南方冰雪灾害后受害木荷萌枝光合生理特性

木荷(Schima superba)作为中国亚热带常绿阔叶林的重要组成树种,在2008年南方冰雪灾害中受到严重损害.本研究在浙江江郎山随机设置5个400 m2样地,并将受害木荷分为断木和倒木2种类型,研究不同部位萌枝光响应、气体交换以及叶绿素荧光参数等光合生理特征,有助于人们对群落更新机理的认识,为研究亚热带地区萌枝生态学特征提供理论依据.结果表明:不同叶龄之间,2年生叶片的最大净光合速率(Pmax)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PS的潜在活性(Fv/F0)、有效光化学效率(Fvv'/Fm’)、比叶重(LMA)、叶片全氮含量大干1年生叶片,其总叶绿素含量(Chl(a+b))显著高于1年生叶片(P＜0.05),而叶绿素a/b( Chl(a/b))低于1年生叶片;不同部位之间,Fv/Fm、Fv/F0、Fv’/Fm’、Chl(a+b)、Chla/b、类胡萝卜素(Car)表现为断木的中部和倒木的根部最高;LMA、全氮含量表现为断木顶部＞中部＞根部,倒木根部＞中部＞顶部;不同受害类型木荷之间,倒木萌枝净光合速率(Pn)、水分利用率(WUE)高于断木(P＜0.05),而断木萌枝对光有更宽的生态辐,其光补偿点(LCP)低于倒木,光饱和点(LSP)却高于倒木.     

Effects of long-term exposure to elevated UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic performance of five broad-leaved tree species

As part of an ongoing investigation into the effects of long-term UV-B radiation exposure on the growth and morphology of woody perennials, the gas exchange and photosynthesis of five common deciduous tree species were measured. All five tree species had been exposed to UV-B radiation for 5 years, in the field, at an enhancement level equivalent to an 18% ozone depletion. Measurements made during the fifth year of UV-B irradiation recorded reductions in light-saturated photosynthesis, transpiration and water use efficiencies. These changes were accompanied by marked reductions in individual leaf areas, stomatal density, stomatal conductance and carboxylation efficiency. There were no significant changes in the maximum variable fluorescence ratio, the quantum requirement of oxygen evolution, or light-saturated O₂ production. Analysis of the response of net carbon assimilation to changing intercellular CO₂ concentration (A/c_i response) demonstrated no significant change in stomatal limitation. Reductions in photosynthesis were consistent with decreased carboxylation efficiency. Although all five tree species were similarly affected by UV-B radiation treatment, the magnitude of the responses was species-specific. These findings demonstrate the need for more long-term experimentation and also suggest that changes in water use efficiency may be a significant factor in plants' responses to UV-B radiation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic properties of an orchid community in central Italy

Abstract

Chlorophyllous Mediterranean orchids share a habitat endangered by climate change and land use change. These orchids are characterized by two mechanisms of carbon assimilation, being autotrophic carbon fixation through photosynthesis supplemented by heterotrophic carbon fixation from mycorrhizal fungi. We investigated whether photosynthesis may sustain autotrophy of several species of orchids co-occurring in the same habitat (the understory of a chestnut forest in the Apennines range) along a vegetative season, and how photosynthesis responds to environmental parameters in the different species. Combined analysis of gas-exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, optical properties, chlorophylls concentration, and Ribulose 1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity were carried out to characterize the photosynthetic apparatus of the orchid species. Both in vivo and in vitro measurements indicated that in all orchids, in natural conditions and over the entire vegetative season (May to July), a detectable amount of carbon, typical of autotrophic shade leaves, is fixed. It is therefore suggested that these orchids are predominantly autotrophic. As an exception, however, Limodorum abortivum, a co-occurring orchid in the examined habitat, is unable to photosynthesize at rates compatible with autotrophy. At the low light intensity experienced in the understory habitat all orchids exhibited a similar quantum yield, but photosynthesis of Dactylorhiza saccifera and Cephalanthera longifolia was stimulated by light intensities higher than ambient, indicating that these species may better use sunflecks reaching the understory vegetation. Photosynthesis of all orchids, including Limodorum, positively responded to increasing CO₂ concentration and temperature. Whether this will lead to a larger photosynthetic carbon fixation because of present and future climate change needs to be assessed with long-term experiments also including the impacts of climate on mychorrizal activity and host plants.     

