Response of the photosynthetic apparatus to UV-A and red light in the phytochrome B-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana L. hy3 mutant

V. D. Kreslavski, F. J. Schmitt, C. Keuer, T. Friedrich, G. N. Shirshikova, S. K. Zharmukhamedov, A. A. Kosobryukhov, S. I. Allakhverdiev

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):321-330 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0212-z

The effect of UV-A radiation (365 nm) and the protective effect of preillumination with red light (RL, 664 nm, 10 min) or with a combination of red and far-red light (FRL, 727 nm, 10 min) on the activity of the PSII as well as the expression levels of selected genes, especially those encoding chloroplast proteins (sAPX, tAPX, CAB1, and D1), were studied in leaves of the 26-d-old hy3 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, which is deficient in the phytochrome B apoprotein. The effects were compared with corresponding effects observed in the hy2 mutant of A. thaliana, which is deficient in the phytochrome chromophore. Illumination...

Photosynthetic activity of variegated leaves of Coleus × hybridus hort. cultivars characterised by chlorophyll fluorescence techniques

M. Borek, R. Bączek-Kwinta, M. Rapacz

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):331-339 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0225-7

Different pigments often occur together and affect photosynthetic characteristics of the respective leaf portions. In this study, photosynthetic activity in variegated leaves of five cultivars of the ornamental and medicinal plant, Coleus × hybridus hort., was estimated by image analysis and point data measurements of major chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters and related to the amount of photosynthetic pigments measured with a Chl meter or spectrophotometrically in leaf extracts. Significant differences in Chl and carotenoid (Car) contents were noticed among differentially pigmented sectors of a leaf and among the cultivars. Although the...

Photosynthetic pigments, ionic and antioxidative behaviour of hulled tetraploid wheat in response to NaCl

S. Tabatabaei, P. Ehsanzadeh

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):340-350 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0083-3

Salt stress causes extensive losses to agricultural crops, including wheat, throughout the world and has been the focus of wide research. Though, information is scarce on the potential of ancient wheat relatives in tackling this major limiting factor. Thus, six hulled tetraploid wheat genotypes (HW) were compared to a free-threshing durum wheat genotype (FTW) under different NaCl concentrations, ranging from 0 to 150 mM, at early growth stages in a sand culture experiment. Salt stress induced significant declines in the leaf chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, total Chl, and carotentoid contents; the extent of the declines was greater in FTW...

Chlorophyll a fluorescence of typical desert plant Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. at two light levels

L. Li, X. Y. Li, F. J. Zeng, L. S. Lin

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):351-358 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0195-9

Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. is exposed to a high-irradiance environment as the main vegetation found in the forelands of the Taklamakan Desert. We investigated chlorophyll a fluorescence emission of A. sparsifolia seedlings grown under ambient (HL) and shade (LL) conditions. Our results indicated that the fluorescence intensity in the leaves was significantly higher for LL-grown plants than that under HL. High values of the maximum quantum yield of PSII for primary photochemistry (φP_o) and the quantum yield that an electron moves further than Q_A - (φE_o) in the plants under LL conditions suggested...

Diminution of photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under elevated CO₂ concentration and increased temperature

S. Panigrahi, M. K. Pradhan, D. K. Panda, S. K. Panda, P. N. Joshi

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):359-366 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0190-1

The photosynthetic responses to elevated CO₂ concentration (EC) at ambient and ambient +4°C temperature were aßsessed in the second leaf of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. The duration of different leaf developmental phases, as characterised by changes in photosynthetic pigment contents and photochemical potential, was protracted in the seedlings grown under EC. On the other hand, a temporal shift in the phases of development with an early onset of senescence was observed in the seedlings grown under EC at ambient +4°C temperature. The contents of carotenoids, ß-carotene, and xanthophyll cycle pigments revealed that EC downregulated...

Growth and photosynthetic responses in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings of different provenances to watering regimes

C. Y. Yin, X. Y. Pang, A. D. Peuke, X. Wang, K. Chen, R. G. Gong

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):367-373 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0201-2

Seedlings from four provenances of Jatropha curcas were subjected to 80, 50, and 30% of soil field capacity in potted experiments in order to study their responses to water availability. Our results showed that with the decline of soil water availability, plant growth, biomass accumulation, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (E) decreased, whereas leaf carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), leaf pigment contents, and stomatal limitation value increased, while maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry was not affected. Our findings proved that stomatal limitation to photosynthesis...

Effect of diurnal irradiance on night-chilling tolerance of six rubber cultivars

Y. H. Tian, H. F. Yuan, J. Xie, J. W. Deng, X. S. Dao, Y. L. Zheng

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):374-380 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0192-z

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an important tropical crop with a high economic value that has been successfully cultivated in Xishuangbanna, China. Xishuangbanna has a long dry season (November-February) with cold nights and frequent fog events. Thus, it is important to select chilling-tolerant cultivars in order to understand better the role of fog in protecting rubber tree from chilling-induced photodamage. In this study, we examined the photosynthetic responses of six rubber tree cultivars (Lan 873, Yunyan 77-2, Yunyan 77-4, GT1, Reken 523, and Reyan 733-97) to night-chilling stress (0, 5, and 10°C) and two different irradiances...

