Photosynthetica, 2005 (vol. 43), issue 2

Article

Growth, photosynthetic electron transport, and antioxidant responses of young soybean seedlings to simultaneous exposure of nickel and UV-B stress

S. M. Prasad, R. Dwivedi, M. Zeeshan

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):177-185 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0031-0

The effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 0.4 W m^-2) irradiance and nickel (Ni, 0.01, 0.10 and 1.00 mM; Ni_0.01, Ni_0.10, Ni_1.00, respectively) treatment, singly and in combination, on growth, photosynthetic electron transport activity, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, and membrane leakage in soybean seedlings were evaluated. Ni_0.10 and Ni_1.00 and UV-B declined the growth and chlorophyll content, which were further reduced following combined exposure. Contrary to this, Ni_0.01 stimulated growth, however, the effect together with...

Responses of two field-grown coffee species to drought and re-hydration

Z. Q. Cai, Y. J. Chen, Y. H. Guo, K. F. Cao

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):187-193 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0032-z

The gas exchange, parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, contents of pigments, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), as well as lipid peroxidation were investigated in two field-grown coffee species, Coffea arabica and C. liberica, exposed to drought and re-hydration. Drought caused a more pronounced inhibition of net photosynthetic rate in C. liberica compared to C. arabica. The de-epoxidation of xanthophyll cycle pigments at midday estimated by leaf reflectance was much higher in C. arabica than in C. liberica, but no significant change was found in response to drought....

Photosynthetic characteristics of Hordeum, Triticum, Rumex, and Trifolium species at contrasting altitudes

N. Kumar, S. Kumar, P.S. Ahuja

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):195-201 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0033-y

Photosynthetic characteristics were compared between plants of low altitude (LA) grown at LA (Palampur; 1 300 m) and at high altitude, HA (Kibber; 4 200 m), and plants naturally occurring at different altitudes (Palampur, 1 300 m; Palchan, 2 250 m; and Marhi, 3 250 m). Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) was not significantly different between altitudes. However, the slopes of the curve relating P_N to intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) were higher in plants at Palchan, Marhi, and Kibber compared to those at Palampur, indicating that plants had higher efficiency of carbon uptake (the initial...

Water relations, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and contents of saccharides in tree species of a tropical forest in response to flood

E. Rengifo, W. Tezara, A. Herrera

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):203-210 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0034-x

We studied the seasonal changes in water relations, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and leaf saccharide contents of the tropical flood-tolerant trees Acosmium nitens, Campsiandra laurifolia, Eschweilera tenuifolia, Symmeria paniculata, and Psidium ovatifolium. Xylem water potential increased with flooding to a larger extent than leaf sap osmotic potential in all the species, and soluble sugars contributed up to 66 % of osmotic potential at maximum flooding. Starch was accumulated in leaves. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem 2 decreased in emerged leaves, values being always higher than 0.76. Daily maximum net photosynthetic rate and leaf...

Long-term effect of elevated CO₂ on spatial differentiation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity in Norway spruce canopy

M. Hrstka, O. Urban, M. V. Marek

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):211-216 | DOI: 10.1007/PL00022057

Total in vitro activity of RuBPCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) enzyme was assayed spectrophotometrically by the continuous measurement of 3-phosphoglycerate-dependent NADH oxidation in a coupled enzyme system. RuBPCO activities were found in the ranges 1.01-2.76 and 1.23-3.10 µmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^{- 1} in current Norway spruce needles growing in ambient (AC) and elevated (EC) CO₂ concentration, respectively. RuBPCO activity in AC needles from the upper layer (U) was 11-15 % higher compared to those from the middle (M) layer, and even 44-56 % higher compared to the lower (L) layer...

Leaf characteristics and gas exchange of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa as affected by salinity

M. A. Sobrado

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):217-221 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0036-8

Under constant salinity we analysed the leaf characteristics of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. in combination with gas exchange and carbon isotopic composition to estimate leaf water-use efficiency (WUE) and potential nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). NaCl was not added to the control plants and the others were maintained at salinities of 15 and 30 ‰ (S₀, S₁₅, and S₃₀, respectively). Leaf succulence, sodium (Na), nitrogen (N), and chlorophyll (Chl) contents increased under salinity. Salinity had a negative impact on net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and stomatal conductance (g_s)...

