Diurnal regulation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity and its content in Norway spruce needles

M. Hrstka, O. Urban, E. Petrů, L. Babák

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):334-339 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0057-6

Diurnal changes of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activity and its content were measured to find the mechanism of RuBPCO activity regulation in Norway spruce needles. Both initial and total RuBPCO activities as well as the activation state had a typical pattern with two peaks in the morning and afternoon, respectively, and a midday depression. On the 19 October, RuBPCO content decreased during the day from 3.1 to 1.4 g m^-2, while on the 20 October it was approximately constant both in the morning and in the afternoon (2.7 g m^-2). Neither initial nor total activity of RuBPCO copied irradiances. Relatively...

Protochlorophyllide photo-transformation and chlorophyll(ide) formation in barley etioplast fractions

D. Kovacevic, D. Dewez, R. Popovic

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):340-347 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0058-5

Localization of protochlorophyll(ide) (Pchlide) forms and chlorophyllide (Chlide) transformation process were studied by using comparative analyses of de-convoluted 77 K fluorescence spectra of barley etioplast stroma and different membrane fractions obtained by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Non-photoactive 633 nm Pchlide form was mainly located in the envelope-prothylakoid membrane mixture while the photoactive 657 nm Pchlide was dominant pigment in the prolamellar body membrane and in the soluble etioplast fraction (stroma). When these fractions were exposed to a saturating flash, conversion of photoactive Pchlide into 697 nm Chlide was preferential...

Changes in photosynthesis, xanthophyll cycle, and sugar accumulation in two North Australia tropical species differing in leaf angles

S. M. Xu, L. X. Liu, K.C. Woo, D. L. Wang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):348 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0059-4

Two tropical species of North Australia, Acacia crassicarpa and Eucalyptus pellita, have similar leaf size and leaf structure but different leaf angles. A. crassicarpa with near vertical leaf angle directly reduced photon absorption and leaf temperature (T _l) and had relatively high photosynthetic activity (P _max) and low xanthophyll cycle activity. In contrast, E. pellita with a small leaf angle exhibited high T _l, low P _max, and high activity of xanthophyll cycle which was useful for the dissipation of excessive energy and reduction of photoinhibition....

Compensatory effects of elevated CO₂ concentration on the inhibitory effects of high temperature and irradiance on photosynthetic gas exchange in carrots

A. Thiagarajan, R. Lada, P. Joy

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):355-362 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0060-y

We determined the interactive effects of irradiance, elevated CO₂ concentration (EC), and temperature in carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus). Plants of the cv. Red Core Chantenay (RCC) were grown in a controlled environmental plant growth room and exposed to 3 levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400, 800, 1 200 µmol m^-2 s^-1), 3 leaf chamber temperatures (15, 20, 30 °C), and 2 external CO₂ concentrations (C _a), AC and EC (350 and 750 µmol mol^-1, respectively). Rates of net photosynthesis (P _N) and transpiration (E)...

Selective effects of H₂O₂ on cyanobacterial photosynthesis

M. Drábková, H. C. P. Matthijs, W. Admiraal, B. Maršálek

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):363-369 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0062-9

The sensitivity of phytoplankton species for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was analyzed by pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. The inhibition of photosynthesis was more severe in five tested cyanobacterial species than in three green algal species and one diatom species. Hence the inhibitory effect of H₂O₂ is especially pronounced for cyanobacteria. A specific damage of the photosynthetic apparatus was demonstrated by changes in 77 K fluorescence emission spectra. Different handling of oxidative stress and different cell structure are responsible for the different susceptibility to H₂O₂...

