Photosynthetica, 2011 (vol. 49), issue 2

Article

Allometric models for leaf area estimation across different leaf-age groups of evergreen broadleaved trees in a subtropical forest

L. Zhang, L. Pan

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):219-226 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0027-x

The accurate and nondestructive determination of individual leaf area (LA) of plants, by using leaf length (L) and width (W) measurement or combinations of them, is important for many experimental comparisons. Here, we propose reliable and simple regressions for estimating LA across different leaf-age groups of eight common evergreen broadleaved trees in a subtropical forest in Gutianshan Natural Reserve, eastern China. During July 2007, the L, W, and LA of 2,923 leaves (202 to 476 leaves for each species) were measured for model construction and the respective measurements on 1,299 leaves were used for model validation. Mean L, W, LA and leaf shape...

Original Papers

Evaluation of cold stress of young industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) plants by chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging. I. Light induction curve

S. Devacht, P. Lootens, J. Baert, J. van Waes, E. van Bockstaele, I. Roldán-Ruiz

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):161-171 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0015-1

Industrial chicory, Cichorium intybus L., is cultivated for the production of inulin. Most varieties of industrial chicory exhibit rather poor early growth, which limits further yield improvements in their European cultivation area. The poor early growth could be due to suboptimum adaptation of the gene pool to growth at low temperatures, sometimes in combination with high light intensities, which is typical of early-spring mornings. We have used chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence to evaluate the response of young plants of the cultivar 'Hera' to low temperatures and high light intensities. Plants were grown at three temperatures: 16°C...

Responses of leaf photosynthesis, pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence within canopy position in a boreal grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) to elevated temperature and CO₂ under varying water regimes

Z. M. Ge, X. Zhou, S. Kellomäki, K. Y. Wang, H. Peltola, P. J. Martikainen

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):172-184 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0029-8

The effects of elevated growth temperature (ambient + 3.5°C) and CO₂ (700 μmol mol^-1) on leaf photosynthesis, pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence of a boreal perennial grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) under different water regimes (well watered to water shortage) were investigated. Layer-specific measurements were conducted on the top (younger leaf) and low (older leaf) canopy positions of the plants after anthesis. During the early development stages, elevated temperature enhanced the maximum rate of photosynthesis (P _max) of the top layer leaves and the aboveground biomass, which resulted in earlier...

Evaluation of cold stress of young industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by chlorophyll a fluorescence imaging. II. Dark relaxation kinetics

P. Lootens, S. Devacht, J. Baert, J. Van Waes, E. Van Bockstaele, I. Roldán-Ruiz

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):185-194 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0025-z

Industrial chicory, Cichorium intybus L., has rather poor early vigour under the typical early spring morning conditions of low temperatures and high light intensity. Screening tools are being developed to assess the cold tolerance/sensitivity of young industrial chicory plants under these conditions. Refinement of such tools requires better understanding of the plants' physiological responses. In this paper we discuss the effects of growth temperature (GT), measurement temperature (MT), and measuring light intensity (ML) on the relaxation of the Kautsky curve. We chose the chicory variety 'Hera', as it is known to possess a good average early...

Consequences of light absorptance in calculating electron transport rate of desert and succulent plants

J. A. Stemke, L. S. Santiago

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):195-200 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0026-y

The proportional light absorptance by photosynthetic tissue (α) is used with chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence methods to calculate electron transport rate (ETR). Although a value of α of 0.84 is often used as a standard for calculating ETR, many succulent plant species and species with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) have photosynthetic tissues that vary greatly in color or are highly reflective, and could have values of α that differ from 0.84, thus affecting the calculation of ETR. We measured ETR using Chl fluorescence and α using an integrating sphere in 58 plant species to determine the importance of applying a measured...

The influence of low temperature on photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes in sensitive banana and tolerant plantain (Musa sp.) cultivars

Q. Zhang, J. Z. Zhang, W. S. Chow, L. L. Sun, J. W. Chen, Y. J. Chen, C. L. Peng

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):201-208 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0012-4

Low temperature (LT) is one of the major factors that limit crop production and reduce yield. To better understand the cold-tolerance mechanism in the plantains, a sensitive cultivar Williams (Musa acuminata AAA cv. Williams) and a tolerant cultivar Cachaco (Musa paradisiaca ABB cv. Dajiao) were used. LT resulted in increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, elevated contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide radical (O₂^.-), and decreased photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) and net photosynthetic rate (P _N), but cv. Cachaco showed better LT...

