Photosynthetica, 2019 (vol. 57), issue 3

Hydrogen sulfide regulates photosynthesis of tall fescue under low-light stress

Y.H. LIU, X.H. ZHANG, B.W. LIU, B. AO, Q. LIU, S.Y. WEN, Y.F. XU

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):714-723 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.094

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is regarded as gaseous signaling molecule in plant response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we investigated potential role of H₂S in modulating photosynthesis in low light (LL) stress-induced tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) seedlings. Results demonstrated that LL significantly reduced the plant height, leaf width, tiller number, dry mass, turf quality, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, transpiration rate, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical...

The anatomical, physiological, and molecular analysis of a chlorophyll-deficient mutant in tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)

Q.S. CHANG, L.X. ZHANG, X.G. HOU, Z. WANG, N. WANG, M.G. GONG, Q.M. ZHANG, H. CHEN, Z.Q. SHI, C.C. DENG

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):724-730 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.049

Tree peony is a famous ornamental plant in the world. However, little is known about the leaf color mutants in tree peony. The present study monitored the physiological and photosynthetic properties of a yellow leaf mutant (yl1) in tree peony. The results showed that the yl1 mutant had lower pigment contents, but increased chlorophyll (Chl) a/b and carotenoids to Chl ratio. Microstructure and ultrastructure analysis showed that the yl1 mutant had smaller chloroplasts, few thylakoid stacks, and a few stroma thylakoid membranes remained along with clusters of osmiophilic granules, which might result from inhibition...

Photosynthetic response of cabbage in cadmium-spiked soil

R. BĄCZEK-KWINTA, K. JUZOŃ, M. BOREK, J. ANTONKIEWICZ

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):731-739 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.070

Efficiency of a photosynthetic apparatus in plants growing in cadmium-spiked soil as well as plant biomass and cadmium accumulation were assessed in two cabbage cultivars (early and late) in a long-term pot experiment. Cadmium concentrations were 10 and 40 mg(Cd) per kg of dry mass of soil. The early cultivar showed a dose-dependent and stable decrease in SPAD index, while in plants of the late cultivar the response was reversible and less pronounced. A huge drop in the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, photochemical quenching, nonphotochemical quenching, and electron transport rate in the third week of vegetation indicated susceptibility...

Leaf wetting mitigates midday depression of photosynthesis in tomato plants

G. YOKOYAMA, D. YASUTAKE, T. TANIZAKI, M. KITANO

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):740-747 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.088

We studied the effects of leaf wetting on midday depression of photosynthesis regarding plant water balance and leaf morphological traits. The plants without leaf wetting showed a significant reduction in midday photosynthesis with a concomitant decrease with leaf conductance, because of lower leaf water potential (-1.3 MPa) due to excessive transpiration water loss. However, midday depression was not observed in the plants with leaf wetting. Lower contact angle between leaf surface and water droplet showed that tomato leaves have lower water repellency. However, water on the leaf surface completely dried within 20 min indicating that effect of water...

Effect of light on ultrastructure of chloroplasts and post-storage performance of Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangeaceae)

G. PELLEGRINO, I. PERROTTA, A.M. PALERMO

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):748-752 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.092

The plants of Hydrangea are normally stored in dark conditions during shipping. In this study, Hydrangea macrophylla plants were stored for 0-15 d in light or darkness to evaluate the effect of the storage duration and condition on the chloroplast ultrastructure and chlorophyll (Chl) content. Moreover, the plants stored in the dark were transferred to a growth chamber to evaluate their resilience. The plants stored in the dark showed a decrease in number of chloroplasts and starch grains, and granal and intergranal thylakoids with irregular morphology. On the contrary, the same leaves showed an increase of the number of plastoglubuli....

How glycine betaine induces tolerance of cucumber plants to salinity stress?

A. ESTAJI, H.M. KALAJI, H.R. KARIMI, H.R. ROOSTA, S.M. MOOSAVI-NEZHAD

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):753-761 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.053

The mechanism of osmoprotectant action on photosynthesis process is still not well known, especially under salt stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate and explain the effect of glycine betaine (GB) on photosynthetic efficiency and other physiological parameters of cucumber plants grown under salinity stress. Our results indicated that salinity decreased chlorophyll and carotenoids content, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ concentrations, and quantum yield parameters, such as probability that a trapped exciton moves an electron in to the electron transport chain beyond Q_A, quantum yield of electron transport from Q_A...

