缺镁胁迫对纽荷尔脐橙叶绿素荧光特性的影响

以1年生枳砧纽荷尔脐橙为材料,测定不同叶龄叶片相对叶绿素含量和荧光参数,研究缺镁胁迫对叶片叶绿素合成与荧光特性的影响.结果显示,随着叶位的升高,低镁组和无镁组秋梢叶片(老叶)的相对叶绿素含量、Fυ/Fm呈明显增加趋势,而春梢叶片(新叶)的相对叶绿素含量、F,/Fm差异不显著;随着缺镁胁迫程度的增大,叶片相对叶绿素含量、Fυ／Fm、光响应能力(△Fυ/ Fm、qP和rETR)均呈降低趋势,而非光化学淬灭(qN)呈升高趋势,低镁组老叶、新叶及无镁组新叶与对照差异不显著(P＞0.05),而无镁组老叶与对照差异显著(P＜0.05).表明,缺镁胁迫严重时不仅会导致纽荷尔脐橙老叶光合能力降低,也会导致其新叶光合能力降低;短期缺镁胁迫对老叶光合能力的影响显著大于新叶,而且这种差异随着缺镁程度的增大而呈增大趋势.因此,在夏季高光照条件下缺镁纽荷尔脐橙老叶易发生光抑制,缺镁严重时甚至会产生光伤害,导致叶片早衰.     

NaCl胁迫下交替呼吸途径对叶绿素含量及其荧光特性的影响

以菜豆幼苗作为试验材料,分析了NaCl胁迫下交替呼吸对叶绿素含量以及叶绿素荧光特性变化特征的影响,以探讨交替呼吸途径在逆境下的生理学作用以及植物在盐胁迫下光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的调节作用机制。结果表明:(1)随着NaCl胁迫浓度(0、100、200、300mmol/L)的增高,菜豆幼苗叶片叶绿素含量显著下降,叶片光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)潜在最大光化学量子效率(Fv/Fm)、光适应下最大光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)、PSⅡ光适应下实际光化学效率[Y(Ⅱ)]和光化学荧光猝灭(qP)与对照相比均显著性下降,而非光化学猝灭(NPQ)较对照组显著增加,同时交替呼吸容量在NaCl胁迫下也显著上升。(2)与单独NaCl胁迫相比,在NaCl胁迫下施加交替呼吸的抑制剂水杨基氧肟酸(SHAM)会导致菜豆幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、Fv/Fm、Fv′/Fm′、Y(Ⅱ)和qP进一步显著下降、NPQ进一步显著增加。研究认为,NaCl胁迫导致菜豆叶片光系统Ⅱ光化学效率下降和光能耗散增加,交替呼吸途径可有效缓解NaCl胁迫下菜豆叶绿素含量的减少以及光系统Ⅱ光化学反应效率的下降。     

不同供镁水平对两菊芋品种幼苗生物量、光合和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

采用砂培方式研究了不同供镁水平对"南芋1号(Nanyu No.1)"和"青芋2号(Qingyu No.2)"幼苗生物量、光合特性和叶绿素荧光特性的影响。结果表明:缺镁使菊芋叶片叶绿素含量显著降低,干物质积累减少,净光合速率、蒸腾速率和光合电子传递速率显著下降、CO2同化受抑制,同时Fv/Fm、ΦPSII、qP和qN也显著下降,加重了叶片受到光抑制的程度;随着供镁水平的增加,菊芋的干物质积累,叶绿素含量,光合参数和各系列荧光参数均呈现先增加后降低的趋势;南芋1号和青芋2号在镁离子浓度分别为3和6mmol.L-1,叶片的净光合速率、Fo、Fm、Fo’、Fm’、Fv/Fm、ΦPSII、ETR达到最高值,叶绿素a、b及总叶绿素含量也最多,干物质积累量最大;南芋1号的各系列荧光参数、光合参数、叶绿素含量和干物质积累量均显著高于青芋2号。     

