Effect of sulphate nutrition on arsenic translocation and photosynthesis of rice seedlings

The effect of sulphate nutrition on arsenic (As) concentration, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of rice was investigated in hydroponically grown rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.), using three sulphate levels (1.8 μM, 0.7 mM, or 1.5 mM). The results showed that sulphate deficiency decreased As accumulation in root, but increased the translocation of As from root to shoot. Sulphate deficiency reduced maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), minimum fluorescence and electron transport rate (ETR) of a dark-adapted leaf. Compared with low sulphate treatments (1.8 μM), significant increases were observed in the parameters of rapid light curves, rETR_max and I _k of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) of rice grown in the high sulphate treatments (1.5 mM) regardless of As additions. Therefore, an adequately high sulphate supply may result in less As translocation from root to shoot, and protecting the reaction pathways of PSI and PSII of rice seedlings grown in higher As-contaminated medium.     

Enhanced Phytoextraction by As Hyperaccumulator Isatis cappadocica Spiked with Sodium Nitroprusside

The present study investigates the possible role of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) supplementation as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on increasing phytoextraction and phytoremediation ability of arsenic hyperaccumulator, Isatis cappadocica. Arsenate (500, 1000 and 1500 µM) alone or in combination with 200 µM SNP was given to hydroponically grown plants for 14 days. The highest level of arsenate (1500 µM) reduced the plant growth and chlorophyll content, while SNP alleviated these inhibitory effects. The application of SNP significantly increased the As concentration in the root (from 1004 to 1943 mg/kg) and shoots (from 1304 to 1859 mg/kg) compared with As-stressed plants. However, SNP treatment did not affect translocation factor value significantly in the As-stressed plants which shows enhancement of both As uptake and translocation under SNP application. This is the first study demonstrating the favorable effects of SNP on As tolerance, uptake, and accumulation of highly valuable As hyperaccumulator, I. cappadocica.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of female vegetative tissues of Porphyra katadai var. hemiphylla (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in culture

In this study, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (?F/F _m′, F _v/F _m) and oxygen evolution of female vegetative tissues of Porphyra katadai var. hemiphylla in unisexual culture (FV) and in mixed culture with male vegetative tissues (FV-M) were followed at 5–20 °C, 10 and 80 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1. The formation of reproductive tissues was closely correlated with decreasing photosynthetic activities. At the same temperature the tissues cultured under 80 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 showed a greater extent of maturation than those under 10 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, and their decrease in photosynthesis was also larger. Under the same light intensity the extent of maturation increased with increasing temperature, and both cultures showed higher values of ?F/F _m′ and F _v/F _m at 10 and 15 °C, while their oxygen evolution became negative at 15–20 °C during the later period. Under the same culture condition the maturation of FV-M culture was relatively faster than that of FV culture, while their photosynthetic activity, especially ?F/F _m′, was lower.     

Physiological responses of phytoplankton communities in the Irish Sea to simulated upwelling

Understanding the dynamics of upwelling systems, especially the interactions between nutrients and light, has benefited from the application of models of varying complexity. Validation of such models using unialgal cultures or field observations has often proven difficult, but short-term incubations of contained natural assemblages and use of instantaneous physiological indicators offer an alternative approach. In May and June 1996, phytoplankton communities deep in the euphotic zone were sampled from nearly identical physical environments. Replicate samples (20 l volume) were incubated on deck at 50% surface irradiance with either no nutrient additions (Controls) or additions of 20 μM nitrate (Enrichments). Over 24 h, variable fluorescence (F _v:F _m), nitrate reductase activity (NR), nutrients, chlorophyll a and particulate C and N were monitored. Initial chlorophyll a (～3 μg l^?1), phosphate (～0.2 μM), nitrate (～1.5 μM) and silicate (～3 μM) were similar in both months. Changes in NR and F _v:F _m indicated clear physiological responses to changes in irradiance and added nitrate that differed between months. In May, Controls and Enrichments responded in the same way. F _v:F _m stayed constant (0.5), chlorophyll a increased slightly, and NR activity increased markedly in all samples. In contrast, in June, treatments responded quite differently. F _v:F _m was near the theoretical maximum (0.7–0.8) initially and remained constant in Enrichments, but fell sharply in Controls. Declines in controls were also seen for chlorophyll a, and NR activity. Thus, the addition of 20 μM nitrate had a significant effect even though ambient levels of nitrate (>1 μM) should not have been limiting. Small (<20 μm) flagellates predominated in the May samples, but in June large and chain-forming centric diatoms constituted a significant proportion of the phytoplankton community. We conclude that the response of a phytoplankton community to environmental changes can depend on factors that are poorly represented by bulk measurements of chlorophyll, nutrients and particulate elements.     

