Microalgae Improve the Photosynthetic Performance of Rice Seedlings (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) under Physiological Conditions and Cadmium Stress

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on the rice seedlings at physiological conditions and under cadmium (Cd) stress. We examined the effects of C. vulgaris in the nutrient solution on rice seedlings grown hydroponically in the presence and the absence of 150 μM CdCl₂, using the low (77 K) temperature and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence, P700 photooxidation measurements, photochemical activities of both photosystems, kinetic parameters of oxygen evolution, oxidative stress markers (MDA, H₂O₂ and proline), pigment content, growth parameters and Cd accumulation. Data revealed that the application C. vulgaris not only stimulates growth and improves the functions of photosynthetic apparatus under physiological conditions, but also reduces the toxic effect of Cd on rice seedlings. Furthermore, the presence of the green microalgae in the nutrient solution of the rice seedlings during Cd exposure, significantly improved the growth, photochemical activities of both photosystems, the kinetic parameters of the oxygen-evolving reactions, pigment content and decreased lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ and proline content. Data showed that the alleviation of Cd-induced effects in rice seedlings is a result of the Cd sorption by microalgae, as well as the reduced Cd accumulation in the roots and its translocation from the roots to the shoots.     

Improvement of Selected Morphological,Physiological, and Biochemical Parameters of Banana (<i>Musa acuminata</i> L.) Using Potassium Silicate under Drought Stress Condition Grown <i>in vitro</i>

Drought stress has become more common in recent years as a result of climate change impacts on the production of banana crops and other fruit trees. The growth and productivity of Musa spp are severely impacted by the gradual degradation of water resources and the erratic distribution pattern of annual precipitation amount. The aim of the work includes increased drought tolerance in light of water scarcity in the world as a result of the bananas’ being gluttonous for water needs. This investigation was carried out from 2019 to 2020 to study the effect of potassium silicate on morphological growth and biochemical parameters of Musa acuminata L under drought stress by PEG. As a result, drought stress reduced the morphological characteristics such as shoots number, shoot length, roots number, and survival percentage and biochemical characteristics such as chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, stomatal status, and RWC. While proline content increased in the leaf of M. acuminata L. Media complemented with K₂SiO₃ (2 to 6 mM) either individually or in combination with PEG led to an improvement in all morphological and biochemical characteristics. The activities of CAT, POD, and PPO enzymes increased signifi- cantly compared to control. Furthermore, the lowest PPO, CAT, and POD activity were achieved. Additionally, K₂SiO₃ treatments under drought stress successfully enhanced the leaf stomatal behavior. Our results suggest that K₂SiO₃ can help to maintain plant integrity in the tested cultivar under drought stress.     

NaCl胁迫对高丛越橘幼苗生长和光合生理特性的影响

以2年生北高丛越橘‘蓝丰’幼苗为材料,采用温室盆栽法研究了不同浓度(0、50、100、150和200mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫处理50d对其生长、光合作用和叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以鉴定高丛越橘的耐盐性,为盐碱地区的越橘引种、栽培提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)越橘幼苗地上部鲜质量和地下部鲜质量在50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均显著降低;地上部干质量、地下部干质量、总干质量在低于100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均显著降低;在不同浓度NaCl处理下,根冠比与对照均无明显差异。(2)越橘幼苗叶片Chl a、Chl b和总Chl含量在低于100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显降低。(3)越橘叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)在50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,在超过100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显下降;在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔限制值(Ls)明显下降;不同浓度NaCl处理下水分利用效率(WUE)无明显差异;(4)暗适应下最大荧光(Fm)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、潜在光化学效率(Fv/F0)、PSⅡ光量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)在低于150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显下降。研究表明,越橘幼苗具有一定的耐盐能力,能够忍受100mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫,但在高NaCl浓度胁迫下,气孔限制因素是导致Pn下降的主要原因,此外叶片光合机构受损、叶绿素含量显著减少以及光合电子传递受阻而产生的光抑制,也会导致Pn的下降和生物量的降低。     

Differential Effects of Ammonium and Nitrate on Growth Performance of <i>Glechoma longituba</i> under Heterogeneous Cd Stress

