Daily Irradiance and Feedback Inhibition of Photosynthesis at Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration in Brassica oleracea

J.A. Bunce, R.C. Sicher

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):481-488 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027511.44995.66

The fundamental cause of down-regulation of photosynthesis at elevated carbon dioxide concentration (EC) is thought to be a slower rate of utilization of saccharides than their stimulated rate of production, but there are few studies directly supporting this idea under field conditions. We hypothesized that within Brassica oleracea, down-regulation would not occur in kohlrabi because it has a large sink for saccharides in an enlarged stem, but would occur in collards, which lack this sink. Field tests were consistent with this hypothesis. In collards, the degree of down-regulation of photosynthesis in plants grown at EC varied depending on the...

Different Relationship Between Electron Transport and CO2 Assimilation in two Zea mays Cultivars as Influenced by Increasing Irradiance

N. D'Ambrosio, C. Arena, A. Virzo de Santo

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):489-495 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027512.82632.7c

Gas exchange and fluorescence parameters were measured simultaneously in two Zea mays L. cultivars (Liri and 121C D8) to assess the relationship between the quantum yield of electron transport (Φ_PS2) and the quantum yield of CO₂ assimilation (Φ_CO2) in response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). The cv. Liri was grown under controlled environmental conditions in a climate chamber (CC) while cv. 121C D8 was grown in CC as well as outdoors (OT). By exposing the two maize cultivars grown in CC to an increasing PPFD, higher photosynthetic and photochemical rates were evidenced in cv. Liri than in...

Alley, M.: The Craft of Scientific Presentations

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):496 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027556.80339.c7

Sensitivity of Photosystem 2 of Antarctic Lichens to High Irradiance Stress: Fluorometric Study of Fruticose (Usnea antarctica) and Foliose (Umbilicaria decussata) Species

M. Barták, H. Vráblíková, J. Hájek

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):497-504 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027513.90599.ad

Two lichen species collected in maritime Antarctica (King George Island) were exposed under laboratory conditions to excess irradiance to evaluate the response of photosystem 2 (PS2). The response was measured on fully hydrated lichen thalli at 5 °C by means of a modulated fluorometer using chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence induction curve supplemented with analysis of quenching mechanisms. Chl fluorescence parameters [i.e. ratio of variable to maximum Chl fluorescence (F_V/F_M), quantum yield of PS2 photochemical reactions (Φ₂), quenching coefficients] were evaluated before and several times after exposition...

Photosynthetic Performance of Ginkgo biloba L. Grown Under High and Low Irradiance

S. Pandey, S. Kumar, P.K. Nagar

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):505-511 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027514.56808.35

Diurnal variation in net photosynthetic rate (P_N) of three-year-old plants of Ginkgo biloba was studied under open, O (receiving full sunlight), net-shade, NS (40 % of photosynthetically active radiation, PAR), or greenhouse, G (25 % PAR) conditions. In all three conditions, P_N was higher in morning along with stomatal conductance (g_s), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), while leaf temperature and vapour pressure deficit were low. The O-plants exhibited a typical decline in P_N during midday, which was not observed in NS-plants. This indicated...

Dussart, G.: Biosciences on the Internet

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):512 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027557.17977.07

Acclimation of Two Distinct Plant Species, Spring Barley and Norway Spruce, to Combined Effect of Various Irradiance and CO₂ Concentration During Cultivation in Controlled Environment

I. Kurasová, J. Kalina, O. Urban, M. Štroch, V. Špunda

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):513-523 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027515.05641.fd

The short-term acclimation (10-d) of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] to elevated CO₂ concentration (EC) in combination with low irradiance (100 μmol m^-2 s^-1) resulted in stimulation of CO₂ assimilation (by 61 %), increased total chlorophyll (Chl) content (by 17 %), significantly higher photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m; by 4 %), and reduced demand on non-radiative dissipation of absorbed excitation energy corresponding with enhanced capacity of photon utilisation within PS2. On the other hand, at high cultivation irradiance (1 200 μmol m^-2...