Effect of Fluoride on Arsenic Uptake from Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater using Pteris vittata L.

High-arsenic groundwater in inland basins usually contains high concentrations of fluoride. In the present study, the effects of fluoride on arsenic uptake by Pteris vittata and on arsenic transformation in growth media were investigated under greenhouse conditions. After P. vittata was hydroponically exposed to 66.8 μM As (V) in the presence of 1.05 mM F^? in the form of NaF, KF, or NaF+KF for 10 d, no visible toxicity symptoms were observed, and there were not significant differences in the dry biomass among the four treatments. The results showed that P. vittata tolerated F^? concentrations as high as 1.05 mM but did not accumulate fluoride in their own tissues. Arsenic uptake was inhibited in the presence of 1.05 mM F^?. However, in hydroponic batches with 60 μM As (III) or 65 μM As (V), it was found that 210.6 and 316.0 μM F^? promoted arsenic uptake. As(III) was oxidized to As(V) in the growth media in the presence and absence of plants, and F^? had no effect on the rate of As(III) transformation. These experiments demonstrated that P. vittata was a good candidate to remediate arsenic-contaminated groundwater in the presence of fluoride. Our results can be used to develop strategies to remediate As-F-contaminated water using P. vittata.     

Function of the photosynthetic apparatus of oilseed winter rape under elicitation by Phoma lingam phytotoxins in relation to carotenoid and phenolic levels

Stem canker (blackleg) caused by fungus Leptosphaeria maculans/L. biglobosa is one of the most damaging diseases of oilseed winter rape crops. Some winter oilseed rape varieties (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera ‘Bojan’, ‘Lisek’, ‘Liclassic’) that differ in blackleg resistance have been chosen for the experiment. In all tested cultivars during growth on a medium with a fungal elicitor, a distinct reduction in the length of the stems, the roots and the entire length of the seedlings was observed. However, only in the case of the ‘Liclassic’ cultivar, fresh and dry weight were reversibly affected during elicitation. The cultivar ‘Liclassic’, recognized as blackleg mildly resistant, was characterized by the most efficient photosynthetic apparatus under toxin elicitation. The efficient adaptation of photosynthetic apparatus in this cultivar was accompanied by an increase in the content of phenolics, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Only for ‘Liclassic’, did most of the measured parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (F _v′/F _m′, Φ_PSII, q _P and q _N) exhibit a statistically significant correlation with regard to the level of carotenoids. Therefore, in‘Liclassic’, the observed increase in carotenoid content seems to be a significant biochemical factor which can raise the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus under elicitation by Phoma lingam toxins.     

Exogenously applied nitrate improves the photosynthetic performance and nitrogen metabolism in tomato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">lycopersicum</Emphasis> L. cv Pusa Rohini) under arsenic (V) toxicity

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) being a widespread and most commonly consumed vegetable all over the world has an important economic value for its producers and related food industries. It is a serious matter of concern as its production is affected by arsenic present in soil. So, the present study, investigated the toxicity of As(V) on photosynthetic performance along with nitrogen metabolism and its alleviation by exogenous application of nitrate. Plants were grown under natural conditions using soil spiked with 25 mg and 20 mM, As(V) and nitrate, respectively. Our results revealed that plant growth indices, photosynthetic pigments, and other major photosynthetic parameters like net photosynthetic rate and maximum quantum efficiency (F _v /F _m ) of photosystem II (PSII) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced under As(V) stress. However, nitrate application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) alleviated As(V) toxicity by improving the aforesaid plant responses and also restored the abnormal shape of guard cells. Nitrogen metabolism was assessed by studying the key nitrogen-metabolic enzymes. Exogenous nitrate revamped nitrogen metabolism through a major impact on activities of NR, NiR, GS and GOGAT enzymes and also enhanced the total nitrogen and NO content while malondialdehyde content, and membrane electrolytic leakage were remarkably reduced. Our study suggested that exogenous nitrate application could be considered as a cost effective approach in ameliorating As(V) toxicity.     