缺硫对脐橙叶片光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用营养液培养的方法,对缺硫脐橙叶片的光合特性进行了研究。结果表明,在缺硫情况下,脐橙叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、光呼吸速率(Pr)、光合色素含量、可溶性蛋白质含量、初始荧光(Fo)、光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、最大荧光(Fm)和电子传递速率(ETR)显著下降,而光呼吸/光合比(Pr/Pn)显著升高。缺硫脐橙植株的光合能力降低,可能是叶绿体发育不全或特性功能蛋白含量不足所致。     

盐胁迫对鸡爪槭幼苗生长及其叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以鸡爪槭幼苗为材料,采用盆栽方法,研究了不同盐浓度[0.042%(对照)、0.2%、0.4%和0.6%]对鸡爪槭幼苗生长的伤害和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果显示:当土壤NaCl含量为0.2%、0.4%和0.6%时,鸡爪槭幼苗分别表现为轻度、中度和重度盐害;叶片含水量、叶绿素a和b及叶绿素总含量均随盐浓度的增加而显著下降,花色素苷含量则表现为随盐浓度的增大而显著上升,分别比对照高出48.7%、280.3%和382.7%;叶片叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、潜在量子效率(Fv/Fm)、光化学量子产量(Yield)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)均随着盐浓度的增大呈显著下降趋势,但非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)在低盐胁迫时则较对照显著提高,0.2%NaCl处理时比对照显著增加33.3%,而高盐胁迫下则显著下降。研究表明,盐胁迫显著抑制了鸡爪槭幼苗叶片叶绿素合成和光合作用进行,而幼苗叶片在低盐胁迫下则可能通过增加PSⅡ反应中心非辐射热能量耗散来保护光合机构不受损害,从而表现出一定的耐盐胁迫能力。     

供镁水平对油桐幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

采用营养液砂培试验,研究不同供镁水平对油桐幼苗生长、光合特性及叶绿素荧光参数等的影响。结果表明,低镁浓度(Mg2+2 mmol·L-1)显著抑制了油桐的生长,叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶及PEPC活性、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔限制值(Ls)、水分利用效率(WUE)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSII)、PSII的潜在活性(Fv/Fo)及光化学淬灭系数(q P)显著下降(P0.05),胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、初始荧光(Fo)、非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)有所升高;高镁浓度(Mg2+4 mmol·L-1)也抑制了油桐幼苗的生长,导致叶片叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶活性、Pn、Gs、Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo及q P均下降(P0.05);随着供镁水平的增加,油桐的生长量、叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶及PEPC活性、Pn呈先增加后降低的趋势;当镁离子浓度为2~4 mmol·L-1时,有利于油桐幼苗正常生长,缺镁胁迫下油桐光合速率的下降主要是由光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素引起的。     

珙桐苗木叶片光合特性对土壤干旱胁迫的响应

通过控制土壤含水量,研究了土壤干旱胁迫对2年生珙桐(Davidia involucrata Baill.)幼苗叶面积、叶绿素含量、光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响,以探讨珙桐光合作用对土壤干旱胁迫的响应机理.结果表明,干旱胁迫后,珙桐叶片失水脱落,各干旱胁迫处理叶面积比对照显著降低23%～98%,但单位面积的叶绿素含量却无显著变化;干旱处理的珙桐幼苗净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用效率(WUE)显著低于对照(P<0.05);干旱胁迫对珙桐幼苗叶片的初始荧光产量(F0)及最大荧光产量(Fm)没有产生显著影响,却显著降低了PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ实际光化学量子产量(Yield)、电子传递速率(ETR)及光化学淬灭系数(qP),使非光化学淬灭系数(qN)显著升高(P<0.05).研究发现,土壤水分亏缺对珙桐叶片的光合系统造成了不可逆的伤害,严重抑制了其正常的光合作用和生长发育;珙桐幼苗对土壤干旱胁迫极为敏感.     

