Elevated CO₂ and temperature differentially affect photosynthesis and resource allocation in flag and penultimate leaves of wheat

P. Pérez, G. Zita, R. Morcuende, R. Martínez-Carrasco

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):9-17 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0002-8

Differences in acclimation to elevated growth CO₂ (700 µmol mol^-1, EC) and elevated temperature (ambient +4 °C, ET) in successive leaves of wheat were investigated in field chambers. At a common measurement CO₂, EC increased photosynthesis and the quantum yield of electron transport (Φ) early on in the growth of penultimate leaves, and later decreased them. In contrast, EC did not change photosynthesis, and increased Φ at later growth stages in the flag leaf. Contents of chlorophyll (Chl), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO), and total soluble protein were initially higher and subsequently...

δ¹³C values, photosynthetic pathways, and plant functional types for some plants from saline meadows, Northeastern China

R. Z. Wang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):18-22 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0003-7

Based on stable carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C) measurements, photosynthetic pathway types were determined for 61 species in 54 genera and 24 families of flowering plants from the saline meadows of Northeastern China. Of these total vascular plants, 18 species in 17 genera from 6 families were found to have C₄ photosynthesis; 43 species in 38 genera from 20 families had C₃ photosynthesis. Six dicotyledonous species exhibited C₄ pathway, 12 monocotyledonous species were found with C₄ photosynthesis. The dicotyledonous C₄ species had relative greater mean δ¹³C value...

Short-term responses of photosynthetic membrane lipids and photochemical efficiency in plants of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata submitted to high irradiance

L. C. S. Ferreira, R. Bressan-Smith, T. F. Elias, F. F. Silva, L. H. Viana, J. G. Oliveira

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):23 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0004-6

Primary leaves of young plants of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Carioca and Negro Huasteco) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp cv. Epace 10) were exposed to high irradiance (HI) of 2 000 µmol m^-2 s^-1 for 10, 20, and 30 min. The initial fluorescence (F₀) was nearly constant in response to HI in each genotype except for Carioca. A distinct reduction of maximum fluorescence (F_m) was clearly observed in stressed genotypes of beans after 20 min followed by a slight recovery for the longer stress times. In common bean, the maximum quantum yield (F_v/F_m) was reduced...

Variations in daytime net carbon and water exchange in a montane shrubland ecosystem in southeast Spain

P. Serrano-Ortiz, A. S. Kowalski, F. Domingo, A. Rey, E. Pegoraro, L. Villagarcía, L. Alados-Arboledas

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):30-35 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0005-5

Carbon and water fluxes in a semiarid shrubland ecosystem located in the southeast of Spain (province of Almería) were measured continuously over one year using the eddy covariance technique. We examined the influence of environmental variables on daytime (photosynthetically active photons, F _P >10 µmol m^-2 s^-1) ecosystem gas exchange and tested the ability of an empirical eco-physiological model based on F _P to estimate carbon fluxes over the whole year. The daytime ecosystem fluxes showed strong seasonality. During two solstitial periods, summer with warm temperatures (>15 °C)...

Phenolic acclimation to ultraviolet-A irradiation in Eucalyptus nitens seedlings raised across a nutrient environment gradient

D. C. Close, C. McArthur, A. E. Hagerman, N. W. Davies, C. L. Beadle

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):36-42 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0006-4

We investigated the effects of long-term acclimation of Eucalyptus nitens seedlings to ultraviolet-A (UV-A) irradiation (320-400 nm) on phenolic compounds (gallotannins, stilbenes, and flavonols), photochemical efficiency, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Seedlings were raised under four nutrient regimes, ranging from low to high application rates, in an environment that included or excluded UV-A irradiance. Our aims were: to classify phenolic compounds that absorb in the UV-A and their relative contribution to total UV-A absorption; to identify how phenolic compounds respond to UV-A exposure and exclusion, and to determine how plant...

Intrinsic changes in photosynthetic parameters of carrot leaves under increasing CO₂ concentrations and soil moisture regimes

A. Thiagarajan, R. R. Lada

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):43-50 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0007-3

A controlled growth chamber experiment was conducted to investigate the short-term water use and photosynthetic responses of 30-d-old carrot seedlings to the combined effects of CO₂ concentration (50-1 050 µmol mol^-1) and moisture deficits (-5, -30, -55, and -70 kPa). The photosynthetic response data was fitted to a non-rectangular hyperbola model. The estimated parameters were compared for effects of moisture deficit and elevated CO₂ concentration (EC). The carboxylation efficiency (α) increased in response to mild moisture stress (-30 kPa) under EC when compared to the unstressed control. However, moderate...

