Photosynthetica, 2011 (vol. 49), issue 1

Original Papers

Influence of enhanced temperature on photosynthesis, photooxidative damage, and antioxidant strategies in Ceratonia siliqua L. seedlings subjected to water deficit and rewatering

M. L. Osório, J. Osório, A. C. Vieira, S. Gonçalves, A. Romano

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):3-12 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0001-7

Predicted future climatic changes for the Mediterranean region give additional importance to the study of photooxidative stress in local economic species subjected to combined drought and high-temperature conditions. Under this context, the impact of these stresses on photosynthesis, energy partitioning, and membrane lipids, as well as the potential ability to attenuate oxidative damage, were investigated in Ceratonia siliqua L. Two thermal regimes (LT: 25/18°C; HT: 32/21°C) and three soil water conditions (control, water stress, and rewetting) were considered. HT exacerbated the adverse effects of water shortage on photosynthetic rates (P...

Photosynthetic and cytological recovery on remoistening Syntrichia caninervis Mitt., a desiccation-tolerant moss from Northwestern China

J. Zhang, Y. M. Zhang, A. Downing, N. Wu, B. C. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):13-20 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0002-6

Syntrichia caninervis Mitt. is the dominant species in the moss crusts of the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwestern China. We experimented with this species under controlled environmental conditions. Modulated chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence was used to test the speed of recovery as evidenced by the time course of photosynthetic activity following remoistening. Transmission electron microscopy was used to explore the cytological characteristics of the leaf cells. Minimum and maximum fluorescence (F₀ and F_M) and photosynthetic yield (F_V/F_M) of photosystem II (PSII) recovered quickly when shoots were remoistened...

Compensatory growth and photosynthetic responses of Pharbitis purpurea seedlings to clipped cotyledon and second leaf

W. Zheng, J. Y. Yang, Z. H. Luan, P. Wang, H. X. Zhang, D. W. Zhou

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):21-28 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0004-4

Leaf tissue damaging to seedlings can limit their subsequent growth, and the effects may be more extensive. Compensatory photosynthesis responses of the remnant cotyledon and primary leaf of Pharbitis purpurea to clipping and the effect of clipping on seedling growth were evaluated in a pot-cultivated experiment. Three treatments were conducted in the experiment, which were clipped cotyledon (CC), clipped second leaf (CL), and control group (CG). The area, thickness, mass, and longevity of the remaining cotyledon of CC exhibited over-compensatory growth. In contrast, seedlings of CC had under-compensatory growth in seedling height, root length,...

Effects of ozone exposure on growth and photosynthesis of the seedlings of Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg, a native tree species of subtropical China

W. W. Zhang, J. F. Niu, X. K. Wang, Y. Tian, F. F. Yao, Z. Z. Feng

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):29-36 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0003-5

Little is known about the response of trees to elevated ozone (O₃) in the subtropical region of China, where ambient O₃ concentrations are high enough to damage plants. In this study, pigment content, gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence in leaves of Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg seedlings, a deciduous broadleaf tree species native in subtropical regions, were investigated at 15, 40, and 58 days after O₃ fumigation (DAF) at a concentration of 150 mm³ m^-3 (E-O₃). At the end of experiment, seedlings were harvested for biomass measurement. E-O₃...

Damaging mechanisms of chilling- and salt stress to Arachis hypogaea L. leaves

L. Q. Qin, L. Li, C. Bi, Y. L. Zhang, S. B. Wan, J. J. Meng, Q. W. Meng, X. G. Li

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):37-42 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0005-3

To investigate damaging mechanisms of chilling and salt stress to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) leaves, LuHua 14 was used in the present work upon exposure to chilling temperature (4°C) accompanied by high irradiance (1,200 μmol m^-2 s^-1) (CH), salt stress accompanied by high irradiance (1,200 μmol m^-2 s^-1) (SH), and high-irradiance stress (1,200 μmol m^-2 s^-1) at room temperature (25°C) (NH), respectively. Additionally, plants under low irradiance (100 μmol m^-2 s^-1) at room temperature (25°C) were used as control plants (CK). Relative to CK and...

Variation in structural and physiological leaf traits of eight species in karst desertification area of China

L. Y. Wei, D. J. Zeng, S. H. Lv, J. L. Zhang, J. F. Jiao, Y. M. You, X. K. Li

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):43-47 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0018-y

Leaf traits have long been recognized as influential factors in the acquisition and processing of resources by plants. However, there is less knowledge of between-species variations in seasonal changes in leaf traits and trait interrelationships. Therefore, we examined variations in leaf area (LA), dry biomass (DM), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf gas-exchange parameters in one non-native and seven native tree species under field environmental conditions, in a karst area in China subjected to desertification. Measurements were taken three times during the growing season. The results show that the seven native trees had higher LA, DM, and water-use...