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.     

束生刚毛藻脱水和复水过程中光合作用的变化

利用叶绿素荧光技术研究了束生刚毛藻（Cladophora fascicularis）在脱水和复水过程中光合作用的变化。自然干燥状态下,束生刚毛藻迅速脱水,干燥2．5h后,脱水达90％。脱水1．5h内。光合作用的最大量子产量Fv／Fm和最大相对电子传递速率Pm分别下降了约10％和11％;此后Fv／Fm和Pm的下降速度明显加快,脱水2．5h后,已下降到初始值的一半。脱水后半饱和光强Ik逐渐下降;初始斜率α在脱水初始阶段有轻微上升,此后逐渐下降。复水后Fv／Fm、Pm、Ik和α均迅速恢复。这表明脱水可引起束生刚毛藻光合作用的降低,但光合器官并未受到不可逆损伤,因此复水后光合活性迅速恢复。这种复水后光合能力的快速恢复,有利于束生刚毛藻适应潮间带特殊的生活环境。     

Evaluation of a technique for the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence from leaves exposed to continuous white light

Abstract An instrument for the generation and measurement of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence signals from leaves exposed to continuous, highintensity white light is described. Modulated fluorescence is generated in the leaf by pulsed diodes emitting low-intensity yellow radiation and is detected with a photodiode whose output is fed to an amplifier locked in to the frequency of the lightemitting diodes. Comparisons are made between the modulated fluorescence signals measured with this instrument and the continuous fluorescence signals emitted from dark-adapted leaf tissue and isolated thylakoids when photosynthetic activity is induced by exposure to a range of intensities of continuous broad-band, blue-green light. The modulated fluorescence signals were similar to the continuous fluorescence signals, but they were not always identical. The small differences between the two signals are mainly attributable to differences in the populations of chloroplasts being monitored in the two measurements as a result of differential penetration of the modulated and actinic light sources into the sample.     

温度升高对杨树树皮绿色组织和叶片光合作用、叶绿素荧光特性的影响

叶片和树皮绿色组织是杨树两类重要的光合组织;分析其光合特征对温度升高的响应能够全面了解这一植物在适应气候变暖过程中的光合生理变化。本研究设置3个温度梯度（白天温度/夜间温度）23℃/18℃;28℃/23℃及33℃/28℃;分别从光合作用、叶绿素荧光特性等方面研究杨树(Populus alba×Populus berolinensis)叶片与树皮绿色组织对温度升高的响应及二者存在的差异。研究结果表明;随着温度升高;树皮绿色组织和叶片叶绿素含量没有发生明显变化;但树皮绿色组织叶绿素a/b的值随着温度升高明显降低。温度升高对叶片和树皮绿色组织的光合作用产生重要影响;叶片净光合速率（P_n）、光合效率（PE）、叶片气孔导度（G_s）及蒸腾速率(T_r)随着温度升高显著增强;但水分利用效率(WUE)却显著下降。树皮绿色组织净光合速率和光合效率具有和叶片相一致的反应;随着温度升高明显增强;但其它光合气体交换指标未发生显著变化。叶片和树皮绿色组织叶绿素荧光参数对温度升高响应基本一致;光系统Ⅱ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(qP)、电子传递速率(ETR)及非光化学淬灭(NPQ)在33℃处理均表现为明显地降低;但二者光系统Ⅱ最大荧光效率(F_v/F_m)随着温度升高没有发生降低现象。本研究的研究结果表明气孔因素是导致杨树树皮绿色组织和叶片P_n随着温度升高而增大的主要原因。     

