Probing the responses of barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.) by chlorophyll a fluorescence OLKJIP under drought stress and re-watering

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of drought and re-watering on 10 varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) originating from Morocco. Five varieties obtained from the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) of Morocco and five landraces (local varieties defined by high stress tolerance, high yield stability, an intermediate yield and low-input demand) collected at five localities in the south of Morocco were used in the present study. After 2 weeks of growth, drought stress was initiated by withholding water for 2 weeks followed by 1 week of re-watering. The polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient was used to evaluate photosystem II (PSII) criteria at the end of the first week of drought stress (moderate drought), at the end of the second week (severe drought) and the end of the recovery phase. Drought and re-watering had little effect on the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry φ_Po(=F_V/F_M). The photosynthetic performance index (PI) is the product of an antenna, reaction center and electron transport dependent parameter. It revealed differences between varieties as a function of drought and re-watering. For the screening for drought stress tolerance, changes in the PI during a 2-week drought stress treatment were analysed and a new parameter was defined: the drought factor index (DFI) = log(PI_week 1/PI_control) + 2 log(PI_week 2/PI_control). The DFI of the tested varieties correlated with their drought tolerance. Another parameter that was analysed was the relative water content. It decreased during the drought stress treatment varying between 61% and 78.2% at the end of the drought period. During the subsequent recovery period, it increased in a species-dependent manner (65.1–94.1%). A third parameter studied were changes in the initial fluorescence rise. The fluorescence rise during the first 300 μs (L-band) can give information on the energetic connectivity between PSII units whereas changes in the rise during the first 2 ms (K-band) offer information on developing limitations on the donor side of PSII. Changes in respectively the L and K-bands of the fluorescence transients OJIP were shown to have predictive value with respect to the vitality of leaves and the tolerance of the varieties to drought stress.     

Excitation spectra for Photosystem I and Photosystem II in chloroplasts and the spectral characteristics of the distribution of quanta between the two photosystems

The parameters listed in the title were determined within the context of a model for the photochemical apparatus of photosynthesis.

The fluorescence of variable yield at 750 nm at −196 °C is due to energy transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. Fluorescence excitation spectra were measured at −196 °C at the minimum, F_O, level and the maximum, F_M, level of the emission at 750 nm. The difference spectrum, F_M–F_O, which represents the excitation spectrum for F_V is presented as a pure Photosystem II excitation spectrum. This spectrum shows a maximum at 677 nm, attributable to the antenna chlorophyll a of Photosystem II units, with a shoulder at 670 nm and a smaller maximum at 650 nm, presumably due to chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b of the light-harvesting chlorophyll complex.

Fluorescence at the F_O level at 750 nm can be considered in two parts; one part due to the fraction of absorbed quanta, , which excites Photosystem I more-or-less directly and another part due to energy transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. The latter contribution can be estimated from the ratio of F_O/F_V measured at 692 nm and the extent of F_V at 750 nm. According to this procedure the excitation spectrum of Photosystem I at −196 °C was determined by subtracting 1/3 of the excitation spectrum of F_V at 750 nm from the excitation spectrum of F_O at 750 nm. The spectrum shows a relatively sharp maximum at 681 nm due to the antenna chlorophyll a of Photosystem I units with probably some energy transfer from the light-harvesting chlorophyll complex.

The wavelength dependence of was determined from fluorescence measurements at 692 and 750 nm at −196 °C. is constant to within a few percent from 400 to 680 nm, the maximum deviation being at 515 nm where shows a broad maximum increasing from 0.30 to 0.34. At wavelengths between 680 and 700 nm, increases to unity as Photosystem I becomes the dominant absorber in the photochemical apparatus.     