外源亚精胺对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合作用的影响

采用营养液栽培,研究了外源亚精胺对50mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗植株生长、叶片叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数(PSⅡ光化学效率)的影响。结果表明:NaCl胁迫显著降低了黄瓜植株生长量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)(P<0.05),但对PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ФPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(qP)、有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)、非光化学淬灭(qN)和PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)无显著影响(P>0.05);外源亚精胺显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜植株生长量、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度,增加了ФPSⅡ、qP、Fv′/Fm′,降低了qN(P<0.05);外源亚精胺对Fv/Fm影响不显著(P>0.05)。外源施加亚精胺可增强盐胁迫下黄瓜植株的光合能力,主要是由于减弱了盐胁迫对植株的气孔限制,但对PSⅡ实际光化学效率影响较小,且叶面喷施比根施处理对改善盐胁迫下植株的生长和光合作用更有效。     

木棉叶片叶绿素荧光参数和SPAD值对干旱胁迫的响应

采用盆栽控水干旱法模拟干旱逆境,对1年生木棉(Bombax ceiba)盆栽苗进行不同程度的胁迫处理,测定干旱胁迫时其叶片叶绿素SPAD值和荧光参数动态变化。结果表明,干旱胁迫下,木棉叶片叶绿素相对含量逐渐降低;初始荧光(Fo)随着干旱程度的加剧而呈上升趋势,而最大荧光(Fm)、潜在光化学效率(Fv /Fo)、最大光化学效率(Fv /Fm)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)和表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)下降,在中度和重度干旱胁迫时差异显著(P＜0.05);非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)变化不显著。干旱胁迫导致木棉植株出现光抑制,植株可通过降低光化学淬灭、增加热耗散的形式增强对干旱的适应能力。     

水分胁迫对牛心朴子叶片光合色素及叶绿素荧光的影响

研究了水分胁迫对牛心朴子叶片光合色素及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的影响。结果表明,在长期的水分胁迫中,牛心朴子叶片的叶绿素a(Chl a)、叶绿素b(Chl b)和类胡萝卜素(Car)含量没有下降或下降不明显。直到处理末期才显著下降;叶片叶绿素荧光动力学参数Fo、Fm、Fv、Fv／Fm变化不大,在处理末期各处理Fo降低,轻度、重度水分胁迫的Fm、Fv、Fv／Fm升高。说明K期水分胁迫后牛心朴子的光合功能受到影响,但牛心朴子仍表现出较强的适应干旱的能力。     

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction,chlorophyll content,and chromaticity characteristics of leaves as indicators of photosynthetic apparatus senescence in arboreous plants

Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence induction (CFI) are widely used for assessment of the physiological state of higher plant leaves in biochemical, physiological, and ecological studies and in agricultural applications. In this work we have analyzed data on variability of some CFI parameters — Φ _PSII ^max = F _v/F _m (relative value of variable fluorescence), q _NPQ (non-photochemical quenching coefficient), R _Fd (“vitality index”) — in autumnal leaves of ten arboreous plant species of the temperate climatic zone. The correlation between the chlorophyll content in the leaves and fluorescence parameters characterizing photosynthetic activity is shown for two representative species, the small-leaved linden Tilia cordata and the rowan tree Sorbus aucuparia. During the period of mass yellowing of the leaves, the Φ _PSII ^max value can be used as an adequate characteristic of their photochemical activity, while in summer the q _NPQ or R _Fd values are more informative. We have established a correlation between the Φ _PSII ^max value, which characterizes the maximal photochemical activity of the photosystem II, and “chromaticity coordinates” of a leaf characterizing its color features. The chromaticity coordinates determined from the optical reflection spectra of the leaves serve as a quantitative measure of their hues, and this creates certain prerequisites for a visual expert assessment of the physiological state of the leaves.     

