Developmental regulation of photosynthate distribution in leaves of rice

T. Shinano, K. Nakajima, J. Wasaki, H. Mori, T. Zheng, M. Osaki

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):1-10 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0151-6

mRNA expression patterns of genes for metabolic key enzymes sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), pyruvate kinase, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, glutamine synthetase 1, and glutamine synthetase 2 were investigated in leaves of rice plants grown at two nitrogen (N) supplies (N_0.5, N_3.0). The relative gene expression patterns were similar in all leaves except for 9^th leaf, in which mRNA levels were generally depressed. Though increased N supply prolonged the expression period of each mRNA, it did not affect the relative expression intensity of any mRNA in a...

Morpho-anatomical and physiological leaf traits of two alpine herbs, Podophyllum hexandrum and Rheum emodi in the Western Himalaya under different irradiances

S. Pandey, N. Kumar, R. Kushwaha

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):11 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0152-5

Morpho-anatomical leaf traits and photosynthetic activity of two alpine herbs, Podophyllum hexandrum (shade-tolerant) and Rheum emodi (light-requiring), were studied under field (PAR>2 000 µmol m^-2 s^-1) and greenhouse (PAR 500 µmol m^-2 s^-1) conditions. Mesophyll thickness, surface area of mesophyll cells facing intercellular spaces (S_mes), surface area of chloroplasts facing intercellular spaces (S_c), intercellular spaces of mesophyll cells (porosity), photon-saturated rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area (P _Nmax), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate...

Photosynthetic and morphological functional types for native species from mixed prairie in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada

R. Z. Wang, X. Q. Liu, Y. Bai

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):17-25 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0153-4

Photosynthetic pathways (e.g. C₃, C₄) and morphological functional types (e.g. trees, shrubs, high perennial grasses, perennial forbs) were identified for the native species from the Saskatchewan mixed prairie, using the data from references published between 1950 and 2003. Of the total 219 identified species in 145 genera and 45 families, 208 species in 137 genera and 44 families were found with C₃ photosynthesis, and most of these species are dominants (e.g. Agropyron dasystachyum Hook. and Stipa spartea var. curtiseta Hitchc.). 11 species in 10 genera and 3 families were identified...

Diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and xanthophyll cycle components of maize hybrids released in different years

L. Ding, K. J. Wang, G. M. Jiang, Y. G. Li, C. D. Jiang, M. Z. Liu, S. L. Niu, Y. Peng

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):26-31 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0154-3

Diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and xanthophyll cycle components of three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids released in different years, i.e. Baimaya (1950s), Zhongdan2 (1970s), and Nongda108 (1990s), were compared. On cloudless days, the newer hybrids always had higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N), especially at noon, than the older ones. At noon, all the hybrids decreased their maximal yield of photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and actual quantum yield of PS2 (Φ_PS2), the newer ones always showing higher values. Generally, the newer hybrids...

Changes in photosynthesis and fluorescence in response to flooding in emerged and submerged leaves of Pouteria orinocoensis

M. D. Fernandez

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):32-38 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0155-2

In the seasonally flooded forest of the Mapire River, a tributary of the Orinoco, seedlings remain totally covered by flood water for over six months. In order to characterize the physiological response to flooding and submergence, seedlings of the tree Pouteria orinocoensis, an important component of the forest vegetation, were subjected experimentally to flooding. Flooding was imposed gradually, the maximum level of flood including submerged and emerged leaves. After 45 d a severe reduction of net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) was observed in emerged leaves, whereas leaf water...

Apparent carboxylation efficiency and relative stomatal and mesophyll limitations of photosynthesis in an evergreen cerrado species during water stress

J. A. F. Monteiro, C. H. B. A. Prado

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):39-45 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0156-1

Miconia albicans, a common evergreen cerrado species, was studied under field conditions. Leaf gas exchange and pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψ_pd) were determined during wet and dry seasons. The potential photosynthetic capacity (P_Npmax) and the apparent carboxylation efficiency (ε) dropped in the dry season to 28.0 and 0.7 %, respectively, of the maximum values in the wet season. The relative mesophyll (L_m) and stomatal (L_s) limitations of photosynthesis increased, respectively, from 24 and 44 % in the wet season to 79 and 57 % at the peak of the dry season when mean Ψ_pd...