Svendsen, A. (ed.): Enzyme Functionality. Design, Engineering, and Screening

J. Barthová

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):524 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027559.20381.f8

Differences in Leaf δ¹³C Among Four Dominant Species in a Secondary Succession Sere on the Loess Plateau of China

G.H. Wang

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):525-531 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027516.43278.c4

Differences in leaf δ¹³C among four dominant species as well as the species-specific response to the fluctuations of either soil moisture or monthly mean temperature were examined along a secondary succession sere with a time scale from 3 to 149 y on the Loess Plateau in north-western China. We used leaf δ¹³C as a surrogate for water use efficiency (WUE) of the mentioned dominant species. Bothrichloa ischaemun as a dominant species in the final succession stage belongs to C₄ photosynthesis pathway, while the other three dominant species occurring in the first three succession stages belong to C₃...

Recknagel, F. (ed.): Ecological Informatics

O. Prášil

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):532 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027558.34391.bf

Photosynthetic UV-B Response of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Saplings

M. Šprtová, V. Špunda, J. Kalina, M.V. Marek

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):533-543 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027517.80915.1b

Cloned saplings of beech (7-y-old) were exposed to enhanced UV-B irradiation (+25 %) continuously over three growing seasons (1999-2001). Analysis of CO₂ assimilation, variable chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, and pigment composition was performed in late summer of the third growing season to evaluate the influence of long-term elevated UV-B irradiation. This influence was responsible for the stimulation of the net assimilation rate (P_N) over a range of irradiances. The increase in P_N was partially connected to increase of the area leaf mass, and thus to the increased leaf thickness. Even a higher...

UV-A Irradiation Guards the Photosynthetic Apparatus Against UV-B-Induced Damage

S. Gartia, M.K. Pradhan, P.N. Joshi, U.C. Biswal, B. Biswal

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):545-549 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027518.95032.c1

In clusterbean leaves UV-B radiation caused a reduction in contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids and in the efficiency of photosystem 2 photochemistry. The degree of damage was reduced when UV-A accompanied the UV-B radiation. This indicates the counteracting effect of UV-A radiation against UV-B-induced impairment.

Photosynthetic Activity in Seed Wings of Dipterocarpaceae in a Masting Year: Does Wing Photosynthesis Contribute to Reproduction?

T. Kenzo, T. Ichie, I. Ninomiya, T. Koike

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):551-557 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027519.26832.f3

The photosynthetic rate of seed wings developed from sepals was compared with the leaf photosynthetic rate in nine dipterocarp tree species (Dipterocarpus pachyphyllus, Dryobalanops aromatica, Dryobalanops lanceolata, Shorea beccariana, Shorea ferruginea, Shorea macroptera ssp. bailonii, Shorea macroptera ssp. macropterifolia, Shorea pilosa, and Vatica spp.). The wings showed positive photosynthetic activity, but at much lower rates than in the leaves. The daily CO₂ uptake of wings showed slightly negative values in diurnal gas exchange measurements, even in D. aromatica that showed the highest photosynthetic...

Changes in Photosynthesis and Fruit Characteristics in Olive in Response to Assimilate Availability

P. Proietti

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):559-564 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027520.12822.de

The "source" level in the olive cultivar Leccino was varied by girdling at different stages of fruit growth. Afterwards, the effects on gas exchange, fruit growth, and ripening and blooming were studied. Girdling during fruit growth did not significantly influence net photosynthetic rate (P_N) except in the last phase of fruit growth when the P_N was reduced. In the girdled branch, P_N began to decrease at the onset of starch accumulation because fruit growth ceased. In mid-November stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (E) were also reduced by girdling, whereas...

Effects of Elevated Temperature on Growth and Gas Exchange in Dominant Plant Species from Maowusu Sandland, China

Chun-Wang Xiao, Guang-Sheng Zhou, R. Ceulemans

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):565-569 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027521.86653.07

We compared the effect of elevated temperature on morphological development, biomass accumulation and allocation, and gas exchange of three dominant plants (Caragana intermedia Kuanget H.C. Fu, Hedysarum mongolicum Turcz., and Artemisia ordosica Krasch.) growing in Chinese Maowusu sandland. Plants were grown in two temperature chambers (25/20, 28/23 °C, day/night) during 60 d. Tree height, number of leaves, and leaf area were increased in C. intermedia and H. mongolicum seedlings, while in A. ordosica temperature only affected tree height. Elevated temperature increased biomass and reduced the root : shoot...