Diurnal patterns of carbon dioxide, water vapour, and energy fluxes in pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Red Spanish] field using eddy covariance

J. San-José, R. Montes, N. Nikonova

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):370-384 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0064-7

We analyzed the eddy covariance measurements of momentum, mass, and energy taken daily throughout five consecutive seasonal courses (i.e. 840 d after planting) of a pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Red Spanish] field growing in the Orinoco lowlands. This field provides an opportunity for micrometeorological studies because of the flat and windy site; the seasonal weather including ENSO effects and the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) physiology of the crop were additional attributes. Soil CO₂ flux was quantified and added to the net ecosystem exchange in order to obtain the canopy flux (F_C). The canopy...

Physiological response of eight Mediterranean maquis species to low air temperatures during winter

L. Varone, L. Gratani

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):385-391 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0065-6

We analyzed the physiological response of the Mediterranean evergreen species (Arbutus unedo L., Cistus incanus L., Erica arborea L., Erica multiflora L., Phillyrea latifolia L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Quercus ilex L., and Rosmarinus officinalis L.) to winter low air temperatures. In occasion of two cold events, in February 2005 (T _min = 1.8 °C), and January 2006 (T _min = 3.1 °C and minimum T _air = -0.40 °C during the nights preceding the measurements), R. officinalis, C. incanus, and E. multiflora had the highest net photosynthetic...

Temperature dependences of carbon assimilation processes in four dominant species from mountain grassland ecosystem

O. Urban, A. Ač, J. Kalina, T. Priwitzer, M. Šprtová, V. Špunda, M. V. Marek

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):392-399 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0066-5

Temperature responses of carbon assimilation processes were studied in four dominant species from mountain grassland ecosystem, i.e. Holcus mollis (L.), Hypericum maculatum (Cr.), Festuca rubra (L.), and Nardus stricta (L.), using the gas exchange technique. Leaf temperature (T _L) of all species was adjusted within the range 13-30 °C using the Peltier thermoelectric cooler. The temperature responses of metabolic processes were subsequently modelled using the Arrhenius exponential function involving the temperature coefficient Q ₁₀. The expected increase of global temperature led to a significant...

Early seedling growth and morphogenesis in the xantha1 mutant of sunflower with alteration of chloroplast biogenesis

M. Fambrini, G. Cionini, N. Rascio, F. Dalla Vecchia, C. Pugliesi

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):400-408 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0068-3

In the xantha1 (xan1) mutant of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), the effects on organ anatomy and seedling growth did correlate to the alteration of chloroplast biogenesis. The xan1 seedlings grown under 165 µmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1 revealed a severely altered chloroplast ultrastructure in cotyledons and leaves. Cross-sections or clarified tissues of the xan1 cotyledons did not show evident alterations with respect to normal cotyledons suggesting that the impairment of chloroplast biogenesis has negligible consequences on embryonic leaves. By contrast, the analysis of xan1 leaves showed...

Chlorophyll a fluorescence transient during freezing and recovery in winter wheat

M. Rapacz

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):409-418 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0069-2

Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence measurements as evaluators of plant freezing tolerance are frequently insufficiently sensitive to detect the early metabolic changes that are initiated following exposure to freezing temperatures. Using cold-acclimated winter wheat, I analysed the polyphasic transience (from 50 µs to 1 s) of Chl a fluorescence. This enabled detailed studies of the progressive energy flows and efficiencies within the photosystem 2 (PS2) complex that ensue following initial exposure to freezing temperatures right through to the plant recovery stage. The initial consequences of mild frosts that may cause primary damage...

Changes in leaf photosynthesis of transgenic rice with silenced OsBP-73 gene

Y. Chen, D. Q. Xu

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):419 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0070-9

In comparison with its wild type (WT), the transgenic (TG) rice with silenced OsBP-73 gene had significantly lower plant height, grain number per panicle, and leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N). Also, the TG rice showed significantly lower chlorophyll (Chl), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO), RuBPCO activase, and RuBP contents, photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m and ΔF/F_m'), apparent quantum yield of carbon assimilation (Φ_c), carboxylation efficiency (CE), photosynthetic electron transport and photophosphorylation rates as well as...