The influence of cytochrome b559 on the fluorescence yield of chloroplasts at low temperature

The maximum light-induced fluorescence yield, F_M, of spinach chloroplasts at − 196 °C was less when the chloroplasts were oxidized with ferricyanide prior to freezing; the minimum fluorescence yield, F₀, of the dark-adapted chloroplasts at − 196 °C was unaffected. The ratio of the fluorescence yields, F_M/F₀, measured at 695 nm at low temperature was 4.5–5.0 for normal chloroplasts and 2.0–2.5 in the presence of ferricyanide. The oxidative titration curve of F_M followed a 1 electron Nernst equation with a midpoint potential of 365 mV and followed closely to the oxidation of cytochrome b₅₅₉. The photoreduction of C−550 at low temperature was the same at all redox potentials over the range of 200–500 mV. It is suggested that a relatively strong oxidant associated with the water-splitting side of Photosystem II, possibly the primary electron donor, can chlorophyll fluorescence of Photosystem II as well as the primary electron acceptor.     

不同CO2浓度升高水平对粳稻叶片荧光特性的影响

为研究不同CO₂浓度升高水平对水稻叶片荧光特性的影响,利用开顶式气室组成CO₂浓度自动调控平台开展田间试验,使用便携式植物效率分析仪测定剑叶快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线,分析不同CO₂浓度(CK:背景大气CO₂浓度;T₁:比CK的CO₂浓度高80 μmol·mol^-1;T₂:比CK的CO₂浓度高200 μmol·mol^-1)下水稻主要生育期剑叶快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学参数的变化特征.结果表明:CO₂浓度升高80 μmol·mol^-1,用于电子传递的量子产额(φ_Eo)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、性能指数(PI_ABS)在扬花期、乳熟期、蜡熟期和完熟期均显著升高,用于热耗散的量子比率(φ_Do)显著降低,其中φ_Eo显著升高了7.3%～23.3%,F_v/F_m极显著升高了3.1%～7.1%,PI_ABS极显著升高了46.2%～93.0%,φ_Do则显著降低了10.3%～20.5%.CO₂浓度升高200 μmol·mol^-1,在拔节期,φ_Eo、F_v/F_m、PI_ABS分别极显著降低了68.7%、41.4%和93.4%,φ_Do则极显著升高了78.4%;在扬花期、乳熟期、蜡熟期,T₂使φ_Eo显著升高了11.6%～19.8%,F_v/F_m显著升高了4.8%～6.8%,PI_ABS显著升高了53.0%～72.6%,φ_Do则显著降低了7.7%～19.4%.表明CO₂浓度升高(80、200 μmol·mol^-1)对水稻剑叶光系统Ⅱ的光合电子传递具有促进作用.     

不同温度与CO2浓度对坛紫菜生长和光合作用温度反应特性的影响

论文研究了不同CO₂浓度(390 μL/L和700 μL/L)和温度(15℃和25℃)对坛紫菜(Porphyra haitanensis)生长与光合作用-温度反应特性的影响。结果表明,相对于25℃生长的海藻,15℃生长的海藻具较高的相对生长速率和色素含量(叶绿素和类胡萝卜素),并且在高CO₂下增加趋势更显著。在两种CO₂浓度下,15℃生长的坛紫菜可溶性蛋白质和可溶性碳水化合物含量高于25℃生长的坛紫菜。低温10℃胁迫下,15℃生长的坛紫菜最大光量子产量(Fv/Fm)、光能利用效率(α)及非光化学淬灭(NPQ)相对于25℃生长的坛紫菜更稳定;高温35℃使得坛紫菜rETRmax、Fv/Fm、α值均下降,这种下降的程度在15℃生长藻中比25℃生长的藻更大;此外,15℃生长条件下,高CO₂生长的坛紫菜受35℃高温胁迫时的Fv/Fm和α下降程度小于正常空气生长下的坛紫菜。高温40℃使坛紫菜 rETRmax、Fv/Fm、α、NPQ及qP均急剧下降。结果表明高CO₂使得坛紫菜耐高温性能提高。     