Acclimation to irradiance in seedlings of three tropical rain forest Garcinia species after simulated gap formation

We investigated the acclimation of seedlings of three tropical rain forest sub-canopy Garcinia species (G. xanthochymus, G. cowa, and G. bracteata) after transfer from 4.5 (LI) to 40 % (HI) sunlight and 12.5 (MI) sunlight to HI (LH₁ and LH₂ denoting transfer from LI to HI and MI to HI transfer, respectively). The changes of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), dark respiration rate (R _D), Chl content per unit area (Chl_area), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and seedling mortality were monitored over two months after transfer. These parameters together with leaf anatomy of transferred and control seedlings (kept in LI, MI, and HI) were also examined after two months. No seedlings died during the two months. F_v/F_m, P _N, and Chl_area of the transferred seedlings decreased in the first 3 to 12 d. LH₁ leaves showed larger reduction in F_v/F_m (>23 % vs. <16 %) and slower recovery of F_v/F_m than LH₂ leaves. P _N started to recover after about one week of I transfer and approached higher values in all G. cowa seedlings and G. xanthochymus LH₁ seedlings than those before the transfer. However, P _N of G. bracteata seedlings approached the values before transfer. The final P _N values in leaves of transferred G. xanthochymus and G. cowa seedlings approached that of leaves kept in HI, while the final P _N values of transferred leaves of G. bracteata were significantly lower than that of leaves grown under HI (p<0.05). R _D of G. xanthochymus LH₁ seedlings and all G. cowa seedlings increased and approached the value of the seedlings in HI. The final Chl_area of both G. xanthochymus and G. cowa approached the values before transfer, but that of G. bracteata did not recover to the level before transfer. The final Chl_area of all transferred seedlings was not significantly different from that of seedlings in HI except that G. cowa LH₁ seedlings had higher Chl_area than that in HI. LMA decreased within 2 d and then increased continuously until about 30 d and approached the value under HI. Spongy/palisade mesophyll ratio decreased after transfer because of the increase in palisade thickness. Leaf thickness did not change, so LMA increase of transferred seedlings was mainly due to the increase of leaf density. Thus the mature leaves under LI and MI of G. xanthochymus and G. cowa are able to acclimate to HI by leaf physiological and anatomical adjustment, while G. bracteata had limited ability to acclimate to HI.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of five rice cultivars grown under increased solar UV-B radiation

The impact of increased solar UV-B radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars ADT36, IR20, IR50, J13 and MDU4 has been studied. In all the cultivars concentrations of photosynthetic pigments decreased under increased UV-B radiation. Even low enhancement of UV-B reduced the photochemical activities in all the cultivars except MDU4 and changed chlorophyll a fluorescence. Enhanced UV-B radiation caused a dose-dependent changes in chloroplast proteins in most of the cultivars. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic acclimation to light in woody and herbaceous species: a comparison of leaf structure, pigment content and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics measured in the field

Acclimation of foliage photosynthetic properties occurs with varying time kinetics, but structural, chemical and physiological factors controlling the kinetics of acclimation are poorly understood, especially in field environments. We measured chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, leaf total carotenoid (Car), chlorophyll (Chl) and nitrogen (N) content and leaf dry mass per area (LMA) along vertical light gradients in natural canopies of the herb species, Inula salicina and Centaurea jacea, and tree species, Populus tremula and Tilia cordata, in the middle of the growing season. Presence of stress was assessed on the basis of night measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence. Our aim was to compare the light acclimation of leaf traits, which respond to light availability at long (LMA and N), medium (Chl a/b ratio, Car/Chl ratio) and short time scales (fluorescence characteristics). We found that light acclimation of nitrogen content per unit leaf area (N(area)), chlorophyll content per unit dry mass (Chl(mass)) and Chl/N ratio were related to modifications in LMA. The maximum PSII quantum yield (F(v) /F(m)) increased with increasing growth irradiance in I. salicina and P. tremula but decreased in T. cordata. Leaf growth irradiance, N content and plant species explained the majority of variability in chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, up to 90% for steady-state fluorescence yield, while the contribution of leaf total carotenoid content was generally not significant. Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics did not differ strongly between growth forms, but differed among species within a given growth form. These data highlight that foliage acclimation to light is driven by interactions between traits with varying time kinetics.     