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in water deficit leaves of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants

M. Bertamini, L. Zulini, R. Zorer, K. Muthuchelian, N. Nedunchezhian

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):426 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0071-8

Photoinhibition under irradiance of 2 000 µmol m^-2 s^-1 (HI) was studied in detached control (C) and water deficit (WD) leaves of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants. The degree of photoinhibition was determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (F_v/F_m) and electron transport measurements. The potential efficiency of photosystem (PS) 2, F_v/F_m, marginally declined under HI in WD-leaves without significant increase of F₀. In contrast, F_v/F_m ratio declined markedly with significant increase of F₀...

Effects of salinity on chlorophyll fluorescence and CO₂ fixation in C₄ estuarine grasses

B. R. Maricle, R. W. Lee, C. E. Hellquist, O. Kiirats, G. E. Edwards

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):433-440 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0072-7

The effects of salinity (sea water at 0 ‰ versus 30 ‰) on gross rates of O₂ evolution (J _O2) and net rates of CO₂ uptake (P _N) were measured in the halotolerant estuarine C₄ grasses Spartina patens, S. alterniflora, S. densiflora, and Distichlis spicata in controlled growth environments. Under high irradiance, salinity had no significant effect on the intercellular to ambient CO₂ concentration ratio (C _i/C _a). However, during photosynthesis under limiting irradiance, the maximum quantum efficiency of...

Response of gas exchange and yield components of field-grown Triticum aestivum L. to elevated ozone in China

Z. Z. Feng, F. F. Yao, Z. Chen, X. K. Wang, Q. W. Zheng, Z. W. Feng

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):441-446 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0073-6

To assess photosynthesis and yield components' response of field-grown wheat to increasing ozone (O₃) concentration (based on diurnal pattern of ambient O₃) in China, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Jia 403 was planted in open top chambers and exposed to three different O₃ concentrations: O₃-free air (CF), ambient air (NF), and O₃-free air with additional O₃ (CF+O₃). Diurnal changes of gas exchange and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) in response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of flag leaves were measured at the filling grain stage,...

Response of xanthophyll cycle and chloroplastic antioxidant enzymes to chilling stress in tomato over-expressing glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase gene

N. Sui, M. Li, X. Y. Liu, N. Wang, W. Fang, Q. W. Meng

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):447-454 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0074-5

Over-expression of chloroplastic glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase gene (LeGPAT) increased unsaturated fatty acid contents in phosphatidylglycerol (PG) of thylakoid membrane in tomato. The effect of this increase on the xanthophyll cycle and chloroplast antioxidant enzymes was examined by comparing wild type (WT) tomato with the transgenic (TG) lines at chilling temperature (4 °C) under low irradiance (100 µmol m^-2 s^-1). Net photosynthetic rate and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem (PS) 2 (F_v/F_m) in TG plants decreased more slowly during chilling stress and F_v/F_m...

Vegetative growth and photosynthesis in coffee plants under different watering and fertilization managements in Yunnan, SW China

C. T. Cai, Z. Q. Cai, T. Q. Yao, X. Qi

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):455 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0075-4

In a field experiment Coffea arabica L. was subjected to various moisture and fertilizer regimes in Simao, Yunan, SW China. The experimental treatments consisted of eight factorial combinations of two fertilization levels (high and low) and four watering treatments applied in the dry season: application of dry rice straw mulch, drip irrigation, mulching plus drip irrigation on the soil surface, and control (no mulching or irrigation). The growth of the coffee plants was monitored throughout the course of a full year. Two clear growth peaks were detected (one at the beginning and one in the middle of the wet season) in plants subjected to all...

Plant photosynthetic production as controlled by leaf growth, phenology, and behavior

G. B. Begonia, M. T. Begonia

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):321-333 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0056-7

In this historical review we summarize discoveries related to the flowering genes in controlling leaf area index (LAI, the leaf area per unit ground area) in sorghum, soybean, or pea crop stands. We also analyze similar work on Arabidopsis and dwarf and intermediate stem height genes in wheat and rice.

