Photosynthesis of Ears and Flag Leaves of Wheat and Barley

Immediately after anthesis ears of spring wheat absorbed lessthan 0.5 mg CO₂, per hour in daylight and later evolved CO₂,in the light and in the dark. The rate of apparent photosynthesisof the combined flag-leaf lamina and sheath and peduncle (collectivelycalled flag leaf) of two spring wheat varieties, Atle and JufyI, was 3–4 mg per hour; the rates of the flag leaf andthe ear of two spring barleys, Plumage Archer and Proctor, wereeach about 1 mg per hour. The gas exchange of ears and flag leaves between ear emergenceand maturity accounted for most of the final grain dry weight.The CO₂, fixed by the wheat ear was equivalent to between 17and 30 per cent of the grain weight, but more than this waslost by respiration, so assimilation in the flag leaf was equivalentto 110–20 per cent of the final grain weight. In barley,photosynthesis in the flag leaf and the net CO₂ uptake by theear each provided about half of the carbohydrate in the grain. Barley ears photosynthesized more than wheat ears because oftheir greater surface, and flag leaves of wheat photosynthesizedmore than those of barley because they had more surface anda slightly greater rate of photosynthesis per dm².     

Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Extremely-Late Sown Winter Wheat Cultivars under Two Irrigation Regimes in the North China Plain

Wheat production is threatened by water shortages and groundwater over-draft in the North China Plain (NCP). In recent years, winter wheat has been increasingly sown extremely late in early to mid-November after harvesting cotton or pepper. To improve water use efficiency (WUE) and guide the extremely late sowing practices, a 3-year field experiment was conducted under two irrigation regimes (W1, one-irrigation, 75 mm at jointing; W2, two-irrigation, 75 mm at jointing and 75 mm at anthesis) in 3 cultivars differing in spike size (HS4399, small spike; JM22, medium spike; WM8, large spike). Wheat was sown in early to mid-November at a high seeding rate of 800–850 seeds m⁻². Average yields of 7.42 t ha⁻¹ and WUE of 1.84 kg m⁻³ were achieved with an average seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) of 404 mm. Compared with W2, wheat under W1 did not have yield penalty in 2 of 3 years, and had 7.9% lower seasonal ET and 7.5% higher WUE. The higher WUE and stable yield under W1 was associated with higher 1000-grain weight (TGW) and harvest index (HI). Among the 3 cultivars, JM22 had 5.9%–8.9% higher yield and 4.2%–9.3% higher WUE than WM8 and HS4399. The higher yield in JM22 was attributed mainly to higher HI and TGW due to increased post-anthesis biomass and deeper seasonal soil water extraction. In conclusion, one-irrigation with a medium-sized spike cultivar JM22 could be a useful strategy to maintain yield and high WUE in extremely late-sown winter wheat at a high seeding rate in the NCP.     

Photosynthesis by Flag Leaves of Wheat in Relation to Protein, Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase Activity and Nitrogen Supply

The effects of nitrate supply on the composition (cell numbers,protein and chlorophyll contents) of flag leaves of winter wheatgrown with two amounts of N fertilizer and of spring wheat grownin the glasshouse under controlled nitrate supply are describedand related to photosynthesis. Nitrogen deficiency decreasedthe size of leaves, mainly by reducing cell number and, to asmaller extent, by decreasing cell volume. Protein content perunit leaf area, per cell and per unit cell volume was largerwith abundant N. Total soluble protein, ribulose bisphosphatecarboxylase-oxygenase (RuBPc-o) protein and chlorophyll changedin proportion irrespective of nitrogen supply and leaf age.Photosynthesis per unit area of flag leaf and carboxylationefficiency in both winter and spring wheat were proportionalto the amount of total soluble protein up to 7.0 g m^–2and to the amount of RuBPc-o protein up to 4.0 g m^–2.However, photosynthesis did not increase in proportion to theamount of total soluble or RuBPc-o protein above these amounts.In young leaves with a high protein content the measured ratesof photosynthesis were lower than expected from the amount andactivity of RuBPc-o. Carboxylation per unit of RuBPc-o protein,measured in vitro, was slightly greater in N-deficient leavesof winter wheat but not of spring wheat. RuBPc-o activity perunit of RuBPc-o protein was similar in winter and spring wheatleaves and remained approximately constant with age, but increasedin leaves showing advanced senescence. RuBPc-o protein fromN-deficient leaves migrated faster on polyacrylamide gels thanprotein from leaves with high N content. Regulation of the rateof photosynthesis in leaves and chloroplasts with a high proteincontent is discussed. The conductance of the cell to the fluxof CO₂ from intercellular spaces to RuBPc-o active sites iscalculated, from cell surface areas and CO₂ fluxes, to decreasethe CO₂ partial pressure at the active site by less than 0.8Pa at an internal CO₂ partial pressure of 34 Pa. Thus the decreasein partial pressure of CO₂ is insufficient to account for theinefficiency of RuBPc-o in vivo at high protein contents. Otherlimitations to the rate of photosynthesis are considered. Key words: Wheat, photosynthesis, nitrogen, ribulose, bisphosphate carboxylase     