Partial compensation in Psychotria marginata (Rubiaceae) after simulated defoliation increases photon capture and photosynthesis

D. Galvez, A. Cohen-Fernandez

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):46-52 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0157-0

We used Y-plant, a computer-based model of plant crown architecture analysis, to simulate effects of defoliation on daily canopy carbon gain in Psychotria marginata (Rubiaceae) plants under two contrasting irradiances. Five levels of defoliation were simulated using two different types of leaf blade damage. Compensatory increases in photon-saturated photosynthetic capacity (P_max) of 25, 50, and 100 % defoliation were also simulated. In all simulations daily photon capture and CO₂ assimilation increased with defoliation. However, without a compensatory response, daily canopy carbon gain also decreased with defoliation....

Photoautotrophic micropropagation of Spathiphyllum

J. A. Teixeira Da Silva, D. D. T. Giang, M. Tanaka

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):53-61 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0158-z

In order to maximize yield, Spathiphyllum, an ornamental plant, was cultured in vitro in novel culture vessels termed Vitron. The best growth was obtained by culturing plantlets on sugar-free liquid medium under CO₂ enrichment (3 000 µmol mol^-1 24 h^-1 d^-1) at a low photon flux density (PPFD of 45 µmol m^-2 s^-1), suggesting that the novel Vitron culture system is suitable for the photoautotrophic micropropagation of Spathiphyllum.

Photosynthetic responses of Populus przewalski subjected to drought stress

C. Y. Yin, F. Berninger, C. Y. Li

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):62-68 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0159-y

Cuttings of P. przewalski were exposed to two different watering regimes which were watered to 100 and 25 % of field capacity (WW and WS, respectively). Drought stress not only significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2) (F_v/F_m and yield), and increased intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i) under controlled optimal conditions, but also altered the diurnal changes of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and WUE_i. On the other hand, WS also affected the P...

Submergence effects on rice genotypes during seedling stage: Probing of submergence driven changes of photosystem 2 by chlorophyll a fluorescence induction O-J-I-P transients

D. Panda, D. N. Rao, S. G. Sharma, R. J. Strasser, R. K. Sarkar

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):69-75 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0200-1

The effects of submergence on chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence were compared in seven Oryza sativa (L.) cultivars, namely FR 13A, Khoda, Khadara, Kalaputia (tolerant), Sabita, and Hatipanjari (avoiding type), and IR 42 (susceptible). Seedlings were submerged for 4 d under complete darkness. Oxygen concentration of flood water decreased with the period of submergence with concomitant increase in concentration of carbon dioxide. Submergence caused diminution in the amount of total Chl. Genotypic differences were observed for Chl content and survival percentage. Quantification of the Chl a fluorescence transients (JIP-test) revealed...

Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content in field-grown potato as affected by nitrogen supply, genotype, and plant age

G. Mauromicale, A. Ierna, M. Marchese

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):76 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0161-4

Field experiments were conducted in Sicily (south Italy) to assess chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters in response of potato crop to nitrogen dose, to variation in genotype and in plant age, and to detect relationships between Chl content, fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m, and tuber yield. The experiment included five nitrogen doses (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g m^-2) and four genotypes (Spunta, Sieglinde, Daytona, and Igea). Chl fluorescence parameters (initial fluorescence, F₀, maximum fluorescence, F_m, variable fluorescence, F_v, F_v/F_m, T_max (the time required...

Red region excitation spectra of protochlorophyllide in dark-grown leaves from plant species with different proportions of its spectral forms

M. R. Amirjani, C. Sundqvist

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):83-92 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0162-3

Etiolated leaves of three different species, maize, wheat, and pea, as well as a pea mutant (lip1) were used to compare the excitation spectra of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) in the red region. The species used have different composition of short-wavelength and long-wavelength Pchlide forms. The relation between different forms was furthermore changed through incubating the leaves in 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which caused an accumulation of short-wavelength Pchlide forms, as shown by changes in absorption and fluorescence spectra. This is the first time a comprehensive comparison is made between excitation spectra from different species...

