Relationships between the Efficiencies of Photosystems I and II and Stromal Redox State in CO(2)-Free Air : Evidence for Cyclic Electron Flow in Vivo

The responses of the efficiencies of photosystems I and II, stromal redox state (as indicated by NADP-malate dehydrogenase activation state), and activation of the Benson-Calvin cycle enzymes ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase to varying irradiance were measured in pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves operating close to the CO₂ compensation point. A comparison of the relationships among these parameters obtained from leaves in air was made with those obtained when the leaves were maintained in air from which the CO₂ had been removed. P700 was more oxidized at any measured irradiance in CO₂-free air than in air. The relationship between the quantum efficiencies of the photosystems in CO₂-free air was distinctly curvilinear in contrast to the predominantly linear relationship obtained with leaves in air. This nonlinearity may be consistent with the operation of cyclic electron flow around photosystem I because the quantum efficiency of photosystem II was much more restricted than the quantum efficiency of photosystem I. In CO₂-free air, measured NADP-malate dehydrogenase activities varied considerably at low irradiances. However, at high irradiance the activity of the enzyme was low, implying that the stroma was oxidized. In contrast, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities tended to increase with increasing electron flux through the photosystems. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity remained relatively constant with respect to irradiance in CO₂-free air, with an activation state 50% of maximum. We conclude that, at the CO₂ compensation point and high irradiance, low redox states are favored and that cyclic electron flow may be substantial. These two features may be the requirements necessary to trigger and maintain the dissipative processes in the thylakoid membrane.