Quenching partitioning through light-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence: A quantitative analysis to assess the fate of the absorbed light in the field

Plants use a small part of the total absorbed light energy for net carboxylation, while the remaining amount is dissipated via alternative pathways involving thermal processes, fluorescence and non-carboxylation photochemistry in order to limit the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other photooxidative risks. The commonly used analysis of the Photosystem II (PSII) fluorescence signals gives qualitative information about absorbed light energy management by plants, but it is difficult to appreciate the relative contribution of each pathway in energy partitioning.This study reports the application of quenching partitioning through a chlorophyll fluorescence approach performed on peach leaves subjected to three different light intensities for four durations of exposure in absence of recovery from photo-damage. This methodology was compared with the P₇₀₀ redox kinetic method for determining the functional PSII fraction in leaves. In the absence of recovery processes the active PSII concentration decayed with an increase in photon exposure (the product of irradiance and the time of exposure), following an exponential pattern according to the reciprocity law. The photoprotective thermal dissipation (Φ_NPQ) was proportional to irradiance up to 30 min of photoinhibitory treatment. Afterwards Φ_NPQ was limited by the increasing competition for the absorbed energy re-emitted by the inactive PSII (Φ_NF). Φ_NF increased with the photon exposure dissipating up to 70% of the total incoming energy. The energy funnelled to photochemistry (Φ_PSII) decreased with increasing exposure time or intensity, becoming zero after 120 min of photoinhibitory treatment at the maximum irradiance (2100 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹). The relation between the fraction of energy dissipated by the inactive PSII (derived from the quenching partitioning) and the inactive PSII fraction (measured with the P₇₀₀ redox kinetic method) was linear.The quenching partitioning through light-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence is a useful tool to analyse plant energy management and gives also a reasonable estimation of the active PSII fraction. This methodology can easily be used in the field as measurements are rapid, non-destructive and detection devices are portable.     

Magnesium deficiency enhances resistance to paraquat toxicity in bean leaves

Effects of deficient (20mmol m^?3) and sufficient (1000 mmol m^?3) magnesium (Mg) supply and of varied light intensity (100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 to 580 μmol m^?2 s^?1) on paraquat-dependent chlorophyll destruction in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants grown in nutrient solution were studied over a 12-d period using leaf discs or intact primary leaves. Treatment of leaf discs with 10mmol m ³ paraquat for 15h caused severe chlorophyll loss, especially with increasing light intensity. This chlorophyll destruction by paraquat was very much higher in Mg-sufficient than Mg-deficient leaves. The occurrence of paraquat resistance in Mg deficient leaves was already apparent after 6d growth in nutrient solution, i.e. before any decrease in chlorophyll or growth by Mg deficiency was evident. Also, following foliar application of paraquat (10–140 mmol m^?3) to intact plants, Mg-deficient plants were much more resistant to paraquat, even following longer exposure duration (72 h) and four to 14 times higher paraquat concentrations than those received by Mg sufficient plants. From experiments where exogenous scavengers of superoxide radical (O₂^.-), hydroxyl radical (OH^·) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) were applied to leaf discs, it appears that O₂^.-, and partly, OH^· are the main O₂ species which contribute to chlorophyll destruction by paraquat. The results demonstrate that Mg-deficient bean plants become highly resistant to O₂^.--mediated and light-induced paraquat injury. The mode of this paraquat resistance is attributed to well-known stimulative effects of Mg deficiency on O₂^.- and H₂O₂ scavenging enzymes and antioxidants.     

Proteomic analysis of Citrus sinensis roots and leaves in response to long-term magnesium-deficiency

Background

Magnesium (Mg)-deficiency is frequently observed in Citrus plantations and is responsible for the loss of productivity and poor fruit quality. Knowledge on the effects of Mg-deficiency on upstream targets is scarce. Seedlings of ‘Xuegan’ [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] were irrigated with Mg-deficient (0 mM MgSO₄) or Mg-sufficient (1 mM MgSO₄) nutrient solution for 16 weeks. Thereafter, we first investigated the proteomic responses of C. sinensis roots and leaves to Mg-deficiency using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in order to (a) enrich our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plants to deal with Mg-deficiency and (b) understand the molecular mechanisms by which Mg-deficiency lead to a decrease in photosynthesis.