Water, minerals, nutrients, etc., can be shared by physiological integration among inter-connected ramets of clonal plants. Nitrogen plays an important role in alleviating cadmium (Cd) stress for clonal plants. But how different forms of nitrogen affect growth performance of clonal plants subjected to heterogeneous Cd stress still remains poorly understood. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the differential effects of ammonium and nitrate on growth performance of Glechoma longituba under heterogeneous Cd stress. In the experiment, parent ramets of Glechoma longituba clonal fragments were respectively supplied with modified Hoagland solution containing 7.5 mM ammonium, 7.5 mM nitrate or the same volume of nutrient solution without nitrogen. Cd solution with different concentrations (0, 0.1 or 2.0 mM) was applied to offspring ramets of the clonal fragments. Compared with control (N-free), nitrogen addition to parent ramets, especially ammonium, significantly improved antioxidant capacity [glutathione (GSH), proline (Pro), peroxidase (POD,) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)], PSII activity [maximum quantum yield of PSII (F_v/F_m) and effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII)], chlorophyll content and biomass accumulation of the offspring ramets suffering from Cd stress. In addition, negative effects of nitrate on growth performance of whole clonal fragments were observed under Cd stress with high concentration (2.0 mM). Transportation or sharing of nitrogen, especially ammonium, can improve growth performance of clonal plants under heterogeneous Cd stress. The experiment provides insight into transmission mechanism of nitrogen among ramets of clonal plants suffering from heterogeneous nutrient supply. Physiological integration might be an important ecological strategy for clonal plants adapting to heterogeneous environment stress conditions.     

Effects of Heat Stress during Seed Filling Stage on <i>Brassica napus</i> Seed Oil Accumulation and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics

As global temperature rise, the threat of heat stress to rapeseed production is becoming more obvious. Exploring the response characteristics of two important biological pathways, oil accumulation and photosynthesis, to heat stress during B. napus seed filling is helpful in the genetic improvement of heat-tolerant rapeseed. The effects of heat stress on seed oil accumulation and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of 29 B. napus germplasms with different oil content and environmental sensitivity, including 6 rapeseed varieties which exhibited environment-sensitive/insensitive and with high, medium or low oil content, were tested by whole plant heat stress or the in vitro silique culture system. Both assay exhibited similar trend on oil content of the rapeseed germplasms. The heat effect on the chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic parameters F_v/F_m, ETR and Y(II) were also consistent. Heat stress significantly decreased oil content, although there was abundant genetic variation on heat tolerance among the genotypes. Correlation analysis showed that the decrease rate of F_v/F_m of silique heat-stressed B. napus developing seed was positive correlative to the decrease rate of mature seed oil content of the whole plant heat-stressed rapeseed (R = 0.9214, P-value < 0.01). Overall, the results indicated that heat stress inhibited oil accumulation and photosynthesis in B. napus developing seed. The decrease rate of chlorophyll fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m of heat-stressed developing seed could be used as the index of heat tolerant rapeseed identification. Further, two heat insensitive rapeseed varieties with high oil content were identified.     

Improved Tolerance of Three Saudi Pearl Millet Cultivars (<i>Pennisetum spicatum</i>) to Salt Stress by Mycorrhiza

Seeds of three Saudi pearl millet cultivars (Pennisetum spicatum) from three regions (Madinah, Khulais and Jaizan) were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae obtained from the Agriculture Research Center of Giza, Egypt to enhance their salt tolerance. Five different NaCl concentrations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mM) were used for treating cultivars with and without mycorrhiza. Growth rates, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), proline content and gas exchange were measured to determine the effect of salinity on these cultivars. The results indicated that compared to cultivars without mycorrhiza, all cultivars with mycorrhiza had enhanced growth and physiological parameters including shoot and root length, area and number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, chlorophyll contents and gas exchanges at 0 and 30 mM of salinity. In addition, the measurements of the different growth rates showed higher growth performance of the cultivars from Madinah and Khulais than the cultivar from Jaizan. However, all cultivars with and without mycorrhiza showed significant reductions in growth rates, chlorophyll contents and gas exchanges at a salinity of 60 mM than those grown at 0 and 30 mM. Moreover, the values of Fv/Fm were significantly reduced in all cultivars with and without mycorrhiza grown at 60 mM than in those grown at 0 mM and 30 mM. Proline contents indicated a progressive increase with the elevation of NaCl concentration stress. The proline contents in the mycorrhiza-inoculated cultivars were significantly higher than those in the non-inoculated cultivars. On the other hand, all cultivars with and without mycorrhiza underwent senescence within four weeks of growth at salinity concentrations of 90 mM and 120 mM. Therefore, relatively low salinity must be maintained to achieve high growth rates and gas exchanges of these inoculated cultivars.     

