On the role of ß-carotene in the reaction center chlorophyll a antennae of photosystem I

Absorption and low temperature fluorescence emission spectra were measured on chloroplast thylakoids and on purified reaction center chlorophyll a-protein complexes of photosystem I, CP-a₁. A clear association between the presence of ß-carotene and the occurrence of far red absorbing and emitting chlorophyll a components of the reaction center antennae of photosystem I was demonstrated. For this study chloroplasts and CP-a₁ were obtained from normal and carotenoid deficient plant material of various sources. The experimental material included 1) lyophilized pea chloroplasts extracted with petroleum ether, 2) the carotenoid deficient mutant C-6E of Scenedesmus obliquus and 3) wheat chloroplasts derived from normal and SAN-9789 treated plants. Removal of carotenoids, most likely principally ß-carotene, caused a loss of long wavelength absorbing chlorophylls in chloroplasts and purified CP-a₁, and the loss or diminution of the long wavelength peak seen in the low temperature fluorescence emission spectrum. This association between ß-carotene and special chlorophyll a forms may explain both the photoprotective and antenna functions ascribed to ß-carotene. In the absence of carotenoids in wheat and in the Scenedesmus mutant, the chlorophyll a antenna of photosystem I was extremely photosensitive. A triplet-triplet resonance energy transfer from chlorophyll a to ß-carotene and a singlet-singlet energy transfer from excited ß-carotene to chlorophyll would explain the photoprotective and antenna functions, respectively. The role of this association in determining some of the fluorescence properties of photosystem I is also discussed.     

Photosynthetic response of wheat and sunflower cultivars to long-term exposure of elevated carbon dioxide concentration

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HD 2329 and DL 1266-5) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. MSFH 17 and MRSF 1754) plants were grown in field under atmospheric (360±10 cm³ m⁻³, AC) and elevated (650±50 cm³ m⁻³, EC) CO₂ concentrations in open top chambers for entire period of growth and development till maturity. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of wheat cvs. when compared at the same internal CO₂ concentration (C _i), by generating P _N/C _i curves, showed lower P _N in EC plants than in AC ones. EC-grown wheat cultivars also showed a lesser response to irradiance than AC plants. In sunflower cultivars, P _N/C _i curves and irradiance response curves were not significantly different in AC and EC plants. CO₂ and irradiance responses of photosynthesis, therefore, further revealed a down-regulation of _{P N} in wheat but not so in sunflower under long-term CO₂ enrichment. Wheat cvs. accumulated in leaves mostly sugars, whereas sunflower accumulated mainly starch. This further strengthened the view that accumulation of excess assimilates in the leaves under EC as starch is not inhibitory to _{P N}.     

Effect of nitrogen source concentration on curdlan production by Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 grown on prairie cordgrass hydrolysates

The effect of nitrogen source concentration on the production of the polysaccharide curdlan by the bacterium Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 from hydrolysates of prairie cordgrass was examined. The highest curdlan concentrations were produced by ATCC 31749 when grown on a medium containing a solids-only hydrolysate and the nitrogen source ammonium phosphate (2.2 mM) or on a medium containing a complete hydrolysate and 3.3 mM ammonium phosphate. The latter medium sustained a higher level of bacterial curdlan production than the former medium after 144 hr. Biomass production by ATCC 31749 was highest after 144 hr when grown on a medium containing a solids-only hydrolysate and 2.2 or 8.7 mM ammonium phosphate. On the medium containing the complete hydrolysate, biomass production by ATCC 31749 was highest after 144 hr when 3.3 mM ammonium phosphate was present. Bacterial biomass production after 144 hr was greater on the complete hydrolysate medium compared to the solids-only hydrolysate medium. Curdlan yield produced by ATCC 31749 after 144 hr from the complete hydrolysate medium containing 3.3 mM ammonium phosphate was higher than from the solids-only hydrolysate medium containing 2.2 mM ammonium phosphate.     