Results

Fifty-nine upregulated and 31 downregulated protein spots were isolated in Mg-deficient leaves, while only 19 upregulated and 12 downregulated protein spots in Mg-deficient roots. Many Mg-deficiency-responsive proteins were involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, followed by protein metabolism, stress responses, nucleic acid metabolism, cell wall and cytoskeleton metabolism, lipid metabolism and cell transport. The larger changes in leaf proteome versus root one in response to Mg-deficiency was further supported by our observation that total soluble protein concentration was decreased by Mg-deficiency in leaves, but unaffected in roots. Mg-deficiency had decreased levels of proteins [i.e. ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco), rubisco activase, oxygen evolving enhancer protein 1, photosynthetic electron transfer-like protein, ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR), aldolase] involved in photosynthesis, thus decreasing leaf photosynthesis. To cope with Mg-deficiency, C. sinensis leaves and roots might respond adaptively to Mg-deficiency through: improving leaf respiration and lowering root respiration, but increasing (decreasing) the levels of proteins related to ATP synthase in roots (leaves); enhancing the levels of proteins involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and other stress-responsive proteins; accelerating proteolytic cleavage of proteins by proteases, protein transport and amino acid metabolism; and upregulating the levels of proteins involved in cell wall and cytoskeleton metabolism.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that proteomics were more affected by long-term Mg-deficiency in leaves than in roots, and that the adaptive responses differed between roots and leaves when exposed to long-term Mg-deficiency. Mg-deficiency decreased the levels of many proteins involved in photosynthesis, thus decreasing leaf photosynthesis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1462-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Physiological,morphological and anatomical trait variations between winter and summer leaves of Cistus species

Morphological, anatomical and physiological summer and winter leaf traits of Cistus incanus subsp. incanus, C. salvifolius and C. monspeliensis growing at the Botanical garden of Rome were analyzed. With regard to differences between summer and winter leaves of the considered species, leaf thickness (L) was 21% higher in summer than in winter leaves (mean of the considered species) and this increase was mostly the result of the increased palisade parenchyma thickness over the spongy parenchyma one (24 and 16% higher in summer than in winter leaves, respectively). Leaf mass area (LMA) and leaf tissue density (LTD) were 38% and 17% higher in summer than in winter leaves, respectively (mean of the considered species). The photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s) and chlorophyll content (Chl) of summer leaves were 54%, 17% and 14% lower, respectively, than in winter leaves. C. monspeliensis summer leaves had the highest LMA, LTD, adaxial cuticle thickness (14.6 ± 1.8 mg cm⁻², 1091 ± 94 mg cm⁻³, and 5.8 ± 1.7 μm, respectively) and the lowest mesophyll intercellular spaces (f_ias 38 ± 3%). Moreover, C. monspeliensis had the highest P_N in summer (2.6 ± 0.1 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and C. incanus the highest P_N and WUE (84% and 59% higher than the other species) in the favorable period, associated to a higher f_ias (42 ± 2%). C. salvifolius had the highest P_N (54% higher than the other species) in winter. The plasticity index could allow a better interpretation of the habitat preference of the considered species. The physiological plasticity (PI_p = 0.39, mean value of the considered species) was higher than the morphological (PI_m = 0.22, mean value) and anatomical (PI_a = 0.13, mean value) plasticity. Moreover, among the considered species, C. salvifolius and C. incanus are characterized by a larger PI_a (0.14, mean value) which seems to be correlated with their wider ecological distribution and the more favorable conditions of the environments where they naturally occur. The highest PI_m (0.29) of C. monspeliensis indicates that it can play a high adaptive role in highly stressed environments, like fire degraded Mediterranean areas in which it occurs.     

