Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. André Pirson - 26 March 1910-7 February 2004

H. Senger, Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):321-322 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046148.82454.a3

Non-Radiative Dissipation of Absorbed Excitation Energy Within Photosynthetic Apparatus of Higher Plants

M. Štroch, V. Špunda, I. Kurasová

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):323-337 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046149.97220.18

The review deals with thermal dissipation of absorbed excitation energy within pigment-protein complexes of thylakoid membranes in higher plants. We focus on the de-excitation regulatory processes within photosystem 2 (PS2) that can be monitored as non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence consisting of three components known as energy-dependent quenching (q_E), state-transition quenching (q_T), and photoinhibitory quenching (q_I). We summarize the role of thylakoid lumen pH, xanthophylls, and PS2 proteins in q_E mechanism. Further, both the similarity between q_E and q_I...

Schalkhammer, T.G.M. (ed.): Analytical Biotechnology

H. Synková

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):338 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046197.54819.0a

Photosynthetic Pathway Types in Rangeland Plant Species from Inner Mongolia, North China

X.Q. Liu, R.Z. Wang, Y.Z. Li

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):339-344 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046150.74045.46

Photosynthetic pathway types, based on δ¹³C measurements, were determined for 125 species in 95 genera and 32 families growing in rangelands from Inner Mongolia. Of the total species, 4 species from 3 genera and 2 families had C₄ photosynthesis (2 species in Gramineae and 2 in Chenopodiaceae) and 118 species from 90 genera and 31 families had C₃ photosynthesis. The number of C₄ species differed significantly among four rangeland sites, 4 species in desert, 3 species in steppe, but no C₄ species were identified in meadow and dune. Six species [e.g. Agriophyllum arenarium...

Modulation in vivo by Nitrate Salts of the Activity and Properties of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase in Leaves of Alternanthera pungens (C₄ plant) and A. sessilis (C₃ species)

A.V. Rajagopalan, R.M. Agarwal, A.S. Raghavendra

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):345-349 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046151.97327.b2

Feeding K⁺ or Na⁺ nitrate salts in vivo enhanced the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the leaf extracts of Alternanthera pungens (C₄ plant) and A. sessilis (C₃ species). The increase was more pronounced in A. pungens than in A. sessilis. Chloride salts increased the PEPC activity only marginally. However, the sulfate salts were either not effective or inhibitory. Feeding nitrate modulated the regulatory properties of PEPC in A. pungens, resulting in increased K_I (malate) and decreased K_A (glucose-6-P). The sensitivity...

Biswal, U.C., Biswal, B., Raval, M.K.: Chloroplast Biogenesis. From Proplastid to Gerontoplast

J. Kutík

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):350 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046194.59832.b5

Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency in Twenty Tropical Tree Species of Differing Succession Status in a Brazilian Reforestation

A. Nogueira, C.A. Martinez, L.L. Ferreira, C.H.B.A. Prado

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):351-356 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046152.05364.77

Leaf gas exchange characteristics were measured in twenty woody species that differ in succession status ranging from pioneer species (PS) to late succession species (LS) in a Brazilian rain-reforestation ecosystem. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate, calculated per either a leaf area (P_NA) or a dry mass (P_NM) basis, differed among species. P_NA and P_NM were highest in PS and lowest in LS. Variation among species was 3-fold (from 7 to 23 μmol m^-2 s^-1) for P_NA, and 5-fold (from 50 to 275 μmol kg^-2 s^-1) for P_NM....

Effects of Nitrogen Deficiency on Gas Exchange, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Leaves of Rice Plants

Z. A. Huang, D. A. Jiang, Y. Yang, J. W. Sun, S. H. Jin

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):357-364 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046153.08935.4c

Gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and contents of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, RuBPCO), and antioxidant enzymes were characterized in the fully expanded 6^th leaves in rice seedlings grown on either complete (CK) or on nitrogen-deficient nutrient (N-deficiency) solutions during a 20-chase period. Compared with the control plants, the lower photosynthetic capacity at saturation irradiance (P_max) was accompanied by an increase in intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), indicating that in N-deficient plants the decline in P_max...

Monolayer Film of Phycobilisome-Thylakoid Membrane Complexes from Spirulina platensis

D. H. Li, S. Z. Yang, H. Li, J. Xie, J. Q. Zhao

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):365-370 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046154.16834.0c

Monolayer films of phycobilisome-thylakoid membrane complexes isolated from Spirulina platensis were prepared at air/aqueous solution interface by using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The film preparation was optimized with 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) as sub-phase at 20 °C. The monolayer was transferred into grids and into mica surface for observing the surface image of the complexes by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscope, respectively. The shape of complexes was disk-like with the diameter of about 50 nm and the thickness of about 35 nm. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the complexes in the monolayer...