Source-to-sink relationship between green leaves and green pseudobulbs of C₃ orchid in regulation of photosynthesis

J. He, B. H. G. Tan, L. Qin

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):209-218 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0023-1

In this paper, photosynthetic characteristics of green leaves (GL) and green pseudobulbs (GPSB) of C₃ orchid Oncidium Golden Wish were first studied. Light saturation for photosynthesis and maximum photosynthetic rates (P _max) were significantly higher in GL than in GPSB. The results of the optimal PSII quantum yield (F_v/F_m ratio), electron transport rate (ETR), the effective photochemical quantum yield (ΔF/F_m') and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) of Chl fluorescence revealed that GPSB had lower light utilization than that of GL. Significantly higher photosynthetic pigments...

Effects of the interaction between ozone and carbon dioxide on gas exchange, photosystem II and antioxidants in rice leaves

H. Kobayakawa, K. Imai

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):227-238 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0024-0

To understand the interactive effects of O₃ and CO₂ on rice leaves; gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, ascorbic acid and glutathione were examined under acute (5 h), combined exposures of O₃ (0, 0.1, or 0.3 cm³ m^-3, expressed as O₀, O_0.1, or O_0.3, respectively), and CO₂ (400 or 800 cm³ m^-3, expressed as C⁴⁰⁰ or C⁸⁰⁰, respectively) in natural-light gas-exposure chambers. The net photosynthetic rate (P _N), maximum (F_v/F_m) and operating (F_q'/F_m')...

Photosynthetic rate, needle longevity, and nutrient contents in Picea glehnii growing on strongly acidic volcanic ash soil in northern Japan

M. Kayama, F. Satoh, T. Koike

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):239-245 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0030-2

Picea glehnii Masters can grow in strongly acidic volcanic ash soil (pH 3.6) in northern Japan. We compared needle longevity, photosynthetic rate, and concentrations of elements in needles, in mature trees of P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil and in brown forest soil (pH 5.4). P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil showed suppressed photosynthetic rate and growth by the deficiency in nitrogen compared with its growth in brown forest soil. However, the younger needles of P. glehnii growing in volcanic ash soil maintained a high photosynthetic rate, as a result of large amounts of remobilized nitrogen from senesced...

Photosynthetic traits and water use of tree species growing on abandoned pasture in different periods of precipitation in Amazonia

C. E. M. Silva, J. F. C. Gonçalves, E. G. Alves

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):246-252 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0033-z

Pasture soils in the Amazon become unsustainable after a short period of use, typically being replaced by emergent secondary vegetation (capoeira). The aim of this research was to investigate the photosynthetic capacity and water use in the most common tree species (Vismia japurensis, Vismia cayennensis, Bellucia grossularioides, Laetia procera, and Goupia glabra) in successional chronosequence. This study was carried out in secondary vegetation area with ages that vary between 1 and 19 years. Responses of gas exchange were determined during different periods of precipitation. The gas exchange decreased with advancing age...

Photosynthetic characterization of Australian pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis

A. Pavlovič

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):253-258 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0032-0

Australian carnivorous pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis Labill. produces two types of leaves. During the spring time, the plant produces a foliage type of noncarnivorous leaf called lamina. Later, the second type of leaf is produced - carnivorous pitcher. Using simultaneous measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence photosynthetic efficiency of these two distinct forms of leaves were compared. In addition stomatal density, an important component of gas exchange, and Chl concentration were also determined. Pitcher trap had lower net photosynthetic rate (P _N) in comparison to noncarnivorous lamina, whereas...

Acclimatization of micropropagated plantlets induces an antioxidative burst: a case study with Ulmus minor Mill.

M. C. Dias, G. Pinto, C. Santos

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):259-266 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0028-9

In this article, the effects of increased light intensities on antioxidant metabolism during ex vitro establishment of Ulmus minor micropropagated plants are investigated. Three month old in vitro plants were acclimatized to ex vitro conditions in a climate chamber with two different light intensities, 200 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (high light, HL) and 100 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (low light, LL) during 40 days. Immediately after ex vitro transfer, the increase of both malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage in persistent leaves is indicative of oxidative stress. As the acclimatization...

