application.     

NaCl胁迫增强杂交酸模(Rumex K-1)幼苗叶片光系统Ⅱ的耐热性

NaCl胁迫对杂交酸模幼苗光系统Ⅱ(PS Ⅱ)的最大光化学效率没有影响,但是增强了PS Ⅱ的耐热性.热胁迫条件下,与未经盐胁迫处理的叶片相比,经NaCl 200 mmol/L处理的杂交酸模幼苗叶片,其PS Ⅱ最大光化学效率下降较小,反映OEC受伤程度的指标Fk/Fj上升较小.此外,光化学猝灭系数(qP)、PS Ⅱ反应中心光能捕获效率(Fv1/Fm1)、PS Ⅱ光化学转换效率(ΦPS Ⅱ)的下降以及QB-非还原性反应PS Ⅱ反应中心的相对含量上升程度也较小.探讨了盐胁迫增强杂交酸模幼苗叶片PS Ⅱ耐热性的可能机理.     

能源植物杂交狼尾草对NaCl胁迫的响应及其耐盐阈值

以能源植物杂交狼尾草(Pennisetum americanum × P. purpureum)为实验材料, 用沙培盆栽的方法, 分别用0、0.3%、0.5%、0.9%和1.2%的NaCl处理4周后, 测定植株鲜重、干重、含水量、株高、分蘖数和不同部位的离子含量, 以确定其耐盐阈值和耐盐方式。结果表明, 随着NaCl浓度的增加, 杂交狼尾草的鲜重、干重、株高和分蘖数都显著降低, 地上部分鲜重和干重分别在NaCl浓度为0.568%和0.570%时下降了50%, 1.2% NaCl处理的杂交狼尾草几乎全部死掉。表明杂交狼尾草的耐盐阈值为0.57%; 但植株含水量和功能叶的Na⁺含量变化不明显, 老叶Na⁺含量在NaCl浓度为0.9%时明显升高, 是对照的2倍; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 根中的Na⁺含量显著升高, 在NaCl浓度为0.9%时, 根中的Na⁺含量达到对照的3倍以上。Na⁺含量在功能叶, 老叶和根中含量依次升高; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 地上部分和根中的K⁺含量都无明显变化; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 根中的Na⁺/K⁺明显增加, 而地上部分Na⁺/K⁺只有当NaCl浓度为0.9%时明显增加。以上结果表明杂交狼尾草具有一定的耐盐性, 其耐盐方式为拒盐, 耐盐阈值为0.57% (约100 mmol·L^-1)。     

Ecological and evolutionary consequences of desiccation tolerance in tropical fern gametophytes

Ferns have radiated into the same diverse environments as spermatophytes, and have done so with an independent gametophyte that is not protected by the parent plant. The degree and extent of desiccation tolerance (DT) in the gametophytes of tropical fern species was assessed to understand mechanisms that have allowed ferns to radiate into a diversity of habitats. Species from several functional groups were subjected to a series of desiccation events, including varying degrees of intensity and multiple desiccation cycles. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence were used to assess recovery ability and compared with species ecology and gametophyte morphology. It is shown that vegetative DT (rare in vascular plants) is widely exhibited in fern gametophytes and the degree of tolerance is linked to species habitat preference. It is proposed that gametophyte morphology influences water-holding capacity, a novel mechanism that may help to explain how ferns have radiated into drought-prone habitats. Fern gametophytes have often been portrayed as extreme mesophytes with little tolerance for desiccation. The discovery of DT in gametophytes holds potential for improving our understanding of both the controls on fern species distribution and their evolution. It also advances a new system with which to study the evolution of DT in vascular plants.     

An inland and a coastal population of the Mediterranean xero-halophyte species Atriplex halimus L. differ in their ability to accumulate proline and glycinebetaine in response to salinity and water stress