Experimental Study and Mathematical Simulation of Water Use Efficiency in Wheat Leaves Affected by Some Environmental Factors

By incorporating Ball-Berry model of stomatal conductance into the models of photosynthesis and transpiration, a model of leaf water use efficiency (WUE) as affected by several environmental variables [irradiance (Ⅰ), vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca) ] was constructed. Because the environmental variables influenced the photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate in different ways, the changes of leaf WUE with these factors were quite complicated. The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration of wheat leaves were also measured in the phytotron where the environmental variables were kept within certain ranges, and leaf WUE was calculated therefrom. The results of simulation fit quite well with the measurements except at high Ca.     

Dry Matter and Leaf Structure in Young Wheat Plants as Affected by Cadmium, Lead, and Nickel

The effects of 1 mM cadmium, lead and nickel on dry mass, Cd, Pb, and Ni contents, and changes in leaf structure in young wheat plants were studied. In leaves, Cd content was highest, followed by Pb and Ni, in roots Cd content was also highest, but followed by Ni and Pb. Roots accumulated considerably larger amounts of the three heavy metals than leaves. Largest reductions of leaf and root mass were obtained with Cd. Pb and Ni effects were almost equal. Ni excess had a strong negative effect on mesophyll thickness, while Cd mostly reduced the number and size of vascular bundles and vessel diameter. High Pb reduced the diameter of vessels causing their different deformations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Understanding Dry Matter and Nitrogen Accumulation with Time-Course for High-Yielding Wheat Production in China

Understanding the time-course of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation in terms of yield–trait relationships is essential to simultaneously increase grain yield and synchronize N demand and N supply. We collected 413 data points from 11 field experiments to address patterns of DM and N accumulation with time in relation to grain yield and management of winter wheat in China. Detailed growth analysis was conducted at the Zadok growth stages (GS) 25 (regreening), GS30 (stem elongation), GS60 (anthesis), and GS100 (maturity) in all experiments, including DM and N accumulation. Grain yield averaged 7.3 Mg ha⁻¹, ranging from 2.1 to 11.2 Mg ha⁻¹. The percent N accumulation was consistent prior to DM accumulation, while both DM and N accumulation increased continuously with growing time. Both the highest and fastest DM and N accumulations were observed from stem elongation to the anthesis stage. Significant correlations between grain yield and DM and N accumulation were found at each of the four growth stages, although no positive relationship was observed between grain yield and harvest index or N harvest index. The yield increase from 7–9 Mg ha⁻¹ to >9 Mg ha⁻¹ was mainly attributed to increased DM and N accumulation from stem elongation to anthesis. Although applying more N fertilizer increased N accumulation during this stage, DM accumulation was not improved, indicating that N fertilizer management and related agronomic management should be intensified synchronously across the wheat growing season to simultaneously achieve high yields and match N demand and N supply.     

