"Photosynthetica" in its eighth five-year period

Zdeněk Šesták

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):598 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0077-7

Chlorophyll fluorescence performance of sweet almond [Prunus dulcis (Miller) D. Webb] in response to salinity stress induced by NaCl

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

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):513-522 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0064-z

One-year old sweet almond (Prunus dulcis) seedlings were submitted to four levels of salt stress induced by NaCl, namely 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 S m^-1. Effects of salt stress on a range of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters (Chl FPs) and Chl contents were investigated in order to establish an eco-physiological characterization of P. dulcis to salinity. Salt stress promoted an increase in F₀, F_s, and F₀/F_m and a decrease in F_m, F'_m, F_v/F_m, q_P, ΔF/F'_m, F_v/F₀, and UQF_(rel),...

Acclimation to irradiance of leaf photosynthesis and associated nitrogen reallocation in photosynthetic apparatus in the year following thinning of a young stand of Chamaecyparis obtusa

Q. Han, M. Araki, Y. Chiba

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):523-529 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0065-y

In order to quantify the effects of thinning on photosynthetic parameters and associated change in leaf nitrogen (N) contents, half of the trees in a 10-year-old Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. stand (36° 3'N, 140°7'E) were removed, giving a final density of 1 500 trees ha^-1, in May 2004. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and leaf N and carbon (C) contents in the lower (L), middle (M), and upper (U) crowns were monitored one, three, and five months after thinning in both the thinned stand and a non-thinned control stand. In addition, leaves' photosynthetic responses to CO₂ concentration were simultaneously...

Effects of rhizobia inoculation and nitrogen fertilization on photosynthetic physiology of soybean

X. J. Zhou, Y. Liang, H. Chen, S. H. Shen, Y. X. Jing

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):530-535 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0066-x

Plant growth, contents of photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic gas exchange, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Heinong37] were investigated after it was inoculated with Sinorhizobium fredii USDA191 or treated with 5 mM (NH₄)₂SO₄ (N5) and 30 mM (NH₄)₂SO₄ (N30), respectively. In the plants following N5 fertilization, not only plant biomass, leaf area, and Chl content, but also net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), carboxylation efficiency (CE), maximum photochemical efficiency...

Awn contribution to gas exchanges of barley ears

Q.Z. Jiang, D. Roche, S. Durham, D. Hole

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):536-541 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0067-9

The effects of awn removal on ear gas exchange in four barley lines (Morex, Harrington, Steptoe, and TR306) were studied under a controlled environment using a Before-After Control-Impact Paired (BACIP) experimental design. From ear emergence to grain maturity, plants were grown in pots at either 60 or 90 % of soil water holding capacity. Gas-exchange measurements of ears were made 9 and 10 d after anthesis (DAA). On 11 DAA, awn removal was performed on half of the ears in each pot, followed by measurements on both intact and de-awned ears on 12 and 13 DAA. Net photosynthetic (P _N) and transpiration (E) rates decreased significantly...

Changes in photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Leymus chinensis community along the retrogression on the Songnen grassland in northeastern China

L. X. Shi, J. X. Guo

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):542 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0068-8

Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, ratio of sub-stomatal to atmospheric CO₂ concentration, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency changed significantly and assimilation capacity dropped continuously along the salinization and alkalinization process in the afternoon. Assimilation capacity of L. chinensis leaf correlated negatively with the degree of salinization and alkalinization. The photosynthetic characteristics of L. chinensis determined its community formation. By changing the ratio of chlorophyll a/b in leaves and accumulating soluble saccharides in rhizome, L. chinensis could adapt to...

Effects of long-term ozone exposure on citrus: Chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange

A. Calatayud, D. J. Iglesias, M. Talón, E. Barreno

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):548-554 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0070-1

Three-years-old trees of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu [Mak.] Marc.) cv. Okitsu were exposed to O₃ fumigation during long term (one year) in open-top chambers. As a result of the treatment, chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange parameters were modified with respect to trees growing in O₃-free conditions. Net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance decreased and intercellular CO₂ concentration increased according to a reduction of the non-cyclic electron flow and a lower capacity to reduce the quinone pool. O₃ also reduced the development of non-photochemical quenching preventing...

