Photosynthesis and plant growth response of transgenic Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids under field condition

K. B. Hebbar, N. K. Perumal, B. M. Khadi

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):254-258 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0041-1

Field experiments were conducted under rain-fed conditions to study the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of transgenic Bt cotton hybrids during 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Three Bt cotton hybrids (Bollgard 1) and their non-Bt (NBt) counterparts viz. MECH 12, MECH 162, and MECH 184 were grown along with a local hybrid NHH44. Growth parameters such as plant height, main-stem nodes, biomass accumulation, and physiological processes like stomatal conductance (g _s), and rates of transpiration (E) and photosynthesis (P _N) did not differ significantly between Bt and NBt hybrids up to 80 DAS (d after sowing)....

Great promoting effect of high irradiance from germination on flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana - a process of photo-acclimation

S. Moharekar, S. Moharekar, R. Tanaka, K. I. Ogawa, A. Tanaka, T. Hara

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):259 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0042-0

Arabidopsis thaliana L., ch1-1 (chlorophyll b-less mutant), gi-1 (GI deficient mutant), cry2-1 (blue-light-photoreceptor CRY2 deficient mutant), and Columbia (Col; wild ecotype) were grown under broad range of irradiances (I) from the beginning of germination and the effect of I on the survival, development, and flowering was studied. Under low and moderate I (<300 µmol m^-2 s^-1), flowering time and plant size at flowering showed great variations among ch1-1, gi-1, cry2-1, and Col, whereas under higher I (>500 µmol m^-2...

Energy transfer of aromatic amino acids in photosystem 2 core antenna complexes CP43 and CP47

Y. G. Qu, X. C. Qin, W. F. Wang, L. B. Li, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):266-271 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0043-z

Energy transfer of aromatic amino acids in photosystem 2 (PS2) core antenna complexes CP43 and CP47 was studied using absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and the 0.35 nm crystal structure of PS2 core complex. The energy of tyrosines (Tyrs) was not effectively transferred to tryptophans (Trps) in CP43 and CP47. The fluorescence emission spectrum of CP43 and CP47 by excitation at 280 nm should be a superposition of the Tyr and Trp fluorescence emission spectra. The aromatic amino acids in CP43 and CP47 could transfer their energy to chlorophyll (Chl) a molecules by the Dexter mechanism and the Föster mechanism, and the energy transfer...

Influence of irradiation on cyanide-resistant respiration and AOX1 multi-gene family expression during greening of etiolated rice seedlings

H. Q. Feng, H. Y. Li, G. M. Zhou, H. G. Liang, J. G. Duan, D. J. Zhi, X. Li, J. Ma

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):272 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0044-y

We investigated the differential expression of AOX1 multi-gene family and the regulation of alternative respiratory pathway during initial greening development in leaves of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. After exposing the dark-grown rice seedlings to continuous irradiation, total respiration (V_t), capacity of alternative pathway (V_alt), and their ratio (V_alt/V_t) increased with the greening of leaves. In this process, AOX1c transcript increased under constant irradiation, while AOX1a and AOX1b transcripts were hardly detected. Thus AOX1c in rice presents a similar...

Changes in response to drought stress of triticale and maize genotypes differing in drought tolerance

M. T. Grzesiak, A. Rzepka, T. Hura, K. Hura, A. Skoczowski

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):280-287 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0045-x

Direct effects and after-effects of soil drought for 7 and 14 d were examined on seedling dry matter, leaf water potential (ψ), leaf injury index (LI), and chlorophyll (Chl) content of drought (D) resistant and sensitive triticale and maize genotypes. D caused higher decrease in number of developed leaves and dry matter of shoots and roots in the sensitive genotypes than in the resistant ones. Soil D caused lower decrease of ψ in the triticale than maize leaves. Influence of D on the Chl b content was considerably lower than on the Chl a content. In triticale the most harmful D impact was observed for physiologically younger leaves,...

Spectroscopic properties and temperature induced electronic configuration changes of all-trans and 15-cis β-carotenes in ionic liquids

G. E. Bialek-Bylka, K. Pawlak, B. Jazurek, A. Skrzypczak, Y. Koyama

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):161-166 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0027-z

The clear vibrational structure of fluorescence spectrum of β-carotene in the solvent is reported for the first time at room temperature. This finding is in good agreement with recently discovered covalent 3 ¹A_g^- new carotenoid state. The fluorescence yield of β-carotene in ionic liquid (1-methyl-3-octyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) is around hundred times higher than in standard solvent n-hexane. The all-trans and 15-cis β-carotene fluorescence yields in ionic liquid are 1.96±0.03 and 2.53±0.03 %, respectively. The ionic liquid is a very useful tool for modelling...