The long-term response of photosynthesis in walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaf to a leaf-to-fruit ratio

C.F. ZHANG, C.D. PAN, H. CHEN

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):762-771 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.079

For clarifying the relationship between a leaf-to-fruit ratio (LFR) and photosynthesis, LFR manipulation was performed with Juglans regia cv. Xinxin2 in order to test the photosynthesis response to LFR in source leaves. Results showed that LFR with one and two leaves was positively correlated with net photosynthetic rate (P_N), chlorophyll content, and specific leaf mass, implying extremely low LFR inhibited the leaf development. However, LFR with five leaves was negatively correlated with P_N, positively correlated with starch, but not related to intercellular CO₂ concentration, indicating the high...

Differential response of growth and photosynthesis in diverse cotton genotypes under hypoxia stress

R. PAN, W. JIANG, Q. WANG, L. XU, S. SHABALA, W.Y. ZHANG

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):772-779 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.087

The objectives of the present study were to compare the dynamic of the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of cotton varieties contrasting in waterlogging (WL) tolerance when subjected to hypoxia stress. The growth of the WL-sensitive genotypes was notably inhibited by WL, mainly as a result of a significant reduction in the net photosynthesis (P_N) after two days of hypoxia treatment; in the tolerant varieties, no significant changes in P_N were observed until 8 d after hypoxia onset. The intercellular CO₂ concentration and maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII significantly declined, and the...

Photoprotection in heteromorphic leaves of savin juniper (Juniperus sabina L.)

J.L. ZHANG, X.H. XU, X.G. LI, Y.L. LI, R.D. GUY, H.P. CHEN

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):780-787 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.097

Savin juniper has green, photosynthetic branchlets with scale and/or needle leaves and these heteromorphic forms may contribute differentially to its success in open, arid environments. To test differences in photoprotection between fully sun-exposed scale-holding branchlets (SHB) and needle-holding branchlets (NHB), we measured gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and pigment concentrations. NHB had higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water-use efficiency. In contrast, SHB had higher nonphotochemical quenching. Chl a, Chl b, and antheraxanthin concentrations were higher in NHB. SHB had higher...

Differences in light response characteristics of oil peonies from eight provenances in China

S.Y. WEI, Q.H. LEI, W.L. JI, R. FAN, D.Y. YANG, Y.L. ZHANG

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):788-795 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.058

Two tree peony species, Paeonia ostii and Paeonia rockii, from eight different provenances in China (four provenances for each species) were collected for their photosynthetic characteristics. Their diurnal variations of photosynthesis, the light- and CO₂-response curves and chlorophyll content were determined. Among all eight provenances, Ziwuling P. rockii had a significantly higher average daily net photosynthetic rate, showing a superior photosynthetic capacity, followed by Fengxiang P. ostii and Xunyang P. ostii. In addition, Ziwuling P. rockii had the highest maximum net photosynthetic rates,...

Light-response curve of photosynthesis and model fitting in leavesof Mangifera indica under different soil water conditions

Y.L. LI, X.G. LIU, K. HAO, Q.L. YANG, X.Q. YANG, W.H. ZHANG, Y. CONG

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):796-803 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.095

A pot experiment was performed to study the light-response curve of photosynthesis (P_N-PAR curve) of Mangifera indica and the applicability of light-response models under different soil water conditions. The experimental data were fitted and analyzed using the rectangular hyperbola model, the nonrectangular hyperbola model, the exponential model, the modified rectangular hyperbola model, and the kinetic model. The results showed that the optimal range of relative soil water content (RSWC) for the normal photosynthesis of M. indica was 45.1-77.3%. The modified rectangular hyperbola model could well fit the P_N-PAR...

