Long-time variations in leaf mass and area of Mediterranean evergreen broad-leaf and narrow-leaf maquis species

L. Gratani, L. Varone

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):161-168 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0001-1

Morphological (dry mass, DM; surface area, LA; leaf mass per area, LMA), anatomical (leaf thickness, L), phenological (leaf life span, LL), and physiological (net photosynthetic rate, P _N) leaf traits of the evergreen species co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing at Castelporziano (Rome) were tested. The correlation analysis indicated that LMA variation was tightly associated with LL variations: Cistus incanus and Arbutus unedo had a short LL (4±1, summer leaves, and 11±1 months, respectively) and low LMA (153±19 g m^-2) values, Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia, and...

Assessment of salt tolerance in Populus alba clones using chlorophyll fluorescence

H. Sixto, I. Aranda, J. M. Grau

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):169-173 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0002-0

Cuttings of five Populus alba clones (S18 F1-26, Al29 F8-35, J3 F1-4, GU1 F16-36, PO9 F21-88), Populus euphratica, and Populus×euramericana (I-214) were submitted during 45 d to regular watering with NaCl solutions of electrical conductivity of 7 and 14 dS m^-1. Chlorophyll a fluorescence in response to the salinity stress was assessed, using F₀ and F_v/F_m. Differences in reaction to the salt were found in P. alba clones, F₀ and F_v/F_m being the fluorescence parameters used to check out this stress. Minimal constant fluorescence of dark-adapted...

Photosynthesis and non-photochemical excitation quenching components of chlorophyll excitation in maize and field bean during chilling at different photon flux density

J. Kościelniak, J. Biesaga-Kościelniak

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):174-180 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0003-z

The influence of chilling (8 °C, 5 d) at two photon flux densities [PFD, L = 200 and H = 500 μmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1] on the gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence was investigated in chilling-tolerant and chilling-sensitive maize hybrids (Zea mays L., K383×K130, K185×K217) and one cultivar of field bean (Vicia faba L. minor, cv. Nadwiślański). The net photosynthetic rate (P _N) for the both studied plant species was inhibited at 8 °C. P _N of both maize hybrids additionally decreased during chilling. Changes in the quantum efficiency of PS2 electron transport (Φ_PS2)...

Net CO₂ uptake rates for Hylocereus undatus and Selenicereus megalanthus under field conditions: Drought influence and a novel method for analyzing temperature dependence

J. Ben-Asher, P. S. Nobel, E. Yossov, Y. Mizrahi

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):181-186 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0004-y

Net CO₂ uptake rates (P _N) were measured for the vine cacti Hylocereus undatus and Selenicereus megalanthus under relatively extreme climatic conditions in Israel. Withholding water decreased rates and the daily amount of CO₂ uptake by about 10 % per day. Compared with more moderate climates within environmental chambers, the higher temperatures and lower relative humidity in the field led to a more rapid response to drought. The upper envelopes of scatter diagrams for P _N versus temperature for these Crassulacean acid metabolism species, which indicate the maximal rates...

Water stress-sensitized photoinhibition in senescing cotyledons of clusterbean: Changes in thylakoid structures and inactivation of photosystem 2

P. M. Deo, U. C. Biswal, B. Biswal

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):187-192 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0005-x

Seedlings of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba were grown on Petri dishes either in water or water plus 3 % PEG-6000 to induce water stress. The senescing cotyledons experiencing the stress exhibited loss in contents of leaf proteins and chlorophyll (Chl) and a decline in oxygen evolution. The effect of PEG treatment was more pronounced at moderate (MI) than low (LI) irradiance. The stress-induced loss in the activity of superoxide dismutase and increase in the thylakoid lipid peroxidation accompanied a change in the physical status of the bilayer membrane as demonstrated by an enhancement of room temperature Chl a fluorescence polarization...

Acclimation to irradiance in seedlings of three tropical rain forest Garcinia species after simulated gap formation

X. R. Guo, K. F. Cao, Z. F. Xu

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):193-201 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0006-9

We investigated the acclimation of seedlings of three tropical rain forest sub-canopy Garcinia species (G. xanthochymus, G. cowa, and G. bracteata) after transfer from 4.5 (LI) to 40 % (HI) sunlight and 12.5 (MI) sunlight to HI (LH₁ and LH₂ denoting transfer from LI to HI and MI to HI transfer, respectively). The changes of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), dark respiration rate (R _D), Chl content per unit area (Chl_area), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and seedling mortality were monitored over two months after transfer. These parameters...