Leaf Physiological Traits and their Importance for Species Success in a Mediterranean Grassland

J.T. Tsialtas, T.S. Pritsa, D.S. Veresoglou

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):371-376 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046155.40940.0c

We related leaf physiological traits of four grassland species (Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuca valida, and Taraxacum officinale), dominant in a Mediterranean grassland, to their origin and success at community level. From early May to mid-June 1999, four leaf samplings were done. Species originating from poor environments (P. pratensis, F. valida) had low carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf water and mineral contents, and net photosynthetic rate on mass basis (P_mass) but high chlorophyll content. The reverse traits were evident for the fast-growing species (L. perenne,...

Minimization of the Photon Energy Absorbed by 'Closed' Reaction Centers of Photosystem 2 as a Photoprotective Strategy in Higher Plants

D. Kornyeyev, A.S. Holaday, B.A. Logan

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):377-386 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046156.00556.b4

Photoinactivation of photosystem 2 (PS2) results from absorption of so-called "excessive" photon energy. Chlorophyll a fluorescence can be applied to quantitatively estimate the portion of excessive photons by means of the parameter E = (F - F₀')/F_m', which reflects the share of the absorbed photon energy that reaches the reaction centers (RCs) of PS2 complexes with Q_A in the reduced state ('closed' RCs). Data obtained for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) suggest a linear relationship between the total amount of the photon energy...

Photosynthetic Parameters of Mosla hangchowensis and M. dianthera as Affected by Soil Moisture

Y. Ge, Y. J. Lu, J. X. Liao, B. H. Guan, J. Chang

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):387-391 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046157.50624.61

We compared the photosynthetic traits in response to soil water availability in an endangered plant species Mosla hangchowensis Matsuda and in a weed Mosla dianthera (Buch.-Ham.) Maxim. The highest diurnal mean net photosynthetic rate (P_Nmean), stomatal conductance (g_s), and water use efficiency (WUE) of both species occurred at 60 % soil water holding capacity (WHC), while the lowest values occurred at 20 % WHC. The P_Nmean, g_s, and chlorophyll (Chl) a and b contents of M. hangchowensis were lower than those of M. dianthera, while the physiological...

Deutsch, A., Howard, J., Falcke, M., Zimmermann, W. (ed.): Function and Regulation of Cellular Systems

O. Nováková

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):392 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046195.97469.9a

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Content and Degradation in Diploid, Tetraploid, and Hexaploid Wheat Species during Monocarpic Senescence

B. Srivalli, R. Khanna-Chopra

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):393-398 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046158.60446.07

Wheat provides a unique genetic system in which variable sink size is available across the ploidies. We characterized monocarpic senescence in diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid wheat species in flag leaf from anthesis up to full grain maturity at regular intervals. Triticum tauschii Acc. cv. EC-331751 showed the fastest rate of senescence among the species studied and the rate of loss per day was highest in terms of photosynthesis rate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) content, and flag leaf N content coupled with a higher rate of gain in grain N content. Cultivars Kundan and HD 4530 maintained high flag leaf N content...

Seasonal Differences in Photochemical Efficiency and Chlorophyll and Carotenoid Contents in Six Mediterranean Shrub Species under Field Conditions

F. Ain-Lhout, M.C. Díaz Barradas, M. Zunzunegui, H. Rodríguez, F. García Novo, M.A. Vargas

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):399-407 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046159.96228.49

The effects of summer and winter stress on the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and photosystem 2 efficiency were examined in six Mediterranean scrub species. These six species belong to two different plant functional types: drought semi-deciduous (Halimium halimifolium L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Erica scoparia L.) and evergreen sclerophylls (Juniperus phoenicea L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Myrtus communis L.). Two sites with different water availability were chosen. In the xerophytic site, despite they belong to two different functional types, R. officinalis and J. phoenicea showed a similar...