Comparative Analysis of the Photosynthetic Characteristics and Active Compounds of <i>Semiliquidambar cathayensis</i> Chang Heteromorphic Leaves

In the present study, the variation patterns of leaf shape in different populations of individual Semiliquidambar cathayensis plants were analyzed to investigate the relationship among leaf shape variation, photosynthetic properties, and active compounds to understand the genetic characteristics of S. cathayensis and screen elite germplasms. The leaf shape of 18 offspring from three naturalS. cathayensis populations was analyzed to investigate the level of diversity and variation patterns of leaf shape. Furthermore, photosynthetic pigment content, physiological parameters of photosynthesis, and the active compounds in leaves of different shapes were determined. Statistical analysis showed that the leaf shape variation in  S. cathayensis indicated a high level of genetic diversity among and within the populations. Cluster analysis showed that the three natural populations formed two clusters, one whose offspring was dominated by entire leaves and another characterized by palmately trifoliate leaves. The differences in photosynthetic characteristics and active compounds of leaves of three different shapes were comprehensively evaluated using principal component analysis. Two principal components with a cumulative contribution rate of 92.768% were extracted, of which the highest comprehensive score was for asymmetrically lobed leaves. The leaf shape in different S. cathayensis germplasms exhibited distinct patterns, and there were some correlations between the photosynthetic properties and active compounds in leaves of different shapes. Thus, the leaf shape can be used to predict active compound content, and in turn, select varieties based on that purpose; it also provides a simple and effective method to classify S. cathayensis germplasms.     

The Allelopathic Effects of Sunflower and Wheat Root Exudates on <i>Sinapis arvensis and Sinapis alba</i>

In this study, we aimed to investigate the allelopathic effects ofsunflower and wheat root exudates on the common weeds such as wild mustardand white mustard in our region. The root exudates which were obtained bysoaking 8 weeks old sunflower and wheat seedlings (20 or 40 seedlings) in 100mL of distilled water for 3 days were applied to the leaves of wild mustard andwhite mustard. In order to compare the allelopathic effect, the recommendeddose (1 g.da^-1) and twice the recommended dose (2 g.da^-1) of Gromstor(Tribenuron-methyl), a herbicide preferred by farmers for the chemical control ofthese weeds was also applied. The allelopathy was performed for wild mustardand white mustard seedlings by the measurement of different physiological andbiochemical parameters, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll,carotenoid, proline, total protein amounts and superoxide dismutase enzymeactivity. The amounts of total chl and carotenoid in wild mustard leavesdecreased in all treatment groups compared to control. The highest decrease intotal chl (50.93%) and carotenoid (46.69%) was oberved in the treatment of 40wheat seedlings. 100 mL^-1 distilled water. In the white mustard leaves, theamount of total chl in all treatment groups except the treatment group ofGromstor 2 g.da^-1 and carotenoid in all treatment groups increased compared tothe control. The highest increases again were observed in 40 wheat seedlings.100 mL^-1 distilled water treatment. The proline amounts in wild mustard andwhite mustard increased in all treatment groups. The highest increase wasobserved for the treatment of 20 wheat seedlings. 100 mL^-1 distilled water inwild mustard (459.69%) and 40 sunflower seedlings. 100 mL^-1 distilled water inwhite mustard plant (104.70%). In superoxide dismutase enzyme activities,treatments decreased activity except treatment of 40 sunflower seedling rootexudate in wild mustard, while increased activity outside commercial herbicidetreatment in white mustard. The results showed that sunflower and wheat rootexudates have allelopathic effects on wild mustard and white mustard weeds. Itis thought that the study will be a reference for new studies that will enable theuse of plant root exudates as bioherbicides or foliar fertilizers and will contributeto the fight against weeds in organic agriculture.     

