Changes in the Non-Photochemical Quenching of Chlorophyll Fluorescence During Aging of Wheat Flag Leaves

Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (q_N) and its three components (q_Nf, q_Nm, and q_Ns) in the flag leaves of wheat grown in the field were studied by a fluorometer PAM-2000 on clear days. The diurnal variation patterns of q_N in just fully extended (JFEL) and aging leaves (AL) were similar, but q_Nm declined markedly in JFEL while it remained at a relatively high level in AL under strong sunlight at noon. Furthermore, at midday q_Nf was higher than q_Ns in JFEL, but much lower in AL. The results show the relative contributions of different mechanisms in preventing the photosynthetic apparatus from photodamage change during leaf development. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photoinhibition Characteristics of a Low Chlorophyll b Mutant of High Yield Rice

The low chlorophyll b mutant of high yield rice had a lower light-harvesting complex 2 content than the wild type. The stability of oxygen evolution side of photosystem 2 was only slightly lower. A lower photon absorption rate and a stronger xanthophyll cycle capacity of this mutant led to a higher endurance to strong irradiance and a lower photoinhibition as compared with the wild type rice.     

Effects of Simulated Acid Precipitation on Photosynthesis,Chlorophyll Fluorescence,and Antioxidative Enzymes in Cucumis sativus L.

The effects of simulated acid rain on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and anti-oxidative enzyme activity in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jingchun No. 4) were investigated. Acid rain significantly reduced net photosynthetic rate and mainly non-stomatal factors contributed to the decrease of photosynthesis during the experimental period. The reduced photosynthesis was associated with a decreased maximal photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) and the average quantum yield of the photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centres (_PS2). Meanwhile, acid rain significantly increased the activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), but decreased the activity of catalase (CAT) together with an increased content of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), Hence the changes in photosynthesis in acid rain treatment might be a secondary effect of acidity damage probably due to lipid peroxidation of lipids and proteins in thylakoid membrane rather than direct effect on PS2 reaction centre.     

自然条件下不同高产稻生育后期剑叶叶绿素荧光和膜脂过氧化的表现

以籼型 (OryzasativaL .)杂交组合汕优 6 3为对照 ,以中粳 95 16、两系亚种间杂交组合培矮 6 4S/E32、培矮6 4S/ 9311、亚种间三系杂交稻冈优 881和两系杂交组合X0 7S/紫恢 10 0为材料 ,研究其在生育后期 (抽穗 -成熟 )自然条件下剑叶的叶绿素衰减、CO2 交换、叶绿素荧光参数和膜脂过氧化表现。结果表明 :水稻在生育后期伴随叶绿素衰减 ,其叶内的原初光化学效率Fv/Fm、PSⅡ非环式电子传递效率ΦPSⅡ 、电子流传递速率ETR都有相应地下降 ,这种光能转化的障碍使多余的光能传递给PSⅡ的还原侧 ,产生O-·2 累积 ,发生膜脂过氧化和MDA的积累 ,引起光合色素及光合膜的破坏 ,发生光氧化早衰。这种现象在品种间有明显差异 ,耐光氧化的粳稻 95 16 ,其叶内的Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ 、ETR、qP下降较少 ,具有较稳定的光能转化能力 ,不易早衰 ,具有较高的结实率 ;而对光氧化敏感的籼稻汕优 6 3其叶内的Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ 、ETR ,光化学猝灭参数qP下降较多 ,易发生膜脂过氧化 ,导致叶片早衰 ,影响水稻灌浆结实和产量 ;而二系的和三系的杂交稻的耐光氧化特性和早衰表现居于中间。从水稻超高产育种的角度出发 ,在目前株型良好的基础上 ,兼顾杂种优势和防止早衰两方面考虑 ,在母本中利用粳型或带有粳型基因的不育系是育种上一个值得重     

