Photosynthetica, 2017 (vol. 55), issue 2

Original Papers

Response of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) to blended water irrigation and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation: uptake of minerals and leaf water relations

Y. I. El-Nashar

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):201-209 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0650-7

A greenhouse study was performed in order to investigate the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species on vegetative growth, water relations, and mineral composition parameters of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus cv. Bells white) under irrigation from different water sources. Five irrigation treatments included using purely desalinized (fresh) water (DW), as a control, three different blends of DW with saline ground water from a well with increasing salinity, and one with 100% of saline well water. Inoculation with AMF enhanced growth rates and a relative water content of snapdragon plants grown under well-water irrigation. AMF...

The relationship between the soil water storage and water-use efficiency of seven energy crops

S. Podlaski, S. Pietkiewicz, D. Chołuj, T. Horaczek, G. Wiśniewski, D. Gozdowski, H. M. Kalaji

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):210-218 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-017-0697-0

The aim of this work was to determine two types of photosynthetic water-use efficiency in order to examine their utility as selection criteria for tolerance of energy crops to soil water deficit. Furthermore, effects of crop cultivation on soil water content and storage were investigated. Seven energy crops were examined: miscanthus, prairie cordgrass, willow, thorn-free rose, Virginia mallow, Bohemian knotweed, and topinambour. The highest values of instantaneous (WUE) and intrinsic (WUE_i) water-use efficiencies were found for miscanthus and prairie cordgrass. The reduction of WUE and/or WUE_i was caused mainly by a rapid rise...

Ecophysiological responses of native invasive woody Juniperus virginiana L. to resource availability and stand characteristics in the semiarid grasslands of the Nebraska Sandhills

J. Msanne, T. Awada, N. M. Bryan, W. Schacht, R. Drijber, Y. Li, X. Zhou, J. Okalebo, D. Wedin, J. Brandle, J. Hiller

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):219-230 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0683-y

Vegetation in grasslands is changing at an unprecedented rate. In the Nebraska Sandhills, this shift is attributed in part to encroachment of the woody species Juniperus virginiana. We investigated changes in resource availability and their feedback on seasonal trends in photosynthetic characteristics of J. virginiana trees scattered in open grasslands vs. a dense 57-year-old stand. Dense stand exhibited lower volumetric soil water content, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-, and δ¹³C, as well as foliage δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and N content, compared to grasslands. Water potential...

Tolerance of Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. seedlings to NaCl salinity

A. Bidalia, M. Hanief, K. S. Rao

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):231-239 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0224-8

Increase in salinity is predicted to affect plant growth and survival in most arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. is an important medicinal tree species distributed throughout the semiarid regions of India; however, it is facing a threat of its extinction in its natural habitat. We examined the effects of increasing NaCl salinity on two-month-old M. parvifolia seedlings grown in an environment-controlled chamber and exposed to soils of different electrical conductivity (EC) caused by NaCl [0-5 (control), 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25 dS m^-1)] for 85 days. Seedlings transferred to soil of...

Effect of shading on yield, fiber quality and physiological characteristics of cotton subtending leaves on different fruiting positions

B. L. Chen, H. K. Yang, Y. N. Ma, J. R. Liu, F. J. Lv, J. Chen, Y. L. Meng, Y. H. Wang, Z. G. Zhou

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):240-250 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0209-7

Little is known regarding to impact of simulated shading conditions on cotton yield and fiber quality at different fruiting positions. In this 2-year study, our field experiments investigated the effects of shading percentage on the cotton yield, fiber properties, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate concentrations in boll's subtending leaves during various growing stages at different fruiting positions (FP). Net photosynthetic rate and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry decreased in response to shading on both FP1 and FP3 of the 7^th sympodial branches, respectively. Shading also reduced sucrose and starch contents of leaves at each...

The influence of antimycin A on pigment composition and functional activity of photosynthetic apparatus in Triticum aestivum L. under high temperature

A. Batjuka, N. Škute, A. Petjukevičs

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):251-263 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0231-9

The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate the influence of antimycin A (AA) as an activator of the alternative respiratory pathway (AP) on photosynthetic pigment composition and functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) under exposure to high temperature as well as their acclimation. Our results indicated that a significant decrease (44-74%) of photosynthetic pigment contents was caused by a long-term exposure to high temperature (42°C), while the short-term exposure resulted in 20-46% decline. However, a combined effect of AA and long-term high temperature reduced the total...

Growth and ecophysiological response in juvenile clones of Guadua (Guaduinae: Bambusoideae) cultivated in an altered lowland tropical region

F. Ely, O. Araque, R. Jaimez

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):264-275 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0236-4

Guadua amplexifolia and Guadua angustifolia are the most promising timber substitutes amongst American bamboos due to their outstanding dimensions and structural properties. Despite the commercial potential of these species, there are few studies on the survival and adaptability of juveniles in plantations. The present study dealt with survival, growth, and ecophysiological response of juvenile clonal plants of these species, cultivated in abandoned pastures in Mérida, Venezuela. Survivorship, growth (height and culm diameter), and ecophysiological parameters were monitored the first year during wet and dry seasons. Survival rates were...

Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid treatment on photosynthesis of strawberry

Y. P. Sun, J. Liu, R. X. Cao, Y. J. Huang, A. M. Hall, C. B. Guo, L. J. Wang

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):276-284 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0667-y

Effects of root treatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on leaf photosynthesis in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) plants were investigated by rapid chlorophyll fluorescence and modulated 820 nm reflection using 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and methyl viologen (MV). Our results showed that ALA treatments increased the net photosynthetic rate and decreased the intercelluar CO₂ concentration in strawberry leaves. Under DCMU treatment, trapping energy for Q_A reduction per PSII reaction center increased greatly, indicating DCMU inhibited electron transfer from Q_A ^-. The maximum...

Influence of low phosphorus concentration on leaf photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant response of rice genotypes

N. Veronica, D. Subrahmanyam, T. Vishnu Kiran, P. Yugandhar, V. P. Bhadana, V. Padma, G. Jayasree, S. R. Voleti

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):285-293 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0640-4

Influence of different phosphorus concentrations was studied in four rice varieties (Akhanphou, MTU1010, RP BIO 226, and Swarna) differing in their tolerance to low phosphorus. There was an increase in shoot and root dry mass with the increase in phosphorus concentration. At the low phosphorus concentration at both tillering and reproductive stages, Swarna, followed by Akhanphou, recorded maximum biomass for both roots and shoots, while the minimum was observed in RP BIO 226. Reduction in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and internal CO₂ concentration at low phosphorus concentrations were observed at both tillering...

Effect of imazapic residues on photosynthetic traits and chlorophyll fluorescence of maize seedlings

W. C. Su, L. L. Sun, R. H. Wu, Y. H. Ma, H. L. Wang, H. L. Xu, Z. L. Yan, C. T. Lu

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):294-300 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0641-3

The influence of various concentrations of imazapic residues (0-800 μg kg^-1) on the growth, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic characteristics of maize seedlings was studied in a greenhouse pot experiment. Plant height, root length, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and total dry mass of maize declined with the increase of imazapic residue concentrations. The root/shoot ratio initially decreased and then increased in presence of imazapic, which indicated that the effects of imazapic residues on plant height and root length might differ in maize seedlings. Lowered chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate were observed in leaves...

Evolution characteristics related to photosynthesis, growth and yield in some old and new cotton cultivars

H. H. Luo, H. L. Zhang, Y. L. Zhang, W. F. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):301-307 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0223-9

Changes in photosynthetic attributes related to genetic improvement of cotton yield were studied in seven Chinese cotton cultivars widely grown in Xinjiang during the past 30 years. Our results showed that a chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of the 1980s cultivar was the highest among all after 60 days from planting (DAP). However, after 75 DAP, the Chl content, P _N, and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII of the old cultivars declined gradually, whereas those of the new cultivars remained relatively high. Compared to the old cultivars, leaves of the new cultivars endured a longer period...

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis influences key physiological parameters of olive trees (Olea europaea L.) and mineral nutrient profile

M. Tekaya, B. Mechri, N. Mbarki, H. Cheheb, M. Hammami, F. Attia

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):308-316 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0243-5

In this study, we hypothesized that colonization of olive trees (Olea europaea L.) with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis could modify the profiles of rhizosphere microbial communities with subsequent effects on nutrient uptake that directly affects olive tree physiology and performance. In this context, a greenhouse experiment was carried out in order to study the effects of mycorrhizal colonization by R. irregularis on photosynthesis, pigment content, carbohydrate profile, and nutrient uptake in olive tree. After six months of growth, photosynthetic rate in mycorrhizal (M) plants was significantly higher...

Photosynthetic responses of a wheat (Asakaze)-barley (Manas) 7H addition line to salt stress

D. Szopkó, É. Darkó, I. Molnár, K. Kruppa, B. Háló, A. Vojtkó, M. Molnár-Láng, S. Dulai

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):317-328 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0241-7

The photosynthetic responses to salt stress were examined in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Asakaze)-barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Manas) 7H addition line having elevated salt tolerance and compared to the parental wheat genotype. For this purpose, increasing NaCl concentrations up to 300 mM were applied and followed by a 7-day recovery period. Up to moderate salt stress (200 mM NaCl), forcible stomatal closure, parallel with a reduction in the net assimilation rate (P _N), was only observed in wheat, but not in the 7H addition line or barley. Since the photosynthetic electron transport processes of wheat were not...

Expression quantitative trait loci analysis of the Rubisco activase gene in maize

Q. Sun, Y. Zhang, B. Chen, B. Jia, Z. L. Zhang, M. Cui, X. Kan, H. B. Shi, D. X. Deng, Z. T. Yin

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):329-337 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0242-6

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses were applied in order to identify genetic factors that are relevant to the expression of a β-isoform Rubisco activase gene in maize, namely ZmRCAβ, in this study. During two years, a maize recombinant inbred line population was measured for ZmRCAβ expression levels at the grain filling stage. Based on a genetic map containing 916 molecular markers, we detected five eQTLs, namely qRCA2.1 on chromosome 2, and qRCA4.1, qRCA4.2, qRCA4.3, and qRCA4.4 on chromosome 4. These eQTLs explained the phenotypic variation ranging from 6.14% to...