<i>Azospirillum brasilense</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as Alternative for Decrease the Effect of Salinity Stress in Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) Growth

The salinity stress is one of the most relevant abiotic stresses that affects the agricultural production. The present study was performed to study the improvement of the salt tolerance of tomato plants which is known for their susceptibility to salt stress. The present study aimed to assess to what extent strain Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae improve the salt tolerance to tomato plants treated with different salt concentration. The inoculant strain A. brasilense (N040) was previously adapted to survive up to 7% NaCl in the basal media. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of this inoculation on growth parameter such as: plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, fruits fresh weight, chlorophyll content, proline and total soluble sugar in tomato plants under salt stress condition. The results revealed that co-inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly increased the level of proline (8.63 mg/g FW) and total soluble sugar (120 mg/g FW) of leaves under salinity condition comparing to non-inoculated plants (2.3 mg/g FW and 70 mg/g FW, respectively). Plants co-inoculated with adapted strain of A. brasilense and S. cerevisiae showed the highest significant (p < 0.01) increase in fruit yield (1166.6 g/plant), plant high (115 cm) and roots length (52.6) compared whit un-inoculated control plants (42 g/pant, 43.3 cm and 29.6 cm, respectively). In contrast, Na⁺ ion content was significantly decreased in the leaves of salt stressed plants treated with the A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae. Finally, the results showed that dual benefits provided by both A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae can provide a major way to improve tomato yields in saline soils.     

Effects of <i>Piriformospora indica</i> on the Respiration of <i>Taxus chinensis</i> var. <i>mairei</i> under Water Stress

Seedlings of Taxus chinensis var. mairei were used as experimental materials to study the adaptation of Piriformospora indica to this plant under water stress. The materials were divided into two groups, namely, with or without inoculation with P. indica. Each group was subjected to four different levels of water stress. Vitality and physiological and biochemical indexes of the roots of T. chinensis var. mairei were regularly measured. Under water stress, T. chinensis var. mairei had significantly decreased root vitality; root vitality was higher in inoculated roots than in uninoculated roots. Under intense water stress, the inoculated roots had a higher soluble sugar content than the uninoculated roots. Under water stress, T. chinensis var. mairei experienced decreased activity of aerobic respiratory metabolic enzymes. The activity of anaerobic respiratory metabolic enzymes and alcohol dehydrogenase initially increased and then decreased, whereas that of lactate dehydrogenase increased. The inoculated roots had a higher activity of respiratory metabolic enzymes than the uninoculated roots. As water stress was further intensified, the roots had significantly decreased activity of aerobic respiratory metabolic enzymes and significantly increased activity of anaerobic respiratory metabolic enzymes. The activity of respiratory metabolic enzymes decreased faster in the uninoculated roots than in the inoculated roots. This study demonstrated that Piriformospora indica plays a positive role in enhancing the antihypoxic ability of T. chinensis var. mairei, thereby alleviating plant damage due to water stress.     

An <i>in Vitro</i> Approach to Investigate the Role of Abscisic Acid in Alleviating the Negative Effects of Chilling Stress on Banana Shoots

Banana is a tropical crop cultivated in warm places. Chilling stress in Egypt is making banana crops less productive. Abscisic acid (ABA), a key plant hormone, regulates metabolic and physiological processes and protects plants from a variety of stresses. In vitro growing banana shoots were pre-treated with ABA at four concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mM) and chilled at 5°C for 24 h, followed by a six-day recovery period at 25°C. By comparing ABA treatments to both positive and negative controls, physiological and biochemical changes were investigated. Chilling stress (5°C) caused a considerable increase in lipid peroxidation and ion leakage and reduced photosynthetic pigments in cold-treated plantlets. Increasing the concentration of ABA to 100 µM enhanced the response to chilling stress. ABA had a major effect on mitigating chilling injury in banana shoots by keeping cell membranes stable and lowering the amount of ion leakage and lipid peroxidation. Also, ABA significantly maintained the photosynthetic pigment concentration of banana shoots; accumulated higher amounts of total soluble carbohydrates and proline; and increased DPPH radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, ABA treatment enhanced cold tolerance in chilling-stressed banana shoots through the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity. Overall, the results show that ABA is a good choice for protecting banana shoots from the damage caused by chilling stress.     