自然条件下不同高产稻生育后期剑叶叶绿素荧光和膜脂过氧化的表现

以籼型(Oryza sativa L.)杂交组合汕优63为对照,以中粳9516、两系亚种间杂交组合培矮64S/E32、培矮64S/9311、亚种间三系杂交稻冈优881和两系杂交组合X07S/紫恢100为材料,研究其在生育后期(抽穗-成熟)自然条件下剑叶的叶绿素衰减、CO2交换、叶绿素荧光参数和膜脂过氧化表现.结果表明: 水稻在生育后期伴随叶绿素衰减,其叶内的原初光化学效率Fv/Fm、PSⅡ非环式电子传递效率ΦPSⅡ、电子流传递速率ETR都有相应地下降,这种光能转化的障碍使多余的光能传递给PSⅡ的还原侧,产生O(-)/(*)2累积,发生膜脂过氧化和MDA的积累,引起光合色素及光合膜的破坏,发生光氧化早衰.这种现象在品种间有明显差异,耐光氧化的粳稻9516,其叶内的 Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、ETR、qP下降较少,具有较稳定的光能转化能力,不易早衰,具有较高的结实率;而对光氧化敏感的籼稻汕优63其叶内的Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、ETR,光化学猝灭参数qP下降较多,易发生膜脂过氧化,导致叶片早衰,影响水稻灌浆结实和产量;而二系的和三系的杂交稻的耐光氧化特性和早衰表现居于中间.从水稻超高产育种的角度出发,在目前株型良好的基础上,兼顾杂种优势和防止早衰两方面考虑,在母本中利用粳型或带有粳型基因的不育系是育种上一个值得重视的策略.     

Effects of Nitrogen Deficiency on Gas Exchange,Chlorophyll Fluorescence,and Antioxidant Enzymes in Leaves of Rice Plants

Gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and contents of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, RuBPCO), and antioxidant enzymes were characterized in the fully expanded 6^th leaves in rice seedlings grown on either complete (CK) or on nitrogen-deficient nutrient (N-deficiency) solutions during a 20-chase period. Compared with the control plants, the lower photosynthetic capacity at saturation irradiance (P _max) was accompanied by an increase in intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), indicating that in N-deficient plants the decline in P _max was not due to stomatal limitation but due to the reduced carboxylation efficiency. The fluorescence parameters _PS2, F_v/F_m, electron transport rate (ETR), and q_P showed the same tendency as P _max in N-deficient plants. Correspondingly, a higher q_N paralleled the rise of the ratio of carotenoid (Car) to Chl contents. However, F_v/F_m was still diminished, suggesting that photoinhibition did occur in the photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centres. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes on a fresh mass basis were gradually lowered, leading to the aggravation of membrane lipid peroxidation with the proceeding N-deficiency. The accumulation of malonyldialdehyde resulted in the lessening of Chl and soluble protein content. Analyses of regression showed PS2 excitation pressure (1 - q_P) was linearly correlated with the content of Chl and inversely with soluble protein (particularly RuBPCO) content. There was a lag phase in the increase of PS2 excitation pressure compared to the decrease of RuBPCO content. Therefore, the increased excitation pressure under N-deficiency is probably the result of saturation of the electron transport chain due to the limitation of the use of reductants by the Calvin cycle. Rice plants responded to N-deficiency and high irradiance by decreasing light-harvesting capacity and by increasing thermal dissipation of absorbed energy.     

Activity of Photosystem 2, Lipid Peroxidation,and the Enzymatic Antioxidant Protective System in Heat Shocked Barley Seedlings

The impact of heat shock on minimising the activity of photosystem 2 (PS2) initiating high lipid peroxidation (POL) level and consequently changes in the enzymatic-antioxidant protective system was studied in seedlings of two Egyptian cultivars of barley (Giza 124 and 125). Heat doses (35 and 45 °C for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h) decreased chlorophyll (Chl) contents coupled with an increase in Chl a/b ratio, diminished Hill reaction activity, and quenched Chl a fluorescence emission spectra. These parameters reflect the disturbance of the structure, composition, and function of the photosynthetic apparatus as well as the activity of PS2. POL level, as dependent on the balance between pro- and anti-oxidant systems, was directly correlated with temperature, exposure time, and their interaction. Heat shock caused an increase in the electric conductivity of cell membrane, and malonyldialdehyde content (a peroxidation product) coupled with the disappearance of the polyunsaturated linolenic acid (C_18:3), reflecting the peroxidation of membrane lipids which led to the loss of membrane selective permeability. Moreover, it induced distinct and significant changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities have been progressively enhanced by moderate and elevated heat doses, but the most elevated one (45 °C for 8 h) showed a decrease in activities of both enzymes. In contrast, catalase activity was reduced with all heat shocks.     

