Photosynthetica, 2015 (vol. 53), issue 2
Original Papers
Identification of obligate C3 photosynthesis in Dendrobium
S. Qiu, S. Sultana, Z. D. Liu, L. Y. Yin, C. Y. Wang
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):168-176 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0110-9 
Dendrobium is one of the three largest genera in the Orchidaceae and is distributed throughout various habitats. We investigated photosynthesis in seven Dendrobium species and cultivars by comparing their leaf δ13C values, titratable acidity, and CO2 exchange in well-watered and drought-stressed conditions. In addition, the leaf thickness and mesophyll succulence index (Sm) were measured in well-watered conditions. Our results indicate that Dendrobium loddigesii is a typical obligate (or constitutive) CAM plant because the leaf δ13C values were -14.47 and -14.66‰ in...
Leaf water use in heterobaric and homobaric leafed canopy tree species in a Malaysian tropical rain forest
Y. Inoue, T. Kenzo, A. Tanaka-Oda, A. Yoneyama, T. Ichie
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):177-186 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0105-6
Tropical canopy tree species can be classified into two types by their heterobaric and homobaric leaves. We studied the relation between both leaf types and their water use, together with the morphological characteristics of leaves and xylem, in 23 canopy species in a tropical rain forest. The maximum rates of photosynthesis and transpiration were significantly higher in heterobaric leaf species, which also underwent larger diurnal variations of leaf water potential compared to homobaric leaf species. The vessel diameter was significantly larger and the stomatal pore index (SPI) was significantly higher in heterobaric than that in homobaric leaf species....
Photosynthetic response of beech seedlings of different origin to water deficit
E. Pšidová, Ľ. Ditmarová, G. Jamnická, D. Kurjak, J. Majerová, T. Czajkowski, A. Bolte
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):187-194 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0101-x
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings of three different origins were used to evaluate the effect of water deficit and recovery during the most vulnerable phase of forest tree life. Gas-exchange characteristics and fluorescence rapid light curves were studied in the seedlings from a warm region (PV1, 530 m a.s.l.), seedlings from a moderately warm region (PV2, 625 m a.s.l.), optimal for beech, and in seedlings from a cool region (PV3; 1,250 m a.s.l.). Changes in photosynthetic characteristics caused by water deficit were similar, but their intensity was dependent on the origin of the seedlings. Simulation of drought conditions by the...
Cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway is involved in the high-light systemic acquired acclimation of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
H. Q. Feng, S. Z. Tang, K. Sun, L. Y. Jia, R. F. Wang
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):195-200 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0099-0
After exposing one half of a low light-adapted kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaf to high light, parameters of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, such as PSII operating efficiency, PSII maximum efficiency under light, and photochemical quenching, decreased in the opposite half of the same leaf, whereas the capacity of the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway significantly increased. When one half of the low light-adapted leaf was exposed to low light, the opposite half pretreated with 1 mM salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, an inhibitor of the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway) did not exhibit significant changes in the Chl fluorescence...
Extracellular ATP affects chlorophyll fluorescence of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves through Ca2+ and H2O2-dependent mechanism
H. Q. Feng, Q. S. Jiao, K. Sun, L. Y. Jia, W. Y. Tian
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):201-206 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0097-2
Extracellular ATP (eATP) has been considered as an important extracellular compound to mediate several physiological processes in plant cells. We investigated the effects of eATP on chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence characteristics of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves. Treatment with exogenous ATP at 1 mM showed no significant effect on the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII. However, the treatment significantly enhanced the values of the PSII operating efficiency (ΦPSII), rate of photosynthetic electron transport through PSII (ETR), and photochemical quenching (qP), while the values of the nonphotochemical...
Photoinhibition of Suaeda salsa to chilling stress is related to energy dissipation and water-water cycle
N. Sui
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):207-212 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0080-y
To investigate the photoprotection of energy dissipation and water-water cycle, a C3 euhalophytic herb, Suaeda salsa L., was exposed either to chilling temperature (4°C) accompanied by moderate irradiance (600 μmol m-2 s-1) (CM) and/or to chilling temperature (4°C) accompanied by low irradiance (100 μmol m-2 s-1) (CL). During chilling stress, both the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and the oxidizable P700 decreased in S. salsa leaves either under CM or CL, which indicated the severe photoinhibition. Relative to Fv/Fm,...
The importance of blue light for leaf area expansion, development of photosynthetic apparatus, and chloroplast ultrastructure of Cucumis sativus grown under weak light
X. Y. Wang, X. M. Xu, J. Cui
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):213-222 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0083-8
The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of blue light (B) in the growth and photosynthetic capacity of cucumber. Gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence kinetics, chloroplast ultrastructure, and leaf growth were investigated to explore the influence of three different light qualities of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on plant morphogenesis and the development of photosynthetic apparatus in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) leaves from emergence to full expansion under weak light [50 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1]. We found that B could significantly increase the leaf area (LA), shoot elongation, Chl a/b,...