Comparison of morphological and physiological characteristics in two phenotypes of a rare and endangered plant, Begonia fimbristipula Hance

Y. Wang, L. Shao, J. Wang, H. Ren, H. Liu, Q. M. Zhang, Q. F. Guo, X. W. Chen

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):381-389 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0199-5

The rare and endangered plant, Begonia fimbristipula, shows red and green phenotypes, differentiated by a coloration of the abaxial leaf surface. In this study, we compared morphological and physiological traits of both phenotypes. The results showed that the red phenotype contained a significantly higher chlorophyll content, closer arrangement of chloroplasts, and a more developed grana. In addition, the red phenotype transferred significantly more light energy into the electron transport during the photoreaction. Similarly, the maximum photosynthetic rate, instantaneous water-use and light-use efficiencies of the red B. fimbristipula...

Effect of shade on plant traits, gas exchange and chlorophyll content in four ramie cultivars

C. J. Huang, G. Wei, Y. C. Jie, J. J. Xu, S. A. Anjum, M. Tanveer

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):390-395 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0186-x

The objective of this study was to investigate a response to low-light environments in hybrids and commercial cultivars of Boehmeria nivea L. Two hybrids (Chuanzhu 11 and Chuanzhu 8) and two commercial cultivars (Chuanzhu 12 and Chuanzhu 6) of ramie were subjected to a shade treatment for 6, 12, and 18 days. The shade treatment led to a significant decrease in some plant traits and fiber yield in four ramie cultivars, whereas their leaf area and plant height increased. In addition, net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance significantly declined in response to shade, while transpiration rate and intercellular CO₂ did not significantly...

Responses of clonal growth and photosynthesis in Amomum villosum to different light environments

Y. H. Guo, C. Yuan, L. Tang, J. M. Peng, K. L. Zhang, G. Li, X. J. Ma

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):396-404 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0194-x

Clonal growth is of great importance for survival, growth, expansion, and resource utilization of some species. Knowing how clonal plants respond morphologically and physiologically to different light environments can be useful to explain their occurrence and abundance patterns under specific environmental conditions. Responses of clonal growth, leaf gas exchange, fluorescence emission, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations to different light environments (100, 60, 30, and 15%) were studied in Amomum villosum, grown in the traditional way for economic purpose in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. The results showed that A. villosum attained...

Structural and functional organization of the photosynthetic apparatus in halophytes with different strategies of salt tolerance

O. A. Rozentsvet, E. S. Bogdanova, L. A. Ivanova, L. A. Ivanov, G. N. Tabalenkova, I. G. Zakhozhiy, V. N. Nesterov

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):405-413 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0182-6

The specific features of the structural and functional organisation of the photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) were studied in wild halophytes representing three strategies of salt tolerance: euhalophyte Salicornia perennans, crynohalophyte Limonium gmelinii, and glycohalophyte Artemisia santonica. The sodium content in aboveground parts of the plants corresponded to the strategy of salt tolerance. The photosynthetic cells of the euhalophyte were large and contained a higher number of chloroplasts than those in other species. In contrast, the number of cells per a leaf area unit was lower in S. perennans as compared to cryno-...

Effects of drought stress on fluorescence characteristics of photosystem II in leaves of Plectranthus scutellarioides

L. L. Meng, J. F. Song, J. Wen, J. Zhang, J. H. Wei

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):414-421 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0191-0

Drought stress has multiple effects on the photosynthetic apparatus. Herein, we aimed to study the effect of drought stress on fluorescence characteristics of PSII in leaves of Plectranthus scutellarioides and explore potentially underlying mechanisms. Plants of P. scutellarioides were grown in a greenhouse and subjected to drought (DS, drought-stressed) or daily irrigation (control group). Leaf chlorophyll (Chl) index and induction kinetics curves of Chl a fluorescence and the JIP-test were used to evaluate effects of drought lasting for 20 d. Our results showed that both the leaf and soil relative water content decreased with...

Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis of high-yield rice (Oryza sativa L.) LYPJ during leaf senescence

Y. W. Wang, C. Xu, C. F. Lv, M. Wu, X. J. Cai, Z. T. Liu, X. M. Song, G. X. Chen, C. G. Lv

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):422-429 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0185-y

Photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry was examined by chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence analysis in high-yield rice LYPJ flag leaves during senescence. Parameters deduced from the JIP-test showed that inhibition of the donor side of PSII was greater than that of the acceptor side in hybrid rice LYPJ. The natural senescence process was accompanied by the increased inactivation of oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) and a lower total number of active reaction centers per absorption. It indicated that the inhibition of electron transport caused by natural senescence might be caused partly by uncoupling of the OEC and/or inactivation of PSII reaction centers....