Larkum, A.W.D., Douglas, S.E., Raven, J.A. (ed.): Photosynthesis in Algae

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):408 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046196.73225.d3

Inhibition of Photosynthesis by Shift in the Balance of Excitation Energy Distribution Between Photosystems in Dithiothreitol Treated Soybean Leaves

C. D. Jiang, H. Y. Gao, Q. Zou, G. M. Jiang

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):409-415 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046160.18482.91

Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics was used to investigate the effect of 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT) on the distribution of excitation energy between photosystem 1 (PS1) and photosystem 2 (PS2) in soybean leaves under high irradiance (HI). The maximum PS2 quantum yield (F_v/F_m) was hardly affected by the presence of DTT, however, photon-saturated photosynthesis was depressed distinctly. Photochemical efficiency of open PS2 reaction centres during irradiation (F_v'/F_m') was enhanced by about 30-40 % by DTT treatment, whereas photochemical quenching (q_P) was depressed by about 40 % under HI. DTT treatment...

Inoue, T., Inanaga, S., Sugimoto, Y., El Siddig, K.: Contribution of Pre-Anthesis Assimilates and Current Photosynthesis to Grain Yield, and their Relationships to Drought Resistance in Wheat Cultivars Grown Under Different Soil Moisture. - Photosynthetica 42: 99-104, 2004

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):416 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046198.47401.9e

Effects of Potato Virus Y^NTN Infection on Gas Exchange and Photosystem 2 Function in Leaves of Solanum tuberosum L.

Y.H. Zhou, Y.H. Peng, J.L. Lei, L.Y. Zou, J.H. Zheng, J.Q. Yu

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):417-423 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046161.16215.dd

Photosynthetic responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Chunzao) were examined during potato virus Y (PVY^NTN) infection. PVY^NTN infection significantly reduced net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance, but had little influence on intercellular CO₂ concentration. As the disease developed, the maximum carboxylation velocity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and the maximum electron transport rate contributing to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration gradually decreased, followed by substantial reductions in the relative quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2) electron transport,...

Cd²⁺ Effect on Photosynthetic Apparatus in Synechococcus elongatus and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

M. Nováková, E. Matějova, D. Sofrová

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):425-430 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046162.87918.98

Thylakoid membranes (TM) of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus were exposed for 30 min to the influence of 0, 10, 100, and 1 000 mM CdCl₂ (= Cd₀, Cd₁₀, Cd₁₀₀, and Cd₁₀₀₀). Cd₁₀ and Cd₁₀₀ caused some increase in activity of photosystem 2, PS2 (H₂O → DCPIP), while distinct inhibition was observed with Cd₁₀₀₀. We also observed a similar effect when measuring oxygen evolution (H₂O → PBQ + FeCy). Chloroplasts of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) were incubated for 30 min with 0, 15, 30, and 60 mM CdCl₂ (=...

Photosynthetic Characteristics, Dark Respiration, and Leaf Mass Per Unit Area in Seedlings of Four Tropical Tree Species Grown Under Three Irradiances

Y. L. Feng, K. F. Cao, J. L. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):431-437 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046163.83729.e5

We investigated the effect of growth irradiance (I) on photon-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_max), dark respiration rate (R_D), carboxylation efficiency (CE), and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) in seedlings of the following four tropical tree species with contrasting shade-tolerance. Anthocephalus chinensis (Rubiaceae) and Linociera insignis (Oleaceae) are light-demanding, Barringtonia macrostachya (Lecythidaceae) and Calophyllum polyanthum (Clusiaceae) are shade-tolerant. Their seedlings were pot-planted under shading nets with 8, 25, and 50 % daylight for five months. With increase...

Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics and Grain Yield in Winter Wheat

D. Jiang, T. Dai, Q. Jing, W. Cao, Q. Zhou, H. Zhao, X. Fan

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):439-446 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046164.77410.ef

Based on a 20-year fertilization experiment with wheat-maize double cropping system, the effects of different long-term fertilization treatments on leaf photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield in different winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were studied in the growing seasons of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. A total of nine fertilization treatments were implemented, i.e. no fertilizer (CK), N fertilizer (N), N and P fertilizers (NP), N and K fertilizers (NK), N, P, and K fertilizers (NPK), only organic manure (M), organic manure and N fertilizer (MN), organic manure and N and P fertilizers (MNP), and organic manure and N,...