Photosystem 2 activities of hyper-accumulator Dicranopteris dichotoma Bernh from a light rare earth elements mine

L.F. Wang, H. B. Ji, K. Z. Bai, L. B. Li, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):202-207 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0007-8

The distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in the fern Dicranopteris dichotoma Bernh plants from a light rare earth elements mine (LRM) and a non-mining (NM) area in Longnan county of Jiangxi province, China were investigated by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The photosynthetic characteristics of D. dichotoma were studied by chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence kinetics. Contents of REEs in the lamina and the root of D. dichotoma were higher than those in soils, and were mainly distributed in lamina. A part of them was found...

Expression of the large isoform of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase gene driven by rbcS promoter in Oryza sativa enhances the photosynthetic capacity

H. R. Wu, Z. S. Ding, L. B. Li, Y. X. Jing, T. Y. Kuang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):208-214 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0008-7

In order to investigate the effect of large isoform of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activase (RuBPCO-A) on photosynthesis, cDNA of the enzyme (rca) was transferred to rice cultivars (Oryza sativa f. japonica cv. Nipponbare) under the control of RuBPCO small subunit gene promoter (rbcS) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic rice plants were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern and Western blot analyses. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) values of the T₁ transgenic lines 34 (T34) and 40 (T40) were 45.26 and 46.32 %...

Photosynthesis and growth response of Calamagrostis arundinacea and C. villosa to enhanced UV-B radiation

O. Urban, I. Tůma, P. Holub, M. V. Marek

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):215-220 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0009-6

Calamagrostis arundinacea L. (Roth.) and C. villosa (Chaix.) J.F. Gmel are two grass species substituting forest communities on deforested areas in Central Europe. They were exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, λ = 290-320 nm) radiation during 22 weeks. A system of modulated lamps operating under field conditions was used to simulate a 25 % increase of incident UV-B radiation. CO₂ assimilation seemed to be limited by a decrease of stomatal conductance (g _s) in C. arundinacea, whereas carboxylation activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) was not affected. On the...

Changes in contents of photosynthetic pigments and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity during the development of globular somatic embryo into the plantlet of Siberian ginseng

D. M. Pandey, J. W. Kim, W. S. Lee, U. D. Yeo

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):221-226 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0010-0

During the development of the globular embryos via heart-shaped, torpedo-shaped, and cotyledonary embryos into plantlets, contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a and b and carotenoids, and activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC, EC 4.1.1.39) were investigated. In the solid cultivation (SC) the contents of Chl a, Chl b, Chl a/b, and total pigments increased up to plantlet stage. In the liquid cultivation (LC), contents of Chl a, Chl b, and total pigments increased till the torpedo-shaped stage, but decreased with the further development up to plantlets stage. During SC, RuBPC activity...

Shade effect alters leaf pigments and photosynthetic responses in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) grown under field conditions

M. Bertamini, K. Muthuchelian, N. Nedunchezhian

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):227-234 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0011-z

The contents of chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) per fresh mass were lower in shade needles than in sun needles. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC) activity and contents of soluble proteins were also significantly lower in shade needles. In isolated thylakoids, a marked lower rate of whole chain and photosystem (PS) 2 activities were observed in shade needles. Smaller lower rate of PS1 activity was also observed in shade needles. The artificial exogenous electron donors, diphenyl carbazide (DPC) and NH₂OH, significantly restored the loss of PS2 activity in shade needles. Similar results were obtained when F_v/F_m...

Book Review

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):234 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0012-y

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in Minquartia guianensis and Swietenia macrophylla inferred by monitoring the initial fluorescence

D. P. Dias, R. A. Marenco

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):235-240 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0013-x

We assessed the effect of the exposure to full sunlight (5, 35, and 120 min, i.e. T₅, T₃₅, and T₁₂₀) on fluorescence parameters of two young tropical trees, Swietenia macrophylla, a gap-demanding species, and Minquartia guianensis, a shade tolerant species. Fluorescence parameters (F₀, F_m, F_v/F_m) were recorded before treatments and after the transition to low irradiance (LI). Recovery from photoinhibition (measured as F_v/F_m) was monitored for 24 h at LI. In Swietenia, an almost complete restoration of the F_v/F_m...

