Photosynthetica, 2013 (vol. 51), issue 3

Article

Plastid-nuclear complexes in the photosynthesizing cells from their mitosis up to programmed death

T. Selga, M. Selga, A. Ozoliņa

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):474-476 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0042-1

Permanent plastid-nuclear complexes (PNCs) exist in tobacco cells from their mitosis up to programmed cell death (PCD). PNCs in senescing cells of tobacco leaves were typical by enclosure of peroxisomes and mitochondria among chloroplasts which were in contact with nucleus. Such a complex position provides simultaneous interaction of these organelles and direct regulation of metabolism and PCD avoiding the cytosol.

Original Papers

Growth and leaf gas exchange in Populus euphratica across soil water and salinity gradients

J. Y. Li, C. Y. Zhao, J. Li, Y. Y. Yan, B. Yu, M. Han

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):321-329 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0028-z

Soil water and salinity conditions of the riparian zones along the Tarim River, northwest China, have been undergoing alterations due to water use by human or climate change, which is expected to influence the riparian forest dominated by an old poplar, Populus euphratica. To evaluate the effects of such habitat alterations, we examined photosynthetic and growth performances of P. euphratica seedlings across experimental soil water and salinity gradients. Results indicated that seedlings were limited in their physiological performance, as evidenced by decreases in their height and biomass, and the maximal quantum yield of photosystem...

Root-zone CO₂ and root-zone temperature effects on photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of aeroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the tropics

J. He, L. Qin, S. K. Lee

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):330-340 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0030-5

Effects of elevated root-zone (RZ) CO₂ concentration (RZ [CO₂]) and RZ temperature (RZT) on photosynthesis, productivity, nitrate (NO₃ ^-), total reduced nitrogen (TRN), total leaf soluble and Rubisco proteins were studied in aeroponically grown lettuce plants in a tropical greenhouse. Three weeks after transplanting, four different RZ [CO₂] concentrations (ambient, 360 ppm, and elevated concentrations of 2,000; 10,000; and 50,000 ppm) were imposed on plants at 20°C-RZT or ambient(A)-RZT (24-38°C). Elevated RZ [CO₂] resulted in significantly higher light-saturated net photosynthetic rate,...

Foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide alleviates high-temperature-induced inhibition of photosynthesis in seedlings of two melon cultivars

Y. P. Zhang, X. H. Zhu, H. D. Ding, S. J. Yang, Y. Y. Chen

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):341-349 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0031-4

Brassinosteroids (BRs), an important class of plant steroidal hormones, play a significant role in the amelioration of various biotic and abiotic stresses. 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), an active brassinosteroid, was applied exogenously in different concentrations to characterize a role of BRs in tolerance of melon (Cucumis melo L.) to high temperature (HT) stress and to investigate photosynthetic performance of HT-stressed, Honglvzaocui (HT-tolerant) and Baiyuxiang (HTsensitive), melon variety. Under HT, Honglvzaocui showed higher biomass accumulation and a lower index of heat injury compared with the Baiyuxiang. The exogenous application of 1.0...

Variation in leaf photosynthetic characteristics in wild rice species

T. V. Kiran, Y. V. Rao, D. Subrahmanyam, N. S. Rani, V. P. Bhadana, P. R. Rao, S. R. Voleti

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):350-358 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0032-3

Variations in leaf gas-exchange characteristics, leaf pigment content, and other important leaf traits were investigated in seven wild Oryza species, five hybrids, and five improved varieties. The significant variations were observed in photosynthetic pigment contents amongst different species of Oryza. The mean chlorophyll (Chl) content was higher in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids), while O. eichengeri showed the lowest Chl content. The mean carotenoid (Car) content in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids) was higher than in other wild rice species. O. eichengeri and O. barthii had significantly lower...

The responses of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of Fraxinus rhynchophylla to differences in CO₂ concentration and soil moisture

S. Y. Zhang, G. C. Zhang, X. Liu, J. B. Xia

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):359-369 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0033-2

The photosynthetic parameters in leaves of three-year-old seedlings of Fraxinus rhynchophylla L. were studied under different soil water conditions and CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) with a LI-COR 6400 portable photosynthesis system. The objective was to investigate the response of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (g _s) to various [CO₂] and soil water conditions, and to understand the adaptability of F. rhynchophylla to such conditions. The results showed that the soil water content (RWC) required to maintain high photosynthetic productivity in F. rhynchophylla was 49.5-84.3%;...

