Photoprotective function of betacyanin in leaves of Amaranthus cruentus L. under water stress

T. Nakashima, T. Araki, O. Ueno

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):497-506 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0062-7

The photoprotective function of leaf betacyanin in water-stressed Amaranthus cruentus plants was examined by comparing leaves of two strains which differ significantly in the amount of betacyanin. At 0, 1, and 2 days after the imposed water stress, leaves were subjected to high-light (HL) treatment to assess their photosynthetic capacity and photoinhibition susceptibility. The water stress equally reduced leaf relative water content (RWC), gas-exchange rate and chlorophyll (Chl) contents in both leaves, indicating that the severity of water stress was comparable between the strains. Consequently, the extent of photoinhibition after the HL treatment...

Differential responses of leaf water-use efficiency and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency to fertilization in Bt-introduced and conventional rice lines

R. Q. Guo, H. Ruan, W. J. Yang, B. Liu, S. C. Sun

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):507-514 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0060-9

Leaf stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) at three developmental stages (tillering stage, jointing-booting stage, and milking stage) and leaf total nitrogen concentration (LTNC) and δ¹³C value at milking stage were measured for a conventional rice line (Minghui 63) and its corresponding Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-gene [cry1A (b and c)] introduced line (Bt line) under three fertilizer levels. Compared to conventional line, Bt line showed lower g _s, which was associated with lower...

The interplay of anthocyanin biosynthesis and chlorophyll catabolism in senescing leaves and the question of photosystem II photoprotection

Y. Manetas, C. Buschmann

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):515-522 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0061-8

Fully exposed, senescing leaves of Cornus sanguinea and Parthenocissus quinquefolia display during autumn considerable variation in both anthocyanin and chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations. They were used in this study to test the hypothesis that anthocyanins may have a photoprotective function against photosystem II (PSII) photoinhibitory damage. The hypothesis could not be confirmed with field sampled leaves since maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) of PSII was negatively correlated to anthocyanin concentration and the possible effects of anthocyanins were also confounded by a decrease in F_v/F_m...

Mechanism of xanthophyll-cycle-mediated photoprotection in Cerasus humilis seedlings under water stress and subsequent recovery

X. S. Song, Z. W. Shang, Z. P. Yin, J. Ren, M. C. Sun, X. L. Ma

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):523-530 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0065-4

Periodic drought fluctuation is a common phenomenon in Northwest China. We analyzed the response of Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) seedlings, a dwarf shrub species with considerably strong adaptabilities, exposed to water stress (WS) by withholding water for 21 d, and subsequent recovery of 7 d. Leaf relative water content (LRWC), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII) decreased with increasing water deficit. In contrast, the nonphotochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (NPQ)...

Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on ecophysiological responses of pistachio plants grown under different water regimes

V. Bagheri, M. H. Shamshiri, H. Shirani, H. R. Roosta

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):531-538 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0064-5

In a greenhouse experiment, the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices) and water stress [100% field capacity (FC), 75% FC, 50% FC and 25% FC] on maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and some other ecophysiological characteristics of two pistachio cultivar (Pistacia vera cv. Badami-Riz-Zarand and Pistacia vera cv. Qazvini) were investigated.No difference was found in colonization rate between the two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) applied. Water stress reduced the mycorrhizal colonization in both cultivars at the same...

Effects of physiological integration on photosynthetic efficiency of Trifolium repens in response to heterogeneous UV-B radiation

Q. Li, X. Liu, M. Yue, X. F. Zhang, R. C. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):539-545 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0074-3

Several studies have found the photosynthetic integration in clonal plants to response to resource heterogeneity, while little is known how it responses to heterogeneity of UV-B radiation. In this study, the effects of heterogeneous UV-B radiation (280-315 nm) on gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of a clonal plant Trifolium repens were evaluated. Pairs of connected and severed ramets of the stoloniferous herb T. repens were grown under the homogeneity (both of ramets received only natural background radiation, ca. 0.6 kJ m^-2 d^-1) and heterogeneity of UV-B radiation (one of the ramet received only natural...

Low substrate temperature imposes higher limitation to photosynthesis of orange plants as compared to atmospheric chilling

C. M. A. Santos, R. V. Ribeiro, J. R. Magalhães Filho, D. F. S. P. Machado, E. C. Machado

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):546-554 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0071-6

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low air temperature during nocturnal (T_N) and diurnal (T_D) periods as well as the substrate temperature (T_S) on photosynthesis of 'Valencia' orange tree grafted on Rangpur lime rootstock. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber with seven-month-old plants. The plants were exposed to the following temperature regimes: low substrate temperature (LTS, with: T_D = 28°C, T_N = 20°C, T_S = 10°C); low air temperature during night (LT_N, with: T_D = 28°C, T_N = 10°C, T_S = 26°C); low temperature...