Carbon exchange and water use efficiency of a growing, irrigated olive orchard

We measured eddy covariance fluxes of CO₂ and H₂O over a flat irrigated olive orchard during growth, in different periods from Leaf Area Index (LAI) of 0.3–1.9; measurements of soil respiration were also collected. The daily net ecosystem exchange flux (F_NEE) was practically zero at LAI around 0.4 or when the orchard intercepted 11% of the incoming daily radiation; at the end of the experiment, with LAI of 1.9 (and the fraction of intercepted daily radiation close to 0.5), F_NEE was around 10 g CO₂ m⁻² day⁻¹. The night-time ecosystem respiration (R_eco), calculated from eddy fluxes in well-mixed night conditions, show a clear but non-linear dependence with LAI; it ranged from 0.05 to 0.15 mg CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ (in average), being the lower limit ideally close to the heterotrophic soil respiration at the site. The gross primary production flux (F_GPP) was linearly related to LAI within the LAI range of this experiment (with 11 g CO₂ m⁻² day⁻¹ increments per unit of LAI) and to the fraction of intercepted radiation. The maximum rates of F_GPP (0.75 mg CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹) were obtained in the summer mornings of 2002, at LAI close to 1.9. F_GPP was strongly modulated by vapour pressure deficit (VPD) through the canopy conductance, even in absence of water stress. Hence, especially in the summer, the maximum rates of carbon assimilation are reached always before noon. The daily course of F_GPP shows a two-phase pattern, first related to irradiance and then to canopy conductance. The water use efficiency (WUE) was, in average, 3.8, 6.3 and 7 g CO₂ L⁻¹ in 1999, 2001 and 2002, respectively, with maxima always in the early morning. Hourly WUE was strongly related to VPD (WUE = −10.25 + 22.52 × VPD^−0.34). Our results suggest that drip irrigated orchards in general, and olive in particular, deserve specific carbon exchange and carbon budget studies and cannot be easily included in other biomes.     

Effects of shading on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla

Aims The objectives were to investigate the effects of different light intensities on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, to clarify the physiological responses and photo-protective mechanisms of Hydrangea macrophylla to changes in light regimes in view of the distribution of energy absorbed and photosynthetic characteristics.Methods Three light regimes including natural and shade (shading rate 50% and 75% of natural light) were applied to plants for 60 days. After the treatment, the gas-exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthesis-light curves were measured by a portable leaf gas exchange system (LI-6400).Important findings The results showed that the weak light intensity treatment reduced dark respiration rate, light compensation point and light saturation point of plant, but increased apparent quantum yield, suggesting that plants had the physiological strategy to utilize the weakening light by reducing respiration. The net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, transpiration rate and water use efficiency of plants grown below 50% of natural light showed significant difference compared with natural and shading rate 75% of natural light. There were significant difference between natural and shade treatments in the maximal quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), as indicated that it was significantly less at full light than that at 50% of natural light. Initial fluorescence intensity (F_o) of plants was higher at full light than that at 50% of natural light, suggesting that photoinhibition occurred in natural light. The non-photochemical quenching (NQP) decreased with the aggravation of shade stress, indicating that shading decreased the efficiency of photochemical reaction by reducing the fraction of incident light in photochemical energy utilization and decreased thermal dissipation through regulating energy distribution in photosystem II (PSII) in the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla. In general, the 70% of incident light in photochemical energy utilization was distributed to thermal dissipation, 20% was distributed to non-regulated energy dissipation and 4% was distributed to effective photochemical reaction. In conclusion, responses of plants to increased irradiance are governed by strategy: to utilize a high fraction of incident light in photochemistry and regulate energy dissipation in PSII and weaken the accumulation of excess excitation energy in PSII to protect the photosynthetic apparatus in the leaves of H. macrophylla under saturated radiation.     