Photosynthetic changes that occur during aging of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) needles

N. La Porta, M. Bertamini, N. Nedunchezhian, K. Muthuchelian

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):555-560 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0071-0

2-years-old cypress needles (A2) were physiologically most active with regard to net photosynthetic (P _N) and electron transport rates. Variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) ratios of dark-adapted needles were higher in A2 needles than in current year (A1) or senescent (A4) needles. Lower F_v/F_m values in these stages seemed to be caused not by photoinhibition but by a low photochemical capacity as suggested from the chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratios. In isolated thylakoids, lower rates of whole chain and photosystem 2 (PS2) activities were observed in A4 needles, while higher rates...

Changes of leaf water potential and gas exchange during and after drought in triticale and maize genotypes differing in drought tolerance

M.T. Grzesiak, S. Grzesiak, A. Skoczowski

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):561-568 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0072-z

Influence of drought (D) on changes of leaf water potential (Ψ) and parameters of gas exchange in D-resistant and D-sensitive genotypes of triticale and maize was compared. Soil D (from -0.01 to -2.45 MPa) was simulated by mannitol solutions. At -0.013 MPa significant differences in Ψ, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), and internal CO₂ concentration (C _i) of D-resistant and D-sensitive triticale and maize genotypes were not found. Together with the increase in concentration of the mannitol solution the impact of D on E...

Photosynthetic response of different pea cultivars to low and high temperature treatments

K. Georgieva, H. K. Lichtenthaler

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):569-578 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0073-y

The thermo-sensitivity of two new pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars-Afila (mutant in the gene transforming leaves into mustaches) and Ranen (mutant for early ripening)-as compared to the control cultivar Pleven-4 to either low (4 °C, T₄) or high temperature (38 °C, T₃₈) was investigated by means of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence kinetics. The low temperature treatment decreased the photosynthetic activity, measured via a decline of the Chl fluorescence decrease ratios R_Fd690 and R_Fd735, and this was mainly due to a decline of the Chl fluorescence decrease parameter F_d and maximum Chl...

Eco-physiological modelling of leaf photosynthesis and adaptation analysis of Chinese ivy (Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis) in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China

J. Yang, Y. L. Cai, S. C. Sun, L. Wang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):579-585 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0074-x

The individual plant of Chinese ivy can produce three types of branches (creepy, climbing, and reproductive) during its development, which adapt to different environmental factors. An eco-physiological model was constructed to simulate leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of Chinese ivy (Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis) in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest based on leaf physiological and mathematical analysis. The model integrated the rate-limiting biochemical process of photosynthesis and the processes of stomatal regulation. Influence of environmental factors (solar radiation, temperature, CO₂ concentration,...

Photosynthetic response of wheat and sunflower cultivars to long-term exposure of elevated carbon dioxide concentration

V. Pandurangam, P. Sharma-Natu, B. Sreekanth, M.C. Ghildiyal

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):586-590 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0075-9

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HD 2329 and DL 1266-5) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. MSFH 17 and MRSF 1754) plants were grown in field under atmospheric (360±10 cm³ m^-3, AC) and elevated (650±50 cm³ m^-3, EC) CO₂ concentrations in open top chambers for entire period of growth and development till maturity. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of wheat cvs. when compared at the same internal CO₂ concentration (C _i), by generating P _N/C _i curves, showed lower P _N in EC...

Developmental changes of plant affecting primary photosynthate distribution in rice leaves

T. Shinano, K. Ando, K. Okazaki, M. Osaki

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):591-598 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0076-8

Developmental changes of plant in the regulation of photosynthate distribution of leaves were studied in hydroponically cultivated rice by the ¹⁴CO₂ tracer technique and analysis of the activity of the regulatory enzymes, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), and pyruvate kinase (PK). The distribution of primary photosynthates into sugars, amino acids, organic acids, sugar phosphates, proteins, and polysaccharides was determined by column chromatography. The relative primary photosynthate distribution to the sugar phosphate fraction was significantly larger in the 5^th leaf...

