Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Foreword

H.M. KALAJI, V. GOLTSEV

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):i-v | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.046  

This Special issue of Photosynthetica has been compiled to honour Professor Reto Jörg Strasser’s 75th birthday which was on 28 December, 2018. Reto has been a famous scientist in the field of photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence since the beginning of his PhD studies in 1968 at University of Bern. In 1976, he got a habilitation degree in photobiology at the same university and within the next year (1977) he moved to the USA to work as Principal Acting Investigator (PAI) at University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Development and aging of photosynthetic apparatus of Vitis vinifera L. during growing season

K. SITKO, S. RUSINOWSKI, M. POGRZEBA, A. DASZKOWSKA-GOLEC, Ż. GIEROŃ, H.M. KALAJI, E. MAŁKOWSKI

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):186-193 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.107  

The aim of this study was to examine the development and aging of chosen grapevine leaves in situ during the growing season (130 d) using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence measurements and determining the changes in pigment contents. During the course of photosystems development, the increase of Chl and decrease of anthocyanin contents in leaves was observed simultaneously. On 28^th day, the maximum content of Chl and minimum content of anthocyanins was measured. However, the maximal photosynthetic performance was found one week later, when the content of Chl started to diminish. Our study proved that the achievement of maximal...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Plant biomass in salt-stressed young maize plants can be modelled with photosynthetic performance

V. GALIĆ, M. MAZUR, D. ŠIMIĆ, Z. ZDUNIĆ, M. FRANIĆ

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):194-204 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.131  

Predicting responses to stressful conditions is very important. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) can be used to assess effects of various stresses on photosynthetic performance. We tested the responses of five 10-d old maize hybrids to salinity stress by measuring ChlF parameters, fresh (FM) and dry mass (DM). ChlF data were incorporated into a penalized regression model to predict biomass traits. The values of FM and DM significantly decreased under salt stress by 42 and 25%, respectively. Strong responses in ChlF parameters assessing the absorption dissipation and trapping fluxes to NaCl treatment were detected. In penalized regression models,...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Structural and functional response of photosynthetic apparatus of radish plants to iron deficiency

I.A. SAMBORSKA-SKUTNIK, H.M. KALAJI, L. SIECZKO, W. BĄBA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):205-213 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.132  

In this work, we tried to identify some specific chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters, that could enable detection of iron deficiency (Fe_def) in radish plants (Raphanus sativus L.), before any visual symptoms appear. Changes in ChlF kinetics, JIP-test parameters, and chlorophyll content revealed that iron deficiency negatively affected PSII activity mainly via disruption of light absorption in light-harvesting complexes and by decreasing the activity of the primary quinone acceptor of PSII (Q_A). Iron deficiency was clearly reflected in the changes of some JIP-test parameters, such as time to reach...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf gas exchange, and genomic analysis of chromosome segment substitution rice lines exposed to drought stress

K. HUNGSAPRUG, T. KOJONNA, M. SAMLEEPAN, C. PUNCHKHON, W. UT-KHAO, B. KOSITSUP, W. KASETTRANUN, J.L. SIANGLIW, T. TOOJINDA, L. COMAI, K. PLAIMAS, S. CHADCHAWAN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):214-227 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.144  

This research aims to evaluate the photosynthesis-related parameters in rice chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSL), containing drought-tolerant region from DH212 in a Khao Dawk Mali105 genetic background. Screening at seedling stage indicated that CSSL4 was more tolerant to drought stress than KDML105 with the higher maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. After withholding water, the decline in light-saturated net photosynthetic rate due to drought stress occurred simultaneously with the decrease in electron transport rate and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry values, suggesting that stomatal changes affect light-saturated...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – The photosynthetic performance of two Citrus species under long-term aluminum treatment

H. ZHANG, X.Y. LI, L.-S. CHEN, Z.R. HUANG

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):228-235 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.145  

The effect of Al stress on leaf pigment contents, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transient, and leaf gas exchange of Citrus sinensis and Citrus grandis were investigated in sandy culture with nutrient solution (control) or supplemented by 0.5 mM AlCl₃.6H₂O (Al toxic) for 54 weeks. We found a significant decline of Chl a, carotenoids (Car), Ch a/b, and Car/Chl (a+b) in C. grandis caused by Al stress. Except the significant increase of Car/Chl (a+b), no remarkable difference was found in C. sinensis. The Al-induced downregulation of CO₂...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Photosynthesis response of microalgae (Tetradesmus wisconsinensis) to different inorganic carbon sources probed with chlorophyll fluorescence analysis

E. JANKA, I. UMETANI, M. SPOSOB, R. BAKKE

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):236-244 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.142  