Experimental and simulated light responses of photosynthesis in leaves of three tree species under different soil water conditions

Y. Lang, M. Wang, G. C. Zhang, Q. K. Zhao

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):370-378 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0036-z

Water deficit is one of the major limiting factors in vegetation recovery and restoration in loess, hilly-gully regions of China. The light responses of photosynthesis in leaves of two-year old Prunus sibirica L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., and Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. under various soil water contents were studied using the CIRAS-2 portable photosynthesis system. Light-response curves and photosynthetic parameters were analyzed and fitted using the rectangular hyperbola model, the exponential model, the nonrectangular hyperbola model, and the modified rectangular hyperbola model. Under high light, photosynthetic rate (P...

Photosynthetic light and carbon dioxide response of the invasive tree, Vochysia divergens Pohl, to experimental flooding and shading

A. C. Dalmolin, H. J. Dalmagro, F. de A. Lobo, M. Z. Antunes Jr., C. E. R. Ortíz, G. L. Vourlitis

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):379-386 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0034-1

Vochysia divergens Pohl is considered to be a flood-adapted, light-demanding pioneer species that has been invading grasslands of the Brazilian Pantanal. In these areas, a successful invasion requires an ability to tolerate physiologically wide fluctuations in surface hydrology and shading induced by a dense cover of grasses and other vegetation. We evaluated how flooding and shading affected the photosynthetic performance of V. divergens saplings by measuring light-saturated gas exchange (net photosynthetic rate, P _N; stomatal conductance, g _s), and intercellular CO₂ (P _N/C...

Effects of ectopically expressed hyperthermophilic archaeon (Pyrococcus furiosus) ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase on tobacco photosynthesis

X. G. Li, J. Yang, R. Wang, X. F. Tang, J. J. Meng, H. J. Qin, X. Liu, F. Guo, S. B. Wan

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):387-394 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0035-0

Pyrococcus furiosus is a hyperthermophilic archaeon. Its ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (PfRubisco) has only large subunit (L). PfRubisco has a novel (L₂)₅, decameric structure and it possesses higher carboxylase activity and thermotolerance. To assess the potential functionality of PfRubisco in higher plants under high-temperature stress, PfRubisco coding sequence was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana by Pea early browning virus mediated ectopic expression. The transgenic PfRubisco plants produced chlorotic yellow stripes in their leaves. Relative to the control...

Sequence of physiological responses in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) subjected to soil moisture deficit

P. R. Jeyaramraja, S. S. Thushara

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):395-403 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0037-y

Responses of drought-tolerant (DT) and drought-susceptible (DS) pot-grown groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties to changes in leaf relative water content (RWC) were studied. Water stress (WS) was imposed on 30-day-old plants for 2 weeks. Leaf RWC decreased significantly under WS conditions with simultaneous decrease in net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s). Even though no significant difference was observed between DT and DS varieties with regard to RWC, DT varieties were able to maintain significantly higher P _N than DS varieties. Higher values of water use efficiency...

Growth, gas exchange, and water-use efficiency response of two young apple cultivars to drought stress in two scion-one rootstock grafting system

X. P. Sun, H. L. Yan, X. Y. Kang, F. W. Ma

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):404-410 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0040-3

The combination of two scion-one rootstock was used for two apple cultivars, 'Pink Lady' and 'Qinguan', budded on the same, one-year-old Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd. to reduce the impact of root and pot size and in order to understand the growth, water-use efficiency (WUE), and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics. The two-scion grafted trees were planted in plastic pots under two water regimes, i.e. 70% field capacity (FC) and 55% FC. Results indicated that different scions were affected differently by drought stress. 'Pink Lady' had higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s),...

Interaction of salicylic acid and ethylene and their effects on some physiological and biochemical parameters in canola plants (Brassica napus L.)

M. M. Tirani, F. Nasibi, Kh. M. Kalantari

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):411-418 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0041-2

Environmental stresses, such as cold, heat, salinity, and drought, induce ethylene production and oxidative stress and cause damage in plants. On the other hand, studies have shown that salicylic acid (SA) induced resistance to environmental stresses in plants. In this research, the effects of ethylene on chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoid (Car), anthocyanin, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, total ascorbate, lipid peroxidation, and ethylene production in leaves of canola pretreated with SA were studied. The plants were grown in pots until they have four leaves. Leaves were sprayed for two days with three different concentrations of SA (0,...