Photosynthetic responses of the low intertidal macroalga Sargassum fusiforme (Sargassaceae) to saline stress

S. Gao, L. Huan, X. P. Lu, W. H. Jin, X. L. Wang, M. J. Wu, G. C. Wang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):430-437 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0181-7

Sargassum fusiforme, a species of brown seaweed with economic importance, inhabits lower intertidal zones where algae are often exposed to various stresses. In this study, changes in the photosynthetic performance of S. fusiforme under saline stress were investigated. The PSII performance in S. fusiforme significantly improved, when the thalli were exposed to 0% salinity, and remained high with prolonging treatment time. In contrast, the PSII activity declined considerably under salinities of 4.5 and 6%. The PSI activity did not change remarkably under saline stress, thus demonstrating higher tolerance to saline stress than PSII....

Differences in the photosynthetic efficiency and photorespiration of co-occurring Euphorbiaceae liana and tree in a Chinese savanna

S. B. Zhang, J. L. Zhang, K. F. Cao

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):438-445 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0188-8

Lianas perform better than co-occurring trees in secondary forests or disturbed areas. Lianas and trees differ strikingly in water use strategy, which may result in a significant difference in photosynthetic light use between both growth forms. However, the difference in the photosynthetic efficiency and light energy dissipation between these two growth forms is poorly understood. Moreover, photorespiration is an important mechanism of photoprotection under conditions of high light. In this study, we used Bridelia stipularis (Linn.) Bl. (liana) and Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl. (tree) in order to measure the response curves of the...

Molecular characterization of 5-chlorophyll a/b-binding protein genes from Panax ginseng Meyer and their expression analysis during abiotic stresses

J. Silva, Y. J. Kim, J. Sukweenadhi, S. Rahimi, W. S. Kwon, D. C. Yang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):446-458 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0189-7

The chlorophyll _a/b-binding protein (CAB) serves in both photosystems (PS), I and II, as a coordinator of antenna pigments in the light-harvesting complex (LHC). The CABs constitute abundant and important proteins in the thylakoid membrane of higher plants. In our study, five CAB genes, which contained full-length cDNA sequences from the 4-year-old ginseng leaves (Panax ginseng Meyer), were isolated and named PgCAB. Phylogenetic comparison of the members of the subfamily between ginseng and higher plants, including Arabidopsis, revealed that the putative functions of these ginseng CAB proteins were clustered into...

Photosynthetic characteristics and effects of exogenous glycine of Chorispora bungeana under drought stress

N. Yang, C. L. Wang, W. P. He, Y. Z. Qu, Y. S. Li

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):459-467 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0187-9

We investigated the photosynthetic characteristics of Chorispora bungeana under conditions of drought stress caused by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG; 0, 5, 20, and 40%) and various concentrations of exogenous glycine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mM) with 20% PEG. We showed that moderate and severe drought stress of PEG reduced the chlorophyll (Chl) content (both Chl a and b), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in light (Y_II), and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y_NPQ), while Chl a/b and quantum...

Influence of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on chlorophyll synthesis and related gene expression in oilseed rape de-etiolated cotyledons under water-deficit stress

D. Liu, D. D. Kong, X. K. Fu, B. Ali, L. Xu, W. J. Zhou

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):468-474 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0197-7

5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an essential precursor for the biosynthesis of tetrapyrrols such as heme and chlorophyll (Chl). Previous studies have focused mainly on promotive effects of exogenous ALA on plant growth, while regulatory mechanisms affecting Chl biosynthesis have been only partially discussed. In the present study, the ameliorative role of exogenous ALA was investigated on Chl and endogenous ALA biosynthesis in six-day-old etiolated oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cotyledons during the de-etiolation stage. We showed that exogenously applied ALA of a low dosage enhanced Chl and ALA accumulation in cotyledons, while 600 µM...

Effect of day/night temperature difference on chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters of tomato at fruit stage

X. K. Yuan

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):475-477 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0202-1

In order to investigate the effect of day/night temperature difference (DIF) on photosynthetic characteristics of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Jinguan 5) at fruit stage, an experiment was carried out in climate chambers. Five day/night temperature regimes (16/34, 19/31, 25/25, 31/19, and 34/16°C) with respective DIFs of -18, -12, 0, +12, and +18 were used and measured at mean daily temperature of 25°C. The results showed that chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g_s), maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), effective quantum...

Physiological and biochemical responses of roadside trees grown under different urban environmental conditions in Seoul

H. N. You, S. Y. Woo, C. R. Park

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):478-480 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0184-z

The present study revealed that Ginkgo biloba and Platanus occidentalis, the most abundant roadside trees in Seoul, grown under polluted environmental conditions, displayed lower contents of total chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoids (Car), and ascorbic acid (AsA) compared to the trees grown under clean conditions. The reduction in Chl, Car, and AsA contents was 59, 53, and 50%, respectively, in G. biloba, contrary to 26, 23, and 24%, respectively, in P. occidentalis. Furthermore, relative ion leakage and leaf temperature was higher in the trees grown under polluted conditions than in those grown under clean conditions. The increase...

Erratum to: Leaf area estimation in muskmelon by allometry

E. MISLE^*, B. KAHLAOUI, M. HACHICHA, P. ALVARADO

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):445

Erratum to: Leaf area estimation in muskmelon by allometry

E. Misle, B. Kahlaoui, M. Hachicha, P. Alvarado

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(3):445 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0244-4