C₄ plants in the deserts of China: occurrence of C₄ photosynthesis and its morphological functional types

R. Z. Wang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):167-171 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0028-y

C₄ photosynthetic pathway and morphological functional types were determined for 104 species in 45 genera and 10 families from the deserts of China. 67 C₄ species (64.4 %) were found in Dicotyledoneae (e.g. Chenopodiaceae, Polygonaceae, and Amaranthaceae), the other 37 species were in Monocotyledoneae (e.g. Gramineae, Cyperaceae, and Commelinaceae). 36.5 % of the Chenopodiaceae species (predominantly members of the genera Anabasis, Atriplex, Kochia, Salsola, and Suaeda) identified in the desert regions were found with C₄ photosynthesis, which was about 48...

Effects of reduced irradiance on leaf morphology, photosynthetic capacity, and fruit yield in olive (Olea europaea L.)

K. Gregoriou, K. Pontikis, S. Vemmos

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):172-181 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0029-x

One-year-old olive trees (cv. Koroneiki) were grown in plastic containers of 50 000 cm³ under full daylight and 30, 60, and 90 % shade for two years. The effects of shade on leaf morphology and anatomy, including stomatal density and chloroplast structure, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and fruit yield were studied. Shade reduced leaf thickness due to the presence of only 1-2 palisade layers and reduced the length of palisade cells and spongy parenchyma. The number of thylakoids in grana as well as in stroma increased as shade increased, while the number of plastoglobuli decreased...

Involvement of betacyanin in chilling-induced photoinhibition in leaves of Suaeda salsa

C. Q. Wang, T. Liu

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):182 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0030-4

Seeds of Suaeda salsa were cultured in dark for 3 d and betacyanin accumulation in seedlings was promoted significantly. Then the seedlings with accumulated betacyanin (C+B) were transferred to 14/10 h light/dark and used for chilling treatment 15 d later. Photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry, D1 protein content, and xanthophyll cycle during the chilling-induced photoinhibition (exposed to 5 °C at a moderate photon flux density of 500 µmol m^-2 s^-1 for 3 h) and the subsequent restoration were compared between the C+B seedlings and the control (C) ones. The maximal efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m),...

Midday depression of photosynthesis in Enkleia malaccensis, a woody climber in a tropical rainforest

A. C. Tay, A. M. Abdullah, M. Awang, A. Furukawa

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):189-193 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0031-3

We measured the diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) of the leaves of a liana, Enkleia malaccensis Griff. (Thymelaeaceae), at the canopy level in the lowland tropical rainforest at Pasoh, Peninsular Malaysia. The measurements were made from a canopy walkway system, 30 m from the ground for 3 d in March 2003. P _N increased with increasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) before noon, though P _N was not enhanced by the strong radiation hit in the afternoon. Plotting g _s at saturating PAR (>0.5 mmol m^-2...

Over-and anti-sense expressions of the large isoform of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase gene in Oryza sativa affect the photosynthetic capacity

H. R. Wu, L. B. Li, Y. X. Jing, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):194-201 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0032-2

We investigated the effect of large isoform of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activase (RuBPCO-A) on photosynthesis and constructed two plant expression vectors and introduced them into rice cultivars (Oryza sativa f. japonica cv. Nipponbare) through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Plasmid pCBrbcSRca contained the cDNA of RuBPCO-A large isoform (rca) controlled by RuBPCO small subunit gene promoter (rbcS), and plasmid pCBUbi-antirca contained a reversed rca sequence driven by maize ubiquitin promoter. Transformants were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),...

Gas exchange and water relations of three Vitis vinifera L. cultivars growing under Mediterranean climate

J. Moutinho-Pereira, N. Magalhães, B. Gonçalves, E. Bacelar, M. Brito, C. Correia

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):202 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0033-1

Optical characteristics, contents of photosynthetic pigments, total soluble sugars, and starch, rates of gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, and leaf water relations were analysed in three Vitis vinifera L. cultivars, Tinto Cão (TC), Touriga Nacional (TN), and Tinta Roriz (TR), grown in Mediterranean climate. Chl content was significantly lower in TC than in TN and TR leaves, while the Chl a/b ratio was higher. TR had the lowest net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and contents of soluble sugars and starch than TN and TC. In spite of low Chl content, TC showed the lowest photon absorbance and the highest...

Photosystem 2 activity of Citrus volkameriana (L.) leaves as affected by Mn nutrition and irradiance

I. E. Papadakis, A. Giannakoula, C. P. Antonopoulou, M. Moustakas, E. Avramaki, I. N. Therios

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):208-213 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0034-0

Citrus volkameriana (L.) plants were grown for 43 d in nutrient solutions containing 0, 2, 14, 98, or 686 µM Mn (Mn₀, Mn₂, Mn₁₄, Mn₉₈, and Mn₆₈₆, respectively). To adequately investigate the combined effects of Mn nutrition and irradiance on photosystem 2 (PS2) activity, irradiance response curves for electron transport rate (ETR), nonphotochemical quenching (q_N), photochemical quenching (q_P), and real photochemical efficiency of PS2 (Φ_PS2) were recorded under 10 different irradiances (66, 96, 136, 226, 336, 536, 811, 1 211, 1 911, and 3 111 µmol...