The effects of carbon dioxide concentration on oxygen evolution and fluorescence transients in synchronous cultures of Chlorella pyrenoidosa

1. 1. The steady-state fluorescence yield of Chlorella pyrenoidosa is strongly affected by CO₂ concentration: the yield is approximately 2-fold higher in the presence than in the absence of CO₂. During induction, in the presence of saturating CO₂, accelerating oxygen evolution is paralleled by rising fluorescence (M₂-P₃ transient); in the absence of CO₂, fluorescence yield remains at the low M₂ level.

2. 2. Both illumination and CO₂ content are important in determining the steady-state fluorescence yield: at lower illuminations, lower concentrations of CO₂ are required to obtain a maximum fluorescence yield.

3. 3. The slow fluorescence transients are not affected directly by pH but only indirectly through the CO₂ concentration.

4. 4. The CO₂-dependent fluorescence rise (M₂-P₃ transient) is most readily observed in cells harvested early in the light period of a synchronous culture, but it can also be elicited in cells harvested during the dark period.

5. 5. Addition of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU) to CO₂-deprived cells raises the fluorescence yield approximately 4-fold, that is to the same high level as cells supplied with CO₂ and DCMU.

6. 6. The effects of CO₂ provide a new example of a marked parallelism between photosynthetic electron transport and fluorescence. To explain such parallelism, it seems necessary to postulate large changes in the de-excitation processes within Photosystem II units or in the distribution of excitation between Photosystems I and II.

蛋白核小球藻生长和无机碳利用对不同光照强度和CO2浓度的响应

为了探讨光照强度和CO₂浓度对蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)生长、无机碳利用的复合效应, 丰富绿藻中无机碳浓缩机制的资料, 该文设置两种光照强度(40和120 µmol photons•m^-2•s^-1)和两种CO₂浓度(0.04%和0.16%)组合成4种条件, 比较了蛋白核小球藻生长、无机碳浓度、pH补偿点、光合放氧速率、碳酸酐酶(CA)活性和α-CA基因转录表达对这4种培养条件的响应。结果发现: 蛋白核小球藻在高光强高CO₂浓度组生长最快; 低光强高CO₂浓度组培养体系中总无机碳浓度为1163.3 µmol•L^-1, 显著高于其他3组; 高光强低CO₂浓度组藻的pH补偿点最高(9.8), 而低光强高CO₂浓度组藻的pH补偿点最低(8.6); 低光强高CO₂浓度组藻的最大光合速率(V_max)和最大光合速率一半时的无机碳浓度(K_0.5)最高, 分别是其他3组的1.28-1.91倍和1.61-2.00倍; 高光强低CO₂浓度组藻的胞外CA活性最高; 而低光强低CO₂浓度组藻的胞外α-CA基因表达量显著高于其他3组。以上结果表明低CO₂浓度可促进蛋白核小球藻的pH补偿点和无机碳亲和力的提高, 诱导胞外CA活性及α-CA基因的表达; 该藻主要以HCO₃^-为无机碳源, 其对无机碳的利用受光照的调节。     

Effects of CO2 enrichment on soluble amino acids and organic acids in barley primary leaves as a function of age, photoperiod and chlorosis

Responses of soluble amino acids and organic acids to either ambient (36 Pa) or elevated (100 Pa) CO₂ treatments were determined using barley primary leaves (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Brant). Total soluble amino acids were increased 33% by CO₂ enrichment 9 days after sowing (DAS), but a decrease relative to the ambient CO₂ treatment was observed with increasing leaf age. Marked declines of glutamine and asparagine were observed under CO₂ enrichment, both diurnally and with advancing leaf age. Consequently, total soluble amino acids were 59% lower in the elevated compared to the ambient CO₂ treatment 17 DAS. It was likely that chlorosis in response to CO₂ enrichment negatively impacted soluble amino acid levels in older barley primary leaves. In contrast to the ambient CO₂ treatment, glutamine and most other soluble amino acids decreased as much as 60% during the latter half of a 12 h photoperiod in primary leaves of 13-day-old seedlings grown under enhanced CO₂. Malate was decreased about 9 percent by CO₂ enrichment and citrate and succinate were increased by similar amounts when measured 9 and 13 DAS. Malate accumulation was also decreased about 20% by CO₂ enrichment on a diurnal basis. The onset of CO₂-dependent leaf yellowing had much less of an effect on organic acids than on soluble amino acids. This above results emphasized the sensitivity of N metabolism to CO₂ enrichment in barley. Increased levels of citrate and succinate in response to CO₂ enrichment suggested that the tricarboxylic acid cycle was upregulated in barley by CO₂ enrichment. In summary, organic and amino acid levels in barley primary leaves were dynamic and were altered by age, diurnally and in response to CO₂ enrichment.     