Bicarbonate is an alternative carbon source for production of photosynthetic microalgae, although sparging of CO₂-enriched gas is commonly practised, its efficiency seems to be scarcely considered. This study evaluated the photosynthetic activities of microalgae (Tetradesmus wisconsinensis) using chlorophyll fluorescence under different concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) and CO₂. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed noticeable difference in photosynthetic activity between the bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) and CO₂ supplied cultures. The JIP-test parameters obtained...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Photoinhibition of oxygen-evolving complex and photosystem II at chilling stress in the tropical tree species Dalbergia odorifera

Y.-J. YANG, T. LIU, S.-B. ZHANG, W. HUANG

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):245-252 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.138  

Photosystem II is sensitive to chilling stress in tropical tree species. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this study, we examined the effects of chilling and light stress on activities of PSII and oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), in order to resolve the controversy of whether chilling-induced PSII photoinhibition is attributed to the excess-energy model or the two-step scheme. We determined changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence transient and energy distribution in PSII during treatment at chilling-light stress for the tropical tree species Dalbergia odorifera. At chilling temperature, the light-use efficiency was largely...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Can be performance indexes used to select plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria?

A.T. PERBONI, E.G. MARTINAZZO, A.B. MOURA, M.A. BACARIN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):253-261 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.149  

The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere or roots, resulting in a beneficial effect on plants. The evaluation of the PGPR effects is mostly based on growth biometric measurements, but there is little information about using the chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. We used rhizobacteria to treat canola seeds and evaluate their effects on leaf area, dry mass, and Chl fluorescence. In order to select PGPR, we suggest the JIP-test as a method to evaluate their effects using the performance indexes. The biometric measurements and JIP-test parameters allowed to group bacterial isolates into different groups. We...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – A comparative chlorophyll a fluorescence study on isolated cells and intact leaves of Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass)

B. JIMÉNEZ-FRANCISCO, A. STIRBET, H. CAMPOS, F.V. CONDE-MARTÍNEZ, D. PADILLA-CHACÓN, C. TREJO, C.J. BERNACCHI, G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):262-274 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.148  

Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass) is one of the most drought and grazing tolerant plants in the short-grass ecosystem. To obtain information on their photosystem activities, we measured the fast (< 1 s) chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (the OJIP curve) from their leaves, and isolated cells grown photoautotrophically in suspension in a culture medium, or with added sucrose. One of our goals was to study the effect of different sucrose concentrations (0, 0.15, 0.3, and 3%) on PSII activity in isolated cells. Our results on cells suspended in culture medium, using the JIP-test, showed a decrease in PSII activity at increasing sucrose...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Revisiting JIP-test: An educative review on concepts, assumptions, approximations, definitions and terminology

M. TSIMILLI-MICHAEL

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):275-292 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.150  

The aim of this educative review is, by revisiting the JIP-test as introduced and further elaborated and extended by Professor Reto J. Strasser and his research group, to clarify concepts, assumptions, and approximations on which it is based, as well as definitions and terms it uses, reminding that it is meant to evaluate impacts of environmental stresses -factors and/or perturbations - on the photosynthetic structure and function. It analyses how the JIP-test, based on the Theory of Energy Fluxes and adopting Duysens' concept, translates the OJIP polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence rise kinetics, emitted by PSII, into biophysical parameters...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters as indicators of a particular abiotic stress in rice

P. FASEELA, A.K. SINISHA, M. BRESTIČ, J.T. PUTHUR

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):293-300 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.147  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of some chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters as early indicators of a particular abiotic stress and also to characterize the effect of different abiotic stresses [high light, NaCl, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress, and heavy metals] on the electron transport chain of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. The results clearly revealed that Chl a fluorescence parameters differ between abiotic stress types and also allowed us to select some parameters which were specifically and intensively affected under different abiotic stresses. We observed that the performance...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Characterization of photosynthetic performance during natural leaf senescence in winter wheat: Multivariate analysis as a tool for phenotypic characterization

M. VILJEVAC VULETIĆ, V. ŠPANIĆ

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):301-313 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.162  

In the current research, we used chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and photosynthetic pigment content to evaluate onset and rate of the flag leaf senescence every 7 d beginning at the flowering stage (0 d after flowering, DAF) until late senescence stage (35 DAF) on three winter wheat field-grown varieties (Alka, Žitarka, and Olimpija) with the similar maturation time. OJIP curves implied that flag leaves of variety Alka detained the longest photosynthetic efficiency, while the earliest symptoms of senescence onset were indicated by positive L-band at 7 DAF and K-band at 14 DAF in variety Olimpija. A shift in I-P phase in the wheat flag leaves...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – JIP-test parameters to study apple peel photosystem II behavior under high solar radiation stress during fruit development