Utilization of leaf temperature for the selection of leaf gas-exchange traits to induce heat resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

T. Kalyar, S. Rauf, J. A. Teixeira da Silva, S. Haidar, Z. Iqbal

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):419-428 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0038-x

Heat stress is a major production constraint of sunflower worldwide. Therefore, various populations (parental, F₁, F₂, F₃, and plant progenies) of sunflower were screened for leaf gas-exchange traits with the objectives to formulate selection criteria of heat resistance and development of heat-resistant lines. Initial screening and F₂ seeds exposed to heat stress (45°C) resulted in the development of an adapted F₂ population that showed leaf gas-exchange and morphological traits better than the unadapted population. Correlation coefficients of traits were partitioned into direct and indirect effects...

Photosynthesis and growth of winter wheat in response to waterlogging at different growth stages

G. C. Shao, J. J. Lan, S. E. Yu, N. Liu, R. Q. Guo, D. L. She

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):429-437 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0039-9

A study on photosynthetic and yield effects of waterlogging of winter wheat at four stages of growth was conducted in specially designed experimental tanks during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. Compared with the control, waterlogging treatments at tillering and jointing-booting stages reduced photosynthetic rate (P _N) and transpiration (E) significantly, it also decreased average leaf water-use efficiency (WUE, defined as the ratio of P _N to E) by 3.3% and 3.4% in both years. All parameters returned quickly to the control level after soil was drained. Damage to the photosynthetic apparatus during...

Significance of mesophyll conductance for photosynthetic capacity and water-use efficiency in response to alkaline stress in Populus cathayana seedlings

G. Xu, T. F. Huang, X. L. Zhang, B. L. Duan

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):438-444 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0043-0

Cuttings of Populus cathayana were exposed to three different alkaline regimes (0, 75, and 150 mM Na₂CO₃) in a semicontrolled environment. The net photosynthesis rate (P _N), mesophyll conductance (g _m), the relative limitations posed by stomatal conductance (L _s) and by mesophyll conductance (L _m), photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE), carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), as well as specific leaf area (SLA) were measured. P _N decreased due to alkaline stress by an average of 25% and g _m decreased...

Fitting net photosynthetic light-response curves with Microsoft Excel - a critical look at the models

F. de A. Lobo, M. P. de Barros, H. J. Dalmagro, Â. C. Dalmolin, W. E. Pereira, É. C. de Souza, G. L. Vourlitis, C. E. Rodríguez Ortíz

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):445-456 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0045-y

In this study, we presented the most commonly employed net photosynthetic light-response curves (P _N/I curves) fitted by the Solver function of Microsoft Excel. Excel is attractive not only due to its wide availability as a part of the Microsoft Office suite but also due to the increased level of familiarity of undergraduate students with this tool as opposed to other statistical packages. In this study, we explored the use of Excel as a didactic tool which was built upon a previously published paper presenting an Excel Solver tool for calculation of a net photosynthetic/chloroplastic CO₂-response...

Mesophyll conductance variations in response to diurnal environmental factors in Myrcia paivae and Minquartia guianensis in Central Amazonia

H. C. S. Nascimento, R. A. Marenco

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):457-464 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0046-x

Mesophyll conductance (g _m) is essential to determine accurate physiological parameters used to model photosynthesis in forest ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the effects of time of day on photosynthetic parameters, and to assess the effect of using either intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) or chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C _c), on maximum carboxylation velocity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), V _cmax. We used Amazonian saplings of Myrcia paivae and Minquartia guianensis. Photosynthetic parameters were...

Hypobaria and hypoxia affects phytochemical production, gas exchange, and growth of lettuce

C. He, D. A. Jacobo-Velázquez, L. Cisneros-Zevallos, F. T. Davies

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):465-473 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0047-9

Hypobaria (low total atmospheric pressure) is essential in sustainable, energy-efficient plant production systems for long-term space exploration and human habitation on the Moon and Mars. There are also critical engineering, safety, and materials handling advantages of growing plants under hypobaria, including reduced atmospheric leakage from extraterrestrial base environments. The potential for producing crops under hypobaria and manipulating hypoxia (low oxygen stress) to increase health-promoting bioactive compounds is not well characterized. Here we showed that hypobaric-grown lettuce plants (25 kPa ≈ 25% of normal pressure) exposed to hypoxia...

Brief Communications

Assessment of energy partitioning in PSII complexes using chlorophyll fluorescence: reviewing the different approaches toward the definition of a unified method

D. Kornyeyev, C. R. Guadagno, N. D'Ambrosio

Photosynthetica 2013, 51(3):477-480 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-013-0027-0

Based on the examination and quantitative comparison of the approaches used to assess the energy partitioning in photosystem II, the unified method was proposed to calculate the contribution of the components of nonphotochemical quenching.