超高产杂交稻‘华安3号’冠层不同衰老程度叶片的光合功能

 较系统地研究了抽穗期超高产杂交稻‘华安3号’（`X075’×`紫恢100’）冠层顶部5片叶片的光合功能。结果表明,‘华安3号’剑叶的光系统Ⅱ（PSＩＩ）光化学最大效率(Fv/Fm)、开放的PSⅡ反应中心捕获激发能效率（Fv′/Fm′）、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率（ΦPSⅡ）、光化学猝灭系数（qP）、表观电子传递效率（ETR）、光合色素尤其是叶绿素（Chl）和类胡萝卜素（Car）中的新黄素、黄体素和β-胡萝卜素（β-Car）的含量等均优于其下的各叶,而PSⅡ的激发压力（1-qP）低于其它叶片。经对叶片低温（77K）荧光发射光谱的Gaussian解析,与其它各叶片相比,剑叶PSⅡ核心天线复合物CP47和光系统Ⅰ（PSⅠ）的含量较高,而非活性的PSⅡ捕光色素蛋白复合体（LHCⅡ）聚集态含量较少。研究证明：1）水稻在决定籽粒产量的生育后期,其干物质的积累主要是由冠层最上面的3片叶的光合作用所提供;2）在叶片衰老过程中,光合反应中心的衰老早于天线系统;3）杂交稻的光保护途径之一,可能在于光抑制条件下通过增加PSⅠ含量及其对光能的吸收并刺激环式电子传递高速运转,从而对光合器起保护作用;4）水稻叶片在衰老过程中,可能通过部分Chl b还原为Chl a,以降低LHCⅡ的含量,从而减少对光能的捕获,达到降低光抑制的伤害。     

长期施肥对水稻光合特性及水分利用效率的影响

在实施了27年的长期田间定位试验区,研究了长期不同施肥对红壤区水稻光合特性及水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:在不施肥(CK)、无机肥(N、NP、NPK)、有机肥(猪粪+紫云英绿肥,M)和无机肥与有机肥配施(NPKM)处理中,长期施用肥料,特别是有机肥与无机肥配施提高水稻各生育期剑叶叶绿素含量、净光合作用速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率和水稻产量,降低水稻剑叶胞间CO_2浓度;水稻剑叶叶绿素含量、净光合作用速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率随发育阶段演进而减小,孕穗期>齐穗期>乳熟期,而胞间CO_2浓度相反;水分利用效率以齐穗期为最大;水稻发育阶段叶绿素含量、净光合速率和水稻产量之间均呈显著正相关;长期施用肥料,特别是有机肥与无机肥配施更有利于红壤区水稻的生长发育、产量和水分利用效率的提高.

Abstract：

A field experiment has being conducted for 27 years in Jinxian County, Institute of Red Soil in Jiangxi Province (116°20'24" E, 28°15'30" N) to study the effects of fertilization on the rice photosynthetic traits and water use efficiency. Four treatments were installed,i. e., no fertilization (CK), chemical fertilization (N, NP, NPK), organic fertilization (M), and chemi-cal and organic fertilization (NPKM). Long-term fertilization, especially treatment NPKM, in- creased the flag leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpi-ration rate, and water use efficiency of rice at its all growth stages and the rice yield, and de-creased the flag leaf intercellular CO_2 concentration. With the growth of rice, the chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate decreased, but the intercellular CO_2 concentration increased. The water use efficiency was the greatest at full-head-ing stage. There were significant positive correlations between the chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate at various growth stages and the rice yield, Long-term fertilization, especially the combined chemical and organic fertilization, was favorable to the rice growth and develop-ment, water use efficiency, and yield production in red soil region.     

