| Abstract: | Changes in photosynthetic activities were studied with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaves and chloroplasts infected by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) at the top, middle and bottom located leaves. Net photosynthetic rate was reduced at all three positioned leaves, with the maximum reduction occurring at the top leaves (31.9% of control). The infected chloroplasts showed a reduction in electron transport rates of the whole chain electron transport, photosystem Ⅱ (PSⅡ) and photosystem Ⅰ (PSⅠ). Since the decline in the whole chain electron transport (15.6% of control, H2O→MV) closely paralleled the decline in PSⅡ activity (20.9% of control, H2O→PBQ), the inhibition of the latter was probably responsible for the overall decrease. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements showed a variable reduced fluorescence yield (Fv/Fo) which indicated that PSⅡ was impaired and the CO2 assimilation was disturbed by CMV infection. Fluorescence emission spectra at 77 K indicated that energy distribution between PSⅡ and PSⅠ was affected. F686/F734 of infected leaves and chloroplasts increased and the greatest increase (331.1% of control ) was found in the top leaves. These data may conclude that the infection inhibited mainly the PSⅡ activity. |