The photosynthesis of young Panicum C4 leaves is not C3-like

Evidence is presented contrary to the suggestion that C₄ plants grow larger at elevated CO₂ because the C₄ pathway of young C₄ leaves has C₃-like characteristics, making their photosynthesis O₂ sensitive and responsive to high CO₂. We combined PAM fluorescence with gas exchange measurements to examine the O₂ dependence of photosynthesis in young and mature leaves of Panicum antidotale (C₄, NADP-ME) and P. coloratum (C₄, NAD-ME), at an intercellular CO₂ concentration of 5 Pa. P. laxum (C₃) was used for comparison. The young C₄ leaves had CO₂ and light response curves typical of C₄ photosynthesis. When the O₂ concentration was gradually increased between 2 and 40%, CO₂ assimilation rates (A) of both mature and young C₄ leaves were little affected, while the ratio of the quantum yield of photosystem II to that of CO₂ assimilation (Φ_PSII/Φ_CO2) increased more in young (up to 31%) than mature (up to 10%) C₄ leaves. A of C₃ leaves decreased by 1·3 and Φ_PSII/Φ_CO2 increased by 9-fold, over the same range of O₂ concentrations. Larger increases in electron transport requirements in young, relative to mature, C₄ leaves at low CO₂ are indicative of greater O₂ sensitivity of photorespiration. Photosynthesis modelling showed that young C₄ leaves have lower bundle sheath CO₂ concentration, brought about by higher bundle sheath conductance relative to the activity of the C₄ and C₃ cycles and/or lower ratio of activities of the C₄ to C₃ cycles.     

Fluorescence and Photosynthetic Activity of Chloroplasts in Acid and Alkaline Zones of Chara corallina

Continuous profiles of local pH near the cell surface of Chara corallinawere recorded during uniform longitudinal movement of an internodal cell relative to a stationary pH microelectrode. Under illumination, the pH profile consisted of alternating acid and alkaline bands with a pH difference of up to 3 pH units. After darkening, the bands disappeared and pH became uniformly distributed along the cell length. Chlorophyll fluorescence of chloroplasts was measured by microfluorometry at different locations within one cell, and significant differences were observed in close relation to light-dependent pH banding. The chlorophyll fluorescence yield was lower in zones of low external pH than in alkaline zones both under actinic and saturating light. The fluorescence parameters Fand F" _m and the quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) displayed variations along the cell length in accordance with pH changes in unstirred layers of the medium. The results show that PSII photochemical efficiency and the rate of noncyclic electron transport are higher in the chloroplasts of acid zones (zones of H⁺extrusion from the cell) than in alkaline zones. The dependence of photosynthetic electron transport on local pH near the cell surface may result from different contents of CO₂in acid and alkaline regions. The acid zones are enriched with CO₂that readily permeates through the membrane providing the substrate for the Calvin cycle. Conversely, a poorly permeating form, HCO^– ₃is predominant in alkaline zones, which may restrict the dark reactions and photosynthetic electron flow.     

