Editorial and obituary

Jan Nauš, Jan Květ, Ivan Šetlík

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):161-166 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0001-z

Notice to contributors

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):167-170 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0027-2

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic fertilizer influence photosynthesis, root phosphatase activity, nutrition, and growth of Ipomoea carnea ssp. fistulosa

L. Amaya-Carpio, F.T. Davies Jr., T. Fox, C. He

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):1-10 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0003-x

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and organic slow release fertilizer (OSRF) on photosynthesis, root phosphatase activity, nutrient acquisition, and growth of Ipomoea carnea N. von Jacquin ssp. fistulosa (K. Von Martinus ex J. Choisy) D. Austin (bush morning glory) was determined in a greenhouse study. The AMF treatments consisted of a commercial isolate of Glomus intraradices and a non-colonized (NonAMF) control. The OSRF was applied at 10, 30, and 100 % of the manufacturer's recommended rate. AMF plants had a higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N), higher leaf elemental N, P,...

Co₂ assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence in green versus red Berberis thunbergii leaves measured with different quality irradiation

P. M. Li, L. Cheng, T. Peng, H. Y. Gao

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):11-18 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0004-9

Photosynthesis, photorespiration, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in green and red Berberis thunbergii leaves were studied with two different measuring radiations, red (RR) and "white" (WR). The photosynthetic and photorespiration rates responded differently to the different radiation qualities, which indicate that the carboxylase and oxygenase activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) were affected. Differences in photosynthetic rate between the two color leaves were less under RR than under WR. However, this reduced difference in photosynthetic rate was not correlated with the stomatal response to the measuring...

Changes of net photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities, and antioxidant contents of Liriodendron tulipifera under elevated ozone

S. Z. Ryang, S. Y. Woo, S. Y. Kwon, S. H. Kim, S. H. Lee, K. N. Kim, D. K. Lee

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):19-25 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0005-8

Liriodendron tulipifera was exposed to gradually elevated ozone concentrations of 100-300 μg kg^-1 in the naturally irradiated environment chamber. During 15 d of exposure to O₃, net photosynthetic rate (P _N) decreased and there was large difference between the control (C) and treatment with ozone (OT), while there was no significant difference in water use efficiency. Total chlorophyll content as well as the value of fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m decreased, while antioxidant enzyme activities related to ascorbate-glutathione cycle increased after 15 d of OT. Unchanged contents of...

Corticular photosynthesis: A mechanism to enhance shrub expansion in coastal environments

J.K. Vick, D. R. Young

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):26-32 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0006-7

Myrica cerifera L. (Myricaceae), the dominant woody species on many barrier islands along the southeastern coast of the United States, is expanding into grass-dominated, mesic, interdunal depressions where it forms dense thickets. Expansion may be attributed to a symbiotic nitrogen fixation with the bacterium Frankia, an evergreen leaf habit and, possibly, corticular photosynthesis (CP, i.e. refixation of respired CO₂, %ref). We quantified seasonal variations in CP characteristics in first through fifth order branches of M. cerifera to determine the extent and relevance of CP to shrub expansion in coastal environments....

Carbon isotope composition and mode of photosynthesis in Clusia species from Mexico

J. G. Vargas-Soto, J. L. Andrade, K. Winter

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):33-40 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0007-6

The neotropical genus Clusia comprises arborescent species exhibiting Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) as was first reported for a Mexican species, Clusia lundellii. Here, the occurrence of CAM photosynthesis was studied in 20 species of Clusia, 18 from Mexico, and 2 from Guatemala, using leaf carbon isotopic composition. In most species, samples from individuals collected in different locations were analyzed. CAM was present in at least 11 species, eight of which contained specimens with δ¹³C values less negative than -20.0 ‰, indicating strong CAM (C. chanekiana, C. flava, C. lundellii, C. mexicana,...

Gas exchange response of barley and pea cultivars to altitude variation in Himalaya

S. K. Vats, N. Kumar, S. Kumar

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):41-45 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0008-5

Leaf stomatal density (SD), net photosynthetic rates (P _N), and stomatal conductance (g _s) of Hordeum vulgare and Pisum sativum cultivars in Himalaya increased with altitude. Higher P _N and leaf temperature under low CO₂ partial pressure at high altitudes could evoke a higher g _s and SD to allow sufficient influx of CO₂ as well as more efficient leaf cooling through transpiration.