空气CO2增高条件下荔枝叶片光合作用和超氧自由基产率

研究结果表明,生长在77±5PaCO₂分压下30d的荔枝幼树,其光合速率较大气CO₂分压(39.3Pa)下的低23%,光下线粒体呼吸速率和不包含光下呼吸的CO₂补偿点亦略有降低.空气CO₂增高使叶片最大羧化速率(V_cmax)和最大电子传递速率(J_max)降低,表明大气增高CO₂分压下叶片的光系统I(PSI)能量水平较低,叶片超氧自由基产率亦降低39%,叶片感染荔枝霜疫霉病率则从生长在大气CO₂分压下的1.8%增至9.5%.可能较低光合和呼吸代谢诱致较低的超氧自由基产率,而使叶片易受病害侵染.叶片受病害侵染后表现为超氧自由基的激增.在全球大气CO₂分压增高趋势下须加强对荔枝霜疫霉病的控制.     

控墒补灌对新疆春玉米产量和穗叶光合特性的影响

为探讨北疆绿洲区滴灌春玉米的高产栽培水分管理模式,以‘郑单958’(ZD958)和‘垦玉2号’(KY02)为试验材料,研究了控墒补灌对滴灌春玉米大喇叭口期(V12)至蜡熟期(R5)叶片SPAD值以及灌浆期(R3)穗叶色素、光合和荧光等参数的影响.结果表明: 土壤墒度过低或过高均会显著(P<0.05)降低V12-R3期叶片SPAD值,R5期宜保持在田间持水量的65%以上.灌浆期土壤墒度<75%时玉米叶绿素a、b及叶绿素总含量、类胡萝卜素、叶绿素a/b显著下降,但土壤墒度>85%时差异并不显著;土壤墒度<75%时玉米净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)及气孔导度(g_s)显著下降,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)显著上升,但土壤墒度>85%时并未观察到g_s的降低.土壤墒度过高或过低均可显著降低最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、潜在活性(F_v/F_o)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(q_P)和光合电子传递速率(rETR)等荧光参数,热耗散量子比率(F_o/F_m)、非光化学淬灭(NPQ)显著升高;通径分析发现,P_n降低主要由F_v/F_o和rETR的下降导致,最终表现为产量的降低.这表明各生育时期土壤墒度保持在V6>60%、V12 >70%、R1 >75%、R3 >80%、R5 >65%是本地区滴灌春玉米获得高产的最佳水分管理模式.     