Elevated CO₂ mitigates the adverse effects of drought on daytime net ecosystem CO₂ exchange and photosynthesis in a Florida scrub-oak ecosystem

J. H. Li, D. P. Johnson, P. Dijkstra, B. A. Hungate, C. R. Hinkle, B. G. Drake

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):51-58 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0008-2

Drought is a normal, recurrent feature of climate. In order to understand the potential effect of increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration (C _a) on ecosystems, it is essential to determine the combined effects of drought and elevated C _a (EC) under field conditions. A severe drought occurred in Central Florida in 1998 when precipitation was 88 % less than the average between 1984 and 2002. We determined daytime net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) before, during, and after the drought in the Florida scrub-oak ecosystem exposed to doubled C _a in open-top chamber since May 1996....

Photosynthetic responses of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) to photosynthetic photon flux density, leaf temperature, and CO₂ concentration

F. L. Wang, H. Wang, G. Wang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):59-64 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0009-1

Two cultivars (Katy and Erhuacao) of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) were evaluated under open-field and solar-heated greenhouse conditions in northwest China, to determine the effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), leaf temperature, and CO₂ concentration on the net photosynthetic rate (P _N). In greenhouse, Katy registered 28.3 µmol m^-2 s^-1 for compensation irradiance and 823 µmol m^-2 s^-1 for saturation irradiance, which were 73 and 117 % of those required by Erhuacao, respectively. The optimum temperatures for cvs. Katy and Erhuacao were 25 and...

Effect of chromium on photosystem 2 in the unicellular green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Z. T. Hörcsik, L. Kovács, R. Láposi, I. Mészáros, G. Lakatos, G. Garab

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):65-69 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0010-8

We investigated the effect of chromium (20-40 g m^-3, 8-72 h) on the photosystem 2 (PS2) activities of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells. By using chlorophyll fluorescence transients, thermoluminescence, oxygen polarography, and Western blot analysis for D1 protein we found that inhibition of PS2 can be accounted for by the enhanced photodestruction of the reaction centres in the cells cultivated in the presence of Cr(VI) at 25 °C in "white light" (18 W m^-2). Hence photodestruction of D1 is caused by an enhanced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, as indicated by the appearance of a high-temperature thermoluminescence band.

Different photosynthetic responses of wild and cultivated plants to high irradiance

N. Kumar, S. Kumar, P. S. Ahuja

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):70-74 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0011-7

In addition to other factors, high altitude (HA) environment is characterized by high photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Photosynthetic characteristics of wild and cultivated plants were studied at different irradiances at Losar, India (altitude 4 200 m). Wild plants were tolerant to high PPFDs. Slopes of curve between net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) or stomatal conductance (g _s) increased with increase in irradiance suggesting insensitivity or tolerance of these plants to higher PPFD. Cultivated plants, however, were sensitive to higher...

Differential inhibition of photosynthesis under drought stress in Flaveria species with different degrees of development of the C₄ syndrome

M. C. Dias, W. Brüggemann

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):75-84 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0012-6

The effect of drought stress (DS) on photosynthesis and photosynthesis-related enzyme activities was investigated in F. pringlei (C₃), F. floridana (C₃-C₄), F. brownii (C₄-like), and F. trinervia (C₄) species. Stomatal closure was observed in all species, probably being the main cause for the decline in photosynthesis in the C₃ species under ambient conditions. In vitro ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and stromal fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (sFBP) activities were sufficient to interpret the net photosynthetic rates (P...

Is photosynthetic acclimation to free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) related to a strong competition for the assimilatory power between carbon assimilation and nitrogen assimilation in rice leaf?

Z. H. Yong, G. Y. Chen, D. Y. Zhang, Y. Chen, J. Chen, J. G. Zhu, D. Q. Xu

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):85-91 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0013-5

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of leaves grown under free-air CO₂ enriched condition (FACE, about 200 µmol mol^-1 above ambient air) was significantly lower than P _N of leaves grown at ambient CO₂ concentration (AC) when measured at CO₂ concentration of 580 µmol mol^-1. This difference was found in rice plants grown at normal nitrogen supply (25 g m^-2; NN-plants) but not in plants grown at low nitrogen supply (15 g m^-2; LN-plants). Namely, photosynthetic acclimation to FACE was observed in NN-plants but not in LN-plants. Different...