Differential response of photosynthetic apparatus of cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum to Pb and Cd toxicity
S. Dixit, D. P. Singh
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):223-230 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0096-3
Nostoc muscorum cells showed metal-induced decrease in the relative growth, pigment contents, O2 evolution, and Hill activity in response to lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) treatment, which was further accentuated with increase in metal exposure time and metal concentration. I50 concentrations (50% growth inhibitory concentrations) of Pb2+ and Cd2+ for growth of N. muscorum were 55 and 21 μg mL-1, respectively. These results indicated that the cells of N. muscorum were more susceptible to Cd2+ in comparison to Pb2+. The O2...
Heliotropic leaf movement of Sophora alopecuroides L.: An efficient strategy to optimise photochemical performance
C. G. Zhu, Y. N. Chen, W. H. Li, X. L. Chen, G. Z. He
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):231-240 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0089-2
We studied the survival adaptation strategy of Sophora alopecuroides L. to habitat conditions in an arid desert riparian ecosystem. We examined the responses of heliotropic leaf movement to light conditions and their effects on plant photochemical performance. S. alopecuroides leaves did not show any observable nyctinastic movement but they presented sensitive diaheliotropic and paraheliotropic leaf movement in the forenoon and at midday. Solar radiation was a major factor inducing leaf movement, in addition, air temperature and vapour pressure deficit could also influence the heliotropic leaf movement in the afternoon. Both diaheliotropic...
Effects of sodium chloride stress on gas exchange, chlorophyll content and nutrient concentrations of nine citrus rootstocks
D. Khoshbakht, A. A. Ramin, B. Baninasab
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):241-249 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0098-1
We investigated the influence of salinity (0, 25, 50, or 75 mM NaCl) on gas exchange and physiological characteristics of nine citrus rootstocks (Cleopatra mandarin, Carrizo citrange, Macrophylla, Iranian mandarin Bakraii, Rangpur lime, Rough lemon, Sour orange, Swingle citrumelo, and Trifoliate orange) in a greenhouse experiment. Total plant dry mass, total chlorophyll (Chl) content, and gas-exchange variables, such as net photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance (g s), intercellular CO2 concentration, were negatively affected by salinity. In addition, ion concentrations of Cl- and Na+...
Impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth, water status, and photosynthesis of hybrid poplar under drought stress and recovery
T. Liu, M. Sheng, C. Y. Wang, H. Chen, Z. Li, M. Tang
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):250-258 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0100-y
Poplars (Populus spp.) are widely used in the pulp and paper industry and as bioenergy resources. Poplars require a large amount of water for biomass accumulation and lack of water is a limiting factor for poplar growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been previously reported to afford some plant species with greater resistance to drought stress. However, the effects of AM fungi on hybrid poplar under drought stress and recovery have not been studied. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the AM fungus, Rhizophagus irregularis, on the growth, water status, chlorophyll (Chl) content and fluorescence, and photosynthesis...
Tolerance vs. avoidance: two strategies of soybean (Glycine max) seedlings in response to shade in intercropping
W. Z. Gong, C. D. Jiang, Y. S. Wu, H. H. Chen, W. Y. Liu, W. Y. Yang
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):259-268 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0103-8
Intercropping is a sustainable agricultural practice used worldwide for highly efficient utilization of resources. However, short crops often grow under the shade of the canopy of tall crops in intercropping systems. Plants evolved two main strategies to deal with shade: avoidance and tolerance. Soybean (Glycine max), a legume crop, is often planted in intercropping. But little is known about a strategy that soybean may employ to deal with shade at seedling stage. Therefore, we determined morphological and physiological traits related to shade tolerance and shade avoidance in seedlings of two varieties. Generally, both varieties showed similar...
Photosynthetic activities, C3 and C4 indicative enzymes and the role of photoperiod in dormancy induction in 'Chunjie' peach
H. S. Zhang, D. M. Li, Q. P. Tan, H. Y. Gao, D. S. Gao
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):269-278 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0104-7
Our study examined the relationship between photosynthetic performance and activities of key photosynthetic enzymes to understand the photosynthetic variation and reasons for the variation during dormancy induction under different photoperiods in peach (Prunus persica L. cv. Chunjie). Furthermore, the study explained the changes in the key enzymes from the viewpoint of differential proteomics. The results showed that the leaf net photosynthetic rate (P N) and stomatal conductance tended to decrease, while the intercellular CO2 concentration rose, which indicated that the reduced P N resulted from...