Gas exchanges of three co-occurring species of Cypripedium in a scrubland in the Hengduan Mountains

S. B. Zhang, H. Hu, K. Xu, Z. R. Li

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):241-247 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0014-9

Gas exchanges and related leaf traits of three co-occurring species of genus Cypripedium (C. yunnanense Franch., C. guttatum SW., and C. flavum P.F. Hunt et Summerch.) were investigated in a scrubland at 3 460 m a.s.l. in the Hengduan Mountains. The considered species had similar photosynthetic responses to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and air temperature. The photosynthetic capacity (P _max), carboxylation efficiency (CE), apparent quantum efficiency (AQE), PPFD-saturated rate of electron transport (J_max), respiration rate (R _D), and leaf nitrogen content...

Down-regulation of photosystem 2 efficiency and spectral reflectance in mango leaves under very low irradiance and varied chilling treatments

J. H. Weng, L. H. Jhaung, J. Y. Jiang, G. M. Lai, T. S. Liao

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):248-254 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0015-8

In order to elucidate the effects of chilling-stress at night on photosystem 2 (PS2) efficiency under dim irradiance (DI), mango leaves were chilled to varied extent (8-3 °C) and for varied duration (0-12 h) in growth cabinets in the dark, and then exposed to DI (20 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PPFD) at each chilling-temperature for 1 h. Chilling in the dark had little effect on F_v/F_m of mango leaves. But both the extent and duration of chilling pre-treatments significantly affected F_v'/F_m' when leaves were exposed to DI. This down-regulation of PS2 efficiency was closely related to xanthophyll de-epoxidation,...

Carotenoid composition and photochemical activity of four sandy grassland species

S. Veres, V. R. Tóth, R. Láposi, V. Oláh, G. Lakatos, I. Mészáros

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):255-261 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0016-7

The photosynthetic pigments and photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2) were studied in four constitutive species (Achillea millefolium L., Festuca pseudovina Hack. ex Wiesb., Potentilla arenaria Borkh., and Thymus degenianus Lyka) of a semiarid grassland in South-eastern Hungary. Every species displayed typical sun-adapted traits and substantial plasticity in the composition and functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus. The contents of chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids (Cars) on a dry matter basis declined from May to July, however, the amount of total Cars on a Chl basis increased. This increase was...

Role of thermal dissipation in the photoprotection in cucumber plants after exposure to a chill stress

Y. H. Zhou, W. H. Mao, Y. Y. Zhang, L. F. Huang, W. H. Hu, J. Q. Yu

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):262-267 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0017-6

Experiments were carried out to investigate the changes in CO₂ assimilation, photon allocation, and photosynthetic electron flux in leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants after chilling stress. Chilling significantly decreased CO₂ assimilation, the energy flux via linear electron transport (J _PS2) and non-constitutive thermal dissipation (J _NPQ) but increased fluorescence and constitutive thermal dissipation (J _f,D) in chilling-sensitive genotype Jinyan No. 4. In contrast, chilling had little effects on J _NPQ and J _f,D...

Influence of salinity on Na⁺ and K⁺ accumulation, and gas exchange in Avicennia germinans

N. Suárez, E. Medina

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):268-274 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0018-5

We analysed plant growth, ion accumulation, leaf water relations, and gas exchange of Avicennia germinans (L.) L. subjected to a long-term, controlled salinity gradient from 0 to 55 ‰. Growth and leaf area were affected by salinity higher than 10 ‰. As salinity increased, the predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_w) and leaf osmotic potential (Ψ_s) decreased. Leaf Ψ_w was at least -0.32 MPa lower than the Ψ_w of solution. Na⁺ and K⁺ ions explained about 78 % of decrease in Ψ_s. K⁺ tissue water concentration decreased by more than 60...

Effect of different leaf-to-fruit ratios on photosynthesis and fruit growth in olive (Olea europaea L.)

P. Proietti, L. Nasini, F. Famiani

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):275-285 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0019-4

The influence of different leaf-to-fruit (l-t-f) ratios on leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and fruit characteristics in Olea europaea L. cv. Frantoio was evaluated in 2001 and 2002. In both years, at the end of June, at the end of July, and in mid-September (first, second, and third time of treatment, respectively), defoliation or fruit thinning were performed to give l-t-f ratios of 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, and 7/1 (about 5.1, 15.3, 25.6, and 35.8 cm² of leaf area per fruit, respectively) on girdled and ungirdled peripheral shoots. P _N showed substantial seasonal and diurnal variations. In ungirdled shoots,...