干旱对紫色小白菜光合特性及营养品质的影响

以‘紫薇’不结球紫色小白菜为试验材料,采用盆栽控水试验,设置正常水分供应、轻度干旱、中度干旱和重度干旱4个干旱处理,测定了紫色小白菜植株营养品质和光合色素含量、光合与叶绿素荧光参数等指标,研究不同干旱胁迫处理对紫色小白菜光合特性及营养品质的影响。结果表明:(1)紫色小白菜叶片花青苷、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、维生素C含量均随干旱处理程度的加重呈先升高后下降的趋势,并均在轻度干旱下达到最大值。(2)随着干旱处理程度的加重,紫色小白菜叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素(a+b)和类胡萝卜素含量均呈先缓慢上升后急剧下降的变化规律,且均于轻度干旱下达到最大值。(3)随着干旱处理程度的加重,紫色小白菜叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)均呈逐渐下降的趋势,而瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)表现出先升后降的趋势。(4)随着干旱处理程度的加重,紫色小白菜叶片以吸收光能为基础的性能指数(PI_(ABS))逐渐降低,而单位反应中心吸收的光能(ABS/RC)、单位反应中心捕获的光能(TR_O/RC)、单位反应中心传递的能量(ET_O/RC)、单位反应中心热耗散的能量(DI_O/RC)以及单位面积捕获的光能(TR_O/CS)、单位面积的热耗散(DI_O/CS)均呈现逐渐上升的趋势;叶片中PSⅡ最大光化学效率(ψ_(PO))、将电子传递到电子传递链中QA-下游的其他电子受体的概率(ψ_O)、反应中心吸收的光能用于电子传递的量子产额(ψ_(EO))值均随着干旱处理的加重呈先缓慢下降后急剧下降的趋势,受体侧J相的相对可变荧光(V_J)增幅比供体K相可变荧光占J相可变荧光的比例(W_K)大,PSⅡ受体侧受到的胁迫伤害大于供体侧。研究表明,干旱处理迫使紫色小白菜光合特性及品质都出现一定的变化,轻度干旱胁迫处理能增加紫色小白菜花青苷及其光合色素的含量,并提高净光合速率,进而改善植株的营养品质,值得在紫色小白菜耐旱生产中推广应用。     

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

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

灌浆期热胁迫对小麦不同绿色器官光合性能的影响

以4个冬小麦（Triticum aestivem L.）品种（“JD8”、“Jing411”、“Centurk”和“Tam202”）为材料,研究灌浆期热胁迫对旗叶叶片、旗叶鞘、穗下节间、护颖、外疑和芒的光合性能和籽粒产量的影响。结果表明：灌浆期对泪科进行热锻炼也能增加其耐热性且各绿色器官间耐热性差异显。耐热性较强的器官为穗下节间、旗叶鞘和护颖;热敏感器官为旗叶叶片、外颖和芒。热胁迫条件下,穗下节间1旗叶鞘和护颖的细胞膜热稳定性强,光系统Ⅱ原初光能转换效率（Fv/Fm）下降速率以及叶绿素和类胡萝卜素降解速率均低于旗叶叶片、外颖和瓦,穗的净光合速率下降幅度小于旗叶。热胁迫过程中,相对耐热品种“JD8”各器官上述光合参数的下降速度均显低于其他3个热敏感品种。     

Estimation of Growth and Photosynthetic Performance of Two C₄ Species (<i>Pennisetum spicatum</i> (L.) Körn. and <i>Zea mays</i> L.) under a Low Temperature Treatment

Pearl millet (Pennisetum spicatum (L.) Körn.) and maize (Zea mays L.) are C₄ grass species grown for feeding humans and animals in Almadinah Almunawwarah, which is in the western part of Saudi Arabia. During the winter, the mean temperature, which drops to 14°C, represents a major problem for the growth of these species in this region. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to investigate the growth response and the photosynthetic performance of P. spicatum and Z. mays under a low temperature stress. The treatments involved daytime and nighttime temperatures of 14/12°C (low temperature) and 24/22°C (optimum temperature). The results indicated that low temperature significantly reduced all growth and physiological parameters, including seed germination, leaf expansion, leaf area, shoot length and root length of the two species compared to those of the control. Additionally, the low temperature significantly decreased the light-saturated assimilation rate (A_sat), quantum yield (ϕ), saturated rate of carbon dioxide uptake (A_max) and efficiency of carboxylation on both species compared to those of the control. Moreover, the values of Fv/Fm and the chlorophyll contents of both species were significantly reduced by low temperature compared to those of the control. It can be concluded that both species had little tolerance to low temperatures.     