V. BLACKHALL, G.A. ORIOLI, M.G. COLAVITA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):314-322 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.159  

Changes in apple (Malus domestica Bork.) peel PSII photochemical process during fruit development under high solar radiation field conditions were analysed by the JIP-test to increase understanding on energy dissipation and susceptibility to photooxidative damage. Fruits growing exposed (E), non-exposed (NE) or suddenly exposed (SU) to high solar radiation were evaluated at three developmental stages. Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (OJIP), were affected by high solar radiation and development. Minimum fluorescence, maximum fluorescence, maximum quantum yield of photochemistry, and specific fluxes per cross...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Chlorophyll a fluorescence of Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. plantations under thinning, liming, and phosphorus fertilization

K.C. PIRES DA COSTA, R. KIRMAYR JAQUETTI, J.F. DE CARVALHO GONÇALVES

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):323-330 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.146  

Phosphorus (P) fertilization and liming can reduce negative effects caused by a sudden increase in light availability after thinning of forest plantations. In this study, immediately after thinning, photochemical performance (quantum yield of PSII and performance index) decreased, however, liming and P fertilization reduced the negative effects caused by thinning and accelerated the recovery of Bertholletia excelsa trees. After thinning, the remaining trees increased J-I phase with the formation of a positive K-band which occurred exclusively in unfertilized (no liming or no P) individuals. Additionally, enhanced effective dissipation (DI₀/RC)...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Seasonal variation and trade-off between frost resistance and photosynthetic performance in woody species

A. GAST, C. RÖMERMANN, S.F. BUCHER

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):331-340 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.161  

We tested the seasonal variability of frost resistance and photosynthesis characteristics, namely net photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiance and ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, maximum carboxylation rate, and measurements based on the JIP-test, namely maximum quantum yield of PSII and the performance index. Additionally, we measured leaf functional traits, namely specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, stomatal pore area index, and chlorophyll content. We assessed all traits weekly on two evergreen species Berberis vulgaris and Quercus × hispanica as well as the two summer green species Betula pendula...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Efficacy of botanical pesticide for rotifer extermination during the cultivation of Nannochloropsis oculata probed by chlorophyll a fluorescence transient

L.T. ZHANG, R. XU, J.G. LIU

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):341-347 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.164  

Nannochloropsis is widely used in aquaculture as a feed source. However, large-scale cultivation of Nannochloropsis usually fails due to rotifer contamination. In order to identify an effective technique for reducing rotifer contamination, the effect of Brachionus plicatilis contamination on photosynthetic characteristics in Nannochloropsis oculata and the efficacy of the celangulin (CA):toosendanin (TSN) (1:9) combination for rotifer extermination were investigated using chlorophyll a fluorescence transient. B. plicatilis could directly devour microalgal cells and sharply reduced N. oculata density to very...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Analysis of drought response of sunflower inbred lines by chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics

Ö. ARSLAN, A.S. BALKAN NALÇAİYİ, Ş. ÇULHA ERDAL, V. PEKCAN, Y. KAYA, N. ÇİÇEK, Y. EKMEKÇİ

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):348-357 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.171  

The aim of the study was to screen nine inbred lines of sunflower by inducing drought for 10 d and subsequent rewatering for 5 d. Impact of drought was determined by chlorophyll fluorescence and some physiological parameters. Drought led to a decrease in the photosynthetic performance, the quantum yield, and efficiency of electron transport in sunflower lines, while it caused an increase in the absorption flux per reaction centre, dissipation of an active reaction centre, and K-band as well as L-band. Drought also decreased the total chlorophyll contents and water status of the lines, which contributed to photoinhibition. Our results suggested that...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Action of alamethicin in photosystem II probed by the fast chlorophyll fluorescence rise kinetics and the JIP-test

W. XIAO, H. WANG, W. LIU, X. WANG, Y. GUO, R.J. STRASSER, S. QIANG, S. CHEN, Z. HU

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):358-368 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.172  

Alamethicin (AMT) is a linear antimicrobial peptide isolated from fungi Trichoderma viride. To date, the mode of action of AMT in plant cells remains unknown. Our experimental results indicate that AMT causes leaf lesion attributed to its multiple effects on PSII. AMT decreases the O₂ evolution rate of PSII. Based on chlorophyll fluorescence data, similar to the classical herbicide diuron, AMT interrupts PSII electron transfer beyond Q_A at the acceptor side, leading to the inactivation of the PSII reaction centers. Additionally, AMT decreases chlorophyll content and destroys the architecture of PSII pigment assemblies....