Selenium delays leaf senescence in oilseed rape plants

S. Rahmat, R. Hajiboland, N. Sadeghzade

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):338-350 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0643-6

Effect of selenium on leaf senescence was studied in oilseed rape plants treated with 10 μM Na₂SeO₄ at a rosette growth stage. In addition to developmental senescence, N deficiency and leaf detachment were used for induction of senescence. Nonphotochemical quenching declined in old leaves as senescence became more advancing but rose progressively in the plants supplied by Se. The total carbohydrate and protein pools decreased with leaf age, while increased by the Se treatment. However, during senescence induced by N deficiency, Se did not change remarkably the C and N metabolism, but delayed senescence mainly through protection...

Paclobutrazol-induced alleviation of water-deficit damage in relation to photosynthetic characteristics and expression of stress markers in contrasting wheat genotypes

S. K. Dwivedi, Ajay Arora, S. Kumar

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):351-359 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0652-5

Our experiment was conducted in order to find out effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ; 30 μl l^-1) on morphology, photosynthetic process, and stress markers under water surplus and deficit conditions in several wheat genotypes. Study revealed that relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic rate, and maximal quantum yield of PSII (F_V/F_M) was improved after a PBZ application both under irrigation and water deficit across the genotypes, while the stomatal conductance was reduced. Further, the application of PBZ led to reduced leaf area in wheat genotypes. Moreover, a proline content was higher in the wheat genotypes under...

Light quality modifies the expression of photosynthetic genes in maize seedlings

T. D. Liu, X. W. Zhang, Y. Xu, S. Q. Liu, X. W. Chen

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):360-367 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0227-5

Although maize (Zea mays L.) plants utilize light efficiently, the expression of high light-efficient genes and stomatal factors is regulated by light conditions and affects photosynthesis of plants. In this study, we investigated the effects of different light qualities on the expression of the photosynthetic genes, such as pep1, pdk1, ZmSTOMAGEN, and psad1, and on stomatal function in maize seedlings. For both maize genotypes, Zhengdan 958 and Xianyu 335, light with wavelengths shorter than 490 nm enhanced the expression of pdk1 and ZmSTOMAGEN, whereas the expression of pdk1 positively correlated...

Response of stem sap flow and leaf photosynthesis in Tamarix chinensis to soil moisture in the Yellow River Delta, China

J. B. Xia, Z. G. Zhao, J. K. Sun, J. T. Liu, Y. Y. Zhao

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):368-377 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0651-6

Soil moisture is the main limiting factor for vegetation growth at shell ridges in the Yellow River Delta of China. The objective of this study was to explore the soil moisture response of photosynthetic parameters and transpiration in Tamarix chinensis Lour., a dominant species of shell ridges. Leaf photosynthetic light-response parameters and sap flow were measured across a gradient of relative soil water content (RWC), from drought (23%) to waterlogging (92%) conditions. Leaf photosynthetic efficiency and stem sap flow of T. chinensis showed a clear threshold response to soil moisture changes. Leaf net photosynthetic rate, water-use...

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhanced the growth, photosynthesis, and calorific value of black locust under salt stress

X. Q. Zhu, M. Tang, H. Q. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):378-385 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-017-0662-y

Saline soils spread wildly in the world, therefore it is important to develop salt-tolerant crops. We carried out a pot study in order to determine effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis and Glomus versiforme) in black locust seedlings under salt (NaCl) stress. The results showed that AMF enhanced in seedlings their growth, photosynthetic ability, carbon content, and calorific value. Under salt stress, the biomass of the seedlings with R. irregularis or G. versiforme were greater by 151 and 100%, respectively, while a leaf area increased by 197 and 151%, respectively. The seedlings colonized...

Sustainability of photosynthesis research-when research is impeded by the cults of audit and management

M. Tsimilli-Michael, P. Haldimann

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):391-400 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-017-0686-3

In this article, related to a talk given at the International Meeting "Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability-2015", we honor Dr. George C. Papageorgiou, a highly respected scientist and an outstanding teacher and mentor. Praising him for these virtues, indispensable for research sustainability, we also bring to discussion aspects that undermine nowadays both education and research sustainability. We argue that these aspects are principally created by the predominant bureaucratic system, which, by favoring short-term utilitarian orientations and obeying "market laws", jeopardizes university freedom and autonomy, and has turned to "measuring" scientific...

Brief Communications

Benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one reduces photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll fluorescence in soybean

A. V. Parizotto, R. Marchiosi, G. A. Bubna, J. M. Bevilaqua, A. P. Ferro, M. L. L. Ferrarese, O. Ferrarese-Filho

Photosynthetica 2017, 55(2):386-390 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0656-1

Benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one (BOA) has been tested in many plants species, but not in soybean (Glycine max). Thus, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess the effects of BOA on soybean photosynthesis. BOA reduced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry without affecting intercellular CO₂ concentration or maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Results revealed that the reduced stomatal conductance restricted entry of CO₂ into substomatal spaces, thus limiting CO₂ assimilation. No change found in intercellular CO₂ concentration...