Interactions between nitrogen fertilization and ozone in watermelon cultivar Reina de Corazones in open-top chambers. Effects on chlorophyll a fluorescence, lipid peroxidation, and yield

A. Calatayud, F. Pomares, E. Barreno

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):93-101 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0163-2

Watermelon (Citrillus lanatus) plants were grown for two consecutive years in open-top chambers with three different ozone concentrations (O₃-free air, O₃ ambient, and air with additional O₃; CFA, NFA, and NFA+O₃) and three nitrogen fertilizer concentrations [0, 14.0, and 29.6 g N per pot; N0, N1, and N2). There was an interaction between ozone and N fertilizer for the major parameters studied. O₃ and N2 treatments led to a significant decrease in maximum efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry (F_v/F_m), and induced a significant decrease in the actual quantum...

Characterization of photosynthetic pathway of plant species growing in the eastern Tibetan plateau using stable carbon isotope composition

M. C. Li, H. Y. Liu, X. F. Yi, L. X. Li

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):102 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0164-1

The photosynthetic pathway of plant species collected at Menyuan, Henan, and Maduo sites, east of Tibetan Plateau, China, during the growing season were studied using stable carbon isotopes in leaves. The 232 samples leaves analyzed belonged to 161 species, 30 families, and 94 genera. The δ¹³C values (from -24.6 to - 29.2 ‰) indicated that all the considered species had a photosynthetic C₃ pathway. The absence of plant species with C₄ photosynthetic pathway might be due to the extremely low air temperature characterizing the Tibetan Plateau. The average δ¹³C value was significantly (p<0.05)...

Relationship between δ¹³C and photosynthetic parameters and their responses to leaf nitrogen content in six broadleaf tree species

S. X. Zheng, Z. P. Shangguan

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):109 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0165-0

Stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), actual quantum yield of photosystem 2 (PS2) electron transport (ΦPS2), nitrogen content (N_c), and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) in the leaves of six broadleaf tree species were determined under field environmental conditions. The six tree species were Magnolia liliflora Desr., M. grandiflora Linn., M. denudata Desr., Prunus mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc. cv. Meiren Men, P. mume (Sieb.) Sieb. et Zucc. f. alphandii (Carr.) Rehd., and P. persica (L.) Batsch....

Radiation inactivation analysis of thylakoid protein kinase systems in light and in darkness

S. C. Lee, L. F. Chien, R. C. Van, Y. Y. Hsiao, J. L. Hong, R. L. Pan

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):116-124 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0166-z

Chloroplast thylakoid contains several membrane-bound protein kinases that phosphorylate thylakoid polypeptides for the regulation of photosynthesis. Thylakoid protein phosphorylation is activated when the plastoquinone pool is reduced either by light-dependent electron flow through photosystem 2 (PS2) or by adding exogenous reductants such as durohydroquinone in the dark. The major phosphorylated proteins on thylakoid are components of light-harvesting complex 2 (LHC2) and a PS2 associated 9 kDa phosphoprotein. Radiation inactivation technique was employed to determine the functional masses of various kinases for protein phosphorylation in thylakoids....

Influence of water stress on leaf photosynthetic characteristics in wheat cultivars differing in their susceptibility to drought

D. Subrahmanyam, N. Subash, A. Haris, A. K. Sikka

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):125 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0167-y

A gradual reduction in leaf water potential (Ψ_leaf), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate was observed in two drought tolerant (C 306 and K 8027) and two susceptible (RW 893 and 899) genotypes subjected to water stress. The extent of reduction was lower in K 8027 and C 306 and higher in RW 893 and RW 899. Rewatering the plants after 5 d of stress restored P _N and other gas exchange traits in all four cultivars. Water stress had no significant effect on variable to maximum fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m) indicating that water stress had no effect...

Canopy CO₂ concentrations and Crassulacean acid metabolism in Hoya carnosa in a subtropical rain forest in Taiwan: consideration of CO₂ availability and the evolution of CAM in epiphytes

C. C. Hsu, T. C. Lin, W. L. Chiou, S. H. Lin, K. C. Lin, C. E. Martin

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):130 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0168-x

The potential importance of CO₂ derived from host tree respiration at night as a substrate for night time CO₂ uptake during CAM was investigated in the subtropical and tropical epiphytic vine Hoya carnosa in a subtropical rainforest in north-eastern Taiwan. Individuals were examined within the canopies of host trees in open, exposed situations, as well as in dense forests. Although night time CO₂ concentrations were higher near the epiphytic vines at night, relative to those measured during the day, presumably the result of CO₂ added to the canopy air by the host tree, no evidence for substantial use...

