ABA treatment increases both the desiccation tolerance of photosynthesis,and nonphotochemical quenching in the moss Atrichum undulatum

Pulse amplitude modulation fluorescence was used to investigate whether abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment increases the desiccation tolerance of photosynthesis in the moss Atrichum undulatum. In unstressed plants, ABA pretreatment decreased the F _V/F _m ratio, largely as a result of an increase in F _o. This indicated a reduction in energy transfer between LHCII and PSII, possibly hardening the moss to subsequent stress by reducing the production of the reactive oxygen species near PSII. During desiccation, F ₀, F _m, F _v/F _m, PSII, and NPQ and F ₀ quenching declined in ABA-treated and nontreated mosses. However, during rehydration, F ₀, F _m, F _v/F _m, and PSII recovered faster in ABA-treated plants, suggesting that ABA improved the tolerance of photosystem II to desiccation. NPQ increased upon rehydration in mosses from both treatments, but much more rapidly in ABA-treated plants; during the first hour of rehydration, NPQ was two-fold greater in plants treated with ABA. F ₀quenching followed a similar pattern, indicating that ABA treatment stimulated zeaxanthin-based quenching. The implications of these results for the mechanisms of ABA-induced desiccation tolerance in A. undulatum are discussed.     

RT-PCR analysis and stress response capacity of transgenic gshI-poplar clones (Populus x canescens) in response to paraquat exposure

Stress response capacity (Fv/Fm at 690 nm and F690/F735 at Fmax) of untransformed hybrid poplar, Populus x canescens (P tremula x P alba), and two transgenic lines overexpressing gamma-ECS (gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase) either in the cytosol (cyt-ECS) or in the chloroplast (chl-ECS) was studied in response to the herbicide paraquat (4.0 x 10(-9) to 4.0 x 10(-6) M) for 21 days. Significant differences at sublethal (4.0 x 10(-7) M) and bleaching (4.0 x 10(-6) M) concentrations of paraquat were observed with about a two-fold and eight-fold decrease in the photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm at 690 nm and F690/F735 at Fmax), respectively. None of the gshI transgenic lines (cyt-ECS, chl-ECS) with elevated GSH content exhibited significant tolerance to paraquat. Semiquantitative RT-PCR of the cyt-ECS clone was used for gene expression analysis of the nuclear encoded rbcS gene and the stress responsive gst gene. Expression of the constitutively expressed 26SrRNA ribosomal gene was probed as a control for all RT-PCR reactions. The relative intensities of gene expressions normalized to the level of 26SrRNA intensity showed a 50% decrease in the nuclear encoded rbcS expression and a 120% increase in the stress responsive gst gene expression of the paraquat treated (4.0 x 10(-7) M) samples of the transgenic poplar line (cyt-ECS).     

Temporal Variability of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Flux Spatial Patterns at a Mowed and a Grazed Grassland

Spatial patterns of ecosystem processes constitute significant sources of uncertainty in greenhouse gas flux estimations partly because the patterns are temporally dynamic. The aim of this study was to describe temporal variability in the spatial patterns of grassland CO₂ and N₂O flux under varying environmental conditions and to assess effects of the grassland management (grazing and mowing) on flux patterns. We made spatially explicit measurements of variables including soil respiration, aboveground biomass, N₂O flux, soil water content, and soil temperature during a 4-year study in the vegetation periods at grazed and mowed grasslands. Sampling was conducted in 80 × 60 m grids of 10 m resolution with 78 sampling points in both study plots. Soil respiration was monitored nine times, and N₂O flux was monitored twice during the study period. Altitude, soil organic carbon, and total soil nitrogen were used as background factors at each sampling position, while aboveground biomass, soil water content, and soil temperature were considered as covariates in the spatial analysis. Data were analyzed using variography and kriging. Altitude was autocorrelated over distances of 40–50 m in both plots and influenced spatial patterns of soil organic carbon, total soil nitrogen, and the covariates. Altitude was inversely related to soil water content and aboveground biomass and positively related to soil temperature. Autocorrelation lengths for soil respiration were similar on both plots (about 30 m), whereas autocorrelation lengths of N₂O flux differed between plots (39 m in the grazed plot vs. 18 m in the mowed plot). Grazing appeared to increase heterogeneity and linkage of the spatial patterns, whereas mowing had a homogenizing effect. Spatial patterns of soil water content, soil respiration, and aboveground biomass were temporally variable especially in the first 2 years of the experiment, whereas spatial patterns were more persistent (mostly significant correlation at p < 0.05 between location ranks) in the second 2 years, following a wet year. Increased persistence of spatial patterns after a wet year indicated the recovery potential of grasslands following drought and suggested that adequate water supply could have a homogenizing effect on CO₂ and N₂O fluxes.     

