Exogenous Ca2+ Associated with Melatonin Alleviates Drought-Induced Damage in the Woody Tree Dalbergia odorifera

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Plant growth and development are regulated by phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, auxins, or gibberellins. Under drought stress, melatonin and the signaling...     

Characteristics of Photosynthetic Apparatus in Mn-Starved Maize Leaves

The effects of Mn-deficiency on CO₂ assimilation and excitation energy distribution were studied using Mn-starved maize leaves. Mn-deficiency caused about 70 % loss in the photon-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _N) compared to control leaves. The loss of P _N was associated with a strong decrease in the activity of oxygen evolution complex (OEC) and the linear electron transport driven by photosystem 2 (PS2) in Mn-deficienct leaves. The photochemical quenching of PS2 (q_P) and the maximum efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m) decreased significantly in Mn-starved leaves under high irradiance, implicating that serious photoinhibition took place. However, the high-energy fluorescence quenching (q_E) decreased, which was associated with xanthophyll cycle. The results showed that the pool of de-epoxidation components of the xanthophyll cycle was lowered markedly owing to Mn deficiency. Linear electron transport driven by PS2 de-creased significantly and was approximately 70 % lower in Mn-deficient leaves than that in control, indicating less trans-thylakoid pH gradient was built in Mn deficient leaves. We suggest that the decrease of non-radiative dissipation depending on xanthophyll cycle in Mn-starved leaves is a result of the deficiency of trans-thylakoid pH gradient.     

Cold Tolerance of the Photosynthetic Apparatus: Pleiotropic Relationship between Photosynthetic Performance and Specific Leaf Area of Maize Seedlings

The objective of this study was to elucidate the genetic relationship between the specific leaf area (SLA) and the photosynthetic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as dependent on growth temperature. Three sets of genotypes: (i) 19 S₅ inbred lines, divergently selected for high or low operating efficiency of photosystem II (Φ_PSII) at low temperature, (ii) a population of 226 F_2:3 families from the cross of ETH-DL3 × ETH-DH7, and (iii) a population of 168 F_2:4 families from the cross of Lo964 × Lo1016 were tested at low (15/13 °C day/night) or at optimal (25/22 °C day/night) temperature. The latter cross was originally developed to study QTLs for root traits. At 15/13 °C the groups of S₅ inbred lines selected for high or low Φ_PSII differed significantly for all the measured traits, while at optimal temperature the groups differed only with regard to leaf greenness (SPAD). At low temperature, the SLA of these inbred lines was negatively correlated with Φ_PSII (r = − 0.56, p < 0.05) and SPAD (r = − 0.80, p < 0.001). This negative relationship was confirmed by mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in the two mapping populations. A co-location of three QTLs for SLA with QTLs for photosynthesis-related traits was detected in both populations at 15/13 °C, while co-location was not detected at 25/22 °C. The co-selection of SLA and Φ_PSII in the inbred lines and the co-location of QTL for SLA, SPAD, and Φ_PSII at 15/13 °C in the QTL populations strongly supports pleiotropy. There was no evidence that selecting for high Φ_PSII at low temperature leads to a constitutively altered SLA.     

一氧化氮缓解盐胁迫对玉米生长的抑制作用

研究了一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)对NaCl 100mmol/L胁迫下玉米幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:0.1～200μmol/L的NO供体硝普钠(sodium nitroprusside,SNP),特别是100μmol/L SNP处理可以显著提高盐胁迫下玉米幼苗的干物质积累速率.100μmol/L的SNP处理还显著提高了叶绿素含量、植株体内K /Na 比和(Spd Spm)/Put的比值,降低膜透性.推测NO对盐胁迫下玉米生长抑制的缓解作用是由于NO促进根系对K 的选择性吸收及其向地上部的运输,而降低对Na 的吸收及其向地上部的运输,并促进Put向Spd和Spm的转化.     

Nitric Oxide Alleviates Photochemical Damage Induced by Cadmium Stress in Pea Seedlings

Cadmium (Cd), a life threatening hazardous heavy metal is abundant in nature. Cd amounts are greater in leaves than other plant parts, and it shows considerable effects on photosynthesis. Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical present in living organisms, is now known as an important signaling molecule playing various physiological processes in plants. In this study, the possible ameliorative effect of NO on photosynthesis was examined on pea seedlings grown under Cd stress. Results showed that chlorophyll, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II and Photosystem I decreased, and Fo and non-photochemical parameters for PSII and PSI significantly increased due to Cd stress. This suggests that Cd affects the photochemistry efficiency at both the PSII and PSI levels. Nitric oxide supplementation through SNP ameliorated Cd stress by enhancing all the above mentioned parameters but causing a reduction in the Fo, and non-photochemical parameters of PSII and PSI in pea plants. These data indicate that the exogenous application of NO was useful in mitigating Cd-induced damage to photosynthesis in pea seedling.     

UV-A Irradiation Guards the Photosynthetic Apparatus Against UV-B-Induced Damage

In clusterbean leaves UV-B radiation caused a reduction in contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids and in the efficiency of photosystem 2 photochemistry. The degree of damage was reduced when UV-A accompanied the UV-B radiation. This indicates the counteracting effect of UV-A radiation against UV-B-induced impairment.     