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Thylakoid membrane reorganization, induced by growth light intensity, affects the plants susceptibility to drought stress

N. PETROVA, M. PAUNOV, S. STOICHEV, S. TODINOVA, S.G. TANEVA, V. GOLTSEV, S. KRUMOVA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):369-378 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.165  

One of the major questions in photosynthesis research is related to the role of the ultrastructure of thylakoid membranes in higher plants for their functional performance at optimal and stress environmental conditions. In this work, we compared the drought stress response of pea plants grown at moderate and low light conditions, based on our recent findings that they differ in the extent of grana stacking and in the thermal stability of the major light-harvesting complex of PSII that plays important regulatory role for plant survival. Our data demonstrate that low light-adapted plants are structurally and functionally less affected by the water deficit,...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Seasonal monitoring of PSII functionality and relative chlorophyll content on a field site in two consecutive years: A case study of different oak species

S. KOLLER, V. HOLLAND, W. BRÜGGEMANN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):379-390 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.163  

In search for practical silvicultural management tools to identify alternative tree species for predicted Central European climate conditions, a cross-species survey with five evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous Quercus taxa with contrasting morphological leaf traits was performed. Fast chlorophyll fluorescence induction of PSII and relative leaf chlorophyll contents were performed to assess the overall plant vitality at any point in time during two complete vegetation periods in consecutive years (2012 and 2013). Maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII and the performance index on absorption base showed a very conservative relationship...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Effect of AtLFNR1 deficiency on chlorophyll a fluorescence rise kinetics OJIP of Arabidopsis

Y. GUO, Y. ZHANG, Y. LU, J. SHI, S. CHEN, R.J. STRASSER, S. QIANG, Z. HU

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):391-398 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.167  

Leaf-type ferredoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductase, encoded by AtLFNR1 gene in Arabidopsis, extensively exists in chloroplast stroma and thylakoids and is responsible for the reduction of NADP⁺ to NADPH in PSI. To investigate the relationship between the characteristics of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients OJIP and the function of AtLFNR1 protein, the fluorescence rise kinetics OJIP curves of AtLFNR1 mutant leaves were determined. It is observed that AtLFNR1 mutant has a lower level of variable fluorescence intensity relative to wild type, especially the J-step and the IP-phase. The JIP-test analysis suggests...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – JIP-test as a tool for early diagnostics of plant growth and flowering upon selected light recipe

M. ZHIPONOVA, M. PAUNOV, S. ANEV, N. PETROVA, S. KRUMOVA, A. RAYCHEVA, V. GOLTSEV, N. TZVETKOVA, S. TANEVA, K. SAPUNOV, G. CHANEVA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):399-408 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.174  

Light is a major factor controlling plant growth and development. To assess the impact of the applied light conditions, we aimed to sort out a tool for early diagnostics of the plant physiological state. We investigated the effect of a blue:red:far-red LED light formula recommended for improved plant performance (flowering). High (BR) and low (BRS) light intensity variants were compared to normal (W) and 'shadowed' (WS) white fluorescent controls. The efficiency of the JIP-test to determine changes during early growth of pea plants was compared to additional physiological characteristics (growth parameters, thermal stability of the thylakoid membranes,...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – The JIP-test as a tool for forestry in times of climate change

F. BANTIS, E. FRÜCHTENICHT, J. GRAAP, S. STRÖLL, N. REININGER, L. SCHÄFER, M. POLLASTRINI, V. HOLLAND, F. BUSSOTTI, K. RADOGLOU, W. BRÜGGEMANN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):409-421 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.173  

Replicate common gardens of Italian and Greek provenances of Quercus ilex, Q. pubescens, and Q. frainetto seedlings were established in 2017 in Italy, Greece, and Germany (here: also Q. robur) to assess their potential for plantations for future climate scenarios. The JIP-test was applied on saplings (2016) and in the summers of 2017-2019 to assess the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus. Seedlings from the nurseries differed in the tested JIP parameters from older plants in the field. Further, considerable inter-annual and between-sites variability of the parameters occurred. Q. pubescens revealed the most...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Influence of Cuscuta campestris Yunck. on the photosynthetic activity of Ipomoea tricolor Cav. - in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence assessment

L. ZAGORCHEV, A. TRAIANOVA, D. TEOFANOVA, J. LI, M. KOUZMANOVA, V. GOLTSEV

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):422-432 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.004  

Cuscuta campestris Yunck. is a parasitic plant, acquiring nutrients from the hosts. Although a generalist, its hosts differ in their susceptibility. Ipomoea tricolor Cav. is a semi-compatible host - C. campestris growth is restricted in infected plants. We aimed to assess the effect of the parasite on this semi-compatible host by using the sensitive JIP-test to follow physiological changes in leaves at different vegetative stages - aged, mature, and newly emerging. The characteristics of the photosynthetic machinery were estimated by 17 parameters, calculated from the prompt chlorophyll a fluorescence. The most sensitive were performance...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Can we predict winter survival in plants using chlorophyll a fluorescence?