The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios and rapeseed yield,under soil salinity or sodicity

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a crop relatively tolerant to salt and sodium. Our objective was to study the interactions between Na, K and Ca and their relationship with its yield under the isolated effects of soil salinity or sodicity.Two experiments were carried out using pots filled with the Ah horizon of a Typic Natraquoll. There were three salinity levels (2.3 dS m^-1; 6.0 dS m^-1 and 10.0 dS m^-1) and three sodicity levels, expressed as sodium adsorption ratios (SAR: 12; 27 and 44). The soil was kept near field capacity.As soil salinity increased, the K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in the tissues decreased markedly but yields and aerial biomass production were not affected. As soil SAR value increased, the K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in plants and K-Na and Ca-Na selectivities decreased. Plants could not maintain their Ca concentration in soil with a high SAR. The grain yield and biomass production diminished significantly in the highest SAR treatment. Our results are consistent with those showing detrimental osmotic effects of salts in Brassica napus. Conversely, under sodicity, the K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in plant tissues decreased considerably, in accordance with grain and biomass production. These results show that the effects of sodicity are different from those of salinity.     

1,2,4-三氯苯胁迫对不同基因型水稻灌浆期生理特性及产量的影响

在盆栽土培条件下,研究了5种浓度(0、10、20、40、80 mg/kg土)的1,2,4-三氯苯(TCB)对两种基因型水稻品种宁粳1号(敏感基因型)和扬辐粳8号(耐性基因型)产量及灌浆期生理特性的影响。结果表明:TCB对两种基因型水稻产量和灌浆期生理特性的影响具有显著差异,随着TCB浓度的增加,宁粳1号的产量呈现递减趋势,而扬辐粳8号呈低浓度下产量增加高浓度下产量显著降低的趋势,在中高浓度TCB(40、80 mg/kg)处理时,宁粳1号每盆穗数,每穗粒数,结实率显著降低且降幅显著大于扬辐粳8号,两个基因型品种千粒重变化都不明显。宁粳1号株高、干物重受TCB抑制程度较明显,降幅显著大于扬辐粳8号。在低浓度TCB(20 mg/kg)处理时,宁粳1号根系活力、叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白质含量显著降低,而扬辐粳8号有所提高。随着TCB浓度的增加,两个基因型品种叶片抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性均呈先升后降趋势,且在低浓度TCB(10 mg/kg、20mg/kg)处理时,扬辐粳8号抗氧化酶活性极显著高于宁粳1号,在高浓度TCB(80 mg/kg)TCB浓度胁迫下,宁粳1号抗氧化酶活性极显著低于对照,且降幅极显著大于扬辐粳8号,且MDA含量增幅较大,膜质过氧化程度高。总体而言,低浓度TCB对扬辐粳8号的产量和灌浆期株高、干物重、叶绿素含量、叶片蛋白质含量和抗氧化酶活性具有一定的促进作用,中高浓度TCB对宁粳1号的抑制作用显著大于扬辐粳8号,扬辐粳8号在不同浓度的TCB处理下较宁粳1号表现出较强的耐迫性和适应性。     

VARIATIONS IN THE CELL WALLS AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROPERTIES OF PORPHYRA YEZOENSIS (BANGIALES,RHODOPHYTA) DURING ARCHEOSPORE FORMATION1

The formation of archeospores is characteristic of Porphyra yezoensis Ueda and is important for Porphyra aquaculture. Recently, it has been regarded as a valuable seed source for propagation of thalli in mariculture. Cell wall composition changes are associated with archeospore formation in P. yezoensis. Here, we report changes of cell walls of P. yezoensis during archeospore formation. The surfaces of vegetative cells that were originally smooth became rougher and more protuberant as archeosporangia were formed. Ultimately, the cell walls of archeosporangia ruptured, and archeospores were released from the torn cell walls that were left at distal margins of thalli. With changes in cell walls, both effective quantum yield and maximal quantum yield of the same regions in thalli gradually increased during the transformation of vegetative cells to archeospores, suggesting that the photosynthetic properties of the same regions in thalli gradually increased. Meanwhile, photosynthetic parameters for different sectors of thalli were determined, which included the proximal vegetative cells, archeosporangia, and newly released archeospores. The changes in photosynthetic properties of different sectors of thalli were in accordance with that of the same regions in thalli at different stages. In addition, the photosynthetic responses of archeosporangia to light showed higher saturating irradiance levels than those of vegetative cells. All these results suggest that archeosporangial cell walls were not degraded prior to release but were ruptured via bulging of the archeospore within the sporangium, and ultimately, archeospores were discharged. The accumulation of carbohydrates during archeospore formation in P. yezoensis might be required for the release of archeospores.     