Book Review

J. Kobliha

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):159 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0175-y

Photosynthetic response of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle from different altitudes in Himalayan ranges

S. K. Vats, S. Kumar

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):136 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0169-9

Plants of Podophyllum hexandrum, collected from lower, mid, and upper distribution limits in alpine Himalaya were studied under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the photosynthetic response. Net photosynthetic rates (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and efficiency of carbon uptake increased with altitude. The maximum P _N and g _s were measured in the considered population during the 3-6^th week of development. P _N and g _s decreased on an average by 58 and 48 % from maximum rates reached around 4^th week to the 10^th...

Effects of different nitrogen forms on photosynthetic rate and the chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics of flue-cured tobacco

H. X. Guo, W. Q. Liu, Y. C. Shi

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):140-142 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0170-3

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of tobacco plants grown with NH₄-N as the only N source was the lowest all the times, while P _N grown only with NO₃-N was the greatest until 22^nd day, and P _N grown with both NO₃-N and NH₄-N (1 : 1) was the greatest. Maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2), F_v/F_m, and actual quantum yield of PS2 under actinic irradiation (Φ_PS2) in plants grown with only NH₄-N were greatest at early stage and then decreased and were smaller than those of other treatments....

Photosynthetic responses and proline content of mature and young leaves of sunflower plants under water deficit

I. Cechin, S. C. Rossi, V. C. Oliveira, T. F. Fumis

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):143 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0171-2

In mature and young leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Catissol-01) plants grown in the greenhouse, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate declined during water stress independently of leaf age and recovered after 24-h rehydration. The intercellular CO₂ concentration, chlorophyll (Chl) content, and photochemical activity were not affected by water stress. However, non-photochemical quenching increased in mature stressed leaves. Rehydration recovered the levels of non-photochemical quenching and increased the F_v/F_m in young leaves. Drought did not alter the total Chl content....

Newly-formed photosynthates and the respiration rate of girdled stems of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.)

W. J. Wang, Y. G. Zu, H. M. Wang, X. Y. Li, T. Hirano, T. Koike

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):147-150 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0172-1

A stem-girdling experiment was carried out on an evergreen conifer, the Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.), in mid summer in Northeast China. A 50 % higher respiration rate at the upper part of the stem was observed 3 d after stem girdling, and a stable higher rate (1.2-2.8 times) one week later. However, no higher soluble sugar or starch contents were found in the upper bark of the girdled stems in measurements over three weeks. These findings indicate that most of the newly-formed photosynthates were consumed by the high respiratory activity; this is also implied by the strong correlation between the photosynthetic photon...

Effect of water deficit on photosynthetic and other physiological responses in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) plants

M. Bertamini, L. Zulini, K. Muthuchelian, N. Nedunchezhian

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):151-154 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0173-0

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling) plants subjected to water deficit were studied for changes in relative water content (RWC), leaf dry mass, contents of chlorophyll (Chl), total leaf proteins, free amino acids, and proline, and activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC), nitrate reductase (NR), and protease. In water-stressed plants RWC, leaf dry matter, Chl content, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), and RuBPC and NR activities were significantly decreased. The total leaf protein content also declined with increase in the accumulation of free amino acids. Concurrently, the protease activity in the...

Carbon isotope composition as a tool to control the quality of herbs and medicinal plants

J. A. Marchese, L. C. Ming, C. Ducatti, F. Broetto, E. T. Da Silva, M. Leonardo

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(1):155-159 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-005-0174-z

Isotope screening is a simple test for determining the photosynthetic pathway used by plants. The scope of this work was to classify the photosynthetic type of some herbs and medicinal plants through studies of the carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C). Also, we propose the use of carbon isotope composition as a tool to control the quality of herbs and medicinal plants. For studies of δ¹³C, δ¹³C‰ = [R (sample)/R (standard) - 1] × 10^-3, dry leaves powdered in cryogenic mill were analyzed in a mass spectrometer coupled with an elemental analyzer for determining the ratio R = ¹³CO₂/¹²CO₂....