Photosynthesis of Conifers in Relation to Annual Growth Cycles and Dry Matter Production

Observations that deciduous and evergreen conifers growing in Britain show similar annual growth increments, despite marked differences in short-term growth rates, led to a comparative study of seasonal photosynthetic capacity in established trees of four coniferous species with contrasting growth habits. The photo-synthetic data were compared with seasonal changes in environmental parameters and chloroplast ultrastructure. The maximum net photosynthetic rates (at 20°C) recorded for Larix leptolepis were higher than those for the evergreen conifers when expressed on a leaf weight basis but not when expressed per unit leaf area. The photosynthetic efficiency of new needles in the evergreen species showed an overall decline from just after needle maturity until just before budbreak in their second season, after which photosynthetic rates recovered temporarily, approaching previous maximum levels. There was no obvious correlation between seasonal photosynthetic efficiency (at 20°C) on the one hand, and daily air, and (30 cm) ground temperatures on the other, and there was no obvious winter suppression of evergreen photosynthetic rates. Evergreen needles showed starch loss and some membrane changes with the onset of winter, but there was no evidence for wintertime chloroplast clumping or membrane disruption.     

Photosynthesis of Conifers in Relation to Annual Growth Cycles and Dry Matter Production

Observations that deciduous larch species can show annual growth increments equal to or greater than evergreen conifers, and that the saturating light intensity for photosynthesis in needles of Larix leptolepis was almost twice those for several evergreen conifers, led to a study of the photosynthetic mechanism in L. leptolepis. Several features of photosynthesis in L. leptolepis placed this species in an intermediate position between classical C₃ and C₄ plants. Incorporation of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴CO₂ by enzyme preparations of larch needles was eight times greater with PEP as substrate than with ribulose bis phosphate; a chlorophyll a/b ratio of 3.5 was obtained; needles possessed a green starch-containing endodermis but with little orientation of mesophyll cells to this “bundle sheath”; no clear ultrastructural dimorphism was observed between chloroplasts of mesophyll and endodermal cells; a CO₂-compensation point of 20 μl-l^?1 was recorded; and the first measurable product of photosynthesis appeared to be malate rather than phospho-glyceric acid. These results are discussed in relation to the deciduous habit of L. leptolepis and its high productivity in comparison with other conifers.     

黄淮海冲积平原区土壤有机质时空变异特征

通过分析124个样点1980年和2000年耕层土壤的有机质含量,研究了黄淮海冲积平原区河北省曲周县土壤有机质的时空变异特征,研究结果表明,该县目前土训有机质含量平均为12.89g/kg。与1980年相比较增加了4.11g/kg,年均增加0.21g/kg。但因各农户施用有机肥量的不同和管理水平的差异。占全县耕地面积6%的土壤有机质含量不升反降,县内各区域有机质的增长趋势为西南部和东南部高于中部和北部,潮上,盐土和褐土2000年有机质含量分别比1980年增加45.51%,82.48%和68.57%。     

Analysis of Light-Induced Depressions of Photosynthesis in Leaves of a Wheat Crop during the Winter

The photosynthetic performances of individual leaves of a wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Bezostaya) crop were assessed daily and throughout individual days during the winter when temperature and light levels were fluctuating. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence induction and the maximum quantum yield of O₂ evolution were made on individual leaves. Depressions in the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (F_v/F_m) were correlated with low temperatures and high light levels throughout the winter and during the course of individual days. Depressions in F_v/F_m observed in the field during the day were not accompanied by any significant change in the ability of photosystem II complexes to bind 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-dimethyl urea, indicating that the depressions in F_v/F_m were not attributable to photodamage to the D1 protein of the photosystem II reaction center. Decreases in F_v/F_m were associated with increases in the rate of dissipation of excitation energy by radiationless decay processes and decreases in the quantum efficiency of CO₂ assimilation, indicative of a rapidly reversible light-induced “downregulation” of photosynthesis. No major changes were observed in the maximum quantum efficiency of O₂ evolution of leaves throughout periods of fluctuating temperature and light, because light-induced depressions in photosynthetic efficiency recovered within the time required to make these measurements.     