利用叶片荧光参数估算油蒿灌丛群落生态系统生产力

生态系统生产力（GEP）在全球碳循环中具有重要意义,但其准确估算仍然是一个挑战。近年来,叶绿素荧光和冠层GEP的关联成为生态学的研究热点,关系尚不清楚且存在广泛争议。于2015年对宁夏盐池毛乌素沙地荒漠灌木油蒿（Artemisia ordosica）灌丛生态系统碳交换（NEE）特征进行连续观测,使用多通道荧光监测仪对通量贡献区内油蒿叶片的实时荧光（F_s）和光下荧光（F_m''）进行原位连续监测,叶面积指数（LAI）、归一化植被指数（NDVI）以及环境因子同步观测。利用光合有效辐射（PAR）、LAI和实际光化学效率（Φ_PSII）等参数构建基于叶绿素荧光的生态系统生产力（GEP_ChlF）模型,探究叶片和冠层尺度不同参数对环境因子波动的响应,比较分析GEP_ChlF和基于涡度相关法监测生态系统生产力（GEP_EC）相关性及GEP_ChlF的适用性。研究发现,Φ_PSII和NEE日变化规律一致,Φ_PSII、GEP_ChlF和GEP_EC由PAR控制,受空气温度（T_a）和饱和水汽压差（VPD）调控,土壤含水量（SWC）和Φ_PSII呈显著正相关（P<0.01）。PAR处于400-800 μmol m^-2 s^-1时,GEP_ChlF与GEP_EC线性关系最优,斜率为0.627（R²=0.67,P<0.01）;弱光下GEP_ChlF的低估可能是由于冠层实际光能拦截率高造成;强光下GEP_ChlF显著高于GEP_EC,呈非线性关系,可能是GEP_EC基于夜间温度敏感性所拟合的生态系统呼吸（R_e）无法预测光呼吸部分所导致。GEP_ChlF具有荧光参数的特性,对环境波动更加敏感,和环境因子相关性优于GEP_EC。结果表明,高辐射、极端温度、高蒸腾和干旱是限制叶片和冠层尺度下油蒿光合过程的主要胁迫因素。本研究构建的荒漠生态系统光合过程模型GEP_ChlF能够替代GEP_EC作为一个良好的冠层尺度生态参数,所提出的空间尺度上推方法可为促进区域可持续发展提供数据支撑和决策参考。     

遮荫对东北地区四种可食用蕨类植物生长和光合特征的影响

以东北4种蕨类植物——荚果蕨(Matteuccia struthiopteris(L.)Todaro)、猴腿蹄盖蕨(Athyrium multidentatum(Dol1.)Ching)、分株紫萁(Osmunda cinnamomea(L.)var.asiatica Fernald)和蕨(Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var.latiusculum (Desy.) Underw.ex Heller)为研究材料,分析在35%、13%和8%全光照处理下4种蕨类植物的生长和光合特征.结果发现:随着遮荫程度的增加,4种蕨类植物的株高减小,比叶面积增加,叶片含水量增加.4种蕨类植物的净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率随着遮荫程度的增加而降低,胞间CO2浓度呈上升趋势.在3种遮荫处理下4种蕨类植物的PSⅡ最大光化学效率在0.7~0.8;非光化学猝灭系数随着遮荫程度的增加而降低.4种蕨类植物的叶绿素含量,尤其是叶绿素b含量随着遮荫程度的增加而上升,但在8%全光照下蕨的叶绿素含量呈下降趋势.相比其他蕨类植物而言,蕨具有较高的比叶面积、净光合速率和量子产率,相对较低的非光化学猝灭系数和叶绿素a./b.结果表明,4种蕨类植物最适合在35%全光照下生长,虽然对较低光照条件具有一定的适应性,但生长受到一定的抑制;4种蕨类植物中,蕨具有较强的耐荫性.本研究为东北地区4种可食用蕨类植物的栽培管理及利用提供科学依据.     