Effects of osmotic- and high-light stresses on PSII efficiency of attached and detached leaves of three tree species adapted to different water regimes

J. H. Weng, C. T. Chien, C. W. Chen, X. M. Lai

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):555-563 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0072-5

Abscisic acid (ABA), an important chemical signal from roots, causes physiological changes in leaves, including stomata closure and photoprotection. Furthermore, endogenous ABA concentration in leaves and stomatal behavior vary with the species adapted to different water regimes. In this study, Ficus microcarpa, a hemiepiphyte, Salix warburgii, a hygrophyte, and Acacia confusa, a mesophyte, were used to elucidate the effects of leaf detachment on photosystem II (PSII) efficiency under osmotic- and high-light stresses. Results indicate that, under osmotic- and high-light stresses, PSII efficiency of the detached leaves was lower...

Drought responses in Aleppo pine seedlings from two wild provenances with different climatic features

M. Michelozzi, F. Loreto, R. Colom, F. Rossi, R. Calamassi

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):564-572 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0068-1

Global warming will likely exacerbate the negative effects of limited water availability in the Mediterranean area. The Italian Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) provenances are distributed along the coasts except Otricoli provenance growing in an unusual location between 300 and 1,000 m a. s. l., in Umbria (central Italy). The aim of the present study was to investigate the photosynthetic response to a 28-day-long drought and to a subsequent reestablishment of water availability in Otricoli and North Euboea (Greece) provenances, representing different locations along a rainfall gradient in the natural range of this species. Six-month-old...

PsbO, PsbP, and PsbQ of photosystem II are encoded by gene families in Nicotiana benthamiana. Structure and functionality of their isoforms

M. L. Pérez-Bueno, M. Barón, I. García-Luque

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):573-580 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0070-7

The extrinsic proteins of photosystem II in plants (PsbO, PsbP and PsbQ) are known to be targets of stress. In previous work, differential regulation of hypothetical isoforms of these proteins was observed in Nicotiana benthamiana upon viral infection. Each of these proteins is encoded by a multigene family in this species: there are at least four genes encoding PsbO and PsbP and two encoding PsbQ. The results of structural and functional analyses suggest that PsbO and PsbP isoforms could show differences in activity, based on significant substitutions in their primary structure. Two psbQ sequences were isolated which encode identical mature proteins.

Light acclimation at the end of the growing season in two broadleaved oak species

F. J. Cano, D. Sánchez-Gómez, A. Gascó, J. Rodríguez-Calcerrada, L. Gil, C. R. Warren, I. Aranda

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):581-592 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0066-3

The ability of plants to increase their net CO₂ assimilation rate in response to increased irradiance is due to morphological and physiological changes, which might be related to their shade tolerance and leaf ontogeny, but few studies have considered morphology and physiology. Two sympatric oak species (the shade-tolerant Q. petraea and the comparatively shade-intolerant Q. pyrenaica) were grown in hydroponic solution in low-light (LL) and high-light (HL) conditions. 5 months after leaf expansion under these conditions, half of the LL plants were transferred to high light (TLH). Transfer of Q. pyrenaica, from low- to...

Photosynthetic characteristics of ornamental passion flowers grown under different light intensities

M. V. Pires, A. A. F. Almeida, A. L. Figueiredo, F. P. Gomes, M. M. Souza

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):593-602 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0075-2

Responses of leaf gas exchange, fluorescence emission, chlorophyll concentration, and morpho-anatomical features to changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were studied in three wild ornamental species of Passiflora L. to select sun and shade species for landscaping projects. Artificial shade was obtained with different shading nylon nets, under field conditions, which allowed the reduction of 25, 50, and 75% of global radiation, along with a control treatment under full sunlight. For Passiflora morifolia the highest mean values of light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) and light compensation point...

Caragana korshinskii seedlings maintain positive photosynthesis during short-term, severe drought stress

X. W. Fang, N. C. Turner, F. M. Li, W. J. Li, X. S. Guo

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):603-609 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0067-2

Seedling performance may determine plant distribution, especially in water-limited environments. Plants of Caragana korshinskii commonly grow in arid and semiarid areas in northwestern China, and endure water shortage in various ways, but little is known about their performance when water shortage occurs at early growth stages. The water relations, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll (Chl) content and proline accumulation were determined in 1-year-old seedlings growing in a 1:1 mixture of Loess soil and Perlite and subjected to (1) a water deficit for 20 days and (2) kept adequately watered throughout. The water deficit induced...