Thermoluminescence studies on the function of Photosystem II in the desiccation tolerant lichen Cladonia convoluta

The effect of desiccation and rehydration on the function of Photosystem II has been studied in the desiccation tolerant lichen Cladonia convoluta by thermoluminescence. We have shown that in functional fully hydrated thalli thermoluminescence signals can be observed from the recombination of the S₂₍₃₎Q_B ^– (B band), S₂Q_A ^– (Q band), Tyr-D⁺Q_A ^– (C band) and Tyr-Z⁺(His⁺)Q_A ^– (A band) charge stabilization states. These thermoluminescence signals are completely absent in desiccated thalli, but rapidly reappear on rehydration. Flash-induced oscillation in the amplitude of the thermoluminescence band from the S₂₍₃₎Q_B ^– recombination shows the usual pattern with maxima after 2 and 6 flashes when rehydration takes place in light. However, after rehydration in complete darkness, there is no thermoluminescence emission after the 1 st flash, and the maxima of the subsequent oscillation are shifted to the 3rd and 7th flashes. It is concluded that desiccation of Cladonia convoluta converts PS II into a nonfunctional state. This state is characterized by the lack of stable charge separation and recombination, as well as by a one-electron reduction of the water-oxidizing complex. Restoration of PS II function during rehydration can proceed both in the light and in darkness. After rehydration in the dark, the first charge separation act is utilized in restoring the usual oxidation state of the water-oxidizing comples.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - DT desiccation tolerant - PS II Photosystem II - TL thermoluminescence - P₆₈₀ reaction center Chl of PS II - Q_A and Q_B puinone electron acceptors of PS II - S₀,...,S₄ the redox states of the water-oxidizing complex - Tyr-Z and Tyr-D redox-active tyrosine electron donors of PS II     

ABA Increases the Desiccation Tolerance of Photosynthesis in the Afromontane Understorey Moss Atrichum androgynum

The effect of pretreatment with abscisic acid (ABA) on the physiologyof the moss Atrichum androgynum during a desiccation–rehydrationcycle was examined. During rehydration following desiccationfor 16 h, net CO₂fixation recovered much more slowly than photosystemII (PSII) activity, conditions conducive to the formation ofreactive oxygen species (ROS) in the photosynthetic apparatus.Pretreatment with ABA increased the rate of recovery of photosynthesisand PSII activity, and also doubled non-photochemical quenching(NPQ). Increased NPQ activity will reduce ROS formation, andmay explain in part how ABA hardens the moss to desiccation.In ABA-pretreated, but not untreated mosses, desiccation significantlyincreased the concentration of soluble sugars. Sugar accumulationmay promote vitrification of the cytoplasm and protect membranesduring desiccation. Starch concentrations in freshly collectedA. androgynum were only approx. 40 mg g^-1dry mass; they roseslightly during desiccation but were only slightly affectedby ABA pretreatment. ABA did not reduce chlorophyll breakdownduring desiccation. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Moss, desiccation, abscisic acid, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence     

Early morning photosynthesis of the moss Tortula ruralis following summer dew fall in a Hungarian temperate dry sandy grassland

Air temperature and humidity, moss surface temperature, moss water content, and photosynthetically active radiation were measured through a clear dry night and early morning in July 1998; CO₂ gas exchange of the moss was measured by infra-red gas analysis. The measurements showed progressive absorption of water by the moss through much of the night. The moss reached sufficient water content for about 1.5 h of positive net CO₂ uptake immediately after dawn. The cumulative net carbon balance on this occasion was negative, but mornings with heavier dew could give a positive daily carbon balance, and short, early morning periods of photosynthesis during prolonged dry weather may mitigate long-term desiccation damage and allow for regular molecular repair.     

Loss of chlorophylls, cessation of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and respiration in the poikilochlorophyllous plant Xerophyta scabrida during desiccation

During a slow desiccation in photosynthetically fully active leaves of the poikilochlorophyllous desiccation-tolerant (PDT) monocotyledon Xerophyta scabrida (Pax) Th. Dur. et Schinz (Velloziaceae), thylakoid activity, CO₂ assimilation and respiration decline and chlorophylls and carotenoids are successively broken down. The initially slow rate of leaf water loss is related to the large reduction in leaf area which is reflected in the decrease of specific leaf area. Chlorophylls are broken down faster than carotenoids. The ratio of the variable chlorophyll fluorescence, an indicator of photosynthetic activity (Rfd690-values), shows that the functionality of thylakoids and chlorophylls is successively lost during desiccation. The decline in net CO₂ assimilation in desiccating leaves is largely caused by stomatal closure. The complete cessation of CO₂ assimilation, however, is due to the breakdown of chlorophylls and thylakoids. Respiration continued during desiccation and remained active far below -3.2 MPa leaf water potential. The differences during desiccation of the photosynthetic apparatus between poikilochlorophyllous and homoiochlorophyllous desiccation-tolerant plants are discussed.     

Differences in histological and physiological traits of ozone sensitive and resistant bean strains

An examination of possible histological causes of differences in ozone sensitivity between ozone sensitive (R123) and resistant (S156) Phaseolus vulgaris strains was carried out. A distinction between the causes and effects of ozone sensitivity was also performed. We studied several morphological and histological traits, which included stomata number and size and also looked at different cell characteristics, such as stomatal index; leaf tissue thickness, fraction and gaseous conductance of intercellular air spaces. Together with this, we made gas-exchange measurements and found inner CO₂ levels to be higher in the ozone sensitive strain. We also found several quantitative morphological parameters between the two strains to be initially different, however, these differences changed after exposure to summer climate and ozone. Stomatal function between the two strains was also differently altered by the pollutant, which was apparent from differences in stomatal openness when investigated in summer. According to our histological data, epidermal cells of the ozone sensitive strain grew larger on leaves that developed after exposure to cumulative considerable phytotoxic ozone doses; moderately decreasing the number of stomata and epidermal cells per mm² epidermal area despite the originally higher number of epidermal cells in sensitive plants. Cross sections of injured sensitive leaves revealed disorganisation of mesophyllum tissues.