Short-term effects of aluminium at alkaline pH on the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus

A 24 h exposure of the salt-tolerant grass Thinopyrum bessarabicum (Savul. and Rayss) A. Love seedlings to 1 mM aluminium (Al) in nutrient solution at pH of 9.0 resulted in a significant reduction of the biomass. In control samples the mesophyll chloroplasts exhibited the usual lens shape with most grana arranged in straight or slightly curving lines, and only 6.5 % of the grana were out of order. In Al-treated plants the mesophyll chloroplasts displayed a slightly distorted shape and distended size with most grana arranged in bow-like lines, while in the central region of the organelle as many as 26.7 % of the grana were independent and out of order in relation to the long axis. The morphological changes in the chloroplast shape and grana arrangement were probably due to swelling and distension of the chloroplasts in consequence to the altered membrane permeability. The initial in vivo chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence FO, as well as the intermediate FI and peak fluorescence FP were increased under the Al stress: this indicated a destruction of photosystem (PS) 2 reaction centres and increased reduction of QA. The (FI-FO)/(FP-FO) ratio exhibited a significant increase indicating higher proportion of PS2 centres unable to reduce QB. Changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure seemed to be the reason of photosynthetic electron transport inhibition. Yet all these changes in the photosynthetic performance and chloroplast ultrastructure were considered as indirect effects of Al treatment since Al concentration in the leaves was undetectable. Disturbances in the chloroplast ultrastructure could be caused by a reduced uptake and/or transport of other nutrients. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.