Ultraviolet-B radiation or heat cause changes in photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities and pollen performance in olive tree
G. C. Koubouris, N. Kavroulakis, I. T. Metzidakis, M. D. Vasilakakis, A. Sofo
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):279-287 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0102-9
The present study attempts to determine how some physiological and reproductive functions of olive tree (Olea europaea L., cv. Koroneiki) respond to enhanced UV-B radiation or heat. Enhanced UV-B radiation was applied to (1) three-year-old potted plants in an open nursery (corresponded to ca. 16% ozone depletion), and (2) in vitro cultured pollen samples (220 μmol m-2 s-1, PAR = 400-700 nm + UV-B at 7.5, 15.0, or 22.5 kJ m-2 d-1). Potted olive plants were also subjected to high temperature (38 ± 4°C) for 28 h to mimic heat levels regularly measured in olive growing...
Effect of drought stress on the photosynthesis of Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana at the young seedling stage
S. Kebbas, S. Lutts, F. Aid
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):288-298 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0113-6
Water stress usually impairs photosynthesis and plant growth. Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana is well adapted to dry environments. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of a progressive decrease in soil water content on photosynthetic-related parameters at the young seedling stage. Drought-induced plant responses occurred according to two types of kinetics. Water potential, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates were rapidly affected by a decrease in soil water content, while chlorophyll fluorescence-related parameters and chlorophyll concentrations decreased only when soil water content was lower than 40%. The...
Genetic basis of traits related to stomatal conductance in wheat cultivars in response to drought stress
S. G. Wang, S. S. Jia, D. Z. Sun, H. Y. Wang, F. F. Dong, H. X. Ma, R. L. Jing, G. Ma
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):299-305 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0114-5
The genetic basis of stomatal conductance (g s), net photosynthetic rate (P N), and transpiration rate (E) was explored by using a wheat doubled haploid population from a cross of Hanxuan10 and Lumai 14. The above three traits were evaluated in wheat flag leaves at 10, 20, 30 days after anthesis under drought stress (DS) and well-watered (WW), and quantitative trait loci (QTL) were analyzed. Expression of the traits during the grain filling stage showed downward trends under both conditions, but expression of three phenotypes were stronger under WW than those under DS. Extremely significant positive correlations...
Influence of drought stress on the photosynthetic characteristics and dry matter accumulation of hybrid millet
H. B. Lu, Y. M. Qiao, X. C. Gong, H. Q. Li, Q. Zhang, Z. H. Zhao, L. L. Meng
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):306-311 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0120-7
In order to elucidate the drought resistance and high-yield mechanism of hybrid millet, we studied the influence of drought stress on the photosynthetic characteristics and dry matter accumulation. Our results revealed that drought stress caused lesser reduction in the net photosynthetic rate, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, excitation energy capture efficiency of PSII reaction centers and in the yield of hybrid millet compared to normal millet. When drought stress occurred in the jointing stage, the percentage decrease of P N, Fv/Fm, Fv'/Fm', and the yield of Zhangzagu3 cultivar...
Effects of brassinosteroid and brassinosteroid mimic on photosynthetic efficiency and rice yield under heat stress
J. Thussagunpanit, K. Jutamanee, W. Sonjaroon, L. Kaveeta, W. Chai-Arree, P. Pankean, A. Suksamrarn
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):312-320 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0106-5
Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been reported to counteract various stresses. We investigated effects of exogenously applied brassinosteroid, 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), and brassinosteroid-mimic compound, 7,8-dihydro-8α-20-hydroxyecdysone (DHECD), on the photosynthetic efficiency and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Pathum Thani 1) under heat stress. Solutions (1 nM) of EBR and DHECD were separately sprayed onto foliage of individual rice plants during their reproductive stage. Five days after the application, the plants were transferred to the day/night temperature regime of 40/30°C for 7 days and then allowed to recover at normal temperature...
Review
Benson-Bassham-Calvin cycle contribution to the organic life on our planet
K. Biel, I. Fomina
Photosynthetica 2015, 53(2):161-167 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0112-7
The review is devoted to the outstanding contributions to the path of carbon in photosynthesis by Professor Emeritus Andrew A. Benson, on the occasion of his death at the age of 97, on January 16, 2015. Benson is the legendary co-discoverer of the photosynthetic reductive pentose phosphate cycle, known to every student of photosynthesis as the Benson-Bassham-Calvin cycle. This pathway evolved into the dominant assimilation mechanism for atmospheric carbon into metabolites. The fundamental ecological and biochemical optimization and evolutionary stability of this mechanism unfolded elegantly in Benson's hands, as he was the first to recognize the building...