The effect of NBD-Cl in nucleotide-binding of the major subunit α and B of the motor proteins F<Subscript>1</Subscript>F<Subscript>O</Subscript> ATP synthase and A<Subscript>1</Subscript>A<Subscript>O</Subscript> ATP synthase

Subunit α of the Escherichia coli F₁F_O ATP synthase has been produced, and its low-resolution structure has been determined. The monodispersity of α allowed the studies of nucleotide-binding and inhibitory effect of 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) to ATP/ADP-binding. Binding constants (K _d ) of 1.6 μM of bound MgATP-ATTO-647N and 2.9 μM of MgADP-ATTO-647N have been determined from fluorescence correlation spectroscopy data. A concentration of 51 μM and 55 μM of NBD-Cl dropped the MgATP-ATTO-647N and MgADP-ATTO-647N binding capacity to 50% (IC₅₀), respectively. In contrast, no effect was observed in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. As subunit α is the homologue of subunit B of the A₁A_O ATP synthase, the interaction of NBD-Cl with B of the A-ATP synthase from Methanosarcina mazei Gö1 has also been shown. The data reveal a reduction of nucleotide-binding of B due to NBD-Cl, resulting in IC₅₀ values of 41 μM and 42 μM for MgATP-ATTO-647N and MgADP-ATTO-647N, respectively.     

Brassinosteroids protect photosynthesis and antioxidant system of eggplant seedlings from high-temperature stress

The effects of 24-epibrassinolide under high temperature in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seedlings were studied by investigating the plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and antioxidant systems. High temperature significantly inhibited the plant growth and markedly decreased the chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, while it increased intercellular CO₂ concentration. In a similar manner, high temperature also decreased significantly maximum quantum efficiency of PSII, potential photochemical efficiency, the quantum efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching, the excitation capture efficiency of open centers, and increased non-photochemical quenching. Application of 0.05–0.2 μM EBR remarkably promoted the plant growth and alleviated high-temperature-induced inhibition of photosynthesis. Under high temperature, reactive oxygen species levels and lipid peroxidation were markedly increased, which were remarkably inhibited by application of 0.05–0.2 μM EBR. The activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, and contents of ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione were significantly increased during high-temperature treatments, and these increases were more pronounced than those of EBR at 0.05–0.2 μM treatment. The EBR treatment also greatly enhanced contents of proline, soluble sugar and protein under high-temperature stress. Taken together, it can be concluded that 0.05–0.2 μM EBR could alleviate the detrimental effects of high temperatures on plant growth by increasing photosynthetic efficiency and enhancing antioxidant enzyme systems. Addition of 0.1 μM EBR had the best ameliorative effect against high temperature, while the addition of 0.4 μM EBR had no significant effects.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics, photosynthetic activity, and pigment composition of blue-shade and half-shade leaves as compared to sun and shade leaves of different trees

The chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence induction kinetics, net photosynthetic CO₂ fixation rates P _N, and composition of photosynthetic pigments of differently light exposed leaves of several trees were comparatively measured to determine the differences in photosynthetic activity and pigment adaptation of leaves. The functional measurements were carried out with sun, half-shade and shade leaves of seven different trees species. These were: Acer platanoides L., Ginkgo biloba L., Fagus sylvatica L., Platanus x acerifolia Willd., Populus nigra L., Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata Mill. In three cases (beech, ginkgo, and oak), we compared the Chl fluorescence kinetics and photosynthetic rates of blue-shade leaves of the north tree crown receiving only blue sky light but no direct sunlight with that of sun leaves. In these cases, we also determined in detail the pigment composition of all four leaf types. In addition, we determined the quantum irradiance and spectral irradiance of direct sunlight, blue skylight as well as the irradiance in half shade and full shade. The results indicate that sun leaves possess significantly higher mean values for the net CO₂ fixation rates P _N (7.8–10.7 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 leaf area) and the Chl fluorescence ratio R _Fd (3.85–4.46) as compared to shade leaves (mean P _N of 2.6–3.8 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 leaf area.; mean R _Fd of 1.94–2.56). Sun leaves also exhibit higher mean values for the pigment ratio Chl a/b (3.14–3.31) and considerably lower values for the weight ratio total chlorophylls to total carotenoids, (a + b)/(x + c), (4.07–4.25) as compared to shade leaves (Chl a/b 2.62–2.72) and (a + b)/(x + c) of 5.18–5.54. Blue-shade and half-shade leaves have an intermediate position between sun and shade leaves in all investigated parameters including the ratio F _v/F _o (maximum quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry) and are significantly different from sun and shade leaves but could not be differentiated from each other. The mean values of the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd of blue-shade and half-shade leaves fit well into the strong linear correlation with the net photosynthetic rates P _N of sun and shade leaves, thus unequivocally indicating that the determination of the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R _Fd is a fast and indirect measurement of the photosynthetic activity of leaves. The investigations clearly demonstrate that the photosynthetic capacity and pigment composition of leaves and chloroplasts strongly depend on the amounts and quality of light received by the leaves.     