Photosynthesis and protective mechanisms during ageing in transgenic tobacco leaves with over-expressed cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase and thus lowered cytokinin content

Z. Mýtinová, D. Haisel, N. Wilhelmová

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):599-605 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0078-6

The content of cytokinins (CKs), the plant inhibitors of the final phase of plant development, senescence, is effectively controlled by irreversible degradation catalysed by cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). In transgenic tobacco, denoted as AtCKX, with over-expressed CKX causing lowered CK content, we investigated changes in the time courses of chlorophyll (Chl) and xanthophyll (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, neoxanthin, and lutein) contents. We also determined parameters of slow Chl fluorescence kinetics such as minimum Chl fluorescence yield in the darkadapted state F₀, maximum quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m),...

Effects of abscisic acid or benzyladenine on pigment contents, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chloroplast ultrastructure during water stress and after rehydration

D. Haisel, J. Pospíšilová, H. Synková, R. Schnablová, P. Baťková

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):606-614 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0079-5

With the aim to contribute to the elucidation of the role of phytohormones in response of plants to adverse environmental conditions, seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris, Nicotiana tabacum, Beta vulgaris, and Zea mays were supplied with water, 100 µM abscisic acid (ABA), or 10 µM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) immediately before imposition of water stress (WS). In all four species, contents of chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids were markedly decreased during WS and after rehydration only in plants pre-treated with water but not in those pre-treated with ABA or BA. Contents of pigments of xanthophyll cycle increased during WS...

Effect of detergent on aggregation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b complex of photosystem 2 and its impact for carotenoid function and fluorescence quenching

Z. H. Hu, F. Zhou, C. H. Yang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):615-621 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0080-z

Spectroscopy was used to investigate the fluorescence quenching mechanism in light-harvesting complex 2 (LHC2). The 77 K fluorescence excitation spectroscopy was performed for detection of aggregation state of LHC2 treated with different concentrations of octylphenol poly(ethyleneglycol ether)₁₀ (TX-100). Resonance Raman (RR) spectra excited with 488, 496, and 514 nm provided molecular configuration of neoxanthin, lutein 1, and lutein 2, respectively. At increased concentration of TX-100, the RR signals of xanthophylls were enhanced in the four frequency regions, which was accompanied with increase of fluorescence of chlorophyll (Chl) a....

International research on cassava photosynthesis, productivity, eco-physiology, and responses to environmental stresses in the tropics

M.A. El-Sharkawy

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):481-512 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0063-0

The review sums up research conducted at CIAT within a multidiscipline effort revolving around a strategy for developing improved technologies to increase and sustain cassava productivity, as well as conserving natural resources in the various eco-edaphic zones where the crop is grown, with emphasis on stressful environments. Field research has elucidated several physiological plant mechanisms underlying potentially high productivity under favourable hot-humid environments in the tropics. Most notable is cassava inherent high capacity to assimilate carbon in near optimum environments that correlates with both biological productivity and root yield...

Nátr, L.: Země jako skleník. Proč se bát CO₂? [Earth as a greenhouse. Why to be afraid of CO₂?]

J. Čatský

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):547 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0069-7

Characterization of photosynthesis of Populus euphratica grown in the arid region

Y. P. Chen, Y. N. Chen, W. H. Li, C. C. Xu

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):622-626 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0081-y

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal limitation (L_s) of Populus euphratica grown at different groundwater depths in the arid region were measured. g _s of the trees with groundwater depth at 4.74 m (D₄) and 5.82 m (D₅) were lower and a little higher than that at 3.82 m (D₃), respectively. Compared with C _i and L_s of the D₃ trees, C _i...

Bibliography of reviews and methods of photosynthesis-90

Z. Šesták, J. Čatský

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(4):627-640 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0082-x