Enhancement of susceptivity to photoinhibition and photooxidation in rice chlorophyll b-less mutants

Z. F. Lin, G. Z. Lin, C. L. Peng

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):46-54 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0009-4

Two rice chlorophyll (Chl) b-less mutants (VG28-1, VG30-5) and the respective wild type (WT) plant (cv. Zhonghua No. 11) were analyzed for the changes in Chl fluorescence parameters, xanthophyll cycle pool, and its de-epoxidation state under exposure to strong irradiance, SI (1 700 µmol m^-2 s^-1). We also examined alterations in the chloroplast ultrastructure of the mutants induced by methyl viologen (MV) photooxidation. During HI (0-3.5 h), the photoinactivation of photosystem 2 (PS2) appeared earlier and more severely in Chl b-less mutants than in the WT. The decreases in maximal photochemical efficiency of...

Effects of buffer capacity on growth, photosynthesis, and solute accumulation of a glycophyte (wheat) and a halophyte (Chloris virgata)

C. W. Yang, M. L. Zhang, J. Liu, D. C. Shi, D. L. Wang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):55-60 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0010-y

Two species with different resistances to alkaline pH, the glycophylic Triticum aestivum (wheat) and the halophilic Chloris virgata, were chosen as test organisms. The salt-alkaline (SA) mixed stress conditions with different buffer capacities (BC) but with the same salt molarities and pH were established by mixing neutral (NaCl, Na₂SO₄), and alkaline salts (NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃) in various proportions. Growth, photosynthetic characteristics, and solute accumulation of the seedlings were monitored to test the validity of BC as a decisive index of alkali-stress (AS) intensity in SA mixed...

Photon-harvesting efficiency and arbuscular mycorrhiza in amphibious plants

N. Šraj-Kržič, P. Pongrac, M. Regvar, A. Gaberščik

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):61-67 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0011-x

The amphibious plant species of intermittent aquatic habitats thrive both submerged and emerged. In order to outline the adaptive characters of these two life forms photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2, leaf contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a and b, carotenoids (Car), anthocyanins (Ant), and UV-B absorbing compounds (UV-B abs), and root aerenchyma and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation were studied in Glyceria fluitans, Gratiola officinalis, Ranunculus lingua, Teucrium scordium, Sium latifolium, Sparganium emersum, and Veronica anagallis-aquatica. Water level fluctuations did not exert a severe effect on photon harvesting...

Ozone sensitivity and ethylenediurea protection in ash trees assessed by JIP chlorophyll a fluorescence transient analysis

N. Contran, E. Poletti, W. J. Manning, F. Tagliaferro

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):68-78 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0012-9

The effect of ethylenediurea (EDU) was tested using the chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transient analysis, performed with JIP-test, to assess ambient ozone (O₃) effects on photosynthesis of adult trees under natural conditions. Twelve adult European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) trees, known to be sensitive or tolerant to O₃, determined by presence symptomatic (S) or absence asymptomatic (AS) trees of foliar symptoms in previous years, were treated either with distilled water containing 450 g m^-3 EDU or with distilled water. Once a month across the growing season [the accumulated exposure over a threshold...

Comparative effects of salt-stress and alkali-stress on the growth, photosynthesis, solute accumulation, and ion balance of barley plants

C. W. Yang, H. H. Xu, L. L. Wang, J. Liu, D. C. Shi, D. L. Wang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):79-86 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0013-8

We compared the effects of salt-stresses (SS, 1: 1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na₂SO₄) and alkali-stresses (AS, 1: 1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ to Na₂CO₃) on the growth, photosynthesis, solute accumulation, and ion balance of barley seedlings, to elucidate the mechanism of AS (high-pH) damage to plants and the physiological adaptive mechanism of plants to AS. The effects of SS on the water content, root system activity, membrane permeability, and the content of photosynthetic pigments were much less than those of AS. However, AS damaged root function, photosynthetic pigments, and the membrane system, led...

Responses of salt-tolerant and intolerant wheat genotypes to sodium chloride: Photosynthesis, antioxidants activities, and yield

Y. H. Zheng, X. B. Xu, M. Y. Wang, X. H. Zheng, Z. J. Li, G. M. Jiang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):87-94 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0014-7

Physiological responses of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (salt-tolerant DK961 and salt-sensitive JN17) to increased salt concentrations (50, 100, 150 mM NaCl: NaCl⁵⁰, NaCl¹⁰⁰, NaCl¹⁵⁰) were studied. Photosynthetic capacity, irradiance response curves, contents of soluble sugars, proteins, and chlorophyll (Chl), K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) in flag leaves were measured on 7 d after anthesis. In control (NaCl⁰) plants, non-significant (p>0.05) differences were found in gas exchange and...