Effect of surplus glucose on physiological and biochemical characteristics of sugar beet leaves in relation to the age of the leaf and the whole plant

Effect of surplus glucose on physiological and biochemical parameters of leaves of different age was investigated in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L., subsp. saccharifera) plants in the stages of vegetative growth (SVG). Early and late SVG were differentiated by the ratio between the weights of roots and aboveground organs (0.10 and 0.35, respectively). The excess of Glu was produced by incubation of the disks excised from detached leaves in water or 0.1 M Glu at radiant flux density of 250 μmol/(m² s) with the light regime pattern described as night/day/night/light (8/16/8/3 h). In all the leaf disks incubated in water and glucose solution, the content of Glu and other soluble carbohydrates considerably increased as compared with their content in the leaves they were taken from. After disk incubation in water and glucose solution, the content of chlorophyll (a + b) rose as compared with its level in respective leaves in early SVG; in late SVG, it declined. In early SVG, the rate of the O₂ photosynthetic evolution (Ph) in the ageing leaves under saturating concentration of NaHCO₃ after incubation in water and Glu solution declined more considerably than in young leaves. In late SVG, incubation of leaf disks in water and Glu solution weakly affected P _n. The rate of O₂ dark consumption in the leaf disks of all the types of treatment increased after incubation in water and especially in Glu solution. Activity of soluble carbonic anhydrase (sCA) in the extracts from young leaves in early SVG after their incubation in water and Glu solution was essentially the same, but after the incubation of ageing leaves in Glu solution, it reliably decreased. In late SVG, sCA activity sharply decreased after incubation in water and Glu solution irrespective of the leaf age. In late SVG, activity of Rubisco in the young leaves did not change after their incubation in water but decreased after incubation of the leaves of the three ages in Glu solution. In early SVG, nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) in the young intact leaf was lower than in the ageing leaf, and after leaf incubation in water and Glu solution, it rose. In late SVG, the value of NPQ was greater than in early SVG and, in contrast to the leaves of early SVG, it declined after leaf incubation; in water, this decline was more pronounced than in the Glu solution. In early SVG, efficient quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) was much greater than in late SVG and it declined in the leaves incubated with Glu. It was concluded that surplus Glu can maintain biosynthetic processes in the young leaves of young sugar beet plants (trophic function). A decline in the level of chlorophyll and the activities of sCA and Rubisco in the course of leaf development and senescence is considered as a symptom of the suppression of biosynthesis of proteins of chlorophyll-protein complexes and the enzymes (Rubisco and sCA).     

Application of spectrally resolved fluorescence induction to study light-induced nonphotochemical quenching in algae

The light-induced nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) can safely dissipate excess of absorbed light to heat. Here we describe an application of spectrally resolved fluorescence induction (SRFI) method for studying spectral variability of NPQ. The approach allows detection of spectrally-resolved nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ_λ) representing NPQ dependency on fluorescence emission wavelength in the whole spectral range of fluorescence emission. The experimental approach is briefly described and NPQ_λ is studied for the cryptophyte alga Rhodomonas salina and for green alga Chlorella sp. We confirm presence of NPQ_λ only in membrane-bound antennae (chlorophyll a/c antennae) and not in phycobiliproteins in lumen in cryptophyte and show that NPQ_λ is inhibited in the whole spectral range by NPQ inhibitors in Chlorella sp. We discuss variability in the quenching in the particular spectral ranges and applicability of the NPQ_λ parameter to study quenching locus in vivo.     

Physiological responses of Plantago algarbiensis and P. almogravensis shoots and plantlets to low pH and aluminum stress

We investigated the impact of low pH and aluminum (Al) stress on the growth, nutrients concentration, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigment contents, proline and carbohydrate accumulation in shoots and plantlets (leaves and roots) of Plantago almogravensis and P. algarbiensis. Both species accumulated considerable and similar amounts of Al in their tissues, mainly in the roots. The presence of Al caused a significant reduction on root elongation in P. algarbiensis. Low pH and Al induced significant changes on nutrient accumulation, but no significant alterations on the maximum efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (?_PSII), quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (?_NPQ) and quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation (?_NO) were detected in both species in response to these stresses. However, Al increased significantly the non-photochemical quenching and the chlorophyll b content and decreased the PSII excitation pressure (1 ? q _p) in P. almogravensis leaves. Both stress treatments induced carbohydrate accumulation in the shoots and roots of this species, but not in leaves. In P. algarbiensis, low pH and Al decreased the photosynthetic pigment contents in the shoots, whereas Al stimulated the carbohydrate accumulation in the leaves. Although our data showed that both species are tolerant to Al³⁺ and H⁺, P. almogravensis appeared to be more adapted to maintain cellular physiology and growth under those conditions.     