Effects of Low Temperature on Photosynthesis in Flag Leaves of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

After low temperature (16℃) treatment, the net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and FBPase activity tended to decrease and ratio of chlorophyll a/b, stomatal resistance, sucrose and starch content tended to increase in rice flag leaves at heading stage. However, the Pi content and water potential did not show pronounced change. The flag leaf chloroplasts contained large starch grains after three days at low temperature. The recovery of net photosynthetic rate in the flag leaves which had recieved stress at 16℃ for three days and transferred to normal nature condition was gradually increased. It almost came up to the value of control after five days. However, the decrease in stomatal resistance was rapid. It was almost lowered to the value of control after one day. Under normal nature comdition for five days, the chlorophyll content and FBPase activity reached near to the value of control. Meanwhile, the ratio of chlorophyll a/b, the sucrose and starch content almost declined to the value of control. The large starch grain in flag leaf chloroplast also disappeared. According to the experimental results, we discussed the relationship between the above-mentioned various changes and net photosynthetic rate We suggested that the effect of low temperature on photosynthesis might be one of factors in yield-reduction of rice.     

The consequences of chlorophyll deficiency for photosynthetic light use efficiency in a single nuclear gene mutation of cowpea

The light harvesting and photosynthetic characteristics of a chlorophyll-deficient mutant of cowpea (Vigna unguilata), resulting from a single nuclear gene mutation, are examined. The 40% reduction in total chlorophyll content per leaf area in the mutant is associated with a 55% reduction in pigment-proteins of the light harvesting complex associated with Photosystem II (LHC II), and to a lesser extent (35%) in the light harvesting complex associated with Photosystem I (LHC I). No significant differences were found in the Photosystem I (PS I) and Photosystem II (PS II) contents per leaf area of the mutant compared to the wildtype parent. The decreases in the PS I and PS II antennae sizes in the mutant were not accompanied by any major changes in quantum efficiencies of PS I and PS II in leaves at non-saturating light levels for CO₂ assimilation. Although the chlorophyll deficiency resulted in an 11% decrease in light absorption by mutant leaves, their maximum quantum yield and light saturated rate of CO₂ assimilation were similar to those of wildtype leaves. Consequently, the large and different decreases in the antennae of PS II and PS I in the mutant are not associated with any loss of light use efficiency in photosynthesis.Abbreviations LHC I, LHC II light harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complexes associated with PS I and PS II - A₈₂₀ light-induced absorbance change at 820 nm - ø_{PS I}, ø_{PS II} relative quantum efficiencies of PS I and PS II photochemistry     

Dissecting a wheat QTL for yield present in a range of environments: from the QTL to candidate genes

Previous studies with 95 bread wheat doubled haploid lines (DHLs) from the cross Chinese Spring (CS)xSQ1 trialled over 24 yearxtreatmentxlocations identified major yield quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in homoeologous locations on 7AL and 7BL, expressed mainly under stressed and non-stressed conditions, respectively. SQ1 and CS contributed alleles increasing yield on 7AL and 7BL, respectively. The yield component most strongly associated with these QTLs was grains per ear. Additional results which focus on the 7AL yield QTL are presented here. Trials monitoring agronomic, morphological, physiological, and anatomical traits revealed that the 7AL yield QTL was not associated with differences in flowering time or plant height, but with significant differences in biomass at maturity and anthesis, biomass per tiller, and biomass during tillering. In some trials, flag leaf chlorophyll content and leaf width at tillering were also associated with the QTL. Thus, it is likely that the yield gene(s) on 7AL affects plant productivity. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) for the 7AL yield QTL with CS or SQ1 alleles in an SQ1 background showed the SQ1 allele to be associated with >20% higher yield per ear, significantly higher flag leaf chlorophyll content, and wider flag leaves. Epidermal cell width and distance between leaf vascular bundles did not differ significantly between NILs, so the yield-associated gene may influence the number of cell files across the leaf through effects on cell division. Interestingly, comparative mapping with rice identified AINTEGUMENTA and G-protein subunit genes affecting lateral cell division at locations homologous to the wheat 7AL yield QTL.     