Light-response characteristics of photosynthesis of drip-irrigated sugar beet under different nitrogen fertilizer managements

C. FEI, J.X. SU, Y.Y. LI, Z.F. LI, K.Y. WANG, H. FAN, F.Y. MA

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):804-811 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.089

Effects of two split application ratios of nitrogen fertilizer (R1: half of the total nitrogen fertilizer was applied on 13 June, and the rest was applied on 1 July; R2: two equal amounts of N fertilizer accounting for 70% of total were applied on 15 June and 1 July, respectively, and the rest was applied on 1 August) and three N fertilizer application rates (75, 150, and 225 kg ha^-1) on chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, and root yield of sugar beets were studied. The results showed that with N fertilizer application rates of 150 and 225 kg ha^-1, R2 treatment significantly decreased light-compensation point,...

Melatonin confers drought stress tolerance in soybean (Glycine max L.) by modulating photosynthesis, osmolytes, and reactive oxygen metabolism

L. CAO, X.J. JIN, Y.X. ZHANG

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):812-819 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.100

In order to investigate the role of melatonin in the drought tolerance, we examined pigments, gas exchange, osmolytes, and reactive oxygen radical metabolism in soybean plants. Drought declined photosynthetic pigments and caused irreversible reduction in net photosynthesis, which was followed by stomatal limitation for 5 and 10 d and nonstomatal limitation for 15 d. Soluble sugar, soluble proteins, and proline concentrations were higher in drought-stressed seedlings compared with the control. The contents of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde increased during drought stress indicating oxidative stress. Drought stress also increased...

Irrigation improves plant vitality in specific stages of mango tree development according to photosynthetic efficiency

L. FARIA-SILVA, C. Z. GALLON, P. R. FILGUEIRAS, D. M. SILVA

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):820-829 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.091

The plant fruiting process requires more energy and availability of soil water. Consequently, identifying the appropriate time for additional water supplying for cultivation of mango is an important part of successful crop handling for production of fruit with high quality. Therefore, we studied effects of additional water supplied by irrigation on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in a field experiment during phenological stages of Mangifera indica L. cv. Ubá. Our results showed that the irrigation at specific periods of plant development improved fluorescence parameters (resulting in high values of the performance index), preventing damage...

Long-term high light stress induces leaf senescence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Y.N. LIU, Q.Z. XU, W.C. LI, X.H. YANG, Q. ZHENG, B. LI, Z.S. LI, H.W. LI

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):830-840 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.086

In order to explore the association of long-term high light (HL) with leaf senescence in wheat, two wheat genotypes Xiaoyan 54 (HL-tolerant) and Jing 411 (HL-sensitive) grown in low light were subjected to HL for 2-8 d. The results showed that 6-8 d of HL led to dramatic decline of chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency, and activity of Rubisco and antioxidant enzymes. Meanwhile, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble proteins, soluble sugars, superoxide anion, and ascorbic acid increased markedly. Additionally, the expression of senescence-associated genes (SAGs) was induced by HL. Xiaoyan 54 accumulated less MDA, soluble sugars,...

Sensitivity of wild and domesticated Rhododendron chrysanthum to different light regime (UVA, UVB, and PAR)

J. LYU, C. WANG, D.Y. LIANG, L. LIU, L.K. PANDEY, H.W. XU, X.F. ZHOU

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):841-849 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.098

Effects of UV radiation on photosynthetic capacity of wild and domesticated Rhododendron chrysanthum were compared by applying PAR (P), P + UVA (PA), and P + UVA + UVB (PAB) radiation for 3 d, respectively. Results showed that photosynthetic activity of two R. chrysanthum types was not affected by UVA but inhibited by UVB, and the inhibitory effects of UVB were dose-dependent. Changes in nonphotochemical quenching suggest that the range of photosynthetic capacity is ranked as follows: 24-48 h of UVB dose < wild type < 72 h of UVB dose < domesticated type, indicating that the wild type initiated photoprotective function in response...