Soil salinity and drought compromise water uptake and lead toosmotic adjustment in xero-halophyte plant species. These importantenvironmental constraints may also have specific effects onplant physiology. Stress-induced accumulation of osmocompatiblesolutes was analysed in two Tunisian populations of the Mediteraneanshrub Atriplex halimus L.—plants originating from a salt-affectedcoastal site (Monastir) or from a non-saline semi-arid area(Sbikha)—were exposed to nutrient solution containingeither low (40 mM) or high (160 mM) doses of NaCl or 15% polyethyleneglycol. The low NaCl dose stimulated plant growth in both populations.Plants from Monastir were more resistant to high salinity andexhibited a greater ability to produce glycinebetaine in responseto salt stress. Conversely, plants from Sbikha were more resistantto water stress and displayed a higher rate of proline accumulation.Proline accumulated as early as 24 h after stress impositionand such accumulation was reversible. By contrast, glycinebetaineconcentration culminated after 10 d of stress and did not decreaseafter the stress relief. The highest salt resistance of Monastirplants was not due to a lower rate of Na⁺ absorption; plantsfrom this population exhibited a higher stomatal conductanceand a prodigal water-use strategy leading to lower water-useefficiency than plants from Sbikha. Exogenous application ofproline (1 mM) improved the level of drought resistance in Monastirplants through a decrease in oxidative stress quantified bythe malondialdehyde concentration, while the exogenous applicationof glycinebetaine improved the salinity resistance of Sbikhaplants through a positive effect on photosystem II efficiency. Key words: Atriplex halimus, glycinebetaine, halophyte, NaCl, osmotic adjustment, proline, salinity, water stress     

渗透胁迫对绿豆叶圆片叶绿素荧光的影响

绿豆叶圆片用0、-0．3、-0．6、-1．2、-1．8、-2．4MPa等6个渗透梯度处理24h后,其叶绿素荧光的反应表明：光系统Ⅱ的潜在量子产量(FD／Fm)和电子传递受体(QA)的库容(pool size)均随胁迫强度的增大而减小,但QA库容的下降明显比Fg／Fm的下降缓和。结合原初荧光Fo和最大荧光Fm的变化,分析认为本实验中渗透胁迫并未导致明显的光系统Ⅱ反应中心的失活或破坏。造成光系统Ⅱ潜在量子效率降低的原因主要是通过光系统Ⅱ反应中心到Ⅱ的电子传递受到阻抑。     

缘管浒苔和浒苔对海水盐度胁迫的生理响应

为探讨大型海藻对盐度的生理响应及其适应机制,以缘管浒苔和浒苔为试验材料,研究了不同盐度的稀释或浓缩海水处理10 d对浒苔属植物鲜质量(FM)、相对生长速率(RGR)、相对电导率(REC)、叶绿素含量(Chl)、类胡萝卜素含量(Car)、色素比值(Chl a/Chl b、Chl/Car)、叶绿素荧光参数和渗透调节能力(OAA)的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,10％ ～ 200％海水处理均明显促进两浒苔属品种的FM和RGR,缘管浒苔和浒苔分别在100％和50％海水处理下的FM和RGR达到最大值;300％海水处理显著抑制两浒苔生长,缘管浒苔受抑制程度较大;缘管浒苔的生物量仅在50％、100％海水处理下呈现正增长,浒苔生物量在10％、50％、100％、200％海水处理下均呈现正增长.10％海水处理下,两浒苔的Chl、Car、Chl a/Chl b显著上升,且随海水盐度的增加,呈现先增后降,缘管浒苔和浒苔的Chl、Car、Chl a/Chl b分别在100％、50％海水处理下达到最大值.随盐度的增加,叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ实际光能转化效率(Yield)、最大相对电子传递速率(rETRmax)、光能利用效率(α)和半饱和光强(Ik)都显示与Chl相同的变化趋势.10％ ～ 300％海水处理下,浒苔属均表现出一定的OAA,缘管浒苔在100％海水处理下,OAA达到最大值,浒苔在50％海水处理下,OAA达到最大值.两浒苔的生长指标除与Chl/Car无明显的相关性,与REC呈极显著负相关,与Chl、Car、Chl a/Chl b、Fv/Fm、Yield、rETRmax、α、Ik、OAA呈极显著正相关.100％和50％海水处理分别对缘管浒苔和浒苔的生长最适宜,浒苔生长适应盐度的范围比缘管浒苔宽.REC、Chl、Car、Chl a/Chl b、Fv/Fm、Yield、rETRmmax、α、Ik和OAA均可以作为浒苔属植物生长盐适应性的评价指标.     