Moderately Elevated Temperature Eliminates Resistance of Rice Plants with Enhanced Expression of Glutathione Reductase to Intensive Photooxidative Stress

R. Kouřil, D. Lazár, H. Lee, J. Jo, J. Nauš

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):571-578 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027522.35486.f6

We developed transgenic rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Daeribbyeo) overproducing cytosolic glutathione reductase (GR) using a GR gene from Brassica campestris and studied their response to photo-oxidative stress in the presence of methyl viologen (MV, 10 and 50 μM concentrations) under room (25 °C) and moderately elevated (35 °C) temperature by analysis of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters (F_V/F_M, q_N, and q_P) and of Chl content. Elevated temperature enhanced and accelerated the photo-oxidative damage to photosynthetic apparatus expressed mainly by a fast decrease of q_N....

Photoassimilatory and Photorespiratory Behaviour of Certain Drought Tolerant and Susceptible Tea Clones

P.R. Jeyaramraja, R. Raj Kumar, P.K. Pius, Jibu Thomas

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):579-582 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027523.51145.a0

Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in the mother leaves was higher in the drought tolerant (DT) clones of tea (Camellia sinensis) while liberation of the fixed ¹⁴C in light from the mother leaves was higher in the drought susceptible (DS) clones. The DT clones translocated more photosynthates to the crop shoots (three leaves and a bud) from the mother leaf than the DS clones. Concentrations of RuBP carboxylase (RuBPC) or oxygenase (RuBPO) had no relationship with the drought tolerant nature of tea clones but their ratio correlated with the same. DT tea clones had higher catalase activity that could scavenge the hydrogen...

Native Isolation of the CcsB Protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Involved in Cytochrome f Maturation in Cyanobacteria and Plastids

M. Tichý

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):583-588 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027524.18385.92

The last step for biosynthesis of c type cytochromes, indispensable for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and plants, involves heme transport across the membrane and its covalent attachment to the apoprotein. In cyanobacteria, heme attachment occurs in the thylakoid lumen and probably also in the periplasm and requires at least four proteins, believed to be organized in intrinsic membrane protein complex. To allow isolation and identification of such complex, CcsB protein was tagged with 6xHis tag on its N terminus and expressed under the strong psbAII promoter in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Similarly, CcsA protein...

Alteration of Components of Chlorophyll-Protein Complexes and Distribution of Excitation Energy Between the Two Photosystems in Two New Rice Chlorophyll b-less mutants

Zhi-Fang Lin, Chang-Lian Peng, Gui-Zhu Lin, Jing-Liu Zhang

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):589-595 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027525.56777.66

Two new yellow rice chlorophyll (Chl) b-less (lack) mutants VG28-1 and VG30-5 differ from the other known Chl b-less mutants with larger amounts of soluble protein and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small sub-unit and smaller amounts of Chl a. We investigated the altered features of Chl-protein complexes and excitation energy distribution in these two mutants, as compared with wild type (WT) rice cv. Zhonghua 11 by using native mild green gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE, and 77 K Chl fluorescence in the presence of Mg²⁺. WT rice revealed five pigment-protein bands and fourteen polypeptides in thylakoid...

Gas Exchange of Carrot Leaves in Response to Elevated CO₂ Concentration

S. Kyei-Boahen, T. Astatkie, R. Lada, R. Gordon, C. Caldwell

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):597-603 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027526.48604.09

Short-term responses of four carrot (Daucus carota) cultivars: Cascade, Caro Choice (CC), Oranza, and Red Core Chantenay (RCC) to CO₂ concentrations (C_a) were studied in a controlled environment. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_N), intercellular CO₂ (C_i), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (E) were measured at C_a from 50 to 1 050 μmol mol^-1. The cultivars responded similarly to C_a and did not differ in all the variables measured. The P_N increased with C_a...