田间大豆叶片成长过程中的光合特性及光破坏防御机制

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

Heavy Metals Induce Lipid Peroxidation and Affect Antioxidants in Wheat Leaves

The possible role of Zn and Cr as catalytic inducers of free radicals in wheat leaves was investigated. Treatment of excess heavy metals decreased the chlorophyll and carotenoid content in wheat leaves with the increase in time of excision. A sharp increase in proline accumulation was marked with the increase in metal concentration. Total peroxide content and lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde content showed uniform increase under metal treatment in excised leaves. At almost all concentrations, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities decreased with a minor increase in the earlier days of excision. Though glutathione content decreased ascorbate content showed significant increase in wheat leaves under heavy metal treatment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Responses of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Carotenoids Biosynthesis to High Light Stress in Rice Seedling Leaves at Different Leaf Position

In the present study, we investigated the changes of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and the content of carotenoid pigments in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) seedling leaves and their responses to high light. The results showed that the rate of photosynthesis, the contents of individual and total carotenoids and the pool size of xanthophyll cycle decreased with age increasing of the leaf. When the leaves were exposed to high light for 2 h, the qN of mature leaf (5th leaf) increased more significantly than that of younger (6th leaf) and older leaves (3rd and 4th leaf). Comparing with the leaves before exposure to high light, the excitation pressure on PSⅡ (1-qP) increased by 44%, 57%, 19% and 45% in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th leaf under high light, respectively. The highest content of carotenoids and the greatest conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin were found in the 5th leaf, and it was consistent with the 5th leaf exhibiting the strongest resistance to high light. Our results suggested that the ability of rice leaf to resist photoinhibition is related to the level of carotenoids and the ability of carotenoids biosynthesis.      

水稻幼苗不同叶位的叶片叶绿素荧光和类胡萝卜素的生物合成对高光胁迫的响应

研究了水稻 (OryzasativaL .)幼苗叶片生长过程中叶绿素荧光和类胡萝卜素各组分含量的变化以及它们对高光胁迫的响应。结果表明 :随着叶片的衰老 ,光合速率、类胡萝卜素不同组分及总的类胡萝卜素含量和叶黄素循环库下降 ;不同叶龄的叶片经高光胁迫后 ,第 5叶 (成熟叶 )qN增加的幅度比第 6叶 (幼嫩叶 )和老叶 (第 3和 4叶 )大 ;与高光胁迫前相比 ,第 3、4、5和 6叶光系统Ⅱ激发压 (1-qP)分别增加了 4 4 %、5 7%、19%和 4 5 % ;第 5叶具有高胡萝卜素含量和高紫黄质到玉米黄质的转化 ,这与其呈现较强的抗高光胁迫相一致。水稻叶片抵御光抑制的能力与类胡萝卜素水平和类胡萝卜素的生物合成能力以及叶片所处的生长时期相关。     

Changes in the Non-Photochemical Quenching of Chlorophyll Fluorescence During Aging of Wheat Flag Leaves

Ultrastructural changes in chloroplasts of primary leaves of 15-d-old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Cheren Starozagorski) in response to a single stress (increasing water deficit, WD) as well as to combined stress (WD plus high temperature, WD+HT) were investigated under the possible protective or reparatory effects of the carbamide cytokinin 4-PU-30 [N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea] applied before or after the stress. Essential structural changes in chloroplast ultrastructure occurred mainly in plants that had experienced WD+HT: the thylakoids were swollen, the envelope was destroyed, and the spatial orientation of inner membrane system was not typical. Changed starch accumulation was also observed. 4-PU-30 protected chloroplast ultrastructure under WD+HT.     

Lipid Peroxidation and Peroxide-Scavenging Enzymes in Cotton Seeds Under Natural Ageing

The present study was carried out to contribute to our knowledge of the mechanism of seed deterioration in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (HS6 and H1098) during natural ageing. The seeds were sealed in polythene bags and stored at 25 ± 1 °C for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. In both the cultivars, germinability decreased whereas membrane deterioration assayed as electrical conductivity of the seed leachates increased with storage period. The decrease in germinability was well correlated with increased accumulation of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content. The activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase decreased with ageing. Seeds of cv. H1098 were more susceptible to ageing than HS6. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

拟南芥叶黄素缺失突变体叶绿素荧光猝灭的特性

研究了3个叶黄素组分缺失的拟南芥核基因突变体,npq₁（缺乏玉米黄质Z和单环氧玉米黄质A）、lut₂（缺乏lutein）和lut₂-npq₁（双突变体,同时缺Z和lutein）,及其对照野生型（WT）在强光诱导下叶绿素荧光猝灭的特性.与WT相比,3个突变体的叶绿素a/b没有明显的差异,F_v/F_m则有不同幅度的增加,缺乏lutein的突变体lut₂和lut₂-npq₁的叶黄素循环库（V+A+Z）显著增大.缺乏Z的突变体npq₁和lut₂-npq₁在强光下,荧光的非光化学猝灭（NPQ）的诱导受到明显抑制,lut₂的NPQ形成也受到部分抑制.强光处理9 min后,3个突变体和WT的NPQ大小顺序为WT＞lut₂＞npq₁＞npq₁-lut₂.强光诱导过程中突变体的光化学猝灭(qP)都小于WT.强光下突变体显示较弱的抗光抑制能力,其抗光抑制能力的强弱顺序为：WT＞lut₂＞npq₁＞lut₂-npq₁.结果表明叶黄素循环不但与NPQ的形成直接相关也与qP有关.     