Effect of ectomycorrhizal infection on growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Pinus densiflora seedlings grown under elevated CO₂ concentrations

D. S. Choi, A. M. Quoreshi, Y. Maruyama, H. O. Jin, T. Koike

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):223-229 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0037-7

The effect of ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) infection was studied on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Pinus densiflora seedlings grown at ambient (360 µmol mol^-1, AC) and elevated (720 µmol mol^-1, EC) CO₂ concentrations. After 18 weeks, Pt inoculation had led to significantly increased dry mass and stem diameter of P. densiflora at both CO₂ concentrations, relative to non-inoculated seedlings. Moreover, EC significantly increased the ectomycorrhizal development. The phosphate content in needles inoculated with Pt was about...

Genes differentially expressed under photoinhibition stress in flag leaves of super-hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu (Oryza sativa) and their genetic origins

G. Q. Jiang, J. L. Guo, Q. W. Meng, Y. Q. Chen, H. X. Wang, Z. A. Hu, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):231-236 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0038-6

Genes differentially expressed under high irradiance (HI) stress in mature flag leaves of super-hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) were studied by the silver-staining mRNA differential display technique. We obtained 167 differentially displayed bands on silver-stained polyacrylamide gels and searched for their genetic origins. Five cDNA fragments, which were upregulated by HI stress, were cloned and sequenced. The clones of G25×320, A31×380, and G29×280 putatively encode a cytosolic monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI-4-K), and a DEAH-box RNA helicase, respectively. Most differentially...

Isolation of chestnut chloroplasts: membrane potentials of chestnut and spinach thylakoids

J. Gomes-Laranjo, P. Salgado, H. W. Wong Fong Sang, R. Kraayenhof, J. Torres-Pereira

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):237-246 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0039-5

Typical chestnut thylakoid extracts isolated by mechanical disruption of leaf tissues had an equivalent of 0.28 kg m^-3 chlorophyll (Chl) which is six times less than in thylakoids obtained from spinach, although Chl content in leaves was only half as small. According to optical microscopy, the vesicles showed a good integrity, exhibiting at 21 °C a high capacity of photon-induced potential membrane generation, which was demonstrated by the almost full 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine fluorescence quenching in a hyper-saline medium containing 150 mM KCl and having osmotic potential of -1.5 MPa. The half-time of the thylakoid potential generation...

Low temperature stress modifies the photochemical efficiency of a tropical tree species Hevea brasiliensis: effects of varying concentration of CO₂ and photon flux density

B. Alam, D. B. Nair, J. Jacob

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):247-252 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0040-z

Two clones of Hevea brasiliensis (RRII 105 and PB 235) were grown for one year in two distinct agroclimatic locations (warmer and colder, W and C) in peninsular India. We simultaneously measured gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence on fully mature intact leaves at different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) and ambient CO₂ concentrations (C_a) and at constant ambient O₂ concentration (21 %). Net photosynthetic rate (P_N), apparent quantum yield for CO₂ assimilation (Φ_c), in vivo carboxylation efficiency (CE), and photosystem 2 quantum...

Fast chlorophyll fluorescence transient and nitrogen fixing ability of chickpea nodulation variants

S. S. Dudeja, P. Chaudhary

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):253-259 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0041-y

High nodulating (HN) selections of the cultivars ICC 4948 and ICC 5003 had the highest nodule number and nodule dry mass followed by low nodulating (LN) selections of the same cultivar. Both non-nodulating (NN) selections of cv. ICC 4993 and ICC 4918 did not show any nodule. Using N-difference method the HN selection of cv. 1CC 4948 was able to meet 73 % of its demand of N through biological fixation of N₂ [P(fix)], while 27 % of N demand was met by uptake from the soil, whereas its LN selection was able to meet only 54 % of its demand of N through biological fixation of N₂. Similarly in cv. ICC 5003 HN and LN selections the P(fix)...

Cooperation of xanthophyll cycle with water-water cycle in the protection of photosystems 1 and 2 against inactivation during chilling stress under low irradiance

X. G. Li, Y. P. Bi, S. J. Zhao, Q. W. Meng, Q. Zou, Q. W. He

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):261-266 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0042-x

The xanthophyll cycle and the water-water cycle had different functional significance in chilling-sensitive sweet pepper upon exposure to chilling temperature (4 °C) under low irradiance (100 µmol m^-2 s^-1) for 6 h. During chilling stress, effects of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) on photosystem 2 (PS2) in dithiothreitol (DTT) fed leaves remained distinguishable from that of the water-water cycle in diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) fed leaves. In DTT-fed leaves, NPQ decreased greatly accompanied by visible inhibition of the de-epoxidized ratio of the xanthophyll cycle, and maximum photochemical efficiency of PS2 (F_v/F_m)...