Exogenous Calcium Alleviates Low Night Temperature Stress on the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Tomato Leaves

The effect of exogenous CaCl₂ on photosystem I and II (PSI and PSII) activities, cyclic electron flow (CEF), and proton motive force of tomato leaves under low night temperature (LNT) was investigated. LNT stress decreased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), effective quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)], and photochemical quenching (qP), whereas CaCl₂ pretreatment improved Pn, Y(II), and qP under LNT stress. LNT stress significantly increased the non-regulatory quantum yield of energy dissipation [Y(NO)], whereas CaCl₂ alleviated this increase. Exogenous Ca²⁺ enhanced stimulation of CEF by LNT stress. Inhibition of oxidized PQ pools caused by LNT stress was alleviated by CaCl₂ pretreatment. LNT stress reduced zeaxanthin formation and ATPase activity, but CaCl₂ pretreatment reversed both of these effects. LNT stress caused excess formation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane, whereas CaCl₂ pretreatment decreased the said factor under LNT. Thus, our results showed that photoinhibition of LNT-stressed plants could be alleviated by CaCl₂ pretreatment. Our findings further revealed that this alleviation was mediated in part by improvements in carbon fixation capacity, PQ pools, linear and cyclic electron transports, xanthophyll cycles, and ATPase activity.     

Exogenous Melatonin Achieves Drought Tolerance by Improving Photosynthesis in Maize Seedlings Leaves

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - The beneficial roles of melatonin in plants have been widely reported, but its effect on photosynthesis under drought stress is not clear. In the study,...     

褪黑素对玉米幼苗根系发育和抗旱性的影响

褪黑素是一种在生物体内广泛存在的吲哚胺类化合物,参与植物的多种生理和生化过程.近年来研究认为褪黑素可以不同程度地增强植物的抗逆性,但对其作用机理仍知之甚少.通过两种褪黑素的施用方法,详细研究了褪黑素对于玉米根系发育和抗旱性的影响.首先,采用水培根灌褪黑素的方法对玉米幼苗的根系和生长状况进行分析,结果表明施加褪黑素显著提...     

Combined Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Exogenous Melatonin Alleviates Drought Stress and Improves Plant Growth in Tobacco Seedlings

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Studies have shown that the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or exogenous melatonin (MT) can alleviate drought stress and improve plant growth,...     

根施甜菜碱对水分胁迫下烟草幼苗光合机构的保护

以烟草品种大黄金5210（抗旱性强）和中烟100（抗旱性弱）为材料,研究了水分胁迫对烟草叶片光合机构的影响,并通过根部施用甜菜碱的方法,探讨了甜菜碱对烟草光合机构的保护作用。结果表明：水分胁迫导致烟草幼苗光合机构损伤,表现在叶绿素含量、PSII光化学效率、希尔反应活力以及类囊体膜ATPase活性下降,且对抗旱性弱的中烟100损伤更加严重。外源甜菜碱处理减轻了水分胁迫对以上指标的降低程度,特别是对干旱敏感型烟草品种中烟100的效果更加明显。甜菜碱的这种保护作用可能与它能够维持叶片中各种抗氧化酶活性、减轻活性氧的积累、保护类囊体膜上各种色素蛋白的功能以及缓解水分胁迫对膜的破坏作用有关。     

氧气在黑暗-水淹诱导植物叶片光合机构损伤中的作用

本研究排除了光照和根部信号的影响,在完全黑暗条件下对离体叶片进行水淹处理,并在处理过程中分别通入空气或者氮气来控制水淹过程中水中的含氧量。通过分析叶片叶绿素含量、活性氧含量以及叶片光化学活性的变化,探讨叶片水淹时水中缺氧因素对叶片光合机构的直接影响及作用机制。结果表明,与放置在湿润空气中的对照叶片相比,黑暗-水淹处理叶片的最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、捕获的激子将电子传递到QA以后的其他电子受体的概率（ψo）均发生显著下降。然而,黑暗．水淹处理36h后,叶片的叶绿素含量并未下降,叶片中H2O2含量也未大量增加。另外,黑暗一水淹导致的叶片光化学活性的下降随着水中含氧量下降的加剧而加剧,补充氧气可以缓解甚至消除这一伤害。这表明黑暗．水淹处理过程中叶片光合机构的伤害与叶片衰老或活性氧的积累无关,而是由于水中缺氧因素对光合机构的直接伤害所致。     

烯效唑浸种对玉米苗期某些光合特性的影响

经烯效唑浸种后的玉米苗期叶片变厚,比叶重增加,叶片叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b比值增加,PEP羧化酶活性增强,净光合速率提高;以40mg·kg-1烯效唑浸种的效果最好.     