Changes in photosynthesis of alpine plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea superba</Emphasis> during leaf expansion

The native alpine plant Saussurea superba is widely distributed in Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau regions. The leaves of S. superba grow in whorled rosettes, and are horizontally oriented to maximize sunlight exposure. Experiments were conducted in an alpine Kobresia humilis meadow near Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station (37°29′–37°45′N, 101°12′–101°33′E; alt. 3200 m). Leaf growth, photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in expanding leaves of S. superba. The results indicate that leaf area increased progressively from inner younger leaves to outside fully expanded ones, and then slightly decreased in nearly senescent leaves, due to early unfavorable environmental conditions, deviating from the ordinary growth pattern. The specific leaf area decreased before leaves were fully expanded, and the leaf thickness was largest in mature leaves. There were no significant changes in the content of chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car), but the ratios of Chl a/b and Car/Chl declined after full expansion of the leaves. The variation of Chl a/b coincided well with changes in photochemical quenching (q _P) and the fraction of open PSII reaction centers (q _L). The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry after 5 min dark relaxation (F _(v)/F _(m)) continuously increased from younger leaves to fully mature leaves, suggesting that mature leaves could recover more quickly from photoinhibition than younger leaves. The light-harvesting capacity was relatively steady during leaf expansion, as indicated by the maximum quantum efficiency of open PSII centers (\(F_{\text{v}}^{{\prime }}\)/\(F_{\text{m}}^{{\prime }}\)). UV-absorbing compounds could effectively screen harmful solar radiation, and are a main protection way on the photosynthetic apparatus. The decline of q _P and q _L during maturation, together with limitation of quantum efficiency of PSII reaction centers (L _(PFD)), shows a decrease of oxidation state of Q_A in PSII reaction centers under natural sunlight. Furthermore, light-induced (Φ _NPQ) and non-light-induced quenching (Φ _NO) were consistent with variation of L _(PFD). It is concluded that the leaves of S. superba could be classified into four functional groups: young, fully expanded, mature, and senescent. Quick recovery from photoinhibition was correlated with protection by screening pigments, and high level of light energy trapping was correlated with preservation of photosynthetic pigments. Increasing of Φ _NPQ and Φ _NO during leaves maturation indicates that both thermal dissipation of excessive excitation energy in safety and potential threat to photosynthetic apparatus were strengthened due to the declination of q _P and q _L, and enhancement of L _(PFD).     

Photosynthetic characteristics and effects of exogenous glycine of Chorispora bungeana under drought stress

We investigated the photosynthetic characteristics of Chorispora bungeana under conditions of drought stress caused by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG; 0, 5, 20, and 40%) and various concentrations of exogenous glycine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mM) with 20% PEG. We showed that moderate and severe drought stress of PEG reduced the chlorophyll (Chl) content (both Chl a and b), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in light (Y_II), and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y_NPQ), while Chl a/b and quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation (Y_NO) increased. The low and moderate drought stress increased Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ contents, while a decrease in Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ was found under severe drought stress. Compared to sole PEG stress, the addition of exogenous 10 mM glycine increased Chl, Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ contents, F_v/F_m, Y_II, and Y_NPQ, and reduced Y_NO. On the contrary, 20 mM glycine showed an opposite effect, except for Y_NO. Our results proved that Chl contents and fluorescence parameters are reliable indicators for drought tolerance of C. bungeana. We suggest that a proper glycine content can relieve the effect of drought stress on C. bungeana.