Susceptibility of green leaves and green flower petals of CAM orchid Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade to high irradiance under natural tropical conditions

J. He, L. C. D. Teo

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):214 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0035-z

Photosynthetic rates of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade and their sensitivities to different growth irradiances were studied in shade-grown plants over a period of 4 weeks. Maximal photosynthetic O₂ evolution rates and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity] were higher in leaves exposed to intermediate sunlight [a maximal photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 500-600 µmol m^-2 s^-1] than in leaves grown under full sunlight (a maximal PPFD of 1 000-1 200 µmol m^-2 s^-1) and shade (a maximal PPFD...

Leaf gas exchange characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence of three wetland plants in response to long-term soil flooding

M. Li, D. Yang, W. Li

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):222 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0036-y

The effects of soil flooding on gas exchange and photosystem 2 (PS2) activity were analyzed in leaves of Phragmites australis, Carex cinerascens, and Hemarthria altissima. Pronounced decrease in net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance with flooding was found only in C. cinerascens. No significant changes in PS2 activity were observed in all three species which suggests that the photosynthetic apparatus was not damaged. Among the three species, H. altissima is better adapted to flooding than P. australis and C. cinerascens.

Drought tolerance in the Mediterranean species Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, and Juniperus phoenicea

F. J. Baquedano, F.J. Castillo

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):229 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0037-x

We investigated the strategies of four co-occurring evergreen woody species Quercus ilex, Quercus coccifera, Pinus halepensis, and Juniperus phoenicea to cope with Mediterranean field conditions. For that purpose, stem water potential, gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and Chl and carotenoid (Car) contents were examined. We recognized two stress periods along the year, winter with low precipitation and low temperatures that led to chronic photoinhibition, and summer, when drought coincided with high radiation, leading to an increase of dynamic photoinhibition and a decrease of pigment content. Summer photoprotection was related...

Effects of copper and cadmium on photosynthesis in cucumber cotyledons

M. Burzyński, A. Żurek

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):239-244 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0038-9

The effects of 20 and 50 µM concentrations of Cu and Cd on photosynthesis in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons were studied by the measurements of gas exchange characteristics, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigment contents, and two Calvin cycle enzymes activities: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid kinase (PGK). To minimize indirect metal action, seedlings were treated with metals in the stage of green, fully developed cotyledons. The metals reached the cotyledon tissue after 48 h of treatments, though symptoms of metal action were not visible at that time. The...

Irradiance acclimation, capture ability, and efficiency in invasive and non-invasive alien plant species

Y. L. Feng, J. F. Wang, W. G. Sang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):245-253 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0040-2

We tested the hypothesis that invasive (IN) species could capture resources more rapidly and efficiently than noninvasive (NIN) species. Two IN alien species, Ageratina adenophora and Chromolaena odorata, and one NIN alien species, Gynura sp. were compared at five irradiances. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate (P _max), leaf mass (LMA) and nitrogen content (N_A) per unit area, and photosynthetic nitrogen utilization efficiency (PNUE) increased significantly with irradiance. LMA, N_A, and PNUE all contributed to the increased P _max, indicating that both morphological and...

Cassells, A.C., Gahan, P.B.: Dictionary of Plant Tissue Culture

Z. Vondráková

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):244 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0039-8

Govindjee, Beatty, J.T., Gest, H., Allen, J.F. (ed.): Discoveries in photosynthesis

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0055-8

Comparison of CO₂ and H₂O fluxes over grassland vegetations measured by the eddy-covariance technique and by open system chamber

J. Balogh, Z. Nagy, Sz. Fóti, K. Pintér, Sz. Czóbel, E. R. Péli, M. Acosta, M. V. Marek, Zs. Csintalan, Z. Tuba

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):288-292 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0046-9

Measurements of CO₂ and H₂O fluxes were carried out using two different techniques-eddy-covariance (EC) and open system gas exchange chamber (OC)-during two-years' period (2003-2004) at three different grassland sites. OC measurements were made during fourteen measurement campaigns. We found good agreement between the OC and EC CO₂ flux values (n = 63, r ² = 0.5323, OC F_CO2 = -0.6408+0.9508 EC F_CO2). The OC F_H2O values were consistently lower than those measured by the EC technique, probably caused by the air stream difference inside and outside the chamber....