铜胁迫条件下土壤微生物对海州香薷光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为探讨铜（Cu）胁迫条件下土壤微生物对海州香薷（Elsholtzia splendens）光合生理和叶绿素荧光参数的影响,实验设置添加Cu（Cu胁迫）、接种土壤微生物、添加Cu与接种土壤微生物等3个处理,以不添加Cu与不接种土壤微生物为对照（CK）。结果表明：接种土壤微生物处理的植株相对叶绿素含量、净光合速率（P_n）、水分利用效率（WUE）均显著高于CK;且对初始荧光（F_o）和最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）均有显著性影响。与CK相比,添加Cu降低了海州香薷的P_n和气孔导度（G_s）,但胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）的变化与P_n相反,表明其对光合作用的影响主要是非气孔限制因素。添加Cu的植株相对叶绿素含量显著下降,但Cu胁迫下接种土壤微生物提高了植株相对叶绿素含量,差异显著。在Cu胁迫条件下,接种土壤微生物的植株具有较高的F_v/F_m及较低的F_o,显著提高了海州香薷的WUE、P_n、G_s。说明接种土壤微生物可通过提高相对叶绿素含量、改善叶绿素荧光和光合作用来减轻Cu胁迫对海州香薷植株造成的伤害,从而提高海州香薷耐受Cu胁迫的能力。     

Susceptibility to photoinhibition of three deciduous broadleaf tree species with different successional traits raised under various light regimes

The susceptibility to photoinhibition of tree species from three different successional stages were examined using chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange techniques. The three deciduous broadleaf tree species were Betula platyphylla var. japonica, pioneer and early successional, Quercus mongolica, intermediate shade‐tolerant and mid‐successional, and Acer mono, shade‐tolerant and late successional. Tree seedlings were raised under three light regimes: full sunlight (open), 10% full sun, and 5% full sun. Susceptibility to photoinhibition was assessed on the basis of the recovery kinetics of the ratio of vaviable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) of detached leaf discs exposed to about 2000 μmol m^?1 s^?1 photon flux density (PFD) for 2 h under controlled conditions (25 to 28 °C, fully hydrated). Differences in susceptibility to photodamage among species were not significant in the open and 10% full sun treatments. But in 5% full sun, B. platyphylla sustained a significantly greater photodamage than other species, probably associated with having the lowest photosynthetic capacity indicated by light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (B. platyphylla, 9·87, 5·85 and 2·82; Q. mongolica, 8·05, 6·28 and 4·41; A. mono, 7·93, 6·11 and 5·08 μmol CO₂ m^?1 s^?1for open, 10% and 5% full sun, respectively). To simulate a gap formation and assess its complex effects including high temperature and water stress in addition to strong light on the susceptibility to photoinhibition, we examined photoinhibition in the field by means of monitoring ΔF/F′_m on the first day of transfer to natural daylight. Compared with ΔF/F′_m in AM, the lower ΔF/F′_m in PM responding to lower PFD following high PFD around noon indicated that photoinhibition occurred in plants grown in 10 and 5% full sun. The diurnal changes of ΔF/F′_m showed that Q. mongolica grown in 5% full sun was less susceptible to photoinhibition than A. mono although they showed little differences both in photosynthetic capacity in intact leaves and susceptibility to photoinhibition based on leaf disc measurements. These results suggest that shade‐grown Q. mongolica had a higher tolerance for additional stresses such as high temperature and water stress in the field, possibly due to their lower plasticity in leaf anatomy to low light environment.     

Genome and plastome effects on photosynthesis parameters in Oenothera species of differential low-temperature tolerance

The influence of the plastid genome (plastome) on the temperature dependence of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters was studied in four Oenothera species from climatically different habitats. Equipped with their natural plastome, the species could be arranged with respect to their low-temperature tolerance in the order Oe'villosa' (plastome I) = Oe argillicola (V) > Oe. grandiflora (III) > Oe elata ssp. hookeri (J). Exchanging the naturally occurring plastome with those from other species did not result in changes of the photosynthetic performance of the genotypes, except for decreasing pigment contents and photosynthesis rates (on area basis) in Oe. elata ssp. hookeri with plastome III. Furthermore, plastome exchange in Oe. elata ssp. hookeri and in Oe. grandiflora did not affect kinetic properties of purified ribulose-l,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4,1.1.39), indicating that the gene for the large subunit of this enzyme has remained conserved during plastome evolution in Oenothera . It is concluded that the evolution of the plastome in North American Oenothera spp. did not influence the temperature adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus, but that the latter is governed by effects residing in the nuclear genome.     