Root-zone temperature effects on photosynthesis, ¹⁴C-photoassimilate partitioning and growth of temperate lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Panama') in the tropics

J. He, L. P. Tan, S. K. Lee

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):95-103 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0015-6

The effect of root growth temperature on maximal photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation (P _max), carbohydrate content, ¹⁴C-photoassimilate partitioning, growth, and root morphology of lettuce was studied after transfer of the root system from cool root-zone temperature (C-RZT) of 20 °C to hot ambient-RZT (A-RZT) and vice versa. Four days after RZT transfer, P _max and leaf total soluble sugar content were highest and lowest, respectively, in C-RZT and A-RZT plants. P _max and total leaf soluble sugar content were much lower in plants transferred from C-to A-RZT (C→A-RZT) than in...

Excitation kinetics during induction of chlorophyll a fluorescence

A. Barócsi, S. Lenk, L. Kocsányi, C. Buschmann

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):104-111 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0016-5

We present a chlorophyll fluorometer module system which adapts the intensity to the individual leaf sample by adjusting the quantum flux density of the excitation light so that the fluorescence signal is kept constant. This is achieved by means of a feedback power adjustment of the fluorescence exciting laser diode. Thus, the intensity of the excitation light is adapted to the actual need of a particular sample for quantum conversion without applying exaggeratedly high quantum flux density. We demonstrate the influence of the initial laser power chosen at the onset of irradiation and kept constant during fluorescence rise transient within the first...

Photosystem 2 is more tolerant to high temperature in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves than in fruit peel

L. S. Chen, L. Cheng

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):112-120 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0017-4

Tolerance of photosystem 2 (PS2) to high temperature in apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Cortland) leaves and peel was investigated by chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transient after exposure to 25 (control), 40, 42, 44, and 46 °C in the dark for 30 min. The positive L-step was more pronounced in a peel than in leaves when exposed to 44 °C. Heat-induced K-step became less pronounced in leaves than in peel when exposed to 42 °C or higher temperature. Leaves had negative L-and K-steps relative to the peel. The decrease of oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) by heat stress was higher in the peel than in the leaves. OJIP transient from the 46...

Fromme, P. (ed.): Photosynthetic protein complexes

J. Komenda

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):40 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0028-1

Chamber response time: A neglected issue in gas exchange measurements

I. Weiss, Y. Mizrahi, E. Raveh

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):121-124 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0018-3

When the dimensions of standard commercial chambers for measuring gas exchange cannot accommodate the object being measured, scientists construct their own chambers. The time needed to reach chamber steady state (chamber response time) depends on net system volume (e.g. chamber and tubing volume) and airflow. Unfortunately, some authors take chamber response time into consideration while others ignore it. We present the formula for calculating chamber response time.

Effects of NaCl stress on photochemical activity and thylakoid membrane polypeptide composition of a salt-tolerant and a salt-sensitive rice cultivar

R. L. Wang, C. Hua, F. Zhou, Q. C. Zhou

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):125-127 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0019-2

NaCl stress (200 mM) inhibited the electron transport activity of photosystem 2 (PS2) more than that of PS1. The degree of electron transport activity inhibition was lower in the salt-tolerant cultivar Pokkali than in the salt-sensitive cultivar Peta. The polypeptide composition of the thylakoid membrane and PS2 particles did not change after NaCl treatment but there was a difference in polypeptide compositions of thylakoid membrane and PS2 particles between the two cultivars. PS2 particles of cv. Pokkali contained more 33-kDa and 43-kDa polypeptides than cv. Peta. Additionally, PS2 particles after NaCl treatment showed deficiency of 23-kDa outside...

The effect of drought on photosynthesis in two epiphytic and two terrestrial tropical fern species

Q. Zhang, J. W. Chen, B. G. Li, K. F. Cao

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):128-132 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0020-9

Water-withholding for 5 to 7 weeks and subsequent re-watering were made on potted plants of two epiphytic (E) and two terrestrial (T) fern species, which were collected from a seasonal tropical rainforest and had been grown in a screenhouse with 5 % irradiance for 4 months. During the water stress, the two E species completely closed stomata when frond relative water content (RWC) reached about 70 % with fairly constant maximum photochemistry efficiency (F_v/F_m), while the two T species kept partial stomata opening until RWC reached 45 % and reduction in F_v/F_m at the late stage. Also, chlorophyll content as...