西南喀斯特区坡耕地秸秆覆盖对土壤生态化学计量特征及产量的影响

土壤养分亏缺是限制作物生长的关键因素,同时也是制约作物产量的重要影响因子。为提高西南喀斯特区坡耕地土壤肥力和作物产量,于2018—2019年连续两年在贵州省黔西县开展了野外原位径流小区观测试验。通过该试验探讨不同秸秆覆盖率下土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)含量及其生态化学计量特征,揭示不同秸秆覆盖率下土壤养分状况及土壤改良效果。共设6个秸秆覆盖梯度,玉米单作+秸秆覆盖(SM₀—SM₅,0,1111、2222、3889、5556,6944 kg/hm~2),其中SM₀为对照组(CK)。结果表明：(1)秸秆覆盖不同程度增加了土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)及全磷(TP)含量,总体上随覆盖量的增加而增加,尤其是覆盖量较多的情况下(SM₄,SM₅),均显著高于对照(P<0.05),但两者之间差异不显著(P> 0.05),而全钾(TK)则随着覆盖量的增加而减少。(2)在高秸秆覆盖条件下(SM₄,SM₅),除了N∶P外,两...     

Development of black dot disease (Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes) and its effects on the growth and yield of potato plants

Seed tubers of cvs Désirée and Pentland Crown with different severities of black dot were planted in 1988 and 1989 at Rothamsted in fields in 4– or 7-course rotations, respectively. Tubers treated with prochloraz (1988) or imazalil (1989) were planted in some plots, and in others Colletotrichum coccodes inoculum was added to the soil at planting. In further experiments at Mepal, Cambridgeshire in 1989 and 1990 and at Rothamsted in 1990 on sites where potatoes had not been grown for more than 15 years, large amounts of inoculum were added to the soil around disease-free seed tubers of two (1989) or three (1990) cultivars at planting. In all experiments plants were sampled during the season and the effects of treatments on disease development, growth and yield were recorded. Disease on roots, stem bases and tubers was found early in the season and was more severe on Désirée than on Pentland Crown plants from fields in 4– or 7-course rotations. Severity increased throughout the season and with increasing amounts of disease on the seed tubers, especially with Desiree. Disease was also found on plants from disease-free tubers and was more severe in 1988 than 1989. At harvest, black dot on tubers was significantly more severe from severely affected than from disease-free seed, and was most severe where inoculum, especially large amounts, had been added at planting. Fungicide treatment decreased disease early in the season but had no effect on tuber infection at harvest. In 1989 the weight loss of seed tubers during sprouting increased with increasing amounts of black dot, but the disease had little effect on plant size through the season. At harvest the yield of ware tubers (>50 mm) decreased with severe disease but total tuber yields were not significantly affected. However, at harvest in 1988 severely affected seed yielded significantly less than healthy seed. Plants grown from mini-tubers were free from disease on sites where potatoes had not been grown for at least 15 years. Inoculum applied at planting caused severe disease on all cultivars in both years, whereas disease was slight on uninoculated plants. Inoculated plants senesced early at Mepal in 1990, but there were no significant differences in total tuber yield in any experiment. However, yields of ware tubers (>50 mm) were sometimes decreased and the total tuber number per plant increased.     

ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase genes,associated with kernel weight,underwent selection during wheat domestication and breeding

ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase, comprising two small subunits and two large subunits, is considered a key enzyme in the endosperm starch synthesis pathway in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two genes, TaAGP‐S1‐7A and TaAGP‐L‐1B, were investigated in this study. Haplotypes of these genes were associated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) in different populations. Mean TKWs of favoured haplotypes were significantly higher than those of nonfavoured ones. Two molecular markers developed to distinguish these haplotypes could be used in molecular breeding. Frequencies of favoured haplotypes were dramatically increased in cultivars released in China after the 1940s. These favoured haplotypes were also positively selected in six major wheat production regions globally. Selection of AGP‐S1 and AGP‐L‐1B in wheat mainly occurred during and after hexaploidization. Strong additive effects of the favoured haplotypes of with other genes for starch synthesis were also detected in different populations.