不同光照强度下谢君魔芋的光合作用及能量分配特征

为了探讨喜阴植物谢君魔芋(Amorphophallus xiei)对不同光强的适应策略,测量和分析了不同透光率(高光,透光率100%;中光,透光率32.6%;低光,透光率5.98%)下谢君魔芋对光、CO₂、光斑的响应特征及响应过程中叶绿素a荧光和能量分配特征.结果表明: 随着生长光强的增大,谢君魔芋最大净光合速率(P_max)、暗呼吸速率、表观量子产额、羧化效率显著降低,光补偿点、CO₂补偿点显著升高.中光处理的谢君魔芋对光合诱导的响应更迅速(P<0.05);随着生长光强的增加,暗适应初始气孔导度(g_s-i)显著升高;完成光合诱导中最大净光合速率30%(t_30%P)、50%(t_50%P)和90%(t_90%P)所需的时间与g_s-i呈负相关.高光处理的植株PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΔF/F_m′)、光化学猝灭(q_P)和电子传递速率(ETR)较高,且在光合诱导过程中所对应的非光化学猝灭(NPQ)值相对较高,而低光处理具有较高的反应中心激发能捕获效率(F_v′/F_m′).高光处理非光化学耗散途径比例(Ф_NPQ)较低,而低光处理Ф_NPQ则相对较高.表明喜阴植物谢君魔芋在中低光下生长时受到高光胁迫能够启动快速耗散机制来保护自身光合机构,长期处于高光环境则采用增加热耗散成本和形成淬灭复合物的策略在一定程度上应对高光胁迫,这可能是其不能很好适应高光环境的原因之一.     

Consumption of O2 in the light by Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

A mass spectrometer has been used to measure O₂ production and consumption and net CO₂ exchange near the CO₂ compensation point in Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown in air and in 2% (v/v) and 5% (v/v) CO₂ in air. Some experiments were run in presence of -hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanesulfonic acid and, for others, data are presented from parallel assays for enzymic glycolate oxidation. Although the glycolate-oxidising enzyme was present in cells grown with and without CO₂ enrichment, the activities measured were not compatible with direct measurements of O₂ consumption in the light. This and other evidence argues against glycolate being the primary substrate for light-induced O₂ consumption by these organisms.     

光强对三七光合能力及能量分配的影响

通过研究生长于不同环境光强(29.8%、9.6%、5.0%、1.4%和0.2%全日照)下的2年生三七光合作用对光照强度、CO₂浓度、模拟光斑的响应及叶绿素荧光和能量分配特征,研究光照强度对阴生植物三七光合特征及光适应的影响.结果表明: 29.8%全日照(FL)下三七表观量子效率(AQY)、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)潜在的量子效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)较低,最大净光合速率(P_{n max})、最大电子传递速率(J_max)、实际光化学量子效率(F/F_m′)、电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学淬灭系数(q_P)和光能分配到光化学途径的比例(Φ_PSⅡ)较高,但非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)并不是最高.9.6% FL和5.0% FL处理P_{n max}、光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)无显著差异,但它们的AQY、羧化效率(CE)、最大羧化速率(V_{c max})、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o较高,NPQ也相对较高.生长环境光强低于5.0%FL时,P_{n max}、CE、V_{c max}、J_max、ETR、F/F_m′、q_P、NPQ和Φ_PSⅡ均随生长环境光强的降低呈下降趋势,而捕获的光能分配到荧光耗散的比例(Φ_f,D)逐渐增加.在500 μmol·m^-2·s^-1光斑诱导下,生长环境光强大于5.0%FL下的三七Φ_PSⅡ随诱导时间的延长缓慢增加,1.4%FL和0.2%FL下Φ_PSⅡ迅速达到饱和,且Φ_f,D迅速增加.三七在受到长期高光胁迫的环境下,通过适度的PSⅡ光抑制和保持较高光合电子传递速率,从而提高光能的利用来保护光合机构遭受不可修复的氧化伤害;适度的遮荫能够有效保持较高的非光化学热耗散能力;但过度遮荫会使其光合能力明显降低,捕获的光能更多地通过非光化学的途径耗散,且在接受到高光照射时较容易引发光氧化伤害.     