Acclimation and photoprotection of young gametophytes of Acrostichum danaeifolium to UV-B stress

The effect of ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B) on cellular ultrastructure, chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoids, and total phenolics of Acrostichum danaeifolium gametophytes was analyzed. The control group of spores was germinated under standard conditions, while the test group of spores was germinated with additional UV-B for 30 min every day for 34 d. The cell characteristics were preserved in gametophytes irradiated with UV-B, but the number of starch grains increased in the chloroplasts and the more developed grana organization in contrast to the chloroplasts of the control group. Chl a content decreased, while Chl b content increased in the gametophytes cultivated with UV-B for 34 d. Contents of lutein and zeaxanthin decreased and trans-β-carotene concentration was enhanced in the gametophytes irradiated with UV-B. The content of total phenolic compounds increased in the gametophytes cultivated with UV-B. Therefore our data suggest that the gametophytes of A. danaeifolium, a fern endemic to the mangrove biome, were sensitive to enhancement of UV-B radiation at the beginning of their development and they exhibited alterations in their ultrastructure, pigment contents, and protective mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus, when exposed to this radiation.     

Piriformospora indica inoculation alleviates the adverse effect of NaCl stress on growth,gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

• Salinity is now an increasingly serious environmental issue that affects the growth and yield of many plants.
• In the present work, the influence of inoculation with the symbiotic fungus, Piriformospora indica, on gas exchange, water potential, osmolyte content, Na/K ratio and chlorophyll fluorescence of tomato plants under three salinity levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 mm NaCl) and three time periods (5, 10 and 15 days after exposure to salt) was investigated.
• Results indicate that P. indica inoculation improved growth parameters of tomato under salinity stress. This symbiotic fungus significantly increased photosynthetic pigment content under salinity, and more proline and glycine betaine accumulated in inoculated roots than in non‐inoculated roots. P. indica further significantly improved K⁺ content and reduced Na⁺ level under salinity treatment. After inoculation with the endophytic fungus, leaf physiological parameters, such as water potential, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration, were all higher under the salt concentrations and durations compared with controls without P. indica. With increasing salt level and salt treatment duration, values of F₀ and qP increased but F_m, F_v/F_m, F′_v/F′_m and NPQ declined in the controls, while inoculation with P. indica improved these values.
• The results indicate that the negative effects of NaCl on tomato plants were alleviated after P. indica inoculation, probably by improving physiological parameters such as water status and photosynthesis.

     

Regeneration of drought-stressed gametophytes of the epiphytic fern, Pyrrosia pilosellodes (L.) Price

The epiphytic habitat represents a highly dynamic environment, and water deficit is one of the common factors that affects growth and development of epiphytes. Gametophytes of the epiphytic fern, Pyrrosia piloselloides (L.) Price, were able to tolerate up to 50 days of drought. Upon rehydration, cells that recovered from water stress were capable of forming new gametophytes. The ability of gametophytes to recover from desiccation plays an important role in the survival and growth of the fern species under natural conditions. Received: 20 May 1998 / Revision received: 5 August 1998 / Accepted: 21 August 1998     

Increased photoinhibition in dehydrated leaves of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is not accompanied by an incremental loss of functional PSII

We examined the photosynthetic responses to photoinhibition in dehydrated leaves of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Stress was induced by immersing the roots of whole plants in Hoaglands solution containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) under high light (900 μmol photons m^-2 · s^-1). This PEG-treatment lowered the leaf water potential and the maximal rate of photosynthetic O₂ evolution (Pmax) linearly, in a time-dependent manner, to about 50% inhibition after 6 h. Pmax also decreased linearly as the period of high-light treatment lengthened. That inhibitory response was not as extreme, showing about 30% inhibition after 6 h. However, when the treatments of dehydration and high light were simultaneously administered, Pmax decreased more rapidly, in a synergistic fashion, showing about 90% inhibition within 2 h. Dehydration, in contrast to the light treatment, did not lower the maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm). Furthermore, this decline in Fv/Fm for light-treated, dehydrated leaves was almost identical to the response of photoinhibited leaves that were not dehydrated. Similar changes were observed in the number of functional PSII complexes. The decrease in Pmax and the amount of functional PSII was linearly correlated in photoinhibited leaves, but not in dehydrated leaves, regardless of light treatment. Therefore, we have demonstrated that exacerbated photoinhibition in dehydrated leaves occurs without an incremental loss of functional PSII.