Wheat cultivars differing in heat tolerance show a differential response to monocarpic senescence under high-temperature stress and the involvement of serine proteases

S. Chauhan, S. Srivalli, A. R. Nautiyal, R. Khanna-Chopra

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):536-547 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0079-3

High temperature is a common constraint during anthesis and grain-filling stages of wheat leading to huge losses in yield. In order to understand the mechanism of heat tolerance during monocarpic senescence, the present study was carried out under field conditions by allowing two well characterized Triticum aestivum L. cultivars differing in heat tolerance, Hindi62 (heat-tolerant) and PBW343 (heat-susceptible), to suffer maximum heat stress under late sown conditions. Senescence was characterized by measuring photosynthesis related processes and endoproteolytic activity during non-stress environment (NSE) as well as heat-stress environment (HSE)....

Comparison of thermostability of PSII between the chromatic and green leaf cultivars of Amaranthus tricolor L.

Z. Shu, L. Shao, H. Y. Huang, X. Q. Zeng, Z. F. Lin, G. Y. Chen, C. L. Peng

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):548-558 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0080-x

In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative potential in leaves of the chromatic (CC) versus green (GC) Amaranthus tricolor L. under moderate high-temperature stress at 45°C. Before heat stress, CC had significantly higher levels of betacyanins [about 3.2 mg g^-1(FM)] than the green [1.8 mg g^-1(FM) (p<0.01), while similar chlorophyll (Chl) content [about 2 mg g^-1(FM)] was observed between both cultivars. After exposure to high temperature (45°C) for 6 days, betacyanins in leaves of CC were remarkably increased (about 2 times of that in control samples grown at 30°C). In contrast, betacyanins...

Different photosynthetic responses to night chilling among twelve populations of Jatropha curcas

Y. L. Zheng, Y. L. Feng, Y. B. Lei, C. Y. Yang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):559-566 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0081-9

Jatropha curcas, one of the most important energy plant resources, is vulnerable to chilling. To evaluate the effects of chilling on photosynthesis of J. curcas and intraspecific differences in chilling tolerance, seedlings of twelve populations were treated with the temperature of 4-6°C for five consecutive nights with normal environmental temperature during the day. Night chilling treatment decreased light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_max) significantly for all populations. Stomatal limitation could not explain the decreased P_max because intracellular CO₂ concentration was not significantly...

The reduced S_-1 and S_-2 oxidation states of the O²-evolving complex of photosystem II: An EPR microwave power saturation study

D. Koulougliotis

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):567-574 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0082-8

Progressive microwave power saturation (P_1/2) measurements have been performed on the tyrosine D radical (Y_D ^*) of photosystem II (PSII) in order to examine its relaxation enhancement by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) poised to the reduced S_-1 and S_-2 oxidation states by NO treatment. Analysis of the power saturation curves showed that the S_-1 oxidation state of the OEC does not enhance the relaxation of Y_D ^*: it therefore possesses a diamagnetic ground state. In contrast, the Mn(II)-Mn(III) multiline electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal characteristic...

Photosynthetic activity and water use efficiency of dune species: the influence of air temperature on functioning

L. Gratani, L. Varone, M. F. Crescente

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):575-585 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0083-7

Differences in leaf traits among the dune species developing along the Latium coast were analysed. Cakile maritima Scop. subsp. maritima, Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. farctus, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link subsp. australis (Mabille) Lainz, Ononis variegata L., Pancratium maritimum L., Eryngium maritimum L., and Anthemis maritima L. were considered. The considered species showed a similar net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and chlorophyll content (Chl) during the year, with a peak from the end of April to the middle of May [13.0±3.6 μmol (CO₂)...

Can the Giberella zeae toxin zearalenone affect the photosynthetic productivity and increase yield formation in spring wheat and soybean plants?

J. Kościelniak, J. Biesaga-Kościelniak, A. Janeczko, W. Filek, H. M. Kalaji

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):586-594 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0084-6

The seeds of soybean cv. Aldana and spring wheat cv. Torka were soaked for 24 h in solution of zearalenone [ZEN, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(10-hydroxy-6-oxo-trans-1-undecenyl)-benzonic acid lactone, 4 mg dm^-3] and then they were sown in the pot experiment in an open vegetation hall. The after-effects of ZEN on growth of plants, net photosynthetic (P _N) and transpiration (E) rates, stomatal conductance (g _s), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and on final seeds yield, were determined. A significant increase of seeds yield was revealed in plants of both cultivars i.e....

Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth responses of Melaleuca alternifolia seedlings to flooding and subsequent recovery

Y. X. Jing, G. L. Li, B. H. Gu, D. J. Yang, L. Xiao, R. X. Liu, C. L. Peng

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):595-601 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0085-5

Periodic flooding of trees in tropical floodplains and reservoirs where water levels fluctuate is a common phenomenon. The effects of flooding and subsequent recovery on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth responses of Melaleuca alternifolia seedlings, a tall shrub species used in floodplain and reservoir forest restoration in southern China, were studied during a grow season (from March to December in 2007). M. alternifolia seedlings were flooded for 180 days, drained and left to recover for another 60 days. Survival rates of the seedlings were 100% during the 180-day flooding period. Chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic...

Photosynthetic performance and light response of two olive cultivars under different water and light regimes

A. Sofo, B. Dichio, G. Montanaro, C. Xiloyannis

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):602-608 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0086-4

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is commonly grown in the Mediterranean area, where it is adapted to resist periods characterized by severe drought and high irradiance levels. Photosynthetic efficiency (in terms of F_v/F_m and Φ_PSII), photochemical (q_P) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were determined in two-year-old olive plants (cultivars Coratina and Biancolilla) grown under two different light levels (exposed plants, EP, and shaded plants, SP) during a 21-day controlled water deficit. After reaching the maximum level of drought stress, plants were rewatered for 23 days. During the experimental...

Leaf diaheliotropic movement can improve carbon gain and water use efficiency and not intensify photoinhibition in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Y. L. Zhang, H. Z. Zhang, G. Y. Feng, J. S. Tian, W. F. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):609-615 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0087-3

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) can move leaves to track the sun throughout the day, so-called leaf diaheliotropic movement. This paper reports an experimental test of the hypothesis that leaf diaheliotropic movement in upland cotton can enhance carbon assimilation and not increase the risk of stress from high energy load. In this experiment, cotton leaves were divided into two groups: one was that leaves could track the sun freely; another was that leaves were retained to the horizontal position. The diaheliotropic leaves recorded higher incident irradiance than the restrained ones, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Compared...

Photosynthetic parameters of young Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B.) plants subjected to fertilization in a degraded area in Central Amazonia

M. J. Ferreira, J. F. C. Gonçalves, J. B. S. Ferraz

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):616-620 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0088-2

In an experimental site for reforestation of degraded area, three-year-old plants of Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl. were subjected to different fertilization treatments: T0 = unfertilized control, T1 = green fertilization (branches and leaves) and T2 = chemical fertilization. Higher net photosynthetic rates (P _N) were observed in T1 [13.2±1.0 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1] compared to T2 [8.0±1.8 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1] and T0 [4.8±1.3 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1]. Stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration...

Relationship between Rubisco activase isoform levels and photosynthetic rate in different leaf positions of rice plant

D. Wang, Q. Lu, X. F. Li, Q. S. Jiang, J. X. Wu, D. A. Jiang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):621-629 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0089-1

To investigate into the relationship between two Rubisco activase (RCA) isoforms and photosynthetic rate, a set of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were developed for accurate quantification of two RCA polypeptides based on two specific monoclonal antibodies against different RCA isoforms. The results showed that content of RCA small isoform (RCA_S) was 5-fold more than that of RCA large isoform (RCA_L) content in all leaves and the RCA_L/RCA_S ratio reached maximum in the leaf with the highest photosynthetic rate. Although the difference in two RCA polypeptides accumulation in leaves was caused by different...

Modelling of light-induced chlorophyll a fluorescence rise (O-J-I-P transient) and changes in 820 nm-transmittance signal of photosynthesis

D. Lazár

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):483-498 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0074-8

Theoretical modelling is often overlooked in photosynthesis research even if it can significantly help with understanding of explored system. A new model of light-induced photosynthetic reactions occurring in and around thylakoid membrane is introduced here and used for theoretical modelling of not only the light-induced chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence rise (FLR; the O-J-I-P transient), reflecting function of photosystem II (PSII), but also of the 820 nmtransmittance signal (I₈₂₀), reflecting function of photosystem I (PSI) and plastocyanin (PC), paralleling the FLR. Correctness of the model was verified by successful simulations...

Relationships between foliar carbon isotope discrimination with potassium concentration and ash content of the riparian plants in the extreme arid region of China

S. K. Cao, Q. Feng, J. H. Si, Y. H. Su, Z. Q. Chang, H. Y. Xi

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):499-509 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0075-7

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been proposed as an indirect estimation criterion for water use efficiency in C₃ plants. Because of the higher cost for Δ analysis, ash content or K concentration has been proposed as an alternative criterion for Δ in many species. In five typical habitats of the extreme arid Ejina desert oasis in northwest of China, the seasonal variations of foliar δ, ash content, and potassium (K) concentration were researched in two constructive desert riparian plants (Populus euphratica Olivier, Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb). The correlations of foliar Δ with ash content...

Chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development in etiolated seedlings of Ginkgo biloba L.

A. Pavlovič, Ľ. Slováková, V. Demko, M. Durchan, K. Mikulová, J. Hudák

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):510-516 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0076-6

Ginkgo biloba L. is a large tree native in China with evolutionary affinities to the conifers and cycads. However unlike conifers, the gymnosperm G. biloba is not able to synthesize chlorophyll (Chl) in the dark, in spite of the presence of genes encoding subunits of light-independent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (DPOR) in the plastid genome. The principal aims of the present study were to investigate the presence of DPOR protein subunits (ChlL, ChlN, ChlB) as well as the key regulatory step in Chl formation: aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthesis and abundance of the key regulatory enzyme in its synthesis: glutamyl-tRNA reductase...

Effects of salt stress on photosynthesis, PSII photochemistry and thermal energy dissipation in leaves of two corn (Zea mays L.) varieties

H. Hichem, A. El Naceur, D. Mounir

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):517-526 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0077-5

The effect of four different NaCl concentrations (from 0 to 102 mM NaCl) on seedlings leaves of two corn (Zea mays L.) varieties (Aristo and Arper) was investigated through chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigments concentration, tissue hydration and ionic accumulation. Salinity treatments showed a decrease in maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) in dark-adapted leaves. Moreover, the actual PSII efficiency (ϕ_PSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (q_p), proportion of PSII centers effectively reoxidized, and...

Winter photoinhibition in needles of Taxus baccata seedlings acclimated to different light levels

P. Robakowski, T. Wyka

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):527-535 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0078-4

Seasonal variability of maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) was studied in needles of Taxus baccata seedlings acclimated to full light (HL, 100% solar irradiance), medium light (ML, 18% irradiance) or low light (LL, 5% irradiance). In HL plants, F_v/F_m was below 0.8 (i.e. state of photoinhibition) throughout the whole experimental period from November to May, with the greatest decline in January and February (when F_v/F_m value reached 0.37). In ML seedlings, significant declines of F_v/F_m occurred in January (with the lowest level at...

Laisk, A., Nedbal, L., Govindjee (ed.): Photosynthesis in silico. Understanding Complexity from Molecules to Ecosystems. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Vol. 29. - Springer, Dordrecht 2009, ISBN: 978-1-4020-9236-7(HB), ISBN 978-1-4020-9237-4(e-book). Pp. 503, € 209.00.

J. Nauš

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):630 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0090-8

Feeding with aminolevulinic acid increased chlorophyll content in Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the dark

A. Pavlovič, V. Demko, M. Durchan, J. Hudák

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):631-634 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0091-7

In contrast to angiosperms, which accumulate protochlorophyllide after application of aminolevulinic acid in the dark, feeding with aminolevulinic acid (0.01-20 mM) via the roots in the 18-d-old seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies) stimulated not only protochlorophyllide but also chlorophyll accumulation.

Effect of drought stress on leaf optical properties in drought-resistant and drought-sensitive maize and triticale genotypes

M. T. Grzesiak, T. Hura, S. Grzesiak, J. Pilarski

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):635-637 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0092-6

The effect of a short (7 d), prolonged (14 d) soil drought (D) and (7 d) recovery (DR) on the leaf optical properties - reflectance (R), transmittance (T) and absorptance (A) in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and near infrared radiation (NIR) range of irradiation (750-1100 nm) was studied for maize and triticale genotypes differing in drought tolerance. The drought stress caused the changes in leaf optical properties parameters in comparison with non-drought plants. The observed harmful influence of drought was more visible for maize than triticale.

Evaluation of light-harvesting complex proteins as senescence-related protein markers in detached rice leaves

K. Kang, Y. S. Kim, S. Park, K. Back

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):638-640 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0093-5

Ten light-harvesting complex (Lhc) proteins were investigated to determine which was the most appropriate protein marker of senescence in detached rice leaves. The levels of Lhc proteins were monitored by immunoblot analysis, which was conducted using commercially available antibodies raised against each Lhc protein. Among the Lhc proteins evaluated in this study, Lhca1, Lhcb1, Lhcb2, Lhcb3, and Lhcb5 were not appropriate to be used as senescence markers while others can be used after optimization of the procedure.

Zoltán Tuba

Ilona Mészáros, Zoltán Nagy

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(4):481-482 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0073-9