High-light-induced superoxide anion radical formation in cytochrome b₆f complex from spinach as detected by EPR spectroscopy

M. Sang, X. C. Qin, W. D. Wang, J. Xie, X. B. Chen, K. B. Wang, J. P. Zhang, L. B. Li, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):48-54 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0008-0

The generation of superoxide anion radical (O₂ ^.-) in the cytochrome b ₆ f complex (Cyt b ₆ f) of spinach under high-light illumination was studied using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The generation of O₂ ^.- was lost in the absence of molecular oxygen. It was also suppressed in the presence of NaN₃ and could be scavenged by extraneous antioxidants such as ascorbate, β-carotene, and glutathione. The results also indicate that O₂ ^.-, which is produced under high-light illumination...

28-homobrassinolide improves growth and photosynthesis in Cucumis sativus L. through an enhanced antioxidant system in the presence of chilling stress

Q. Fariduddin, M. Yusuf, S. Chalkoo, S. Hayat, A. Ahmad

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):55-64 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0022-2

The ameliorative role of 28-homobrassinolide under chilling stress in various growth, photosynthesis, enzymes and biochemical parameters of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Cucumber seedlings were sprayed with 0 (control), 10^-8, or 10^-6 M of 28-homobrassinolide at the 30-day stage. 48 h after treatment plants were exposed for 18 h to chilling temperature (10/8°C, 5/3°C). The most evident effect of chilling stress was the marked reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll (Chl) content, and net photosynthetic rate, efficiency of photosystem II and activities of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase. Moreover,...

Photosynthetic and leaf respiration activity of Malcolmia littorea (L.) R. Br. in response to air temperature

L. Gratani, R. Catoni, L. Varone

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):65-74 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0007-1

Plant traits of Malcolmia littorea growing at the Botanic Garden of Rome and transplanted from the wild population developing along the Latium coast (Italy) were analyzed. The highest photosynthetic rates [P _N, 22.5 ± 0.5 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1], associated to the highest chlorophyll content (Chl, 60 ± 5 SPAD units), and respiration rates [R, 11.1 ± 0.2 μmol(CO₂) m^-2 s^-1] were reached in spring, when mean air temperature (T _m) was in the range 17°C to 23°C. P _N, Chl, and R decreased...

Relationship between acorn size and seedling morphological and physiological traits of Quercus ilex L. from different climates

A. Bonito, L. Varone, L. Gratani

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):75 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0014-2

Effects of Quercus ilex acorn size on seedling morphological and physiological traits were analysed. The study was carried out with five populations from different geographical areas and covering an aridity gradient. Seedling morphological traits (height and total leaf area) were analyzed during the first growing year. Physiological traits (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration, and intrinsic water-use efficiency) were analysed at different air temperatures during spring, summer, and winter months, and in response to water stress. There were significant correlations among the considered acorn (volume, fresh mass) and seedling...

Are the fluorescence parameters of German chamomile leaves the first indicators of the anthodia yield in drought conditions?

R. Bączek-Kwinta, A. Kozieł, K. Seidler-Łożykowska

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):87-97 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0013-3

7-day soil drought followed by 7-day rehydration was applied to potted German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) plants at the beginning of their generative stage. Plants of a wild type (WT), plus two diploid (2n) and two tetraploid (4n) genotypes were studied, in order to examine the alterations in chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) parameters during water shortage and rehydration. The fresh mass of the anthodia after the recovery was also studied.WT plants adjust better to water stress than modern breeding genotypes, because drought resulted in the low fall in leaf water content of WT, the...

Nondestructive leaf-area estimation and validation for green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under different stress conditions

B. Cemek, A. Unlukara, A. Kurunc

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):98 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0010-6

Leaf area of a plant is essential to understand the interaction between plant growth and environment. This useful variable can be determined by using direct (some expensive instruments) and indirect (prediction models) methods. Leaf area of a plant can be predicted by accurate and simple leaf area models without damaging the plant, thus, provide researchers with many advantages in horticultural experiments. Several leaf-area prediction models have been produced for some plant species in optimum conditions, but not for a plant grown under stress conditions. This study was conducted to develop leaf area estimation models by using linear measurements...

Photosynthesis performance in sweet almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill) D. Webb] exposed to supplemental UV-B radiation

A. Ranjbarfordoei, R. Samson, P. Van Damme

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):107 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0017-z

Due to anthropogenic influences, solar UV-B irradiance at the earth's surface is increasing. To determine the effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of Prunus dulcis, two-year-old seedlings of the species were submitted to four levels of UV-B stress, namely 0 (UV-B_c), 4.42 (UV-B₁), 7.32 (UV-B₂) and 9.36 (UV-B₃) kJ m^-2 d^-1. Effects of UV-B stress on a range of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters (FPs), Chl contents and photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters were investigated. UV-B stress promoted an increase in minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted...