The effects of feeding by the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, on the growth and yield components of rice, Oryza sativa

Abstract 1 The effects of feeding by larvae of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, on the growth and yield components of rice, Oryza sativa, were evaluated using four varieties of rice, ‘Cocodrie’, ‘Cypress’, ‘Bengal’ and ‘XP1003’, over 2 years. 2 Both adults and larvae of L. oryzophilus feed on rice plants, but it is feeding by the larval stage that causes economic losses. Feeding by L. oryzophilus larvae resulted in extensive damage to root systems. Pruning of root systems resulted in a decrease in tiller number and shoot biomass of rice plants in the vegetative stage of growth. 3 Yield losses were due to a combination of decreases in panicle densities, numbers of grains per panicle, and grain weights. Decreases in panicle densities were a direct result of the reductions in tiller numbers. Reductions in numbers of grains per panicle and grain weights probably resulted from decreases in shoot biomass. 4 Injury by rice water weevil larvae is chronic. The tillering stage of rice suffered the majority of weevil damage, but the growth effects were not manifested until later.     

不同年代冬小麦品种旗叶光合特性和产量的演变特征

选用20世纪50年代的望水白（WSB）和碧玛1号(BM1)、70年代的郑引1号(ZY1)和扬麦1号(Y1)及90年代的豫麦34(Y34)和宁麦9号(N9)冬小麦品种为材料,采用大田试验研究了小麦旗叶光合特性和籽粒产量的演变特征.结果表明：与其他年代品种相比,90年代品种灌浆期旗叶具有较高的叶绿素含量、净光合速率（P_n）、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m) 和实际光量子效率（Φ_PSⅡ）,以及较高的光化学淬灭(q_P)和非光化学淬灭(q_N),并且其光合叶面积功能期长,衰老较慢.90年代品种收获指数高于50和70年代品种,平均群体产量分别比50和70年代品种提高了25.90%和11.29%.因此,在小麦品种改良过程中,花后光合能力的提高及光合持续期的延长是小麦产量增长的重要生理基础.     

稻纵卷叶螟经济阈值的研究

本文研究了稻纵卷叶螟(Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee不同龄幼虫取食量,田间水稻不同品种接种不同密度幼虫后小区产量、空壳率、千粒重和损失率,不同剑叶受害面积与产量损失关系,天敌参数,以及施药防治的成本估计等。查明田间幼虫密度(x)与产量损失率(y)呈正相关,分品种建立了线性回归方程。综合上述因素求出平均济济闭值为百丛虫口45.67±6.02头,平均经济损失水平为百丛虫口60.0±7.92头;天敌参数为17.91±0.61头;平均防治行动阈值为百丛虫口63.57±6.63头;早稻第二代幼虫防治行动阈值为百丛虫口67.24±4.97头,晚稻第四代幼虫防治行动阈值为百丛虫口59.91±4.47头。     

Photosynthetic Physiological Response of Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) Seedlings to Nicosulfuron

Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicine plants. However, there is no suitable herbicide used for weed control in Radix Isatidis field during postemergence stage. To explore the safety of sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron on Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) seedlings and the photosynthetic physiological response of the plant to the herbicide, biological mass, leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and P₇₀₀ parameters of Radix Isatidis seedlings were analyzed 10 d after nicosulfuron treatment at 5th leaf stage in this greenhouse research. The results showed that biological mass, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, PS II maximum quantum yield, PS II effective quantum yield, PS II electron transport rate, photochemical quenching, maximal P₇₀₀ change, photochemical quantum yield of PS I, and PS I electron transport rate decreased with increasing herbicide concentrations, whereas initial fluorescence, quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PS II and quantum yield of non-photochemical energy dissipation due to acceptor side limitation in PS I increased. It suggests that nicosulfuron ≥1 mg L−1 causes the damage of chloroplast, PS II and PS I structure. Electron transport limitations in PS I receptor side, and blocked dark reaction process may be the main cause of the significantly inhibited growth and decreased photosynthetic rate of Radix Isatidis seedlings.     

The nature of the effects of the aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum on the growth of wheat

Field-caged, post-anthesis populations of the aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum reduced grain weight of wheat by 14 and 7% respectively and induced changes in the senescence of the flag leaf. Spikelet number and grain number were unaffected as they are normally determined by pre-anthesis factors. Percentage grain protein was significantly reduced by both aphid species. The pattern of grain weight reduction within the ear was consistent with known limitations on the distribution of flag leaf assimilates among the grains. The relative effects of the two aphid species apparently resulted from the degree of nutrient drain imposed at particular feeding sites and the reduction in the leaf area duration of the flag leaf.     