Nitrate and Nitrite Reduction in Wheat Leaves as Affected by Different Types of Water Stress

The effect of different types of water stress on nitrate and nitrite reductases of wheat (Triticum vulgare L. cv. Mivhor) leaves was investigated. Water stress was applied either to leaf tissue by its incubation in mannitol or various salt solutions, or to intact plants by exposure of the root system to low temperatures or to salinity. Nitrite reductase was much less sensitive to water stress than nitrate reductase, and was not sensitive to salinity up to osmotic potentials of about — 13 bars. The decrease in nitrite reductase activity by water stress was attributed to a direct inhibition of the enzyme rather than to a repression of enzyme synthesis. This was based on the fast response of the enzyme after exposure of leaf tissue to reduced osmotic potential, on the lack of a continuous decrease in enzyme activity during a prolonged stress, and on the fact that light activation of reductase was unaffected by water stress. The inhibition of nitrate reductase under water stress was attributed to both a direct inhibition and a reduced rate in enzyme synthesis. This is concluded from the fact that a decrease in its activity was obtained already within 1 h after stress application and from the fact that light induction of the enzyme was inhibited by stress.     

不同发育时期冬小麦旗叶的荧光特性研究

首次对4种不同品种冬小麦（Triticum aestivumL.)的旗叶的诱导荧光动力学参数和最大净光合速率（Psat)进行了不同时期的比较,随着小麦从所花期到乳熟期的生长,旗叶的光系统II最大光量子效率（Fv/Fm)变化不大,在乳熟期略有下降,光化学淬灭（qP),光系统II量子产率（φPSII与）和Psat有较大的降低（＞15％）,非光化光学淬灭（qN)均有明显的增大（＞100％）,旗叶的φPSII与Psat的存线性关系（r=0.918),说明了在不同小麦品种中生长的衰老使得旗叶光合作用从能量转化到二氧化碳同化速率都降低。     

Studies on the Characteristics of Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Winter Wheat Flag Leaves at Different Developing Stages

The parameters of fluorescence induction kinetics and the maximal light-saturated net CO2 assimilation rate ( P sat ) of the flag leaves of four cultivars of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） were compared at three different developing stages for the first time. From the blooming stage to the milky stage, the quantum efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry ( Fv/Fm ) declined slightly only at the milk stage. The photochemical quenching co-efficient ( qP ), actual quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ（PSⅡ）electron transport ( Φ PSⅡ) and P sat decreased substantially (>15%), while the non-photochemical quenching co-efficient ( qN ) increased significantly (>100%). There existed a linear correlation between the Φ PSⅡ and the P sat ( r =0.918). The results indicate that with the senescence of the flag leaves of winter wheat the photosynthetic efficiency including that of the energy transport and the CO2 assimilation significantly decreased.     

Source-Sink Relationship: Control of Photosynthesis in the Flag Leaf by the Panicle in Wheat

If the sink organs regulate the metabolic activity of the sourceorgans through the transmission of a signal and that signalis chemical in nature, then it should be present among the substancescoming out of the panicle. When flag leaf respiration and photosynthesisof wheat (Tritcum aestivum L.) cv. HP 1459 were measured withan infrared gas analyser after feeding the flag leaves withthe diffusate coming out of the panicle, it was observed thatwhile respiration was unaffected, photosynthesis was sharplyinhibited; the inhibition decreased with increasing age of thepanicle. Among the known plant growth regulators none couldsatisfy the requirements of this role with the exception ofabscisic acid which was found to inhibit photosynthesis by morethan 50% even at 10^–7 M, when respiration was affectedby only 8%. Apparently, abscisic acid inhibited photosynthesisthrough its effects on stomatal movement. (Received September 2, 1986; Accepted May 1, 1987)     

氮肥对旱作小麦光合作用与环境关系的调节

土壤水分胁迫下,测定不同供氮小麦生理指标与环境因子的结果表明,25％的空气湿度是氮对作物调控的下限。在此值以上,增施氮肥可以提高光合速率适应高温和高湿的能力,扩大气孔导度受空气温度和湿度抑制的范围,提高叶片保水能力,从而增强小麦抗旱能力。     

Senescence of Flag Leaves and Ears of Wheat Hastened by Methyl Jasmonate

Treatment of flag leaves and ears of wheat plants with MJ (jasmonic acid methylester) (10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁴ m) did not increase ethylene production, but it did accelerate senescence as indicated by the loss of chlorophyll. MJ also caused the closure of stomata, and consequently the rates of transpiration and photosynthesis decreased. Early maturity shortened the grain filling period, so the thousand grain weight was lower. Although ethylene elicited the same physiologic effects, the syndrome of senescence by MJ is independent of the former. We conclude that senescence and death in wheat are far from being elucidated; however, MJ and ethylene seem to participate in the phenomenon. Received July 10, 1997; accepted January 5, 1998     