Aluminum resistance in wheat involves maintenance of leaf Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> content,decreased lipid peroxidation and Al accumulation,and low photosystem II excitation pressure

The phytotoxic aluminum species (Al³⁺) is considered as the primary factor limiting crop productivity in over 40 % of world’s arable land that is acidic. We evaluated the responses of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) with differential Al resistance, cv. Yecora E (Al-resistant) and cv. Dio (Al-sensitive), exposed to 0, 37, 74 and 148 μM Al for 14 days in hydroponic culture at pH 4.5. With increasing Al concentration, leaf Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content decreased, as well as the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Φ _PSII ), while a gradual increase in leaf membrane lipid peroxidation, Al accumulation, photoinhibition (estimated as F _v /F _m ), and PSII excitation pressure (1 ? q _p ) occurred. However, the Al-resistant cultivar with lower Al accumulation, retained larger concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the leaves and kept a larger fraction of the PSII reaction centres (RCs) in an open configuration, i.e. a higher ratio of oxidized to reduced quinone A (Q_A), than plants of the Al-sensitive cultivar. Four times higher Al concentration in the nutrient solution was required for Al-resistant plants (148 μM Al) than for Al-sensitive (37 μM Al), in order to establish the same closed RCs. Yet, the decline in photosynthetic efficiency in the cultivar Dio was not only due to closure of PSII RCs but also to a decrease in the quantum yield of the open RCs. We suggest that Al³⁺ toxicity may be mediated by nutrient deficiency and oxidative stress, and that Al-resistance of the wheat cultivar Yecora E, may be due at least partially, from the decreased Al accumulation that resulted to decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. However, under equal internal Al accumulation (exposure Al concentration: Dio 74 μM, Yecora E 148 μM) that resulted to the same oxidative stress, the reduced PSII excitation pressure and the better PSII functioning of the Al-resistant cultivar was probably due to the larger concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the leaves. We propose that the different sensitivities of wheat cultivars to Al³⁺ toxicity can be correlated to differences in the redox state of Q_A. Thus, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements can be a promising tool for rapid screening of Al resistance in wheat cultivars.     

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Ameliorates the Growth, Photosynthetic Gas Exchange Capacity, and Ultrastructural Changes Under Cadmium Stress in Brassica napus L.

Heavy-metal toxicity in soil is one of the major constraints for oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production. One of the best ways to overcome this constraint is the use of growth regulators to induce plant tolerance. Response to cadmium (Cd) toxicity in combination with a growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), was investigated in oilseed rape grown hydroponically in greenhouse conditions under three levels of Cd (0, 100, and 500 μM) and three levels of foliar application of ALA (0, 12.5, and 25 mg l^?1). Cd decreased plant growth and the chlorophyll concentration in leaves. Foliar application of ALA improved plant growth and increased the chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of Cd-stressed plants. Significant reductions in photosynthetic parameters were observed by the addition of Cd alone. Application of ALA improved the net photosynthetic and gas exchange capacity of plants under Cd stress. ALA also reduced the Cd content in shoots and roots, which was elevated by high concentrations of Cd. The microscopic studies of leaf mesophyll cells under different Cd and ALA concentrations showed that foliar application of ALA significantly ameliorated the Cd effect and improved the structure of leaf mesophyll cells. However, the higher Cd concentration (500 μM) could totally damage leaf structure, and at this level the nucleus and intercellular spaces were not established as well; the cell membrane and cell wall were fused to each other. Chloroplasts were totally damaged and contained starch grains. However, foliar application of ALA improved cell structure under Cd stress and the visible cell structure had a nucleus, cell wall, and cell membrane. These results suggest that under 15-day Cd-induced stress, application of ALA helped improve plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic gas exchange capacity, and ultrastructural changes in leaf mesophyll cells of the rape plant.     