Influence of irradiance on photosynthesis and PSII photochemical efficiency in maize during short-term exposure at high CO₂ concentration

C. Arena, L. Vitale, A. Virzo De Santo

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):267-274 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0034-y

This work aimed to evaluate if gas exchange and PSII photochemical activity in maize are affected by different irradiance levels during short-term exposure to elevated CO₂. For this purpose gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured on maize plants grown at ambient CO₂ concentration (control CO₂) and exposed for 4 h to short-term treatments at 800 μmol(CO₂) mol^-1 (high CO₂) at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of either 1,000 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (control light) or 1,900 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (high light). At control...

Effects of various mixed salt-alkaline stresses on growth, photosynthesis, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations of Medicago ruthenica seedlings

J. Y. Yang, W. Zheng, Y. Tian, Y. Wu, D. W. Zhou

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):275-284 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0037-8

Soil salinization and alkalinization frequently co-occur in naturally saline and alkaline soils. To understand the characteristics of mixed salt-alkali stress and adaptive response of Medicago ruthenica seedlings to salt-alkali stress, water content of shoots, growth and photosynthetic characteristics of seedlings under 30 salt-alkaline combinations (salinity 24-120 mM and pH 7.03-10.32) with mixed salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, and Na₂CO₃) were examined. The indices were significantly affected by both salinity and pH. The interactive effects between salt and alkali stresses were significant,...

Effects of ambient O₃ on wheat during reproductive development: Gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, and carbohydrates

R. Rai, M. Agrawal, S. B. Agrawal

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):285-294 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0038-7

The current concentrations of O₃ have been shown to cause significant negative effects on crop yield. The present levels of ozone may not induce visible symptoms in most of plants, but can result in substantial losses in reproductive output. This paper considers the impact of ambient O₃ on gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and carbohydrate levels in the flag leaf of wheat plants during various stages of reproductive development using open-top chambers. Mean O₃ concentration was 45.7 ppb during wheat growth and 50.2 ppb after flag leaf development. Reproductive stage showed higher...

Analysis of dominant factors influencing moisture change of broad-ovate leaves of Populus euphratica Oliv. in extremely arid region

A. H. Fu, W. H. Li, Y. N. Chen, C. G. Zhu, J. X. Ma

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):295-308 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0036-9

We studied the dominant environmental factors that affect the gas-exchange characteristics and water potential (ψ) of broad-ovate leaves of Populus euphratica Oliv. in extreme arid area of Tarim River, China, and their correlation to water status of P. euphratica by analyzing on-field monitored meteorological data, soil moisture and salinity, P. euphratica leaf gas exchange and ψ, and revealed the indicative threshold of environmental factors for P. euphratica leaf water changes and growth. The results indicated that meteorological factors such as air relative humidity (RH), air temperature (T _air),...

Water-stress and N-nutrition effects on photosynthesis and growth of Brassica carinata

X. Pan, R. R. Lada, C. D. Caldwell, K. C. Falk

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):309-315 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0031-1

Effects of water and nitrogen (N) supply on growth and photosynthetic response of B. carinata were examined in this study. Plant growth and related characteristics varied significantly in response to the availability of water and nitrogen. B. carinata maximized the utilization efficiency of the most limiting resources by developing physiological adaptations, such as changes in root and leaf development. The utilization of water and N was tightly linked with the availability of each resource. Instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE) was always greater in plants with high-N nutrition [50, 100, and 150 kg(N) ha^-1] than in the...

Brief Communications

Photosynthetic and growth responses of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz to varying nitrogen and soil water status

X. Pan, R. Lada, C. D. Caldwell, K. C. Falk

Photosynthetica 2011, 49(2):316-320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0035-x

Water and nitrogen (N) deficiency are two major constraints limiting the yield and quality of many oilseed crops worldwide. This study was designed to assess the response of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz to the availability of N and water resources on photosynthesis and yield parameters. All the measured variables, which included plant height, root and shoot dry matter, root:shoot ratio, xylem pressure potential (XPP), yield components, photosynthetic parameters, and instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE) were remarkably influenced by water and nitrogen supply. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and yield components were significantly...