Photoinhibition during acclimatization of micropropagatedSpathiphyllum “Petite” plantlets

Summary MicropropagatedSpathiphyllum “Petite” plantlets were acclimatized at low- or high-light intensities [photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) 100 or 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹]. During the first days chlorophyll fluorescence measurements show a partial photoinhibition of the photosynthetic apparatus, expressed by a decrease of the variable over maximal fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m). This inhibition of F_v/F_m was significantly higher for plants grown at high-light intensity, leading to a photooxidation of chlorophyll. Newly formed leaves were better adapted to the ex vitro climatic condition (as shown by the increase of the F_v/F_m ratio) and had a higher net photosynthesis compared with in vitro formed leaves. Nevertheless, plants grown at 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ were photoinhibited, compared with those at 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. A sudden exposure to high-light intensity of 1-, 10- or 25-d-old transplanted plants (shift in PPFD from 100 to 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) gave a linear decrease of F_v/F_m over a 12-h period, which was reflected in a 50% reduction of net photosynthesis. No significant interaction between day and hour was found, indicating high-light exposure causes the same photoinhibitory effect on in vitro and ex vitro formed leaves.