T. SWOCZYNA, J. MOJSKI, A.H. BACZEWSKA-DĄBROWSKA, H.M. KALAJI, N.I. ELSHEERY

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):433-442 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.181  

In the last years, JIP-test became to be a tool widely applied to assess the performance of photosynthetic apparatus of plants growing under environmental stresses. The objective of our work was to check whether JIP-test can help to predict winter survival in plants. An experiment with outdoor vertical garden was conducted in June 2015 on a south-oriented wall in Lublin city, Poland. Plants were cultivated in pockets made of polyester felt and irrigated by automatic controlled system. After winter period (2015/2016) only 16 species and cultivars from 23 initially planted taxa substantiated successful survival. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Gradual changes in the photosynthetic apparatus triggered by nitrogen depletion during microalgae cultivation in photobioreactor

T.YU. PLYUSNINA, S.S. KHRUSCHEV, N.S. DEGTEREVA, I.V. KONYUKHOV, A.E. SOLOVCHENKO, M. KOUZMANOVA, V.N. GOLTSEV, G.YU. RIZNICHENKO, A.B. RUBIN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):443-451 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.002  

Changes of photosynthetic activity during natural depletion of nitrogen in a batch culture of Chlorella vulgaris were studied using chlorophyll a fluorescence-based methods. Complex analysis including JIP-test, multiexponential approximation, and the analysis of differential curves was carried out on the recorded fluorescence transients. Three pivot points were detected in dynamics of the JIP-test parameters during culture growing. We associated these time points with different stages of mineral stress progress. Immediately after nitrogen exhaustion in the cultivation medium, a transient increase in the efficiency of PSII was detected....

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Targets of nitric oxide (NO) during modulation of photosystems in pea mesophyll protoplasts: studies using chlorophyll a fluorescence

B. SUNIL, R.J. STRASSER, A.S. RAGHAVENDRA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):452-459 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.183  

Plants adapt to the environmental stresses by using the signalling molecules, such as H₂O₂ and nitric oxide (NO). We have assessed the NO-induced changes by using sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) in photosynthetic components in protoplasts of pea (Pisum sativum) by measuring chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence induction kinetics. On exposure to SNP during preillumination, their photochemical activities were severely affected. There was a decrease of 40% in O₂ evolution by 5 min and complete inhibition by 20 min. The patterns of photosynthesis in absence of NO did not vary much over 20 min. Chl a...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Chlorophyll fluorescence of Nicotiana tabacum expressing the green fluorescent protein

N. KEUTGEN, M. TOMASZEWSKA-SOWA, A.J. KEUTGEN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):460-467 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.178  

Evidence that the green fluorescence protein (GFP) develops a significant toxicity in plants has not been found, but it may represent a source of free radicals as a consequence of its fluorescence. In addition, green light is known to trigger the acclimatisation of the photosynthetic system towards a shady environment. Moreover, the light-harvesting system may acclimate to an increased availability of green light. Each of these effects may be induced by the GFP. Therefore, the hypothesis was tested, whether transformation of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bursan to express the GFP could affect chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The analysis revealed...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Probing the photosynthetic efficiency of some European and Anatolian Scots pine populations under UV-B radiation using polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence transient

N. ÇIÇEK, H.M. KALAJI, Y. EKMEKÇİ

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):468-478 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.151  

The study was carried out to examine the photosynthetic efficiency of Scot pine populations, originated from various European countries and Anatolia in Turkey, exposed to UV-B radiation. Seeds were germinated and grown in the nursery; three-year-old seedlings were exposed to UV-B for two days, eight hours per day. The photosynthetic efficiency was probed by chlorophyll a fluorescence at 24 h after UV-B treatment and analysed by JIP-test. UV-B caused reduction in quantum yields and electron transport at both donor and acceptor sides of photosystems. The performance indexes of seedlings were also negatively affected by the treatment. Populations...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Dorsoventral variation in photosynthesis during leaf senescence probed by chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics in cucumber and maize plants

H.Y. WU, F.Q. DONG, L.A. LIU, L. SHI, W.F. ZHANG, C.D. JIANG

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):479-487 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.005  