An approach to develop a model for describing the influence of fluoride-contaminated irrigation water on physiological responses in poplar (Populus deltoides clone S7C15)

The physiological responses pertaining to influence of fluoride-contaminated irrigation water (100–500 ppm) on 6-week-old seedlings of Populus deltoides, a fast growing tree crop in northern India are investigated. It is observed that the various fluoride concentrations in irrigation water are directly proportional to the changes in the physiological responses. The reduction in stomatal conductance is found higher (~57 %) in relation to photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation (~38 %) and chlorophyll fluorescence yield (~12 %) in fluoride-contaminated (100 ppm) irrigation. Similarly, impaired values for g _s (75 %), P _N (55 %), and F _v/F _m (18 %) are also triggered by higher level of fluoride-contaminated (200 ppm) irrigation. Further higher dose of fluoride (500 ppm) contaminated irrigation water could severely minimize the physiological responses viz., g _s, P _N and F _v/F _m ca. 86, 65, and 36 %. A mathematical model developed based on the changes in rates of stomatal conductance (Δg _s/ΔC), photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation (ΔP _N/ΔC) and chlorophyll fluorescence yield (ΔF _v/F _m/ΔC), which has shown straight line relationship, and was verified with average deviations from 1.86 to 5.87 %. The calculated physiological responses influenced by fluoride irrigation on poplar seedlings are also verified with developed model. The governing equation suggests the existence of functional relationship between physiological responses and applied fluoride treatment doses. Hence, the cultivation of poplar crop may be designed precisely in fluoride affected areas to boost and sustain agro-socio economy.     

Cytokinin-induced changes in the chlorophyll content and fluorescence of in vitro apple leaves

Cytokinins (CKs) are one of the main regulators of in vitro growth and development and might affect the developmental state and function of the photosynthetic apparatus of in vitro shoots. Effects of different cytokinin regimes including different types of aromatic cytokinins, such as benzyl-adenine, benzyl-adenine riboside and 3-hydroxy-benzyladenine alone or in combination were studied on the capacity of the photosynthetic apparatus and the pigment content of in vitro apple leaves after 3 weeks of culture. We found that the type of cytokinins affected both chlorophyll a and b contents and its ratio. Chlorophyll content of in vitro apple leaves was the highest when benzyl-adenine was applied as a single source of cytokinin in the medium (1846–2176 μg/1 g fresh weight (FW) of the leaf). Increasing the concentration of benzyl-adenine riboside significantly decreased the chlorophyll content of the leaves (from 1923 to 1183 μg/1 g FW). The highest chl a/chl b ratio was detected after application of meta-topolin (TOP) at concentrations of 2.0 and 6.0 μM (2.706 and 2.804). Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured both in dark-adapted (F_v/F_m test) and in light-adapted leaf samples (Yield test; Y(II)). The maximum quantum yield and efficiency of leaves depended on the cytokinin source of the medium varied between 0.683 and 0.861 (F_v/F_m) indicating a well-developed and functional photosynthetic apparatus. Our results indicate that the type and concentration of aromatic cytokinins applied in the medium affect the chlorophyll content of the leaves in in vitro apple shoots. Performance of the photosynthetic apparatus measured by chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves was also modified by the cytokinin supply. This is the first ever study on the relationship between the cytokinin supply and the functionability of photosystem II in plant tissue culture and our findings might help to increase plantlet survival after transfer to ex vitro conditions.     

Nitric oxide (NO) counteracts cadmium induced cytotoxic processes mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Brassica juncea: cross-talk between ROS, NO and antioxidant responses

Research on NO in plants has achieved huge attention in recent years mainly due to its function in plant growth and development under biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, we investigated Cd induced NO generation and its relationship to ROS and antioxidant regulation in Brassica juncea. Cd accumulated rapidly in roots and caused oxidative stress as indicated by increased level of lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ thus, inhibiting the overall plant growth. It significantly decreased the root length, leaf water content and photosynthetic pigments. A rapid induction in intracellular NO was observed at initial exposures and low concentrations of Cd. A 2.74-fold increase in intracellular NO was recorded in roots treated with 25 μM Cd than control. NO effects on Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and on antioxidant system was investigated by using sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor and a scavenger, [2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylinidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide] (cPTIO). Roots pretreated with 5 mM SNP for 6 h when exposed to 25 μM Cd for 24 h reduced the level of proline, non-protein thiols, SOD, APX and CAT in comparison to only Cd treatments. However, this effect was almost blocked by 100 μM cPTIO pretreatment to roots for 1 h. This ameliorating effect of NO was specific because cPTIO completely reversed the effect in the presence of Cd. Thus, the present study report that NO strongly counteracts Cd induced ROS mediated cytotoxicity in B. juncea by controlling antioxidant metabolism as the related studies are not well reported in this species.     