Photosynthetic characteristics and effect of ATP in transgenic rice with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase genes

B. J. Zhang, L. L. Ling, R. F. Wang, D. M. Jiao

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):133-136 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0021-8

In the untransformed rice (WT) and transgenic rice with the PEPC and PPDK genes (CK) we determined activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes, photosynthetic response to irradiance and temperature, the metabolic index of active oxygen, and the yield component factors. The activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes in WT were very low, while those of corresponding enzymes in CK were highly observable. Moreover, after adenosine triphosphate (ATP) treatment, and under high irradiance and high temperature, the net photosynthetic rate of CK increased by 17 and 12 %, respectively, as compared to that achieved without ATP treatment. The resistance...

Response of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching to leaf dichotocarpism in Ligustrum vicaryi, an ornamental herb

Y. Q. Yang, X. F. Yi, P. Prasad

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):137-140 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0022-7

Net photosynthetic rate of yellow upper leaves (UL) of Ligustrum vicaryi was slightly, but not significantly higher than that of green lower leaves (LL). Diurnally, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2, PS2 (F_v/F_m) of LL did not significantly decline but the UL showed fairly great daily variations. Yield of PS2 of UL showed an enantiomorphous variation to the photosynthetically active radiation and was significantly lower than in the LL. Unlike F_v/F_m, the efficiency of energy conversion in PS2 and both non-photosynthetic and photosynthetic quenching did not differ in UL and LL. Significant...

Effect of abiotic stress factors on fluctuations in contents of malate and citrate and on malic enzyme activity in moss gametophores

A. Rzepka, G. Rut, J. Krupa

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):141-145 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0023-6

Diurnal fluctuations in the contents of malate in gametophores of Polytrichum commune Hedw. and Polytrichum piliferum Hedw. were small. In gametophores of Mnium undulatum Hedw. and leaves of Hieracium pilosella L. significant differences were found in the accumulation of malate between day and night. However, no significant diurnal differences were found in the contents of citrate. High irradiance, desiccation, and submergence by water resulted in increases in daily fluctuations of malate, particularly in the gametophores of P. piliferum and leaves of H. pilosella. Accumulation of malate during night may show...

Effects of cadmium stress upon activities of antioxidative enzymes, photosynthetic rate, and production of phytochelatins in leaves and chloroplasts of wheat cultivars differing in yield potential

I. Ahmad, M. Naeem, N. A. Khan, Samiullah

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):146-151 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0024-5

We tested the mode of action of Cd on photosynthesis and activities of ATP-sulfurylase (ATP-S), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and on contents of phytochelatins (PCs) and glutathione (GSH) in two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) PBW-343 and WH-542 differing in yield potential. Cd treatment increased Cd content and photosynthetic activity in PBW-343 more than in WH-542. The activities of APX, GR, ATP-S, and synthesis of PCs and GSH were also increased by Cd, but the CAT and SOD activities were inhibited in both the cultivars. The efficient functioning of antioxidative...

Photosynthetic acclimation to CO₂ enrichment related to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation limitation in wheat

D. Y. Zhang, G. Y. Chen, J. Chen, Z. H. Yong, J. G. Zhu, D. Q. Xu

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):152-154 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0025-4

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) measured at the same CO₂ concentration, the maximum in vivo carboxylation rate, and contents of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and RuBPCO activase were significantly decreased, but the maximum in vivo electron transport rate and RuBP content had no significant change in CO₂-enriched [EC, about 200 µmol mol^-1 above the ambient CO₂ concentration (AC)] wheat leaves compared with those in AC grown wheat leaves. Hence photosynthetic acclimation in wheat leaves to EC is largely due to RuBP carboxylation limitation.

Photosynthetic characteristics involved in adaptability to Karst soil and alien invasion of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent.) in comparison with mulberry (Morus alba L.)

Y. Y. Wu, C. Q. Liu, P. P. Li, J. Z. Wang, D. Xing, B. L. Wang

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):155-160 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0026-3

Unlike mulberry (Morus alba, M.a.), paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, B.p.) can acclimate to Karst soil and incline to alien invasion. The photosynthetic parameters, diurnal changes of carbonic anhydrase, and chlorophyll fluorescence induction, and water potential were measured on sunny days (SD) and cloudy days (CD). Photosynthetic midday depression occurred in B.p. but not in M.a. The irradiance-and CO₂-saturated photosynthetic rates of B.p. were significantly higher than those of M.a. There was no significant difference in water use efficiency between the two species on a SD. The maximum...