Although photosynthesis has been intensively studied during leaf senescence, it is unclear whether the changes of photosynthetic function in various mesophyll tissues can be detected using chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics (CFI) in vivo. To clarify this question, leaf structure and CFI were carefully examined in senescent leaves. The results showed declines in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate in both cucumber and maize plants as leaves aged. In cucumber leaves, the number of chloroplasts decreased more rapidly in the palisade tissue compared to the sponge tissue as senescence progressed. Under various pulse light...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Sporulation modifies the photosynthetic activity of sporotrophophyll leaves of Platycerium bifurcatum

A. SKOCZOWSKI, G. RUT, J. OLIWA, A. KORNAS

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):488-496 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.176  

Platycerium bifurcatum is an epiphytic fern, occurring mainly in the forests of Australia and New Guinea. The location and spatial structure of its sporangia makes this fern a unique research model for physiological experiments. Our research aimed to determine changes in photosynthesis in the sporophilic and trophophilic parts of P. bifurcatum leaves during spore tying and maturation. For this purpose, the JIP-test and gas-exchange measurements of leaves were performed. In the study, we showed that changes typical of plant responses to stress factors also happened at critical periods in plant ontogenesis (e.g., in the generative phase)...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Analysis of OJIP transients during photoinactivation of photosystem II indicates the presence of multiple photosensitizers in vivo and in vitro

I. IERMAK, M. SZABÓ, A. ZAVAFER

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):497-506 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.166  

Generally, excessive excitation absorbed by the pigments is considered the cause of PSII photodamage. Previous studies of action spectra of PSII photodamage concluded that shorter wavelengths induce more damage, supporting the hypothesis of the existence of more than one photosensitizer. However, the relative influence of different photosensitizers is still inconclusive. In this work, we have revisited this question by inducing PSII photodamage in vivo and in vitro at two different wavelengths (460 and 660 nm) where the net absorption cross section was the same using equal irradiance. To correlate PSII photodamage with each wavelength...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – JIP-test as a tool for early detection of the macronutrients deficiency in Miscanthus plants

T. HORACZEK, P. DĄBROWSKI, H.M. KALAJI, A.H. BACZEWSKA-DĄBROWSKA, S. PIETKIEWICZ, W. STĘPIEŃ, D. GOZDOWSKI

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):507-517 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.177  

The optimization of cultivation process and improving the yield of perspective energy crops in Europe could be one of the ways to overcome the problem of limited amount of conventional fuel. The aim of this work was to check if the use of JIP-test, as a noninvasive method for early detection of the changes in photosynthetic apparatus, can be applied to detect nutrients deficiency in miscanthus (Miscanthus × gigantheus Anderss.) plants. The experiment was performed in fully randomized design with the following experimental variants: CaNPK (full fertilization, control), NPK (without calcium), CaKN (phosphorus poor), CaPK (nitrogen poor),...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – JIP-test as a tool to identify salinity tolerance in sweet sorghum genotypes

A. RASTOGI, M. KOVAR, X. HE, M. ZIVCAK, S. KATARIA, H.M. KALAJI, M. SKALICKY, U.F. IBRAHIMOVA, S. HUSSAIN, S. MBARKI, M. BRESTIC

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):518-528 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.169  

The effect of salinity on primary photochemical reactions (using JIP-test) in six sweet sorghum genotypes was tested. An increase in salt concentrations induced significantly the accumulation of proline and caused a decline in leaf osmotic potential. Except for 100 mM NaCl concentration, salinity significantly decreased chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency of plants. Increasing salinity led to a higher accumulation of Q_B-nonreducing PSII reaction centers. K-step in OJIP fluorescence transient was observed for the most sensitive genotypes under the high NaCl concentration. The studied sorghum genotypes responded differently to...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Environmental pollution is reflected in the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus

S. HAJIHASHEMI, M. BRESTIC, H.M. KALAJI, M. SKALICKY, F. NOEDOOST

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):529-539 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.179  

The efficiency of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence for forecasting plant response to environmental pollution was examined in four wheat cultivars. The plants were irrigated with wastewater from Razi petrochemical complex. A forecasting model was designed based on the data of maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), efficiency of both photosystems (PI_ABS), and Chl contents of 60-d analysis. A comparison of the forecasting model results with the real data of F_v/F_m, PI_ABS, and Chl in response to wastewater suggested F_v/F_m as an accurate tool for stress forecasting....