Soybean leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll a/b ratio

F. B. Fritschi, J. D. Ray

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):92-98 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0014-4

The objective of this study was to assess genotypic variation in soybean chlorophyll (Chl) content and composition, and to test if these data could be used as a rapid screening method to predict genotypic variation in leaf tissue N content. Chl contents and composition were examined among 833 soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) accessions and related to SPAD meter readings and leaf N content. In the initial year of the study (2002), the relationship between leaf Chl and leaf N contents (r ² = 0.043) was not sufficiently close for Chl to be useful as a predictive tool for leaf N content. Therefore, leaf N content was not determined...

Effects of nitrogen supply on photosynthetic and anatomical changes in current-year needles of Pinus koraiensis seedlings grown under two irradiances

K. Makoto, T. Koike

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):99-104 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0015-3

We investigated the responses of photon-saturated photosynthesis rate (P _sat) and its simultaneous acclimation of anatomy and nitrogen use patterns of current needles of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) seedlings grown under factorial combinations of two nitrogen levels and irradiances. Although N supply resulted in a significant increase of N content in needles under both irradiances, the increase of P _sat tended to be suppressed only in shade (S). The significant increase of P _sat in full sunlight (O) was associated with the increase of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO)...

Irradiation-induced in vivo re-localization of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase from prolamellar body to stroma of barley etioplast

D. Kovacevic, D. Dewez, R. Popovic

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):105-109 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0016-2

Distribution of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) in etioplast of etiolated barley leaf was studied by using Western blot analyses of etioplast fractions isolated on a sucrose gradient. When the leaf was exposed to light, POR content decreased in the etioplast inner membrane and prolamellar body sub-membrane fraction while it was simultaneously increased in the stroma. By using 77 K fluorescence spectroscopy analyzes, we found for irradiated etiolated leaf that the POR protein in the stroma was co-localized with chlorophyllide (Chlide) emitting at 678 nm. Relocalization of the POR-Chlide complex induced by irradiation suggests that POR...

Foliar δ¹³C values of nine dominant species in the Loess Plateau of China

S. X. Zheng, Z. P. Shangguan

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):110-119 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0017-1

The foliar stable carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C) of nine dominant species in seven sites, Yangling, Yongshou, Tongchuan, Fuxian, Ansai, Mizhi, and Shenmu, standing from the south to the north in the Loess Plateau of China were studied. The results showed that foliar δ¹³C values ranged from -22.61 to -30.73 ‰ with an average of -27.23 ‰ in 141 C₃ plant samples collected from the Loess Plateau. Foliar δ¹³C values varied significantly (p<0.001) among the nine C₃ species, which were Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Zizyphus...

Maize F₁ hybrid differs from its maternal parent in the development of chloroplasts in bundle sheath, but not in mesophyll cells: Quantitative analysis of chloroplast ultrastructure and dimensions in different parts of leaf blade at the beginning of its senescence

A. Vičánková, D. Holá, J. Kutík

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):121-132 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0020-6

The quantitative changes of chloroplast ultrastructure and dimensions in mesophyll (MC) and bundle sheath (BSC) cells, associated with the onset of leaf senescence, were followed along the developmental leaf blade gradient of the third leaf of maize (Zea mays L.). To ascertain whether the rapidity of structural changes associated with the transition of chloroplasts from mature to senescent state is a heritable trait, the parental and the first filial generations of plants were used. The heterogeneity of leaf blade, associated with the development of maize leaf (with the oldest regions at the apex and the youngest ones at the base) was clearly...

Photosynthetic response to precipitation/rainfall in predominant tree (Ulmus pumila) seedlings in Hunshandak Sandland, China

Y. G. Li, G. M. Jiang, M. Z. Liu, S. L. Niu, L. M. Gao, X. C. Cao

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):133 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0021-5

The responses of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of field-growing Ulmus pumila seedlings to changes in simulated precipitation were studied in Hunshandak Sandland, China. Leaf water potential (Ψ_wp), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and transpiration rate (E) were significantly increased with enhancement of precipitation from 0 to 20 mm (p<0.01), indicating stomatal limitation of U. pumila seedlings that could be avoided when soil water was abundant. However, P _N changed slightly when precipitation exceeded 20 mm (p>0.05),...