Grain filling in relation to monocarpic senescence of wheat in varying source-sink ratios

Flag leaf removal at any stage of grain growth hastened senescence (reduction in chlorophyll content) of the sterile glumes whereas a removal of the latter did not alter senescence of the former. Kernel mass, grain mass per ear, harvest index and sink activity reduced more conspicuously by the removal of glumes than by the flag leaf removal. Removal of grains hastened senescence of the glumes only, although protein content increased at a later grain removal in the majority of source organs. Moisture contents of the developing grains were mostly reduced by the removal of either the flag leaf or the glumes, though flag leaf removal at anthesis affected it the most. Protein levels of the developing grains reduced at harvest only when the glumes were removed at anthesis but sugar levels in later phases always decreased irrespective of the time of removal and nature of the source organs.     

黑暗诱导衰老对不同年代冬小麦品种旗叶光系统Ⅱ功能的影响

小麦品种的更新换代是小麦产量不断提高的重要因素,阐明小麦品种演替过程中不同生理特性的变化对新品种选育具有重要参考价值.旗叶衰老速率快慢是影响小麦产量水平的关键因素,目前对于不同小麦品种衰老过程中旗叶光系统Ⅱ功能的变化规律尚不清楚.本试验选用1941-2014年间河南地区不同时期种植的31个品种,通过黑暗诱导离体叶片衰老,测定旗叶叶绿素荧光诱导动力学参数、叶绿素相对含量的变化,分析了光系统Ⅱ功能的变化规律.结果表明:品种演替过程中旗叶的叶绿素含量逐渐提高,衰老过程中近代品种叶绿素的降解速率低于较早年代品种;旗叶衰老过程中,近代品种荧光诱导动力学曲线的J点上升幅度小于I点;品种更替过程中光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率和单位面积有活性反应中心数目逐渐增加,但是近代品种降低速率低于较早年代品种.叶绿素含量的变化与未衰老叶片中F_v/F_m没有显著相关性,但是随着衰老程度增加,相关性逐渐增大,且趋势线斜率逐渐提高;光系统Ⅱ单位面积有活性反应中心数目与品种育成时间呈显著正相关,且随着衰老程度增加,相关程度和趋势线斜率均显著提高.综上,小麦品种演替过程中,旗叶叶绿素含量逐渐升高,降解速率逐渐减缓,光合电子传递过程中Q_A到Q_B电子传递的抗衰老能力得到改善,从而减缓了衰老过程中光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率和有活性反应中心的衰减速率,同时,叶绿素含量的提高和旗叶光系统Ⅱ抗衰老能力的增强也是品种更替过程中产量逐渐提高的重要因素.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and enzymatic antioxidant capacity of flag leaf and the grain yield in two cultivars of Triticum aestivum (L.) exposed to warmer growth conditions

Using late sowing practice, the reproductive growth (anthesis and kernel filling) phase of two wheat cultivars, HD 1553 and HD 2307 was exposed to warmer growth conditions, and the effect on grain yield was examined. The grain weight declined in late-sown plants of both cultivars, but the number of grains per spike decreased drastically in HD 1553 plants. In this cultivar exposure to warmer temperature during reproductive phase led to 67% fewer grains per spike. Examination of photosynthetic and enzymatic antioxidant capacity in flag leaves of late-sown plants revealed a marked reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoid pigmentation in addition to a decline in the activity of H2O2 metabolising enzymes in HD 1553 cultivar. The photo-oxidative pigment loss due to warmer growth conditions in late-shown HD 1553 plants could lead to a reduction in flag leaf photosynthesis and contribute to poor grain yield.     

