Effect of Temperature on Photosynthetic Activities of Senescing Detached Wheat Leaves

Changes in various components of photosynthetic activity duringthe dark induced senescence of detached wheat leaves, maintainedat 25°C (control) and 35°C (mildly elevated temperaturetreatment), were examined. Senescence-associated decline measuredup to 96 h, in photosynthetic activity was appreciably hastenedat 35°C, than at 25°C as evident by the relative higherlosses of chlorophyll, photosystem (PS) II and PS I catalyzedphotochemical activities and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)carboxylase activity. In addition, a comparatively higher risein light scattering profile of isolated chloroplasts was notedat 35°C than at 25°C. Senescence-induced degradationof chlorophyll was faster at 35°C than at 25°C; on theother hand, the degradation of carotenoids was faster at 25°Cthan at 35°C. Furthermore, the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyllincreased with senescence up to 96 hours, higher ratio beingobtained at 35°C than at 25°C. Both PS II and PS I activitiesshowed a transient rise in the beginning phase of dark incubation,whereas loss in chlorophyll was continuous throughout the periodof senescence. The initial rise observed in photochemical activitieswas attributable to the uncoupling of electron transport fromphotophosphorylation. Elevated temperature treatment resultedin greater inactivation of RuBP carboxylase than control. Itappears that during senescence the loss in chlorophyll and RuBPcarboxylase activity are triggered simultaneously. (Received June 7, 1985; Accepted October 30, 1985)