Grimm, B., Porra, R.J., Rüdiger, W., Scheer, H. (Ed.): Chlorophylls and Bacteriochlorophylls. Biochemistry, Biophysics, Functions and Applications

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):362 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0061-x

Tuba, Z. (ed.): Ecological Responses and Adaptation of Crops To Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

Z. Šesták

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):369 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0063-8

Physiological divergences between two rhizomatous grasses from a desertification steppe, North China

R. Z. Wang

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):463 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0078-1

The inter-and intra-specific physiological differences, e.g. rates of net photosynthesis (P _N) and transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), and water use efficiency (WUE), were compared between two grasses, Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth. and Psammochloa villosa (Trin.) Bor., and between their leaf types in a desertification steppe in North China. The two species had a similar habitat, but differed in leaf area and rhizome depth. Leaf P _N, E, and g _s for P. villosa were significantly greater than those for C. epigeios in...

Influence of heat shock on chlorophyll fluorescence of white oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) leaves

A. Dascaliuc, T. Ralea, P. Cuza

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):469-471 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0079-0

Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Quercus pubescens Willd. as response to heat shock (HS) by immersing leaves for 5 and 15 min in water of temperatures between 38 and 59 °C were examined. Fluorescence was measured after different periods of recovery (15, 30, 90, 210, and 1 440 min at 24/26 °C night/day temperature and 100 % humidity). The effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (Y) in control and HS-treated leaves was always measured after previous 15 min irradiation. Under a 5 min HS, Y did not change after using temperatures below 44 °C, was rapidly restored after HS of moderate temperatures (44-48 °C), and progressively...

Effects of water deficit and selenium on common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) plants

N. Tadina, M. Germ, I. Kreft, B. Breznik, A. Gaberščik

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):472-476 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0080-7

Two cultivars of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Pyra and Siva, were exposed to three treatments: water deficit (WD), foliar spraying by selenium (as Na₂SeO₄) (Se), and the combination of both. In WD-plants the stomatal conductance (g _s) was significantly lower, while WD+Se-plants of Siva had significantly higher g _s. None of the treatments resulted in significant differences of potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2). A significantly higher actual photochemical efficiency of PS2 was obtained in Siva WD-plants and in Pyra Se-and WD-plants which was possibly...

Effect of seed soaking with sulphydryl compounds on the photochemical efficiency and antioxidant defence system during the growth of pearl millet under water limiting environment

N. K. Ramaswamy, N. S. Nathawat, J. S. Nair, H. R. Sharma, S. M. Kumawat, Govind Singh, M. P. Sahu, S. F. D'Souza

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):477-480 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0081-6

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. cv. HHB-67) seeds were pre-soaked in sulphydryl compounds (dithiothreitol, thioglycollic acid, thiourea, and cysteine). In plants at 59 and 67 d after sowing (DAS), activities of photosystem (PS) 2 (ferricyanide site) and PS1, both chloroplastic and total superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase increased after all sulphydryl pre-treatments at both stages of plant development. Also dry matter of plant parts sampled at 55 DAS was higher after thiol-treatments in comparison with control.

International research on cassava photosynthesis, productivity, eco-physiology, and responses to environmental stresses in the tropics

M. A. El-Sharkawy

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):399 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0067-4

Influence of irradiation on cyanide-resistant respiration and AOX1 multi-gene family expression during greening of etiolated rice seedlings

H. Q. Feng, H. Y. Li, G. M. Zhou, H. G. Liang, J. G. Duan, D. J. Zhi, X. Li, J. Ma

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):462 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0076-3

Photosynthetic characteristics of hybrid rice with phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase gene

L. L. Ling, B. J. Zhang, D. M. Jiao

Photosynthetica 2007, 45(3):462 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-007-0077-2