<i>DWARF</i> and <i>SMALL SEED1</i>, a Novel Allele of <i>OsDWARF</i>, Controls Rice Plant Architecture,Seed Size,and Chlorophyll Biosynthesis

Plant architecture is a vital agronomic trait to control yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A dwarf and small seed 1 (dss1) mutant were obtained from the ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized progeny of a Guizhou glutinous landrace cultivar, Lipingzabianhe. The dss1 mutant displayed phenotypes similar to those of brassinosteroid (BR) deficient mutants, such as dwarfing, dark green and rugose erect leaves, small seeds, and loner neck internode panicles with primary branching. In our previous study, the underlying DSS1 gene was isolated, a novel allele of OsDWARF (OsBR6ox) that encodes a cytochrome P450 protein involved in the BR biosynthetic pathway by MutMap technology. In this work, we confirmed that a Thr335Ile amino acid substitution residing in DSS1/OsDWARF was responsible for the dwarf, panicle architecture, and small seed phenotypes in the dss1 mutants by genetic transformation experiments. The overexpression of OsDWARF in the dss1 mutant background could not only recover dss1 to the normal plant height and panicle architecture but also rescued normal leaf angles, seed size, and leaf color. Thus, the specific mutation in DSS1/OsDWARF influenced plant architecture, seed size, and chlorophyll biosynthesis.     

Effects of Barium Stress in <i>Brassica juncea</i> and <i>Cakile maritima</i>: The Indicator Role of Some Antioxidant Enzymes and Secondary Metabolites

Soil contamination by toxic trace metal elements, like barium (Ba), may stimulate various undesirable changes in the metabolic activity of plants. The plant responses are fast and with, direct or indirect, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To cope with the stress imposed by the ROS production, plants developed a dual cellular system composed of enzymatic and non-enzymatic players that convert ROS, and their by-products, into stable nontoxic molecules. To assess the Ba stress response of two Brassicaceae species (Brassica juncea, a glycophyte, and Cakile maritime, a halophyte), plants were exposure to different Ba concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 500 μM). The plants response was evaluated through their morphology and development, the determination of plant leaves antioxidant enzymatic activities and by the production of plants secondary metabolites. Results indicated that the two Brassicaceae species have the ability to survive in an environment containing Ba (even at 500 μM). The biomass production of C. maritima was slightly affected whereas an increase in biomass B. juncea was noticed. The stress imposed by Ba activated the antioxidant defense system in the two species, noticed by the changes in the leaves activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaicol peroxidase (GPX), and of the secondary metabolites, through the production of total phenols and flavonoids. The enzymatic response was not similar within the two plant species: CAT and APX seem to have a more important role against the oxidative stress in C. maritima while in B. juncea is GPX. Overall, total phenols and flavonoids production was more significant in the plants aerial part than in the roots, of the both species. Although the two Brassicaceae species response was different, in both plants catalytic and non-catalytic transformation of ROS occurs, and both were able to overcome the Ba toxicity and prevent the cell damage.     

Low temperature stress modifies the photochemical efficiency of a tropical tree species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis>: effects of varying concentration of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and photon flux density

Two clones of Hevea brasiliensis (RRII 105 and PB 235) were grown for one year in two distinct agroclimatic locations (warmer and colder, W and C) in peninsular India. We simultaneously measured gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence on fully mature intact leaves at different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) and ambient CO₂ concentrations (C _a) and at constant ambient O₂ concentration (21 %). Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), apparent quantum yield for CO₂ assimilation (Φ_c), in vivo carboxylation efficiency (CE), and photosystem 2 quantum yield (Φ_PS2) were low in plants grown in C climate and these reductions were more predominant in RRII 105 than in PB 235 which was also reflected in their growth. We estimated in these clones the partitioning of photosynthetic electrons between CO₂ reduction (J_A) and processes other than CO₂ reduction (J^*) at low and high PPFDs and C _a. At high C _a (700 µmol mol⁻¹) most of the photosynthetic electrons were used for CO₂ assimilation and negligible amount went for other processes when PPFD was low (200–300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) both in the C and W climates. But at high PPFD (900-1 100 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), J^* was appreciably high even at a high C _a. Hence at normal ambient C _a and high irradiance, electrons can be generated in the photosynthetic apparatus far in excess of what can be safely utilised for photosynthetic CO₂ reduction. However, at high C _a there was increased diversion of electrons to photosynthetic CO₂ reduction which resulted in improved photosynthetic parameters even in plants grown in C climate.