NaCl-Inhibited Chlorophyll Synthesis and Associated Changes in Ethylene Evolution and Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Wheat

Effect of NaCl was studied on chlorophyll (Chl) synthesis and its intermediates (protoporphyrin IX, Mg-protoporphyrin IX, and protochlorophyllide), dry mass, ethylene evolution, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (APX) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings at 24, 48, and 72 h after germination. A conspicuous decrease in Chl synthesis, associated with increase in ethylene evolution and SOD and APX activities, was noted as NaCl concentration was increased from 0 to 100 mM. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photoprotective effects of high level expression of C<Subscript>4</Subscript> phospho<Emphasis Type="Italic">enol</Emphasis>pyruvate carboxylase in transgenic rice during photoinhibition

With untransformed rice cv. Kitaake as control, the characteristics of carbon assimilation and photoprotection of a transgenic rice line over-expressing maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) were investigated. The PEPC activity in untransformed rice was low, but the activity was stimulated under high irradiance or photoinhibitory condition. PEPC in untransformed rice contributed by about 5–10 % to photosynthesis, as shown by the application of the specific inhibitor 3,3-dichloro-2-(dihydroxyphosphinoylmethyl)propenoate (DCDP). When maize PEPC gene was introduced into rice, transgenic rice expressed high amount of maize PEPC protein and had high PEPC activity. Simultaneously, the activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) transporting CO₂ increased significantly. Thus the photosynthetic capacity increased greatly (50 %) under high CO₂ supply. In CO₂-free air, CO₂ release in the leaf was less. In addition, PEPC transgenic rice was more tolerant to photoinhibition. Treating by NaF, an inhibitor of phosphatase, showed that in transgenic rice more phosphorylated light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding complexes (LHC) moved to photosystem 1 (PS1) protecting thus PS2 from photo-damage. Simultaneously, the introduction of maize PEPC gene could activate or induce activities of the key enzymes scavenging active oxygen, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Hence higher PS2 photochemical efficiency and lower superoxygen anion (O₂ ^·−) generation and malonyldiadehyde (MDA) content under photoinhibition could improve protection from photo-oxidation.     

Influence of Brassinosteroids on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity in Tomato Under Different Temperatures

The effect of brassinosteroids (BRs) on catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activity in tomato leaf discs was analyzed at 25 and 40 °C. Tomato leaf discs were preincubated for 24 h in Petri dishes with 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) or a polyhydroxylated spirostanic analogue of brassinosteroids (MH5). Both concentrations (10.60 and 2.12 nM) of EBR and MH5 stimulated the activity of SOD at 25 and 40 °C, the MH5-stimulated increase of this enzyme activity was greater. Peroxidase activity was unaffected at 25 °C, while at 40 °C this activity was enhanced by both compounds. The changes in catalase activity markedly depended on the structure BRs, doses and temperature. The results suggest a possible role of EBR and MH5 in the reduction of cell damage produced by heat stress due to induction of enzymatic antioxidants.     

Influence of a Brassinosteroid Analogue on Antioxidant Enzymes in Rice Grown in Culture Medium with NaCl

We studied the effects of a polyhydroxylated spirostanic brassinosteroid analogue (BB-16) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in rice seedlings grown in vitro in culture medium supplemented with NaCl. Seedlings were grown in medium with 75 mM NaCl and 0.001 or 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BB-16 for 16 d or 3-d-old seedlings were exposed for 4 d to 0, 0.001 or 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BB-16 then further grown in medium with 75 mM NaCl without BB-16. Seedlings exposed to 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BB-16 for 16 d showed significant increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and a slight increase in ascorbate peroxidase (APX). On the other hand, 4-d exposure to BB-16 only increased SOD and CAT activities at concentration 0.001 mg dm⁻³. GR activity was not altered by this BB-16 treatment. These results indicated that BB-16, which is structurally modified in the lateral chain in relation to natural brassinosteroids, changes the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, which might confer tolerance to saline stress. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.