Morphological plasticity, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of Athyrium pachyphlebium at different shade levels

D. Huang, L. Wu, J. R. Chen, L. Dong

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):611-618 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0076-1

Athyrium pachyphlebium C. is a popular ornamental fern with considerable shade tolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate how the mature sporophytes acclimate to different light levels and to obtain an optimal light environment for their growth both in natural forest canopy and in urban landscapes. Plant growth and morphology, photosynthetic light-response curves and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence were measured at four different light levels (45% full sunlight, 30%, 20% and 8%). As the light intensities declined from 45% to 20%, seedling height, crown growth, foliage number and plant lifespan increased significantly. Seedlings grown...

Chloroplastidic pigments, gas exchange, and carbohydrates changes during Carapa guianensis leaflet expansion

F. K. C. Moraes, G. L. S. Castro, D. D. Silva Júnior, H. A. Pinheiro, R. A. Festucci-Buselli

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):619-626 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0077-0

Changes in chloroplastidic pigments, gas exchange and carbohydrate concentrations were assessed during the rapid initial expansion of C. guianensis leaflet. Leaves at metaphyll stage were tagged and assessments were carried out 14, 17, 20, 23, 27, and 31 days later. Pigments synthesis, distribution and accumulation were uniform among leaflet sections (basal, median and apical). Chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, Chl (a+b), and total carotenoids (Car) concentrations were significantly increased after 27 days from metaphyll, and the most expressive increases were parallel to lower specific leaflet area. Chl a/b was lower on...

Nondestructive, simple, and accurate model for estimation of the individual leaf area of som (Persea bombycina)

S. Chattopadhyay, A. Tikader, N. K. Das

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):627-632 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0079-y

Nondestructive approach of modeling leaf area could be useful for plant growth estimation especially when number of available plants is limited and/or experiment demands repeated estimation of leaf area over a time scale. A total of 1,280 leaves were selected randomly from eight different morphotypes of som (Persea bombycina) established at randomized complete block design under recommended cultural regimes in field. Maximum leaf laminar width (B), length (L) and their squares B², L²; leaf area (LA), and lamina length × width (L×B) were determined over two successive seasons. Leaf parameters were significantly affected...

CO₂ sequestration in plants: lesson from divergent strategies

S. K. Vats, S. Kumar, P. S. Ahuja

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):481-496 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0078-z

Most organisms inhabiting earth feed directly or indirectly on the products synthesized by the reaction of photosynthesis, which at the current atmospheric CO₂ levels operates only at two thirds of its peak efficiency. Restricting the photorespiratory loss of carbon and thereby improving the efficiency of photosynthesis is seen by many as a good option to enhance productivity of food crops. Research during last half a century has shown that several plant species developed CO₂-concentrating mechanism (CCM) to restrict photorespiration under lower concentration of available CO₂. CCMs are now known to be operative in several...

Jarvis, R.P. (ed.): Chloroplast Research in Arabidopsis, Methods and Protocols, Vol. I and II, Ser.: Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 774 and 775

M. Tichý

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):610 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0080-5

Comparison of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of low-potassium-tolerant and -sensitive soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars under low-potassium condition

X. T. Li, P. Cao, X. G. Wang, M. J. Cao, H. Q. Yu

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):633-636 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0073-4

The effects of potassium (K) deficiency on chlorophyll (Chl) content, photosynthetic gas exchange, and photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry during the seedling stage were investigated in two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars, low-K sensitive Tiefeng31 and low-K tolerant Shennong6. The cultivars were grown hydroponically in K-sufficient (KS) and K-deficient (KD) solutions. Photosynthetic gas exchange and Chl content in Tiefeng31 were severely affected by the low K condition, but were almost unaffected in Shennong6. This difference is in accordance with the PSII photochemistry in the plants, indicating that the photosynthetic apparatus...

Leaf area prediction for corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars with multiregression analysis

F. Oner, M. S. Odabas, I. Sezer, F. Odabas

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(4):637-640 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0069-0

Leaf area is one of the most important parameter for plant growth. Reliable equations were offered to predict leaf area for Zea mays L. cultivars. All equations produced for leaf area were derived as affected by leaf length and leaf width. As a result of ANOVA and multiregression analysis, it was found that there was a close relationship between actual and predicted growth parameters. The produced leaf-area prediction model in the present study is LA = a + b L + c W + d LZ where LA is leaf area, L is leaf length, W is maximum leaf width, LZ is leaf zone and a, b, c, d are coefficients. R ² values were between 0.88-0.97...