CO2 assimilation, respiration and chlorophyll fluorescence in peach leaves infected by Taphrina deformans

Photosynthesis, respiration and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined in peach ( Prunus persica L. cv. Dixired) leaves naturally infected by Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul. and in healthy leaves (controls), in two successive springs. A drastic decrease in net photosynthesis and an evident increase in respiration in curled leaves were noted. The instantaneous PSII fluorescence yield, with no (F₀) and with (F₀) quenching component, and steady state fluorescence yield (under actinic light, F_s) were essentially unchanged. Maximal fluorescence in dark-adapted (F_m) and illuminated (F'_m) leaves and the corresponding variable fluorescence (F_v and F_v) clearly decreased. The indicators of PSII quantum yield (F_v/F_m) in dark-adapted leaves, and the potential PSII excitation capture efficiency (F'_v/F'_m) and the quantum yield of PSII (q_p [F'_v/F'_m]) in the light were also significantly lower in curled leaves. Decreasing tendencies were also noted for the PSII photochemical yield (photochemical quenching, q_p) and in the energy status of the chloroplast (non-photochemical quenching, q_N, and Stern-Vollmer value, NPQ) although the differences were not always significant. In curled leaves the main alteration documented is the imbalance between the drastic inhibition of CO₂ fixation and the moderate decrease in photochemical reactions (i.e. F_v/F_m and ΔF/F'_m), indicating changes in the energy flux.     

Direct and indirect effects of Cd2+ on photosynthesis in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris)

Sugar-beet plants ( Beta vulgaris L. cv. Monohill) were cultivated for 4 weeks in a complete nutrient solution. Indirect effects of cadmium were studied by adding 5, 10 or 20 μ M CdCl₂ to the culture medium while direct effects were determined by adding 1, 5, 20, 50 or 2 000 μ M CdCl₂ to the assay media. The photosynthetic properties were characterized by measurement of CO₂ fixation in intact plants, fluorescence emission by intact leaves and isolated chloroplasts, photosystem (PS) I and PSII mediated electron transport of isolated chloroplasts, and CO₂-dependent O₂ evolution by protoplasts. When directly applied to isolated leaves, protoplasts and chloroplasts. Cd²⁺ impeded CO₂ fixation without affecting the rates of electron transport of PSI or PSII or the rate of dark respiration. When Cd²⁺ was applied through the culture medium the capacity for, and the maximal quantum yield of CO₂ assimilation by intact plants both decreased. This was associated with: (1) decreased total as well as effective chlorophyll content (PSII antennae size), (2) decreased coupling of electron transport in isolated chloroplasts, (3) perturbed carbon reduction cycle as indicated by fluorescence measurements. Also, protoplasts isolated from leaves of Cd²⁺-cultivated plants showed an increased rate of dark respiration.     

The quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence as a consequence of the transport of inorganic carbon by the cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625

The chlorophyll a fluorescence yield of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625 decreased upon the initiation of inorganic carbon transport. The fluorescence yield recovered upon the depletion of inorganic carbon from the medium or upon the addition of DCMU. The inhibition of photosynthetic CO₂ fixation by iodoacetamide did not prevent this reduction of fluorescence yield. Similar results were obtained for both Na⁺-stimulated HCO₃⁻ transport and for the transport (presumably of CO₂) that is stimulated by carbonic anhydrase. A transient lowering of the fluorescence yield was also observed when cell suspensions were pulsed with CO₂. In cells not inhibited with iodoacetamide, a very close quantitative relationship existed between the net rate of O₂ evolution and the maximum extent of fluorescence quenching seen as a function of the inorganic carbon concentration. The fluorescence quenching, however, was not due to CO₂ fixation but rather to the transport of inorganic carbon or the accumulation of the internal pool of inorganic carbon. If quenching is due to the latter it is not surprising that the extent of quenching corresponds to the maximum rate of photosynthesis as the rate of photosynthesis also depends on the size of the internal pool. The results with DCMU suggest that the quenching is Q quenching and transport must provide a mechanism for the oxidation of Q other than CO₂ fixation.     