Chamber series and space-scale analysis of CO₂ gas-exchange in grassland vegetation: A novel approach

Sz. Czobel, Sz. Foti, J. Balogh, Z. Nagy, S. Bartha, Z. Tuba

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):267-272 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0043-9

Significant part of our work was developing a new type of CO₂ and H₂O gas exchange chambers fit for measuring stand patches. Ground areas of six chambers (ranged between 0.044-4.531 m²) constituted a logarithmic series with doubling diameters from 7.5 to 240.0 cm. We demonstrate one of the first results for stand net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) rates and temporal variability for two characteristic Central European grassland types: loess and sand. The measured mean NEE rates and their ranges in these grasslands were similar to values reported in other studies on temperate grasslands. We also dealt with the...

Review

How can calibrated research-based models be improved for use as a tool in identifying genes controlling crop tolerance to environmental stresses in the era of genomics-from an experimentalist's perspective

M. A. El-Sharkawy

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):161-176 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0030-1

Almost four decades have passed since the new field of ecosystem simulation sprang into full force as an added tool for a sound research in an ever-advancing scientific front. The enormous advances and new discoveries that recently took place in the field of molecular biology and basic genetics added more effective tools, have strengthened and increased the efficiency of science outputs in various areas, particularly in basic biological sciences. Now, we are entering into a more promising stage in science, i.e. 'post-genomics', where both simulation modelling and molecular biology tools are integral parts of experimental research in agricultural...

Brief Communications

Determinant of photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves under ambient air conditions

D. Y. Zhang, X. H. Wang, Y. Chen, D. Q. Xu

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):273-276 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0044-8

At the grain-filling stage, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation efficiency (CE) were correlated in order to find the determinant of photosynthetic capacity in rice leaves. For a flag leaf, P_N in leaf middle region was higher than in its upper region, and leaf basal region had the lowest P_N value. The differences in g_s and CE were similar. P_N, g_s, and CE gradually declined from upper to basal leaves, showing a leaf position gradient. The correlation coefficient...

Midday photoinhibition of two newly developed super-rice hybrids

Q. A. Wang, C. M. Lu, Q. D. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):277-281 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0045-7

Super-rice hybrids are two-line hybrid rice cultivars with 15 to 20 % higher yields than the raditional three-line hybrid rice cultivars. Response of photosynthetic functions to midday photoinhibition was compared between seedlings of the traditional hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) Shanyou63 and two super-rice hybrids, Hua-an3 and Liangyoupeijiu. Under strong midday sunlight, in comparison with Shanyou63, the two super-rice hybrids were less photoinhibited, as indicated by the lower loss of the net photosynthetic rate (P_N), the quantum yield of photosystem 2 (Φ_PS2), and the maximum and effective quantum yield of...

Retention and allocation of ¹⁴C assimilates by maintenance leaves and harvest index of tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

T. S. Barman, J. K. Saikia

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):283-287 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0046-6

Partitioning of ¹⁴C-labelled photosynthates to various parts of un-pruned tea clones TV1 and TV25 was assessed in vivo by exposing maintenance leaves to ¹⁴CO₂ at monthly intervals throughout the year. The plants from shoot apex to root tip were divided into twelve components to assess the allocation and retention of ¹⁴C-photosynthates by the maintenance foliage. Out of the total photosynthates produced by the maintenance leaves, only 11.08 % was allocated to the commercially useful harvestable two and a bud shoots which is accepted as the harvest index of tea. The photosynthetically active maintenance...

Photosynthesis, transpiration, and water use efficiency of Leymus dasystachys on the Hunshandake desert

R. Z. Wang, X. Q. Liu, Q. Xing, Y. Bai

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):289-291 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0047-5

Net photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g_s) declined from upper leaves to the lower ones during dry and rainy seasons, indicating that long-term carbon budget should take into account P_N variations for different leaf types. Relatively greater P_N in the dry season suggested that this species is more able to maintain higher P_N under drought, but the relatively higher E in the dry season might reduce water use efficiency (P_N/E) for the species. Significant correlations between P_N...