Interrelationships Between Nitrogen Supply and Photosynthetic Parameters in Vicia faba L.

Yinsuo Jia, V.M. Gray

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):605-610 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027527.08220.2c

We determined for Vicia faba L the influence of nitrogen uptake and accumulation on the values of photon saturated net photosynthetic rate (P_Nmax), quantum yield efficiency (α), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and carboxylation efficiency (C_e). As leaf nitrogen content (N_L) increased, the α converged onto a maximum asymptotic value of 0.0664±0.0049 μmol(CO₂) μmol(quantum)^-1. Also, as N_L increased the C_i value fell to an asymptotic minimum of 115.80±1.59 μmol mol^-1,...

Photoinhibition and Recovery of photosystem 2 in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Leaves Grown Under Field Conditions

M. Bertamini, N. Nedunchezhian

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):611-617 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027528.30472.b0

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was investigated in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) exposed to 2 or 4h of high irradiance (HI) (1 700-1 800 μmol m^-2 s^-1) leaves under field conditions at different sampling time in a day. The degree of photoinhibition was determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) and photosynthetic electron transport measurements. When the photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2), F_v/F_m, markedly declined, F₀ increased in both 2 (HI2) and 4 h (HI4) HI leaves sampled at midday. When various photosynthetic...

Interspecific Differences of Leaf Gas Exchange and Water Relations of Three Evergreen Mediterranean Shrub Species

A. Bombelli, L. Gratani

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):619-625 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027529.82395.86

Leaf gas exchange and plant water relations of three co-occurring evergreen Mediterranean shrubs species, Quercus ilex L. and Phillyrea latifolia L. (typical evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs) and Cistus incanus L. (a drought semi-deciduous shrub), were investigated in order to evaluate possible differences in their adaptive strategies, in particular with respect to drought stress. C. incanus showed the highest annual rate of net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and stomatal conductance (g_s) decreasing by 67 and 69 %, respectively, in summer. P. latifolia and Q. ilex showed lower annual...

Effects of Amino and Thiol Group Reagents on the Ferredoxin:NADP⁺ Oxidoreductase Catalysed Reduction of Dibromothymoquinone

J. Grzyb, M. Bojko, S. Więckowski

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):627-630 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027530.14195.52

Effects of selective reagents of amino groups (fluorescamine, Fc) and thiol [5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic) acid, DTNB] groups on the diaphorase activity of spinach ferredoxin:NADP⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR, E.C 1.18.1.2) in the presence of dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) as an electron acceptor were studied. The incubation of FNR with 250 μM Fc in the time range from 0 to 120 min led to the gradual decrease of FNR activity according to biphasic kinetics. At the initial phase the activity (defined as the rate of NADPH oxidation) decreased about 4-time faster than at the subsequent second slower phase. Incubation of FNR simultaneously with Fc...

A Latitudinal Cline in Leaf Inclination of Dryas octopetala and Implications for Maximization of Whole Plant Photosynthesis

T.J. Herbert

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):631-633 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027531.32053.87

Mean leaf inclination of the arctic and alpine shrub Dryas octopetala is a function of latitude and this functional relationship is consistent with a model that maximizes photosynthesis of the total plant canopy.

Surface Charge Densities and Membrane Fluidities in Thylakoids with Different Degrees of Thylakoid Appression After Norflurazon Treatment

C. Dahlin

Photosynthetica 2003, 41(4):635-639 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000027532.55335.a7

Wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) develop plastids (etioplasts and chloroplasts) which exhibit alterations in inner membrane organisation after treatment with Norflurazon (NF), an inhibitor of carotenoid biosynthesis. In dark-grown plants, it results in a decreased amount of partitions (contact zones) between prothylakoids. Under weak red radiation (WRR), plants contain chloroplasts devoid of grana. Using the fluorescent probe 9-amino acridine (9-AA), the average surface charge density of isolated prothylakoids (PTs) was -21.8±3.2 mC m^-2 and -27.4±2.6 mC m^-2 in the control and after treatment, respectively....