生长光强对4种热带雨林树苗光合机构的影响

于雾凉季研究了西双版纳热带雨林 4种植物幼苗对光抑制及光破坏的防御。发现不同光强下生长的玉蕊和滇南红厚壳日间光抑制均较团花树和滇南插柚紫重 ,在中光强下还发生了长期光抑制。中光强下生长的团花树和滇南插柚紫叶绿素含量降低 ,光合能力升高 ,同时增加热耗散量 ,维持光能平衡 ,避免了光破坏的发生。中光强下玉蕊和滇南红厚壳减少光能吸收、提高热耗散的同时 ,发生了光系统II光化学量子产量长期下调。中光强下生长的 4种植物叶片的类胡罗卜素的绝对含量并不高 ,但单位叶绿素的类胡罗卜素含量显著升高 ,相对保护作用增强。先锋树种团花树类胡罗卜素含量低于另 3种植物 ,这与其较低的热耗散速率相一致 ,光合能力的提高对其光破坏的防御有重要的作用     

Damage to Photosynthetic Membranes in Chilling-Sensitive Plants: Maize,a Case Study

Abstract

Biotechnology may soon take greater advantage of extremophiles — microorganisms that grow in high salt or heavy metal concentrations, or at extremes of temperature, pressure, or pH. These organisms and their cellular components are attractive because they permit process operation over a wider range of conditions than their traditional counterparts. However, extremophiles also present a number of challenges for the development of bioprocesses, such as slow growth, low cell yield, and high shear sensitivity. Difficulties inherent in designing equipment suitable for extreme conditions are also encountered. This review describes both the advantages and disadvantages of extremophiles, as well as the specialized equipment required for their study and application in biotechnology.     

NaCl胁迫对苦豆子幼苗光合机构及生物量积累的影响

该研究通过测定盐生药用植物苦豆子幼苗气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数及生长指标,研究了中度(200mmol/L NaCl)和重度(400mmol/L NaCl)盐胁迫对其生长特性的影响,探讨盐生植物对盐化环境的生理响应机制。结果显示:(1)中度盐胁迫1d后,苦豆子幼苗光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)及胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)显著低于对照,随着胁迫时间延长,P_n下降显著,而气体交换参数降低不明显,C_i值甚至有上升趋势;重度盐胁迫处理1d后,苦豆子气体交换值出现了显著降低,随着胁迫时间延长,降低程度增大;中度盐胁迫导致苦豆子光合速率出现下降的原因是由气孔因素和非气孔因素共同作用的结果,而重度盐胁迫下,Pn的下降主要是非气孔因素引起的。(2)处理1d后,相对于对照组,中度和重度盐胁迫下的苦豆子幼苗最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))出现了不同程度的降低,而重度盐胁迫下降低更加显著;处理5d后,中度盐胁迫荧光参数变化不明显,但重度盐胁迫处理下降低显著。(3)随着胁迫程度的加重,幼苗含水量及生长指标(株高、根长、干重)降低幅度加大,以致严重抑制了植株生长。研究表明,盐生植物苦豆子对盐胁迫的耐受性也有一定限度,其在200mmol/L NaCl胁迫下植株光合作用受到轻微抑制,但能维持正常生长,而在400mmol/L NaCl胁迫下光合生理受到严重抑制,且随着胁迫时间的延长,受到伤害程度加重,甚至死亡。     

Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Germinating Wheat Seedlings

Protective role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on seed germination and seedling growth was studied in wheat (Triticum) seeds subjected to aluminum (Al3+) stress. We show that germination and seedling growth of wheat is inhibited by high concentrations of AICI3. At 30 mmol/L AICI3 germination is reduced by about 50% and seedling growth is more dramatically inhibited by this treatment. Pre-incubation of wheat seeds in the H2S donor NaHS alleviates AICI3-induced stress in a dose-dependant manner at an optimal concentration of 0.3 mmol/L. We verified that the role of NaHS in alleviating Al3+ stress could be attributed to H2S/HS- by showing that the level of endogenous H2S increased following NaHS treatment. Furthermore, other sodium salts containing sulfur were ineffective in alleviating Al3+ stress. NaHS pretreatment significantly increased the activities of amylases and esterases and sustained much lower levels of MDA and H2O2 in germinating seeds under Al3+ stress. Moreover, NaHS pretreatment increased the activities of guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and decreased that of lipoxygenase. NaHS pretreatment also decreased the uptake of Al3+ in AICI3-treated seed. Taken together these results suggest that H2S could increase antioxidant capability in wheat seeds leading to the alleviation of Al3+ stress.     

一氧化氮对小麦叶片镍毒害的缓解作用

采用溶液培养法研究了重金属镍(Ni)对扬麦158(Triticum aestivumL)幼苗生长的影响及外源一氧化氮(NO)对Ni毒害的缓解作用。结果表明,100μmol/LNi处理显著抑制小麦幼苗生长,导致叶绿素含量下降,丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高,且叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)等抗氧化酶活性升高。400μmol/L硝谱钠(SNP,NO供体)预处理2d,能够明显减轻Ni毒害,使叶绿素和MDA含量基本恢复至对照水平。NO可能是通过提高APX和GR等抗氧化酶的活性及谷胱甘肽含量而增强植株抗氧化能力,显著减轻由Ni导致的叶片Ca和Fe含量下降而增强小麦幼苗抵御Ni毒害的能力。