Development of photosystem-II activity during irradiance of etiolated Helianthus (Asteraceae) seedlings

Light-induced development of photosystem (PS)-II activity was followed during irradiance of etiolated Helianthus annuus (sunflower) cotyledons using chlorophyll a fluorescence. Cotyledons from seedlings grown in continuous darkness for 6 d were exposed to 100 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1 for time periods of 1, 3, 6, and 12 h. Associated with increased time of irradiance exposure were significant: (1) increases in concentration of PS II, (2) increases in quantum efficiency of PS II, (3) decreases in the ratio of PS-II quinone_B (Q_B)-nonreducing centers to total PS-II centers (PS-II Q_B-nonreducing centers + PS-II Q_B-reducing centers), and (4) decreases in the ratio of slow PS-II Q_B-reducing centers to total PS-II Q_B-reducing centers (fast PS-II Q_B-reducing centers + slow PS-II Q_B-reducing centers). The results support the hypotheses that development of PS II involves assembly of complexes which initially cannot reduce Q_B and that heterogeneous aspects of PS-II pools during chloroplast maturation may represent different developmental states.