Ultrastructure and Dimensions of Chloroplasts in Leaves of Three Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines and their F₁ Hybrids Grown Under Moderate Chilling Stress

J. Kutík, D. Holá, M. Kočová, O. Rothová, D. Haisel, N. Wilhelmová, I. Tichá

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):447-455 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046165.15048.a4

Influence of moderate chilling stress on vascular bundle sheath cell (BSC) and especially mesophyll cell (MC) chloroplasts of mature maize leaves was studied by electron microscopy and stereology. Plants of two inbred lines of maize, differing in their photosynthetic activity, and their F₁ hybrids were cultivated during autumn in heated or unheated glasshouse. Generally, chilling temperatures resulted mainly in the decrease in stereological volume density (VD) of both granal and intergranal thylakoids of MC chloroplasts, while the ratio of granal to all thylakoids (granality) was less affected. The VD of peripheral reticulum and plastoglobuli...

Photosynthetic Utilization of Radiant Energy by Temperate Lettuce Grown Under Natural Tropical Condition with Manipulation of Root-Zone Temperature

J. He, S.K. Lee

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):457-463 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046166.29815.94

Photosynthetic utilization of radiant energy was studied by chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and maximum photosynthetic O₂ evolution (P_max) in temperate lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown under natural tropical fluctuating ambient temperatures but with their roots exposed to two different root-zone temperatures (RZTs): a constant 20 °C-RZT (RZT₂₀) and a fluctuating ambient RZT (RZT_a) from 23 to 40 °C. On a sunny day, irrespective of RZT, ΔF/_Fm' [ratio of the variable to maximal fluorescence under irradiation (the maximal photosystem 2 quantum yield with "actinic light")] decreased...

Temperature-Dependent Decay-Associated Fluorescence Spectra in Phycobilisome-Thylakoid Membrane Complexes from Spirulina platensis

Y. Li, Z. Y. Sun, X. C. Ai, J. Q. Zhao, X. K. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):465-467 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046167.74045.66

The kinetic component (39 ps) for the energy transfer from a phycobilisome (PBS) to the photosystems was temperature-dependent while the components related to the kinetic processes within PBS, photosystem 2 (PS2) or PS1 were temperature-independent. The 39 ps component possessed the amplitude maximum at 647 nm but the minimum at 715 nm (room temperature) or 685 nm (0 °C), suggesting a direct energy transfer from C-phycocyanin to PS1 at room temperature but to PS2 at 0 °C. The temperature-induced kinetic change originated from a position shift of PBS along the thylakoid membrane.

Utilization of Photosynthetically Fixed ¹⁴CO₂ into Alkaloids in Relation to Primary Metabolites in Developing Leaves of Catharanthus roseus

N.K. Srivastava, A. Misra, A.K. Srivastava, S. Sharma

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):469-472 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046168.97328.a6

Partitioning of current photosynthates towards primary metabolites and its simultaneous incorporation in leaf alkaloids was investigated in developing leaves of medicinally important Catharanthus roseus. Of the total ¹⁴CO₂ assimilated, the leaves at positions 1-6 fixed 8, 22, 25, 19, 13, and 8 %, respectively, and stem 3 %. Leaf fresh mass, chlorophyll content, and CO₂ exchange rate increased up to the third leaf. The total alkaloid content was highest in young actively growing leaves, which declined with age. Total ¹⁴C fixed and its content in ethanol soluble fraction increased up to the third leaf...

CO₂ Assimilation and Water Relations of Almond Tree (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) Cultivars Grown Under Field Conditions

M.C. Matos, E. Rebelo, J. Lauriano, J. Semedo, N. Marques, P.S. Campos, A. Matos, J. Vieira-Da-Silva

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):473-476 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046169.05296.9b

Gas exchanges and leaf water potential (Ψ_w) of six-years-old trees of fourteen Prunus amygdalus cultivars, grafted on GF-677, were studied in May, when fruits were in active growing period, and in October, after harvesting. The trees were grown in the field under rain fed conditions. Predawn Ψ_w showed lower water availability in October compared with May. The lowest Ψ_w values at midday in May increased gradually afterwards, while in October they decreased progressively until night, suggesting a higher difficulty to compensate the water lost by transpiration. However, relative water content (RWC) measured...

Activity of 1-Aminocyclopropane Carboxylic Acid Synthase in Two Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Cultivars Differing in Photosynthetic Capacity

N.A. Khan

Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):477-480 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046170.43688.8d

The pattern of activity of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) was similar to photosynthetic and growth traits observed at 30, 45, and 60 d after sowing in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars Varuna and RH 30 differing in photosynthetic capacity. Higher activity of ACS and therefore ethylene release in Varuna than RH 30 increased stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, carboxylation rate (carbonic anhydrase and intrinsic water use efficiency), and thus net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and leaf and plant dry masses (DM) at all sampling times. Moreover, Varuna also had larger leaf area...