Morphological and physiological responses of canola (Brassica napus) siliquas and seeds to UVB and CO2 under controlled environment conditions

Combined effects of UVB radiation and CO₂ concentration on plant reproductive parts have received little attention. We studied morphological and physiological responses of siliquas and seeds of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. 46A65) to UVB and CO₂ under four controlled experimental conditions: UVB radiation (4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with ambient level of CO₂ (370 μmol mol⁻¹) (control); UVB radiation (4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with elevated level of CO₂ (740 μmol mol⁻¹); no UVB radiation (0 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with ambient level of CO₂ (370 μmol mol⁻¹); and no UVB radiation (0 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) with elevated level of CO₂ (740 μmol mol⁻¹). UVB radiation affected the outer appearance of siliquas, such as colour, as well as their anatomical structures. At both CO₂ levels, the UVB radiation of 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ reduced the size of seeds, which had different surface patterns than those from no UVB radiation. At both CO₂ levels, 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ of UVB decreased net CO₂ assimilation (A_N) and water use efficiency (WUE), but had no effect on transpiration (E). Elevated CO₂ increased A_N and WUE, but decreased E, under both UVB conditions. At both CO₂ levels, the UVB radiation of 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ decreased chlorophyll fluorescence, total chlorophyll (Chl), Chl a and Chl b, but had no effect on the ratio of Chl a/b and the concentration of UV-screening pigments. Elevated CO₂ increased total Chl and the concentration of UV-screening pigments under 4.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ of UVB radiation. Neither UVB nor CO₂ affected wax content of siliqua surface. Many significant relationships were found between the above-mentioned parameters. This study revealed that UVB radiation exerts an adverse effect on canola siliquas and seeds, and some of the detrimental effects of UVB on these reproductive parts can partially be mitigated by CO₂.     

Oxygen photoreduction and variable fluorescence during a dark-to-light transition in Chlorella pyrenoidosa

When dark-adapted (5 min in the dark) Chlorella cells were deposited on a bare platinum electrode, treated with DCMU (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) and illuminated, O₂ was consumed after a lag time of about 250 ms. The comparison of the O₂ consumption kinetics with the fluorescence O-I-D-P-S transition (the fast change in chlorophyll fluorescence which occurs after the onset of illumination of dark-adapted algae and is over within 2 s) observed in untreated algae indicates that no O₂ is consumed during the fluorescence rise and that O₂ uptake is initiated approximately when the maximum level of fluorescence P is reached. Mass spectrometry measurements of O₂ exchange (using ¹⁸O₂) were performed during dark to light transition with DCMU-untreated Chlorella cells. Under these conditions, O₂ reduction began after a lag time (about 200–400 ms) and stopped after about 5 s of illumination. The above experiments clearly show that the reduction of O₂ starts nearly at the same time that the fluorescence P-S decline. On the other hand, we show that the reduction of CO₂ does not interfere in the fluorescence O-I-D-P-S transient. We found the same apparent affinity for O₂ (about 57 μM) for both the fluorescence P-S decline and the reduction of O₂. At least three consecutive short (2 μs) saturating flashes were required to affect the fluorescence transient significantly and also to induce a significant uptake of O₂. Moreover, parabenzoquinone, an artificial Photosystem I electron acceptor, inhibited both the fluorescence D-P rise and the 250 ms lag time observed in the reduction of O₂. We conclude from the above results that in the early stages of the illumination of dark-adapted algae, some Photosystem I electron acceptors are in an inactive form. In this form, the electron transport chain is unable to reduce either O₂ or CO₂. This would lead to the accumulation of electrons on the Photosystem II acceptors (principally Q⁻_A and the plastoquinone pool) and therefore explains the fluorescence D-P rise. The light activation, probably achieved through the reduction of at least two electron acceptors, first allows the reduction of O₂, and therefore explains the P-S fluorescence decline. By accepting electrons before the site of regulation and mediating rapid O₂ reduction, parabenzoquinone avoids the accumulation of electrons and therefore inhibits the D-P fluorescence rise.