Interactions between photosynthetic pigments in organisms and in model systems

D. Frąckowiak, B. Smyk

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):1-8 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0001-9

The review summarizes results concerning photosynthetic systems with chlorophylls and carotenoids obtained by means of spectral methods such as polarized radiation, photoacoustic spectroscopy, delayed luminescence, thermal deactivation, and leading to construction of model systems.

Wise, R.R., Hoober, J.K. (ed.): The structure and function of plastids

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):119 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0018-0

Wydrzynski, T.J., Satoh, K. (ed.): Photosystem II - The light-driven water: Plastoquinone oxidoreductase

G. C. Papageorgiou

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):120 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0019-z

Effect of 28-homobrassinolide treatment on nickel toxicity in Brassica juncea

M. Masidur Alam, S. Hayat, B. Ali, A. Ahmad

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):139-142 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0022-4

Plants of Brassica juncea L. cv. T-59 were supplied with 50 or 100 µM nickel (Ni₅₀, Ni₁₀₀) at 10 d after sowing (DAS), and sprayed with 28-homobrassinolide (HBR) at 20 DAS. The plants treated with Ni alone exhibited reduced growth, net photosynthetic rate, content of chlorophyll, and the activities of nitrate reductase (E.C.1.6.6.1) and carbonic anhydrase (E.C. 4.2.1.1) at observed 40 DAS, whereas, the contents of peroxidase (PER), catalase (CAT), and proline were increased. However, the spray of HBR partially neutralized the toxic effect of Ni on most of the parameters. Moreover, the treatment of HBR in association...

Growth, photosynthetic and biochemical responses of tea cultivars infected with various diseases

P. Ponmurugan, U. I. Baby, R. Rajkumar

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):143-146 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0023-3

Under natural and greenhouse conditions we found a significant reduction in the physiological and biochemical constituents in leaves of five disease types when compared to healthy ones. The growth characteristics such as height, dry mass, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency were reduced significantly more in susceptible cv. TRI-2024 than in tolerant cv. TRI-2025. Also contents of total sugars, nitrogen, amino acids, proteins, polyphenols, and catechin were reduced in diseased plant leaves. However, the reduction was more prominent in susceptible than tolerant cultivar. Canker size and barker moisture...

Photosynthetic variation and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica species with different genetic constitution of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase

A. Anand, K. Suresh, T. V. R. Nair

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):147-152 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0024-2

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) was high in genotypes with 'C' genome both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. This may be attributed to the co-ordinated manner of acting of both genome sources. Leaf mass per area (LMA) and chlorophyll content increased with leaf nitrogen (N) content but did not show any correlation with P _N. The factors which affected P _N had the same effect on photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (pNUE). Thus, differential allocation of N to the various components influences plant pNUE which is not significantly affected by genome constitution.

Dipterocarpus obtusifolius exhibits enhanced photosynthetic capacity at high temperatures

M. Norisada, K. Kojima

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):153-155 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0025-1

Seedlings planted on degraded lands experience high leaf temperature in daytime because of the lack of vegetation shading. The effect of high temperature on the photosynthetic capacity was investigated in Dipterocarpus obtusifolius Teijsm. ex Miq. and D. chartaceus Sym. seedlings planted on degraded sandy soils in southern Thailand. Neither species showed decrease in photosynthetic capacity at leaf temperature over 38 °C as compared to that at 28 °C. D. obtusifolius showed higher photosynthetic capacity at high temperatures. Enhanced photosynthetic capacity at high temperatures would be a key for high photosynthetic performance...

Influence of gibberellic acid on ¹⁴CO₂ metabolism, growth, and production of alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus

N. K. Srivastava, A. K. Srivastava

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(1):156-160 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0026-0

Changes in growth parameters, carbon assimilation efficiency, and utilization of ¹⁴CO₂ assimilate into alkaloids in plant parts were investigated at whole plant level by treatment of Catharanthus roseus with gibberellic acid (GA). Application of GA (1 000 g m^-3) resulted in changes in leaf morphology, increase in stem elongation, leaf and internode length, plant height, and decrease in biomass content. Phenotypic changes were accompanied by decrease in contents of chlorophylls and in photosynthetic capacity. GA application resulted in higher % of total alkaloids accumulated in leaf, stem, and root. GA treatment...