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Improving tolerance in seedlings of some Polish varieties of Dactylis glomerata to water deficit by application of simulated drought during seed germination

B. BORAWSKA-JARMUŁOWICZ, G. MASTALERCZUK, P. DĄBROWSKI, H.M. KALAJI, K. WYTRĄŻEK

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):540-548 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.007  

Effects of drought stress on the physiological and morphological parameters of Dactylis glomerata varieties were studied. Seeds were germinated under simulated drought during 21 d and then subjected either to drought or optimal soil moisture conditions for 12 d. After this period all plants were optimally watered. Plants derived from seeds germinated under drought showed higher or similar photosynthetic efficiency as compared to those germinated under optimum moisture not only under stress but also after regeneration period. Application of drought during the seed germination improved nitrogen balance index (NBI) and chlorophyll content (Chl)...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Origin rather than mild drought stress influenced chlorophyll a fluorescence in contrasting silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) provenances

A. KONÔPKOVÁ, H. HÚDOKOVÁ, M. JEŽÍK, D. KURJAK, G. JAMNICKÁ, Ľ. DITMAROVÁ, D. GÖMÖRY, R. LONGAUER, R. TOGNETTI, E. PŠIDOVÁ

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):549-559 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.011  

The performance of PSII photochemistry in five Central European provenances of silver fir differing in the altitude of origin (250-1,300 m a.s.l.) were studied using the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters derived from the JIP-test. Measurements were performed on two dates in 2016: at the start and at the peak of growing season. Within this period, mild water stress was recorded, allowing us to monitor changes in photochemistry under drought conditions. Our results confirmed that silver fir is generally resistant to water deficit at the PSII level. However, the differences in photochemistry between provenances originating from different climatic...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Probing the photosynthetic apparatus noninvasively in the laboratory of Reto Strasser in the countryside of Geneva between 2001 and 2009

S.Z. TÓTH, A. OUKARROUM, G. SCHANSKER

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):560-572 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.003  

An overview is given of several studies on the fast chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence (OJIP) transient carried out in the laboratory of Reto Strasser between 2001 and 2009. At the beginning of this period the HandyPEA and PEA-Senior instruments were introduced by Reto Strasser and Hansatech Instruments Ltd. (UK) that gave a lot of experimental flexibility compared to the experiments that were feasible in the preceding years. These technical innovations, including the combination of 820-nm transmission measurements (for the determination of the P₇₀₀ and PC redox states) and Chl a fluorescence [originating...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Monitoring seasonal damage of photosynthetic apparatus in mature street trees exposed to road-side salinity caused by heavy traffic

T. SWOCZYNA, P. LATOCHA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):573-584 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.006  

De-icing salts are harmful for road-side greenery. The aim of our study was to examine photosystem II performance in mature trees growing along a road of heavy traffic in relation to shoot and soil salinity caused by de-icing salts. Leaves from each three specimens of Aesculus hippocastanum, Tilia cordata, and Betula pendula growing along the same road, nine leaves from a road-side part (RS) and nine from an opposite part (OS) of each tree crown, were sampled in June, July, and September, 2017 and 2018. The PSII performance in RS and OS leaves was compared using chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChF) technique. Since the beginning...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Effects of exogenous abscisic acid on the photosynthetic function andreactive oxygen species metabolism of tobacco leaves under drought stress

H.H. ZHANG, N. XU, X. LI, Y. HAN, J.W. REN, M.B. LI, S. ZHAI, R.Y. YANG, Z.Y. TENG, G.Y. SUN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):585-594 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.143  

In this study, water solutions with different concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) (10, 20, and 40 μmol L^-1) were sprayed on leaves of drought-stressed tobacco seedlings. The results showed that under drought stress, both water content and photosynthetic carbon assimilation ability were reduced, PSII activity was also inhibited. Drought stress also led to the outbreak of reactive oxygen species in tobacco leaves and increased the degree of membrane peroxidation. However, spraying exogenous ABA significantly alleviated the damage caused by drought stress on the leaves. The potential mechanisms by which drought resistance in tobacco...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Additive main effect and digenic epistatic quantitative trait loci for chlorophyll fluorescence traits influencing salt tolerance at seedling stage in rice

K. CHATTOPADHYAY, J. VIJAYAN, A. RAY, K. CHAKRABORTY, R.K. SARKAR

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):595-607 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.008  

In this investigation, an attempt was made to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL)/gene associated with JIP-test parameters in rice. Thirty main effect additive QTLs (M-QTLs) along with more than 500 digenic epistatic QTLs were detected using a backcross-derived population from tolerant genotype Pokkali (AC41585) and the susceptible counterpart IR64. These M-QTLs were located in almost all the chromosomes except chromosome number 6 and 8. Most of the M-QTLs showed pleiotropic effects. Positional similarity of all these overlapping additive and additive × additive interaction, QTLs indicated the substantial resemblance of the genetic basis of many...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Photosynthetic activity as assessed via chlorophyll a fluorescence suggests a role of potassium channels in root to shoot signaling