Comparative Study on the Changes in Photosynthetic Activity of the Homoiochlorophyllous Desiccation-Tolerant Haberlea Rhodopensis and Desiccation-Sensitive Spinach Leaves During Desiccation and Rehydration

The functional peculiarities and responses of the photosynthetic system in the flowering homoiochlorophyllous desiccation-tolerant (HDT) Haberlea rhodopensis and the non-desiccation-tolerant spinach were compared during desiccation and rehydration. Increasing rate of water loss clearly modifies the kinetic parameters of fluorescence induction, thermoluminescence emission, far-red induced P700 oxidation and oxygen evolution in the leaves of both species. The values of these parameters returned nearly to the control level after 24 h rehydration only of the leaves of HDT plant. PS II was converted in a non-functional state in desiccated spinach in accordance with the changes in membrane permeability, malondialdehyde, proline and H₂O₂ contents. Moreover, our data showed a strong reduction of the total number of PS II centers in Haberlea without any changes in the energetics of the charge recombination. We consider this observation, together with the previously reported unusually high temperature of B-band (S₂Q_B-) emission of Haberlea to reflect some specific adaptive characteristics of the photosynthetic system. As far as we know this is the first time when such adaptive characteristics and mechanism of the photosynthetic system of a flowering HDT higher plant is described. These features of Haberlea can explain the fast recovery of its photosynthesis after desiccation, which enable this HDT plant to rapidly take advantage of frequent changes in water availability.     

Photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in a high altitude lake (Emerald Lake,Sierra Nevada,California)

Photosynthetic activity by phytoplankton was measured during the ice-free seasons of 1984, 1985 and 1987 using the ¹⁴C radioassay in high altitude Emerald Lake (California). Relative quantum yield (^B) and light-saturated chlorophyll-specific carbon uptake (P_m ^B) were calculated from the relationship of light and photosynthesis fitted to a hyperbolic tangent function. Temporal changes in P_m ^B showed no regular pattern. Seasonal patterns of ^B generally had peaks in the summer and autumn. Phytoplankton biomass (as measured by chlorophyll a) and light-saturated carbon uptake (P_m) had peaks in the summer and autumn which were associated with vertical mixing. Estimates of mean daily carbon production were similar among the three years: 57 mg C m^–2 2 d^–1 in 1984, 70 mg C m^–2 2 d^–1 in 1985 and 60 mg C m^–2 d^–1 in 1987. Primary productivity in Emerald Lake is low compared to other montane lakes of California and similar to high-altitude or high-latitude lakes in other regions.     

Observation and characterisation of a transient in the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence in intact spinach chloroplasts

A transient in chlorophyll fluorescence, which is associated with a transient in 9-aminoacridine fluorescence and a perturbation in the rate of oxygen evolution, has been observed in intact spinach chloroplasts. The results indicate that changes in the redox state of Q are, at least partially, responsible for the transient in chlorophyll fluorescence. The size of the transient is highly dependent upon the concentration of inorganic phosphate and upon the pH of the medium. The properties of the transient are consistent with the suggestion that it reflects changes in the levels of stromal intermediates during induction.Abbreviations BES NN-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)2-aminoethanesulphonic acid dihydroxyacetone-P(DHAP): dihydroxyacetone phosphate glycerate-3-P (PGA): glycerate-3-phosphate - HEPES N-2-Hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulphonic acid - MES 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid - Pi inorganic phosphate - qE quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence by the energisation of the thylakoid membrane - qQ quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence by oxidised Q, the electron acceptor of photosystem 2 - ribose-5-P (R5P) ribose-5-phosphate - Rbu-5-P ribulose-5-phosphate