The occurrence of C₄ photosynthesis in Yunnan province, a tropical region in South-western China

R. Z. Wang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):286-292 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0020-y

Floristic composition, morphological functional types, and altitudinal distribution pattern for C₄ species were studied in Yunnan province, South-western China. 159 species, in 6 families and 60 genera, were identified with C₄ photosynthesis. 93 % of these C₄ species were found in Monocotyledoneae, e.g. Cyperaceae (18 species), Gramineae (129 species), and Commelinaceae (1 species), the other 7 % was in Dicotyledoneae, e.g. Amaranthaceae (5 species), Portulacaceae (4 species), and Chenopodiaceae (2 species). Hence C₄ plants mainly occurred in very few families in...

The occurrence of C₄ plants and their morphological functional types in the vegetation of Xinjiang, China

R. Z. Wang

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):293-298 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0021-x

Floristic composition, morphological functional types and habitat distributions for C₄ species were studied in Xinjiang, North-western China. 89 species, in 9 families and 41 genera, were identified with C₄ photosynthesis. 48 % of these C₄ species were found in Monocotyledoneae, e.g. Cyperaceae (5 species), Gramineae (38 species), the other 52 % was in Dicotyledoneae, e.g. Chenopodiaceae (29 species), Amaranthaceae (7 species), and Polygonaceae (5 species). Compared with those in semi-arid grasslands in North China and tropical forests in South China, more plant families were found...

Effect of Acacia plantations on net photosynthesis, tree species composition, soil enzyme activities, and microclimate on Mt. Makiling

Y. K. Lee, D. K. Lee, S. Y. Woo, P. S. Park, Y. H. Jang, E. R. G. Abraham

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):299-308 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0022-9

To determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation on improving ecosystem functions, we examined net photosynthetic rate (P _N), tree species composition, soil enzyme activities, and the microclimate (air and soil temperature, relative humidity) of an area on Mt. Makiling that has been rehabilitated and protected from fire for over 12 years. After it was last burned extensively in 1991, restoration was initiated by planting Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis. We selected three areas to study in 2003. Two areas were rehabilitated with A. mangium and A. auriculiformis, and one was still dominated by Imperata...

"Photosynthesis and Stress 2005" Conference

G. Garab

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0026-5

Variations in photosynthetic rate and associated parameters with age of oil palm leaves under irrigation

K. Suresh, C. Nagamani

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):309-311 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0023-8

Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g _s) in an adult oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) canopy were highest in the 9^th leaf and progressively declined with leaf age. Larger leaf area (LA) and leaf dry mass (LDM) were recorded in middle leaves. P _N showed a significant positive correlation with g _s and a negative relationship with leaf mass per area (ALM). The oil palm leaf remains photosynthetically active for a longer time in the canopy which contributes significantly to larger dry matter production in general and...

Effects of water stress and high temperature on gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in Triticum aestivum L.

I. A. Hassan

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):312-315 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0024-7

Wheat plants grown in controlled growth chambers were exposed to drought stress (DS) and high temperature (HT) singly and in combination (DS+HT). The effects of these two stresses on net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (Φ_PS2), variable to maximum chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (F_v/F_m), photochemical (q_p) and non-photochemical (NPQ) Chl fluorescence, and yield were investigated. Grain yield was decreased by 21 % due to DS, while it was increased...

High photosynthetic efficiency of a rice (Oryza sativa L.) xantha mutant

Xiang-sheng Zhou, Dian-xing Wu, Sheng-quan Shen, Jun-wei Sun, Qing-yao Shu

Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):316-319 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-006-0025-6

Comparative analysis revealed that a xantha rice mutant (cv. Huangyu B) had higher ratios of chlorophyll (Chl) a/b and carotenoids/Chl, and higher photosynthetic efficiency than its wild type parent (cv. II32 B). Unexpectedly, the mutant had higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N) than II32 B. This might have resulted from its lower non-photochemical quenching (q_N) but higher maximal photochemical efficiency (F_V/F_M), higher excitation energy capture efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centres (F_V'/F_M'), higher photochemical quenching (q_P), higher effective...