Changes in leaf protein and pigment contents and photosynthetic activities during senescence of detached maize leaves: influence of different ultraviolet radiations

Senescence induced loss in pigments and proteins of detached maize (Zea mays L. cv. Col) leaves was significantly enhanced on the exposure of leaves to different ranges of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Compared to UV-A (320-400 nm) and UV-B (280-320 nm), the UV-C (200-320 nm) was the most damaging for the pigments and macromolecules. A severe decline in photosystem (PS) 2 mediated photoreduction during senescence of detached leaves exposed to UV irradiation suggested a damage of the system. The PS1 mediated photoreduction of methylviologen with 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol as electron donor was stimulated by UV-A and UV-B radiations, suggesting a reorganisation of the PS1 complex. These results were fortified by the values of fast and slow kinetics of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transients.     

Dichlorophenyl dimethylurea (DCMU) induced increase in chlorophyll a fluorescence intensity – An index of photosynthetic oxygen evolution in leaves, chloroplasts and algae

Dichlorophenyl dimethylurea (DCMU) treatment in photosynthetic samples resulted in an increase in the level of steady state chlorophyll a fluorescence at room temperature which was directly proportional to the photosynthetic efficiency. The applicability of this method for the rapid determination of the efficiency of oxygen evolution in leaves, algae, mesophyll cells and chloroplasts has been investigated. Especially reliable values with less than 5% error were obtained if the fluorescence measurements were made under low excitation intensities with a sample chlorophyll concentration below 1.0 μg/ml.     

Changes in leaf protein and pigment contents and photosynthetic activities during senescence of detached maize leaves: influence of different ultraviolet radiations

Senescence induced loss in pigments and proteins of detached maize (Zea mays L. cv. Col) leaves was significantly enhanced on the exposure of leaves to different ranges of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Compared to UV-A (320-400 nm) and UV-B (280-320 nm), the UV-C (200-320 nm) was the most damaging for the pigments and macromolecules. A severe decline in photosystem (PS) 2 mediated photoreduction during senescence of detached leaves exposed to UV irradiation suggested a damage of the system. The PS1 mediated photoreduction of methylviologen with 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol as electron donor was stimulated by UV-A and UV-B radiations, suggesting a reorganisation of the PS1 complex. These results were fortified by the values of fast and slow kinetics of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transients. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes in the Reactivity of the Photosynthetic Apparatus in Heterotrophic Ageing Cultures of Scenedesmus obliquus

Ultrastructural changes of the chloroplast which occur parallel to the decay of photosynthetic capacity during the heterotrophic ageing of Scenedesmus cells have been studied. A gradual disappearance of the starch grains took place as the nutrients in the growth medium were depleted. Accompanying this change was a deterioration in the structure of the cytoplasm coupled with a concomitant granular appearance. At the same time thylakoid structures were not only well preserved but accumulated more material. This resulted in an increasing number of stacked thylakoids and a thickening of the membranes.     

Nucleotide diversity patterns of local adaptation at drought‐related candidate genes in wild tomatoes

We surveyed nucleotide diversity at two candidate genes LeNCED1 and pLC30‐15, involved in an ABA (abscisic acid) signalling pathway, in two closely related tomato species Solanum peruvianum and Solanum chilense. Our six population samples (three for each species) cover a range of mesic to very dry habitats. The ABA pathway plays an important role in the plants’ response to drought stress. LeNCED1 is an upstream gene involved in ABA biosynthesis, and pLC30‐15 is a dehydrin gene positioned downstream in the pathway. The two genes show very different patterns of nucleotide variation. LeNCED1 exhibits very low nucleotide diversity relative to the eight neutral reference loci that were previously surveyed in these populations. This suggests that strong purifying selection has been acting on this gene. In contrast, pLC30‐15 exhibits higher levels of nucleotide diversity and, in particular in S. chilense, higher genetic differentiation between populations than the reference loci, which is indicative of local adaptation. In the more drought‐tolerant species S. chilense, one population (from Quicacha) shows a significant haplotype structure, which appears to be the result of positive (diversifying) selection.     

Effect of Growth Regulators and Herbicides on Photosynthetic Partial Reactions in Isolated Leaf Cells

The effect of indoleacetic acid, gibberellic acid, 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid and amitrole at various concentration levels ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 mM on the photosynthetic evolution of O₂ and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation by isolated leaf cells was studied. The plant growth regulators enhanced O₂ evolution and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation at low concentrations and were inhibitory beyond a critical level. The amitrole had an inhibitory effect at all the concentration levels used. All the substances exhibited similar patterns of effect on the ferricyanide reduction by isolated chloroplasts and on the electron transport rates of sub-chloro-plast particles containing PS-I and PS-II independently, under non-phosphorylating conditions. As was seen from the response in all the three electron transport systems of the chloroplast studied, the electron transport chain connecting PS-II and PS-I could be considered as a possible site of action at least for the growth regulating substances as it is the only part that is common to all the three reactions. The phosphorylation associated with this part of the electron transport was “inhibited” by the substances even at the lowest concentration used. The stimulation of non-phosphorylating electron flow, with a simultaneous reduction in the rate of ATP synthesis, at low concentration levels indicated that these substances played a possible uncoupling role. The amitrole on the other hand appeared to have a generalized non-specific inhibitory action on all the partial reactions of photosynthesis.