Ocean acidification has no effect on thermal bleaching in the coral Seriatopora caliendrum

The objective of this study was to test whether elevated pCO₂ predicted for the year 2100 (85.1 Pa) affects bleaching in the coral Seriatopora caliendrum (Ehrenberg 1834) either independently or interactively with high temperature (30.5 °C). Response variables detected the sequence of events associated with the onset of bleaching: reduction in the photosynthetic performance of symbionts as measured by maximum photochemical efficiency (F _v/F _m) and effective photochemical efficiency (ΔF/F _m′) of PSII, declines in net photosynthesis (P ^net) and photosynthetic efficiency (alpha, α), and finally, reduced chlorophyll a and symbiont concentrations. S. caliendrum was collected from Nanwan Bay, Taiwan, and subjected to combinations of temperature (27.7 vs. 30.5 °C) and pCO₂ (45.1 vs. 85.1 Pa) for 14 days. High temperature reduced values of all dependent variables (i.e., bleaching occurred), but high pCO₂ did not affect Symbiodinium photophysiology or productivity, and did not cause bleaching. These results suggest that short-term exposure to 81.5 Pa pCO₂, alone and in combination with elevated temperature, does not cause or affect coral bleaching.     

Photosynthetic capacity of the capsule wall and its contribution to carbon fixation and seed yield in castor (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ricinus communis</Emphasis> L.)

Defoliation occurs in castor due to several reasons, but the crop has propensity to compensate for the seed yield. Photosynthetic efficiency in terms of functional (gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence) and structural characteristics (photosynthetic pigment profiles and anatomical properties) of castor capsule walls under light- and dark-adapted conditions was compared with that of leaves. Capsule wall showed high intrinsic efficiency of photosystem II (F _v/F _m, 0.82) which was comparable to leaves (F _v/F _m, 0.80). With increasing photon flux densities (PFD), actual quantum yields and photochemical quenching coefficients of the capsule walls were similar to that in leaves, while electron transport rates reached a maximum corresponding to about 118 % of the leaves. However, maximum net photosynthetic rate of the capsule walls (2.60 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1) was less than one-fourth of the leaves (15.67 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1) at the CO₂ concentration of 400 µmol mol^?1, and the difference was attributed to about 80 % lower stomatal density and the 75 % lower total chlorophyll content of capsule walls than the leaves. Furthermore, seed weight in dark-adapted capsules was 2.70–12.42 % less as compared to the capsules developed under light. The results indicate that castor capsule walls are photosynthetically active (about 15–30 % of the leaves) and contribute significantly to carbon fixation and seed yield accounting for 10 % photoassimilates towards seed weight.     

Arsenate and arsenite: the toxic effects on photosynthesis and growth of lettuce plants

Arsenate (As^V) and arsenite (As^III) contamination can promote several disturbances in plant metabolism, besides affecting directly human and animal health due to the insertion of this metalloid in the food chain. Therefore, the arsenic (As) uptake and accumulation, the changes in gas exchange and in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters as well as the chloroplastic pigments content were measured. The As accumulation in leaves and roots increased with the increase of As^V and As^III concentration, except at the highest As^III concentration, probably because of As^III extrusion mechanism. Although the highest As concentration has been found in roots, significant amount was transported to the leaves, especially when plants were exposed to As^III. The As accumulation decreased the relative growth rate (RGR) of leaves and roots. However, at 6.6 μmol L^?1 As^V, an increase in leaves RGR was observed, possibly related to the changes in phosphate (P^V) nutrition caused by As. As^V and As^III interfered negatively in the photosynthetic process, except at 6.6 μmol L^?1 As^V. The observed reduction seemed to be associated to the interference in the photochemical and biochemical steps of photosynthesis; however, chlorophyll a fluorescence results indicate that the photosynthetic apparatus and chloroplastic pigments were not damaged. So, lettuce plants demonstrated to be able to accumulate As and also to protect the photosynthetic apparatus against the harmful effects of this metalloid, probably through the activation of tolerance mechanisms.