Protection of winter rape photosystem 2 by 24-epibrassinolide under cadmium stress

A. Janeczko, J. Koscielniak, M. Pilipowicz, G. Szarek-Lukaszewska, A. Skoczowski

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):293-298 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0048-4

Seedlings of winter rape were cultured in vitro on media containing 24-epibrassinolide, EBR (100 nM) and cadmium (300 µM). After 14 d of growth, fast fluorescence kinetics of chlorophyll (Chl) a and contents of photosynthetic pigments and Cd in cotyledons were measured. Cd was strongly accumulated but its content in cotyledons was 14.7 % smaller in the presence of EBR. Neither Cd nor EBR influenced the contents of Chl a and b and carotenoids. Cd lowered the specific energy fluxes per excited cross section (CS) of cotyledon. The number of active reaction centres (RC) of photosystem 2 (RC/CS) decreased by about...

Comparison of photosynthetic activity of Orychophragmus violaceus and oil-seed rape

Y. Y. Wu, X. M. Wu, P. P. Li, Y. G. Zhao, X. T. Li, X. Z. Zhao

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):299-302 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0049-3

Orychophragmus violaceus, Brassica campestris cv. Chuanyou No.8, and Brassica juncea cv. Luzhousileng diurnal changes of net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and activities of carbonic anhydrase (CA) of leaves were studied. One uni-modal curve occurred at the diurnal changes of P_N in O. violaceus, but bimodal curves were found in B. campestris and B. juncea. Thus photosynthetic midday depression was not found in O. violaceus but in both Brassica species. Midday depression of P_N in O. violaceus was not related to high temperature or low humidity at...

Gas exchange in lisianthus plants (Eustoma grandiflorum) submitted to different doses of nitrogen

J. A. Marchese, I. Katz, A. P. Sousa, J. D. Rodrigues

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):303-305 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0050-x

The effect of different doses of nitrogen (N) on gas exchange, relative chlorophyll (Chl) amount, and the content of N in the aerial biomass of lisianthus was evaluated. The treatments consisted of six different concentrations of N (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 g m^-3 noted as N₅₀, N₁₀₀, N₁₅₀, N₂₀₀, N₂₅₀, and N₃₀₀, respectively), applied through the fertirrigation technique. N₂₅₀ and N₃₀₀ induced increase in the contents of foliar Chl and N in the aerial biomass, that in turn contributed to an increase of photosynthetic activity in lisianthus.

Different responses to UV-B enhanced solar radiation in radish and carrot

S. M. J. Nithia, N. Shanthi, G. Kulandaivelu

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):307-311 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0051-9

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.), plants with underground storage organs grown in the field, were exposed to either ambient (UVA) or 20 % UV-B (UVE) enhanced solar radiation till their root yield stage. In radish, UVE produced a significant increase in shoot and root fresh mass (FM), increase in the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, and total proteins per unit FM, Hill reaction rate, and root yield. In contrast, carrot responded negatively to UVE showing a loss in the above parameters.

Effect of reddening of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaves on the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells

D. Stoyanova-Koleva, A. Edreva, V. Velikova, A. Gurel

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):313-316 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0052-8

The ultrastructure of cotton leaves, exhibiting reddening as symptom of physiological disorder, was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy. Osmiophilisation of the membrane compartment was established. Massive agglomerations on the tonoplast in the vacuole of cells under the adaxial epidermis were observed, and were referred to as electron-dense osmiophilic substance, most probably of anthocyanin nature. In chloroplast stroma a zone of low electron density enclosing numerous osmiophilic aggregations of unclear chemical character was differentiated. Fragmentation and severe destruction of thylakoids in chloroplasts of reddening cotton...

Reconstitution of the Mn-depleted photosystem 2 by using some manganese complexes

M. S. Karacan, G. Somer

Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):317-320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0053-7

Restoration of electron flow and oxygen-evolution quantity of Mn-depleted photosystem 2 (PS2) was performed with using synthetic manganese complexes Mn(im)₆Cl₂, Mn(im)₂Cl₂, Mn(5-Clsalgy)₂, and Mn(salgy)₂ instead of original manganese cluster for reconstruction of electron transport and oxygen evolution.