Physiological and molecular responses of maize (Zea mays L.) plants to drought and rehydration

P.Yu. VORONIN, S.N. MAEVSKAYA, M.K. NIKOLAEVA

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):850-856 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.101

Physiological and molecular responses of maize seedlings (Zea mays L. cv. Troinaya sladost) to 5-d drought and rehydration for 48 h were investigated. Plant water status was determined by a new method of water potential measurement in mesophyll cells' apoplast in substomatal cavity (ψ_wa). Drought caused the changes in water status, plant growth, the rates of photosynthetic CO₂/H₂O gas exchange, and metabolism of carbohydrates and proline. The increase in carbohydrate and proline content under drought was observed simultaneously with the decline in ψ_wa. Rewatering of seedlings for 24 and 48...

Influence of shading on photosynthesis and antioxidative activities of enzymes in apple trees

Y.J. LIU, W. ZHANG, Z.B. WANG, L. MA, Y.P. GUO, X.L. REN, L.X. MEI

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):857-865 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.081

This study investigated the effects of shading on photosynthesis in 3-year-old potted apple trees. The trees were grown either in full sunlight or in a shade environment with about 50% of sunlight filtered through black plastic nets. Under the shade conditions, the net photosynthetic rate (P_N), the stomatal conductance, the transpiration rate, and the intercellular CO₂ concentration decreased before midday, which was due to low light energy but the P_N of the shaded trees increased relative to the control trees during the afternoon. In addition, the concentrations of chlorophyll (Chl) a, b,...

Proteomic analysis of chloroplasts from chlorophyll-deficient melon mutant

C.M. ZHAO, J.Z. CUI, X.G. LI, B.J. CHEN, R.R. JIN, Z.Y. YU

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):866-874 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.078

We aimed to understand the molecular-level changes occurring in the photosynthetic metabolic network in mutant chloro-plasts. We performed comparative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry protein profiling of wild-type (WT) and chlorophyll-deficient melon (Cucumis melo L.) mutants. We identified 390 differentially expressed proteins and 81 shared proteins varied significantly in abundance, of which 76 were upregulated and 5 were downregulated. Differentially expressed proteins were involved in the following biological processes: binding, catalytic, structural, transporter, and antioxidant activities. The mutant had 6.08-fold higher expression...

Carbon assimilation in oak (Quercus spp.) populations under acute and chronic high-temperature stress

R. HORAK, M. ŽUPUNSKI, S. PAJEVIĆ, M. BORIŠEV, D. ARSENOV, N. NIKOLIĆ, S. ORLOVIĆ

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):875-889 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.090

This study tried to evaluate the influence of high temperatures (HT) on carbon assimilation of two oak species (Quercus cerris and Quercus robur). The screening of their populations, which are assumed to have a different resistance and acclimatization potential to adverse environmental conditions, can provide essential information for its implementation in reforestation strategies. By employing principal component analysis, the aim was to determine the most variable physiological characteristics of plants exposed to extremely HT during vegetation periods. After 2 d of HT treatment, a significant decline of photosynthetic and transpiration...

Physiological characterization and thylakoid ultrastructure analysis in super high-yield hybrid rice leaves under drought stress

Y.W. WANG, D.X. JIANG, J.J. HOU, G.X. CHEN

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):890-896 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.106

Rice serves for more than a third of the world's population. However, drought stress (DS) affects its growth and yield. In order to understand plant drought adaptability, we explored the physiological and thylakoid ultrastructural alteration in super high-yield hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu (LYPJ) under DS. Results showed that DS altered the thylakoid ultrastructure; twisted and fractured stroma thylakoids and more starch granules in chloroplast of LYPJ were present. Also, DS lowered chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in LYPJ after 7 d. DS reduced the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in thylakoid membranes and increased the content of linoleic...

Relationship between leaf gas-exchange characteristics and the performance of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. seedlings subjected to salt stress

M. GORAI, R. BEN ROMDHANE, M. MARAGHNI, M. NEFFATI

Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):897-903 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.093

Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd., known as Christ's thorn jujube, is a multipurpose species of the Rhamnaceae family. Seedlings were subjected to various NaCl concentrations (0 to 200 mM) for 21 d. They grew well under control conditions, however, biomass production and relative growth rate decreased with increasing NaCl salinity. This decline in growth was closely associated with a reduction in photosynthetic characteristics and plant water relations. However, the intrinsic water-use efficiency significantly increased as salt stress intensified. The relative water content declined although it still maintained high values (≥ 57%). At high salinity,...