Photosynthetica - Ahead of Print
Contents of photosynthetic pigments and ratios of chlorophyll a/b and chlorophylls to carotenoids (a+b)/(x+c) in C4 plants as compared to C3 plants
H.K. LICHTENTHALER, F. BABANI
Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2021.041 
The content of chlorophylls (Chl) (a+b), total carotenoids (x+c), and the pigment ratios of Chl a/b and Chls to carotenoids (a+b)/(x+c) of green leaves of five C4 plants were determined and compared to those of C3 plants. The C4 plants were: Pacific and Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus floridulus and Miscanthus sinensis), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) as well as feed and sugar maize (Zea mays). The three C3 plants were beech, ginkgo, and oak. C4 plants possess higher values for the ratio Chl a/b...
Differences in susceptibility to photoinhibition do not determinegrowth rate under moderate light in batch or turbidostat - a studywith five green algae
H. MATTILA, D. VALEV, K.B. MISHRA, V. HAVURINNE, O. VIRTANEN, M. ANTINLUOMA, E. TYYSTJÄRVI
Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2021.054
To understand growth limitations of photosynthetic microorganisms, and to investigate whether batch growth or certain photosynthesis-related parameters predict a turbidostat (continuous growth at constant biomass concentration) growth rate, five green algal species were grown in a photobioreactor in batch and turbidostat conditions and their susceptibilities to photoinhibition of photosystem II as well as several photosynthetic parameters were measured. Growth rates during batch and turbidostat modes varied independently of each other; thus, a growth rate measured in a batch cannot be used to determine the continuous growth rate. Greatly different...
Light quality, oxygenic photosynthesis and more
D. LAZAR, A. STIRBET, L.O. BJÖRN, G. GOVINDJEE
Photosynthetica X:X
Oxygenic photosynthesis takes place in thylakoid membranes (TM) of cyanobacteria, algae, and higher plants. It begins with light absorption by pigments in large (modular) assemblies of pigment-binding proteins, which then transfer excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction centers of photosystem (PS) I and PSII. In green algae and plants, these light-harvesting protein complexes contain chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids (Cars). However, cyanobacteria, red algae, and glaucophytes contain, in addition, phycobiliproteins in phycobilisomes that are attached to the stromal surface of TM, and transfer excitation energy to the reaction centers via...
George C. Papageorgiou and the protective role of glycine betaine in activation and stabilization of the oxygen-evolving photosystem II complex
N. MURATA, K. STAMATAKIS
Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2021.056
We present here our adventures in research in photosynthesis with George C. Papageorgiou (1933-2020) focusing on George's initiative in the discovery of the protective effects of glycine betaine on the oxygen-evolving photosystem II complex. We end with a brief description of research on glycine betaine-synthesizing transgenic cyanobacteria. Two of us, Norio Murata (in Japan) and Kostas Stamatakis (in Greece), and all our collaborators, have the highest respect for George, and we miss him and our intense discussions with him on various topics of photosynthesis research.
Phosphate fertilizers increase CO2 assimilation and yield of soybean in a shaded environment
W. ZHAO, B. ZHENG, T.H. REN, X.H. ZHANG, T.Y. NING, G. LI
Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2021.063
Two light treatments [ambient sunlight (L1) during the entire growth period and 40% shade (L2) from 40 d after sowing until 24 d after flowering] and two phosphate fertilizer treatments [no phosphate fertilizer application (P0) and a conventional phosphate fertilizer application (P1)] were used to determine how phosphate fertilizer regulates soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] photosynthesis under shading. We showed that phosphorus significantly increased chlorophyll content and grain yield under shading. The light-saturated net photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield, maximum electron transport rate, and maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate...