Editorial

Helena Synková, Ivana Štětinová

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):1-2 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0196-8  

Photosynthetic response of desert plants to small rainfall events in the Junggar Basin, northwest China

Y. Wu, X. J. Zheng, Y. Li

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):3-11 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0168-4  

Small rainfall events (≤ 5 mm) have short intervals, but account for a large proportion of the annual rainfall frequency in arid lands. To explore possible strategies used by desert plants to utilize the small rainfall events, we investigated the photosynthetic responses of 28 species to 1 mm and 6 mm of simulated rainfall in the Junggar Basin, northwest China. The species were grouped into four plant functional types: short-life-cycle herbs, long-life-cycle herbs, non-phreatophyte shrubs, and phreatophyte shrubs. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate increased in most of the herbs, but...

Photorespiration and photoinhibition in the bracts of cotton under water stress

C. Zhang, D. X. Zhan, H. H. Luo, Y. L. Zhang, W. F. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):12-18 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0139-9  

Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of PSII were analyzed in the bracts and leaves of cotton plants after anthesis. Photosynthetic activity and photorespiration were measured in the leaves and bracts of cotton grown under either normal or reduced water-saving drip irrigation. The photosynthetic performance, amount of chlorophyll and Rubisco, and net photosynthesis were greater in the bracts than that in the leaves under water stress. The actual photochemical efficiency of PSII decreased in both the bracts and leaves after anthesis under reduced irrigation. However, the decrease was smaller in the bracts than in the leaves, indicating...

Exogenous melatonin improves growth and photosynthetic capacity of cucumber under salinity-induced stress

L. Y. Wang, J. L. Liu, W. X. Wang, Y. Sun

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):19-27 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0140-3  

Melatonin mediates many physiological processes in animals and plants. To examine the potential roles of melatonin in salinity tolerance, we investigated the effects of exogenous melatonin on growth and antioxidant system in cucumber under 200 mM NaCl stress conditions. The results showed that the melatonin-treated plants significantly increased growth mass and antioxidant protection. Under salinity stress, the addition of melatonin effectively alleviated the decrease in the net photosynthetic rate, the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII, and the total chlorophyll content. Our data also suggested that melatonin and the resistance of plants exhibited...

Effects of different levels of water stress on leaf photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities of greenhouse tomato

X. K. Yuan, Z. Q. Yang, Y. X. Li, Q. Liu, W. Han

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):28-39 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0122-5  

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in order to investigate the effects of different levels of water stress on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, and yield of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Jinfen 2). Four levels of soil water content were used: control (75 to 80% of field water capacity), mild water stress (55 to 60%), moderate water stress (45 to 50%), and severe water stress (35 to 40%). The controlled irrigation was initiated from the third leaf stage until maturity. The results of two-year trials indicated that the stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic...

Comparison of the photosynthetic characteristics in the pericarp and flag leaves during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) caryopsis development

L. A. Kong, Y. Xie, M. Z. Sun, J. S. Si, L. Hu

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):40-46 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0153-y  

The pericarp of cereal crops is considered a photosynthetically active tissue. Although extensive studies have been performed on green leaves, the photosynthetic role of the pericarp in cereal caryopsis development has not been well investigated. In the present study, we investigated the anatomy, ultrastructure, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and oxygen evolution of the pericarp during caryopsis ontogenesis in field wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The results showed that wheat pericarp cross-cells contained Chl; the grana stacks and thylakoid membranes in the cross-cells were more distinct in the pericarp than those in the flag leaves as shown...

Kaolin-based, foliar reflective film protects photosystem II structure and function in grapevine leaves exposed to heat and high solar radiation

L. T. Dinis, H. Ferreira, G. Pinto, S. Bernardo, C. M. Correia, J. Moutinho-Pereira

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):47-55 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0156-8  

Extreme conditions, such as drought, high temperature, and solar irradiance intensity, are major factors limiting growth and productivity of grapevines. In a field experiment, kaolin particle film application on grapevine leaves was examined during two different summer conditions (in 2012 and 2013) with the aim to evaluate benefits of this practice against stressful conditions hindering photochemical processes. We used chlorophyll a fluorescence to investigate attached leaves. Two months after the application, during the hottest midday, the kaolin-treated plants showed by the JIP test significantly higher quantum yield of PSII photochemistry,...

Natural and commercial Salix clones differ in their ecophysiological response to Zn stress

A. Bernardini, E. Salvatori, S. Di Re, L. Fusaro, G. Nervo, F. Manes

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):56-64 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0155-9  

This study was carried out to determine the effect of different zinc concentrations on the ecophysiological response of Salix clones: four commercial clones ("1962", "1968", "Drago", and "Levante") selected for short rotation coppice, and one natural clone, "Sacco", obtained from a contaminated area. Gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence (JIP-test), relative chlorophyll content, and biometric parameters were measured in plants grown for fifteen days in soil containing Zn concentrations of 0, 300, 750, and 1,500 mg(ZnCl₂) kg^-1. Ecophysiological response to metal stress differed in dependence on the Zn concentration...

Effects of water stress and rewatering on photosynthesis, root activity, and yield of cotton with drip irrigation under mulch

H. H. Luo, Y. L. Zhang, W. F. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):65-73 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0165-7  

Soil water deficit is a major limitation to agricultural productivity in arid regions. Leaf photosynthesis can quickly recover after rewatering and remains at a higher level for a longer period, thus increasing crop yield and water-use efficiency (WUE). We tested our hypothesis that leaf photosynthesis and root activity of water-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants could quickly recover after rewatering at a certain growth stage and it should not influence a cotton yield but increase WUE. Treatments in this study included two degrees of water stress: mild water stress (V₁) and moderate water stress (V₂) imposed...

Changes in chloroplast ultrastructure in leaves of drought-stressed maize inbred lines

R. X. Shao, L. F. Xin, H. F. Zheng, L. L. Li, W. L. Ran, J. Mao, Q. H. Yang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):74-80 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0158-6  

Chloroplasts are commonly the site of the earliest abiotic injury visible in plant ultrastructure. In this study, six inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) were used to analyze changes in the ultrastructure of chloroplasts and related physiological parameters under conditions of drought stress simulated by 20% polyethylene glycol 6000 (-0.6 MPa) for two days. Chloroplasts of three maize lines proved to be more sensitive. They showed changes in the ultrastructure in response to drought, including damage of thylakoid membranes, an increase in the number and size of plastoglobuli, swelling of thylakoid membranes both stromal and granal, disorganization...

Relationship between root vigour, photosynthesis and biomass in soybean cultivars during 87 years of genetic improvement in the northern China

X. Cui, Y. Dong, P. Gi, H. Wang, K. Xu, Z. Zhang

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):81-86 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0160-z  

During the last century, the world soybean yield has been constantly enhancing at a remarkable rate. Factors limiting the soybean yield may be multiple. It is widely acknowledged that changes of root metabolism can influence aboveground characteristics, such as the seed yield and photosynthesis. In this study, we considered root bleeding sap mass (BSM) and root activity (RA) as indicators of the root growth vigour. We used 27 soybean cultivars, spanning from 1923 to 2009, to evaluate the contribution of root characteristic improvement to efficient photosynthesis and dry matter production. The BSM, RA, net photosynthetic rate (P _N),...

Effect of vermicompost fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under drought stress

S. R. Hosseinzadeh, H. Amiri, A. Ismaili

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):87-92 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0162-x  

Water availability is an important factor for plant growth in arid environments. In recent decades, vermicompost (VC) fertilizer has been used in agriculture as a safe and effective fertilizer with high water-holding capacity. The aim of the present study was to characterize effects of VC fertilizer on photosynthetic activity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. Karaj) under drought conditions at three different growth stages. Tests were carried out with four volumetric ratios of VC to soil, i.e., 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70, and three levels of drought stress, i.e., no stress (NS), moderate drought (MS), and severe drought (SS)...

Growth irradiance affects ureide accumulation and tolerance to photoinhibition in Eutrema salsugineum (Thellungiella salsuginea)

V. M. Malik, J. M. Lobo, C. Stewart, S. Irani, C. D. Todd, G. R. Gray

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):93-100 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0164-8  

Plants are able to acclimate to their growth light environments by utilizing a number of short- and long-term mechanisms. One strategy is to prevent accumulation of excess reactive oxygen species that can lead to photoinhibition of photosynthesis. Ureides, generated from purine degradation, have been proposed as antioxidants and involved in certain abiotic stress responses. Eutrema salsugineum (Thellungiella salsuginea) is an extremophilic plant known to exhibit a high degree of tolerance to a variety of abiotic stresses that invariably generate reactive oxygen species. In the present study we have investigated the possible role of the...

Measurements of reflectance and fluorescence spectra for nondestructive characterizing ripeness of grapevine berries

M. Navrátil, C. Buschmann

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):101-109 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0163-9  

In vivo reflectance and fluorescence spectra from berry skins of a white (Riesling) and red (Cabernet Sauvignon) grapevine variety were measured during a ripening season with a new CMOS radiometer instrument. Classical reference measurements were also carried out for a sugar content of the berry juice [°Brix] and pigment contents (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, anthocyanins) from methanol extracts of the berry skin. We showed that the colours and the spectra analysed from them could be taken as an unambiguous indicator of grapevine ripening. Reflectance spectra, which were affected by the content of pigments (chlorophylls and...

Effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on growth, morphology, photosynthesis, and antioxidant response in Oryza sativa

M. V. J. Da Costa, P. K. Sharma

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):110-119 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0167-5  

The physiological and biochemical behaviour of rice (Oryza sativa, var. Jyoti) treated with copper (II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) was studied. Germination rate, root and shoot length, and biomass decreased, while uptake of Cu in the roots and shoots increased at high concentrations of CuO NPs. The accumulation of CuO NPs was observed in the cells, especially, in the chloroplasts, and was accompanied by a lower number of thylakoids per granum. Photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photosynthetic pigment contents declined, with a complete loss of PSII photochemical...

Photosynthesis and growth adaptation of Pterocarya stenoptera and Pinus elliottii seedlings to submergence and drought

Y. Yang, C. Li

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):120-129 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0171-9  

To uncover adaptation capacities of two flooding-tolerant plant species, Pterocarya stenoptera (a native species) and Pinus elliottii (an exotic species from southeastern USA), to alternating submergence and drought, we investigated their physiological and growth responses to water stress. Water treatments, including control, continuous flooding (CF), and periodic flooding and drought (PF), were applied to seedlings in order to simulate water level fluctuation in the hydrofluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region. Results showed that net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water-use...

Use of the atLEAF+ chlorophyll meter for a nondestructive estimate of chlorophyll content

E. V. Novichonok, A. O. Novichonok, J. A. Kurbatova, E. F. Markovskaya

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):130-137 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0172-8  

At present, chlorophyll meters are widely used for a quick and nondestructive estimate of chlorophyll (Chl) contents in plant leaves. Chl meters allow to estimate the Chl content in relative units - the Chl index (CI). However, using such meters, one can face a problem of converting CI into absolute values of the pigment content and comparing data acquired with different devices and for different plant species. Many Chl meters (SPAD-502, CL-01, CCM-200) demonstrated a high degree of correlation between the CI and the absolute pigment content. A number of formulas have been deduced for different plant species to convert the CI into the absolute...

Honoring George C. Papageorgiou

Kostas Stamatakis, Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev, Gyozo Garab, Govindjee

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):158-160 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0183-5  

Assessment of photosynthetic potential of indoor plants under cold stress

S. M. Gupta, A. Agarwal, B. Dev, K. Kumar, O. Prakash, M. C. Arya, M. Nasim

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):138-142 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0173-7  

Photosynthetic parameters including net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), water-use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal conductance (g _s) were studied in indoor C₃ plants Philodendron domesticum (Pd), Dracaena fragans (Df), Peperomia obtussifolia (Po), Chlorophytum comosum (Cc), and in a CAM plant, Sansevieria trifasciata (St), exposed to various low temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C). All studied plants survived up to 0°C, but only St and Cc endured, while other plants wilted, when the temperature...

Photosynthesis and photoprotection under drought in the annual desert plant Anastatica hierochuntica

A. Eppel, S. Rachmilevitch

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):143-147 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0161-y  

Anastatica hierochuntica is an annual desert plant, which was recently shown to have unusually low nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and a high PSII electron transport rate (ETR). In the current study, we examined how these unusual characteristics are related to a lack of CO₂ and inhibition of net photosynthetic rate (P _N). We compared the photosynthetic and photoprotective response of A. hierochuntica and sunflower (Helianthus annuus), under conditions of photosynthetic inhibition, with either low CO₂ or drought. We found that under nonsteady state conditions of low CO₂ availability,...

Lanthanum improves salt tolerance of maize seedlings

R. Q. Liu, X. J. Xu, S. Wang, C. J. Shan

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):148-151 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0157-7  

In this study, the effects of lanthanum were investigated on contents of pigments, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, antioxidative enzymes, and biomass of maize seedlings under salt stress. The results showed that salt stress significantly decreased the contents of Chl and carotenoids, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching (q_P), and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), and biomass. Salt stress increased nonphotochemical quenching (q_N), the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide...

An improved method for the simultaneous determination of photosynthetic O₂ evolution and CO₂ consumption in Rhizophora mucronata leaves

T. Z. Ulqodry, A. Nose, S. H. Zheng

Photosynthetica 2016, 54(1):152-157 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-015-0166-6  

The photosynthetic gas-exchange has been assessed traditionally either as O₂ evolution or CO₂ consumption. In this study, we used a liquid-phase O₂ electrode combined with CO₂ optodes to examine simultaneously photosynthesis in intact leaves of mangrove Rhizophora mucronata. We verified suitable conditions for leaf photosynthetic rates by assessing pH levels and NaHCO₃ concentrations and compared these to the gas-exchange method at various PAR levels. The photosynthetic rate in response to pH exhibited a similar pattern both for O₂ evolution and CO₂ consumption, and...