O.V. VOITSEKHOVSKAJA, V.I. APOLLONOV, A.V. MURTUZOVA, C.K. RABADANOVA, M.A. CHARNYSH, I.V. DROZDOVA, A.I. BELYAEVA, O.N. KOVALEVA, I.G. LOSKUTOV, K. PAWLOWSKI, V.V. DEMIDCHIK, E.V. TYUTEREVA

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):608-621 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.025  

Potassium is indispensable for plant growth. Recently, a role of K⁺ channels has emerged in sensing and transducing stress and nutrient status. Tetraethylammonium (TEA⁺) is a specific blocker of K⁺ transport and affects K⁺ channel gene expression. Two barley varieties with contrasting salinity tolerance, and a chlorophyll b-less mutant, were grown either in the presence of TEA⁺ alone or combined with NaCl, at two different concentrations of external K⁺ and Ca²⁺, and were analyzed nine days after germination. Chlorophyll a transients monitored via JIP-tests...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Phenotyping with fast fluorescence sensors approximates yield component measurements in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

S. LENK, J.A. DIELEMAN, V. LEFEBVRE, E. HEUVELINK, J.J. MAGÁN, A. PALLOIX, F.A. VAN EEUWIJK, A. BARÓCSI

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):622-637 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.016  

Molecular breeding, a powerful technique to increase crop yield, tries to predict yield by crop growth models with genotype specific, environment-independent yield components and environmental indices as inputs. A fluorescence-trait-based approach is presented to approximate some costly and time-consuming measurements of yield components. Temporal monitoring of chlorophyll a fluorescence resulted in fluorescence traits with high heritability (0.60-0.82) that could act as proxies for model inputs. Medium-sized Pearson's correlations were calculated between fluorescence traits, light-use efficiency (LUE), and fruit related parameters up...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Comparative analysis of drought stress response of maize genotypes using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and leaf relative water content

A. BADR, W. BRÜGGEMANN

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):638-645 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.014  

The initial photochemical quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m) and performance index (PI), describing the ability of the photosynthetic apparatus to collect light energy, have been used to screen tolerance to drought stress by ten maize accessions, monitored by leaf relative water content (RWC) and soil water content (SWC). The F_v/F_m, PI, and RWC values were significantly reduced in drought-stressed plants. The analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction rise from the basic dark-adapted fluorescence yield to the maximum (OJIP transient), distinguished accession Zea 1006 from Libya and...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Analysis of K- and L-band appearance in OJIPs in Antarctic lichensin low and high temperature

M. BEDNAŘÍKOVÁ, Y. FOLGAR-CAMEÁN, Z. KUČEROVÁ, D. LAZÁR, M. ŠPUNDOVÁ, J. HÁJEK, M. BARTÁK

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):646-656 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.180  

In this study, we evaluated the effect of temperature on the fast chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) transient (OJIP) and OJIP-derived parameters in Antarctic lichens Xanthoria elegans, Usnea antarctica, and Dermatocarpon polyphyllizum. Samples were exposed to a range of temperatures (-5 to +45°C) and measured after 15-min equilibration. High temperature (+45°C) caused a decrease of ChlF, an increased J-step, and shortened time to reach peak ChlF (F_P). Temperature below +5°C caused the increase of ChlF and J-step. The K-band was identified in X. elegans (above +20°C), U. antarctica (+35°C), and D. polyphyllizum...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Photosynthetic efficiency of two Platanus orientalis L. ecotypes exposed to moderately high temperature - JIP-test analysis

S. DIMITROVA, M. PAUNOV, B. PAVLOVA, K. DANKOV, M. KOUZMANOVA, V. VELIKOVA, T. TSONEV, H.M. KALAJI, V. GOLTSEV

Photosynthetica 2020, 58(SI):657-670 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2020.012  

Plane (Platanus orientalis) is a popular park tree in Europe but is almost extinct in natural ecosystems, because of climate changes. In our study, two ecotypes of plane tree (Bulgarian and Italian) were submitted to moderately elevated temperature that occurs in summer. Our aim was to compare stress reactions, tolerance, and adaptability of these plants. Leaf age had a significant impact on the stress effects. For correct interpretation of the results, we investigated leaves at different positions from the apical bud, i.e., leaves of different age. We assessed their photosynthetic efficiency at room temperature and after treatment at...

Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser – Phosphorus deficiency affects the I-step of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction curve of radish

M.D. CETNER, H.M. KALAJI, W. BORUCKI, K. KOWALCZYK