Translocation from the Flag Leaf of Winter Wheat in the Field

Translocation of assimilate from the flag leaf of winter wheat(Triticum aestivum cv. Maris Huntsman) was studied in the fieldby monitoring the export of photo-assimilated [^l4C]carbon dioxidewith a Geiger-Miiller counter placed under the fed area of leaf.The resulting export curve was analysed as a sum of two exponentialterms, and interpreted as a two-pool compartmental system. Therate constant for export from the leaf increased slightly frommaximum elongation to anthesis, then declined to almost halfits peak value just before the leaf lost all visible chlorophyll.The inter-pool transfer rate constants did not change significantlyover the same period, but all rate constants varied with timeof day. Short-term changes in the environment of the flag leaf had nodiscernible influence on translocation in the field. The timeconstants of the two pools of assimilate agreed with those forother species reported in the literature. These results areconsistent with the suggestion that sucrose is stored in thevacuole of mesophyll cells. The variations in rate constants with time of day, and deviationsof the export data from the two-pool model, suggest that exportand inter-pool transport have saturation kinetics. A model withMichaelis-Menten kinetics was formulated, and simulations ofthis model showed similar deviations from a simple two-poolsystem to those seen in our data.     

行距配置对晚熟冬麦区群体结构与光合性能的影响

合理的行距配置可以调节群体冠层结构的光合作用。山西太谷冬小麦产量徘徊不前,为了研究晚熟冬麦区不同行距配置对不同穗型冬小麦光合性能与群体结构的影响,在大田条件下选用两种不同穗型品种,在播量一致的前提下,分别采用10 cm和20 cm两种行距配置,研究冬小麦群体结构、光能利用和产量结构的差异。研究结果表明:全生育期总LAI值表现为B2高于B1,10 cm行距配置改变了叶片的垂直分布,尤其对多穗型小麦品种冠层(60-80 cm)叶面积的提高最为明显。在小麦植株中、上部分45-90 cm处,两种行距配置LI%均表现为B2配置大于B1配置,在株高60-75 cm处,两种行距配置LI%差异最为明显,B2配置较B1配置LI%提高达30%以上。花后旗叶PN和孕穗期至蜡熟期群体NPR均表现为10 cm行距配置高于20 cm行距配置。四个处理的总干物质重、绿叶、茎和穗的干物质重均表现为B2B1行距配置。两个小麦品种的B2处理(10 cm行距配置)的产量和生物产量均极显著高于B1处理(20 cm行距配置);但经济系数则呈现B2处理(10 cm行距配置)均小于相应小麦品种的B1处理。行距配置对不同小麦品种的影响不大。表明10 cm行距配置适用于北方晚熟冬麦区。     

施氮对冬小麦旗叶RuBP羧化酶活性及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以大穗型小麦品种'兰考矮早8'和多穗型品种'豫麦49-198'为材料,采用盆栽试验研究了不同施氮量对两种穗型冬小麦品种旗叶RuBP(1,5二磷酸核酮糖)羧化酶和PEPC(磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶)活性及叶绿素a荧光动力学参数的影响.结果表明,在本试验条件下,随着花后天数的增加,两小麦品种旗叶RuBP羧化酶和PEPC活性总体呈下降趋势;随着施氮量的增加,RuBP羧化酶和PEPC活性呈增加趋势,其中RuBP羧化酶活性多数以N4(N 4.8 g/盆)处理最高,PEPC活性多数以N3(N 3.6 g/盆)处理最高.随着施氮量的增加,两小麦品种旗叶Fv/F0、Fv/Fm和qP均呈增加趋势,且以N4 (N 4.8 g/盆)处理的值最高,并且处理之间的差异达显著水平(P<0.05).研究发现,本试验条件下,适量施用氮肥有利于小麦旗叶RuBP羧化酶和PEPC活性的增加及叶绿素a荧光动力学参数Fv/F0和Fv/Fm的提高,从而有助于光合同化物的积累和小麦穗粒重的提高.