Characteristics of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Membrane-Lipid Peroxidation During Senescence of Flag Leaf in Different Cultivars of Rice

With japonica rice 98-08, indica hybrids Shanyou 63, Gangyou 881, and X07S/Zihui 100, and sub-species hybrid Peiai 64S/9311 as materials, chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl a fluorescence parameters, and membrane lipid peroxidation in flag leaf were measured at late developmental stages under natural conditions. F_v/F_m, q_P, _PS2, and electron transport rate gradually decreased while q_N increased conversely. Excessive photon energy led to the accumulation of active oxygen (O₂ ^–), H₂O, malonyldialdehyde, and products of membrane lipid peroxidation, and resulted in reduced Chl content and early ageing subsequent to the photooxidation during flag leaf senescence. There was obvious diversification of these parameters among rice cultivars. In comparison with japonica cv. 98-08 (tolerant to photooxidation), F_v/F_m decreased in indica cv. Shanyou 63 (susceptible to photooxidation) with greater accumulation of active oxygen and a sharp drop in Chl content, which resulted in yellowish early ageing, and affected the filling and setting of rice grains. The mechanism for premature ageing in indica rice was related to irradiance and temperature at filling stages. On a sunny day at above 25 °C, the reaction centre of photosystem 2 (PS2) exhibited a dynamic change on reversible inactivation. Under the intense irradiance at noon, PS2 function in indica rice exhibited obvious down-regulation and photoinhibition. Under intense irradiance with lowered temperatures, PS2 resulted in photo-damage and early ageing, related to the degradation of PS2-D1 protein and the inhibition of endogenous protection systems such as the xanthophyll cycle and enzymes scavenging active oxygen. Hence for high-yield breeding, based on a good plant-type and utilising heterosis and tolerance of photooxidation, the selection of japonica rice or a sterile line with the japonica genotype as female is a strategy worthy of consideration.     

施氮量和栽培模式对旱地冬小麦旗叶衰老及其活性氧代谢的影响

以冬小麦小偃22为试验材料,研究3种栽培模式(常规栽培、覆草栽培、地膜覆盖)和3种施氮水平(施纯氮0、120和240 kg/hm2)下旗叶衰老与活性氧代谢特性.结果表明,与常规栽培(CK)相比较,覆草栽培条件下叶绿素含量始终较高(P<0.05),叶片衰老速度缓慢,代谢强度旺盛,有利于籽粒灌浆和光合产物的积累,产量显著增加(P<0.05).在灌浆前期,地膜覆盖条件下叶片叶绿素含量增加(P<0.05),叶片保护性酶活性(POD、CAT)提高,膜脂过氧化程度低;但在灌浆后期,叶绿素含量急剧下降,叶片衰老速度加快,膜脂过氧化程度加剧,产量仍显著增加(P<0.05).施用氮肥在一定范围内可提高旗叶叶绿素含量和保护性酶活性(POD、CAT),降低膜脂过氧化程度;施氮量为120 kg/hm2时,冬小麦旗叶叶绿素含量最高,叶片衰老迟缓,代谢强度降低缓慢,膜脂过氧化程度低,有利于小麦后期生长和籽粒灌浆,在3种栽培模式下产量均最高.     

D,L-甘油醛处理引起的小麦叶片表观光合量子效率的降低（英文）

D,L-甘油醛(磷酸核酮糖激酶抑制剂,10mmol/L)处理小麦旗叶1 h可降低叶片净光合速率和表观量子效率.同时,光系统Ⅱ光化学效率(△F/Fm′)、电子传递速率(ETR)和单位叶面积ATP含量均降低,而胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)和叶绿素荧光非光化学猝灭(NPQ)增加.这些结果说明,D,L-甘油醛引起的小麦旗叶表观量子效率降低是由于光合碳同化受阻对光合电子传递的反馈抑制.     