A comparative analysis of photosynthetic characteristics of hulless barley at two altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau

Y. Z. Fan, Z. M. Zhong, X. Z. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):112 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0016-0

To determine the photosynthetic characteristics of C₃ plants and their sensitivity to CO₂ at different altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau, hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare) was grown at altitudes of 4,333 m and 3,688 m. Using gas-exchange measurements, photosynthetic parameters were simulated, including the maximum net photosynthesis (P _max) and the apparent quantum efficiency (α). Plants growing at higher altitude had higher net photosynthetic rates (P _N), photosynthesis parameters (P _max and α) and sensitivities to CO₂ enhancement...

Changes in chloroplast morphology of different parenchyma cells in leaves of Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. during desiccation and following rehydration

H. Nagy-Déri, E. R. Péli, K. Georgieva, Z. Tuba

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):119-126 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0020-4

The size, shape, and number of chloroplasts in the palisade and spongy parenchyma layers of Haberlea rhodopensis leaves changed significantly during desiccation and following rehydration. The chloroplasts became smaller and more rounded during desiccation, and aggregated in the middle of the cell. The size and number of chloroplasts in the palisade parenchyma cells were higher than in spongy parenchyma. The good correlation observed between the size or number of chloroplasts and the cross-sectional area of mesophyll cells, the cross-sectional width of the leaf and its water content suggested that the palisade cells were more responsive to water...

Photosynthesis, chloroplast ultrastructure, chemical composition and oxidative stress in Theobroma cacao hybrids with the lethal gene Luteus-Pa mutant

B. C. Rehem, A. A. F. Almeida, I. C. Santos, F. P. Gomes, C. P. Pirovani, P. A. O. Mangabeira, R. X. Corrêa, M. M. Yamada, R. R. Valle

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):127-139 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0021-3

The Theobroma lethal character Luteus-Pa segregates in a 3:1 ratio, expresses in recessive homozygosis, initially inducing leaf chlorosis and finally provoking seedlings death. The objective of this work was to evaluate gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence emission, chemical composition and oxidative stress of wild and mutant seedlings resulting from the crosses Pa 30 × Pa 169 and its reciprocal, aiming to elucidate the seedlings death induced by Luteus-Pa. At 15 day after emergence (DAE) differences began to appear between the wild type and mutant. Mutant seedlings showed: (1) lack of photosynthesis and alterations in...

Brief Communications

Photosynthetic characterization at different senescence stages in an early senescence mutant of rice Oryza sativa L.

L. F. Wang, Y. Y. Chen

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):140-144 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0009-z

An early senescence (es) mutant of rice Oryza sativa L. with progressing death of most of leaves before heading stage was identified in the field in Hainan province. After tillering stage, the brown striations were found in the base of green leaves randomly, and then expanded to whole leaves. No fungi, bacteria, and viruses were detected in the brown striations suggesting that it was a genetic mutant. The ultrastructure of leaf cells at the site of brown striations showed breakdown of chloroplast thylakoid membrane structures and other organelles, and condensation of the cytoplasm at severe senescence stage. The photosynthetic activity...

Reduced nitrogen allocation to expanding leaf blades suppresses ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase synthesis and leads to photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO₂ in rice

S. Seneweera

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):145-148 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0006-2

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) measured at elevated CO₂ concentration (C _e), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), and nitrogen (N) content in rice leaves decreased significantly after exposure to long term C _e. The reduction in P _N, Rubisco, and leaf N at C _e was similar for the last fully expanded leaf blade (LFELB) and expanding leaf blade (ELB). Spatial leaf N content in the ELB was highest in the zone of cell division, sharply declined as cell expansion progressed and gradually increased with cell maturation. Maximum reduction...

Nondestructive determination of nitrogen and chlorophyll content in olive tree leaves and the relation with photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters

O. Boussadia, K. Steppe, H. Zgallai, S. Ben El Hadj, M. Braham, R. Lemeur, M. C. Van Labeke

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):149-153 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0019-x

For Tunisian olive tree orchards, nitrogen deficiency is an important nutritional problem, in addition to the availability of water. Establishment of relationships between nutrients such as nitrogen and ecophysiological parameters is a promising method to manage fertilisation at orchard level. Therefore, a nitrogen stress experiment with one-year-old olive trees (Olea europaea L. 'Koroneiki' and 'Meski') was conducted with trees respectively subjected to four nitrogen supply regimes (23.96 meq l^-1, 9.58 meq l^-1, 4.79 meq l^-1 and 0 meq l^-1 NO₃ ^-1).The current paper focuses...

Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Nigella sativa L. as affected by presowing seed treatment with kinetin

S. H. Shah

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(1):154-160 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0011-5

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds were surface-sterilized and soaked for 5, 10, or 15 h in 1, 10, or 100 μM aqueous solution of kinetin (KIN). The potted plants were then analyzed at 30, 50, and 70 days after emergence (DAE) for dry mass (DM), leaf area (LA), chlorophyll (Chl) content, stomatal conductance (g _s), carbonic anhydrase (CA), and nitrate reductase (NR) activity, total protein content, and net photosynthetic rate (P _N). Capsule number and seed yield were determined at harvest (90 DAE). Treatment with the growth regulator was found to appreciably enhance all the determinants, with most prominent...