Photosystem I Is an Early Target of Photoinhibition in Barley Illuminated at Chilling Temperatures

Light-induced damage to photosystem I (PSI) was studied during low-light illumination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at chilling temperatures. A 4-h illumination period induced a significant inactivation of PSI electron transport activity. Flash-induced P700 absorption decay measurements revealed progressive damage to (a) the iron-sulfur clusters F_A and F_B, (b) the iron-sulfur clusters F_A, F_B, and F_X, and (c) the phylloquinone A₁ and the chlorophyll A₀ or P700 of the PSI electron acceptor chain. Light-induced PSI damage was also evidenced by partial degradation of the PSI-A and PSI-B proteins and was correlated with the appearance of smaller proteins. Aggravated photodamage was observed upon illumination of barley leaves infiltrated with KCN, which inhibits Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. This indicates that the photodamage of PSI in barley observed during low-light illumination at chilling temperatures arises because the defense against active oxygen species by active oxygen-scavenging enzymes is insufficient at these specific conditions. The data obtained demonstrate that photoinhibition of PSI at chilling temperatures is an important phenomenon in a cold-tolerant plant species.     

Experimental Lake Fertilization in the Kuokkel Area,Northern Sweden. Phytoplankton Biomass and Algal Composition in Natural and Fertilized Subarctic Lakes

Based on 500 quantitative algal analyses from 1971–1980 the seasonal variations of phytoplankton biomass and species diversity have been evaluated in one natural and three fertilized subarctic lakes. Enrichment with P alone did not cause any biomass increase and inhibited dinoflagellates and Dinobryon. Enrichment with N alone stimulated Uroglena and Gymnodinium and the biomass increased. No species were inhibited. Enrichment with both N and P made the biomass increase 50–60 times and the stimulated genera were: Chlorella, Choricystis, Chromulina, Chrysochromulina, Gymnodinium, Monoraphidium, Ochromonas, Spiniferomonas, Rhodomonas and Uroglena. In all fertilized lakes monocultures of chlorococcal green algae finally developed.