The anti-photooxidation of anthocyanins-rich leaves of a purple rice cultivar

In the leaf of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Yunnan purple rice,the anthocyanins with an obvious absorption peak at 530nm were distributed in the cells of upper and lower epidermis,bulliform tissue and bristle. The maximal photosynthetic oxygen evolution rate and chlorophyll content in flag leaves were 28% and 23%,respectively,more than the common green leaf rice cultivar Chijiaoru-anzhan. Higher chlorophyll content is probably one of the physiological adaptations for enhancing light harvesting capacity of the antenna in photosystems in this cyanic leaves species. Upon the photooxidation of leaf segments mediated by methyl viologen in weak light for 3 days,the distinct bleaching of anthocyanins in purple rice was associated with the reduction of scavenging ability to DPPH· free radical ability and the increase in membrane leakage rate. But almost no changes in contents of flavonoids and total phenolics were observed. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fo,qP and φPSⅡ decreased with the increase in NPQ and DES of xanthophylls cycle after photooxidation treatment. Green rice leaves showed more decrease in DPPH· scavenging rate and more increase in cell membrane leakage rate but showed a trace of anthocyanins during photooxidation. It is sug-gested that anthocyanin may be a beneficial and primary antioxidant in sun cyanic rice leaves against oxidative stress induced by environmental adversity. And photooxidation could induce different changing patterns of anthocyanins between the tested purple and green rice leaves.     

水稻品种对稻纵卷叶螟抗性的物理及生化机制

稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis连年大发生,为在其治理中培育和推广抗虫品种,本文应用扫描电镜和生化测定研究了5个常用水稻栽培品种扬辐粳8号、扬稻6号、扬粳9538、淮稻9号和宁梗1号叶片中的硅含量、硅颗粒大小、蜡质含量等物理指标和一些生化指标与抗虫性的关系,并比较了稻纵卷叶螟幼虫危害不同水稻品种后其体内生化反应的差异。结果表明抗虫品种宁梗1号、淮稻9号叶片表面的硅含量显著高于感虫品种,硅颗粒大小在品种间无显著差异。宁粳1号叶片蜡质含量显著高于其他品种。由此表明叶片表面硅和蜡质含量与抗性有关。稻纵卷叶螟幼虫取食后,抗虫品种体内的过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）活性显著高于感虫品种,但丙二醛(MDA)含量低于感虫品种。稻纵卷叶螟幼虫取食不同品种后,其体内一些酶的活性明显不同,取食抗虫品种的幼虫体内POD和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)活性显著高于取食其他品种的幼虫,SOD活性显著低于取食感虫品种的幼虫, 表明抗虫品种对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫有毒害作用。     

不同水分处理对耐旱性不同小麦品种旗叶衰老的影响

在防雨池栽条件下,研究了不同土壤水分处理对不同耐旱性小麦品种旗叶衰老的影响。结果表明,开花后小麦旗叶叶绿素含量、iPAs含量和光合速率均随土壤水分含量降低而降低,而MDA和ABA含量升高,旗叶衰老进程加快,产量降低。旱地品种菜农8834比水浇地品种鲁麦7号上述指标随土壤水分含量降低而下降或升高的幅度小,这是旱地小麦品种莱农8834在水分亏缺条件下产量较高的内在生理基础。     

Effects of drought during grain filling on PS II activity in rice

The Rice varieties Araure 4 (A4) and Fonaiap 2000 (F2000) were grown in the glasshouse under natural sunlight and subjected to drought at heading. The drought induced changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, pigment composition, D1 contents and carbohydrate accumulation were investigated. Drought decreased phiPS II, FV'/FM' and qP, and increased qN in both varieties. F2000 had larger values of phiPS II and FV'/FM' at a lower RWC than A4. With the onset of drought only A4 increased the xanthophyll cycle pool, F2000 remaining constant throughout the drought cycle. Irrigated plants of A4 had a Larger de-epoxidation state (DEPS) of the xanthophyll cycle than F2000. A 40% increase in DEPS was induced by drought in both varieties but in A4 it was attained at a larger RWC than in F2000. Drought increased glucose and fructose contents of leaves 8-fold in A4 and 3-fold in F2000. Contrarily, sucrose contents decreased with drought but the effects were larger in A4 than in F2000. Sugars accumulation preceded and was proportional to the decrease in PS II activity elicited by drought in both varieties. In F2000 a decrease in D1 content smaller than 20% occurred at 70% of RWC, whereas droughted plants of A4 had lost 80% of D1 protein at 77% of RWC. Our data show that drought severely affected PS II activity and its main regulatory mechanisms in rice. There are genotypic differences in the response of PS II activity to drought that could be exploited as traits for selection to drought tolerance. There is a possible link between the drought-induced sugars accumulation in the flag leaf and the response of PS II to water deficit.