Net photosynthetic rate, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities of Erythrina orientalis in polluted and non-polluted areas

S. Y. Woo, D. K. Lee, Y. K. Lee

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):293-295 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0047-8

We investigated net photosynthetic rate and antioxidative enzyme activities in Erythrina orientalis grown in three different sites: Makati and Quezon (cities with high levels of air pollution, HP) and La Mesa (a non-polluted area, NP). Photosynthetic activity of E. orientalis was significantly reduced in the HP cities. In contrast, activities of the antioxidative enzymes ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were significantly higher in HP cities than in the NP area.

Growth, biomass production, and assimilatory characters in Cenchrus ciliaris L. Under elevated CO₂ condition

R. K. Bhatt, M. J. Baig, H. S. Tiwari

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):296-298 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0048-7

The effect of elevated carbon dioxide (600±50 cm³ m^-3; C₆₀₀) on growth performance, biomass production, and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. 3108 was studied. This crop responded significantly by plant height, leaf length and width, and biomass production under C₆₀₀. Leaf area index increased triple fold in the crops grown in the open top chamber with C₆₀₀. The biomass production in term of fresh and dry biomass accumulation increased by 134.35 (fresh) and 193.34 (dry) % over the control (C₃₆₀) condition where the crops were grown for 20 d. The rate of photosynthesis...

Photosynthetically versatile thin shade leaves: A paradox of irradiance-response curves

M. Tateno, H. Taneda

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):299-302 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0049-6

Thick sun leaves have a larger construction cost per unit leaf area than thin shade leaves. To re-evaluate the adaptive roles of sun and shade leaves, we compared the photosynthetic benefits relative to the construction cost of the leaves. We drew photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)-response curves using the leaf-mass-based photosynthetic rate to reflect the cost. The dark respiration rates of the sun and shade leaves of mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidzumi) seedlings did not differ significantly. At irradiances below 250 µmol m^-2 s^-1, the shade leaves tended to have a significantly larger net photosynthetic rate...

Characterization of the photosynthetic pathway of some tropical food yams (Dioscorea spp.) using leaf natural ¹³C abundance

D. Cornet, J. Sierra, R. Bonhomme

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):303-305 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0050-0

A total of 23 genotypes belonging to seven tropical food yams and two wild relative species of different origin and coming from two sampling ecological zones (the Republic of Benin in Africa and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean) was analysed for their ¹³C content. The δ¹³C values for all yam samples (from -25.39 and -30.07 ‰) indicated that all species had a C₃ photosynthetic type.

Leaf area estimation of sunflower leaves from simple linear measurements

Y. Rouphael, G. Colla, S. Fanasca, F. Karam

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):306-308 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0051-z

Simple, accurate, and non-destructive methods for determining leaf area (LA) of plants are important for many experimental comparisons. Determining the individual LA of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) involves measurements of leaf parameters such as length (L) and width (W), or some combinations of these parameters. Two field experiments were carried out during 2003 and 2004 to compare predictive equations of sunflower LAs using simple linear measurements. Regression analyses of LA vs. L and W revealed several equations that could be used for estimating the area of individual sunflower leaves. A linear equation having W² as...

Influence of irradiance, dissolved oxygen concentration, and temperature on the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana

C. U. Ugwu, H. Aoyagi, H. Uchiyama

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):309-311 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0052-y

The growth response of Chlorella sorokiniana to certain irradiance, DO, and temperature demonstrated the possible causes of low productivity with this strain in outdoor cultures. The growth (biomass productivity) and chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) were substantially reduced when the dissolved oxygen (above 200 % of air saturation) and temperature were elevated.

Physiological comparisons of true leaves and phyllodes in Acacia mangium seedlings

H. Yu, J. T. Li

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):312 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0053-x

We found differences between true leaves (TL) and phyllodes (Ph) during ontogeny of Acacia mangium plants as reflected in chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid contents, gas exchange, Chl fluorescence, and growth. The production of TL enhanced the relative growth rate of the A. mangium seedlings, allowing the plants to accumulate enough dry biomass for later growth, while the production of thicker Ph in the later growth stage of A. mangium could help plants to cope with higher irradiance in their natural growth conditions.

Photosynthetic characteristics of hybrid rice with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene

L. Ling, B. J. Zhang, D. M. Jiao

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(2):317-320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0054-9

High level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene was stably inherited and transferred from the male parent, PEPC transgenic rice, into a female parent, japonica rice cv. 9516. Relative to the female parent, the produced JAAS45 pollen lines exhibited high PEPC activity (17-fold increase) and also higher photosynthetic rates (about 36 %-fold increase). The JAAS45 pollen lines were more tolerant to photoinhibition and to photo-oxidative stress. Furthermore, JAAS45 pollen lines, as well as their male parent, were tested to exhibit a limiting C₄ cycle by feeding with exogenous C₄ primary products such as oxaloacetate...