Photosynthetica 1998, 35(4):611-619 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1006995410998

Analysis of Photosynthetic Responses and Adaptation to Nitrogen Starvation in Chlorella Using In Vivo Chlorophyll Fluorescence

O.H. Sayed1
1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Minia, El-Minia, Egypt

Nitrogen (N) starvation resulted in degreening, inhibition of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and dark respiration, reduced survival, and increased age-specific mortality in both Chlorella fusca and Chlorella vulgaris. Analysis of in vivo chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence induction kinetics revealed the presence of N-starvation-induced changes at the level of degreened thylakoids in both species. These changes included decreased yield of the photochemistry of photosystem 2 (PS2), and a declined photosynthetic efficiency. Synthesis of secondary carotenoids represented a biochemical change in carotenogenesis that had a photoprotective effect in degreened C. fusca. This inferred photoprotection was reflected in the delayed inhibition of oxygen evolution and improved survival of C. fusca under N-starvation. The effect was further elucidated by comparison with C. vulgaris which was not able to synthesize secondary carotenoids under the same conditions.

Additional key words: carotenoids; oxygen evolution; photosystem 2; species differences; respiration

Prepublished online: December 1, 1998; Published: January 1, 1998  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Sayed, O.H. (1998). Analysis of Photosynthetic Responses and Adaptation to Nitrogen Starvation in Chlorella Using In Vivo Chlorophyll Fluorescence. Photosynthetica, 35(4), 611-619. doi: 10.1023/A:1006995410998
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Andréasson, L.E., Vänngård, T.: Electron transport in photosystems I and II.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 39: 379-411, 1988. Go to original source...
    2. Babani, F., Lichtenthaler, H.K.: Light-induced and age-dependent development of chloroplasts in ctiolated barley leaves as visualized by determination of photosynthetic pigments, CO2 assimilation rates, and different kinds of chlorophyll fluorescence ratios.-J. Plant Physiol. 148: 555-566, 1996. Go to original source...
    3. Bertrand, M., Schoefs, B.: Working with photosynthetic pigments: problems and precautions.-In: Pessarakli, M. (ed.): Handbook of Photosynthesis. Pp. 151-172. M. Dekker, New York-Basel-Hong Kong 1997.
    4. Bolhär-Nordenkampf, H.R., Öquist, G.O.: Chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool in photosynthesis research.-In: Hall, D.O., Seurlock, J.M.O., Bolhår-Nordenkampf, H.R., Leegood, R.C., Long, S.P. (ed.): Photosynthesis and Production in a Changing Environment. A Field and Laboratory Manual. Pp. 193-206. Chapman & Hall, London-Glasgow-New York-Tokyo-Toronto-Melbourne-Madras 1993. Go to original source...
    5. Briantais, J.-M., Vernotte, C., Picaud, M., Krause, G.H.: A quantitative study of the slow decline of chlorophyll a fluorescence in isolated chloroplasts.-Biochim. biophys. Acta 548: 128-138, 1979. Go to original source...
    6. Butler, W.L., Kitajima, M.: Fluorescence quenching in Photosystem II of chloroplasts.-Biochim. biophys. Acta 576: 116-125, 1975. Go to original source...
    7. Chapman, D.J.: Formation and analysis of secondary carotenoids.-In: Lobban, C.S., Chapmann, J.C., Kremer, B.P. (ed.): Experimental Phycology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1988.
    8. Darley, W.M.: Algal Biology.-Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford 1982.
    9. Geider, R.J., Osborne, B.A.: Algal Photosynthesis.-Chapman & Hall, New York 1992. Go to original source...
    10. Gilmour, D.J., Hipkins, M.F., Webber, A.N., Baker, N.R., Boney, A.D.: The effect of ionic stress on photosynthesis in Dunaliella tertiolecta.-Planta 163: 250-256, 1985. Go to original source...
    11. Gregory, R.P.F.: Photosynthesis.-Blackie, Glasgow-London; Chapman & Hall, New York 1989.
    12. Grimme, L.H., Porra, R.J.: The regreening of nitrogen-deficient Chlorella fusea. I. The development of photosyntheic activity during synchronous regreening of nitrogen-deficient Chlorella.-Arch. Microbiol. 99: 173-179, 1974. Go to original source...
    13. Hetherington, S.E., Smillie, R.M.: Practical applications of chlorophyll fluorescence in ecophysiology, physiology and plant breeding.-In: Sybesma, C. (ed.): Advances in Photosynthesis Research. Vol. IV. Pp. 447-450. M. Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publ., The Hague 1984. Go to original source...
    14. Hutchings, M.J.: Plant population biology.-In: Moore, P.D., Chapmann, S.B. (ed.): Methods in Plant Ecology. Pp. 377-435. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford 1986.
    15. Krause, G.H., Weis, E.: Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: The basics.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 42:313-349, 1991. Go to original source...
    16. Kriedemann, P.F., Graham, R.D., Wiskich, J.T.: Photosynthetic dysfunction and in vivo changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence from manganese-deficient wheat leaves.-Aust. J. agr. Res. 36: 157-169, 1985. Go to original source...
    17. Lichtenthaler, H.K.: Chlorophyll fluorescence signatures of leaves during the autumnal chlorophyll breakdown.-J. Plant Physiol. 131: 101-110, 1987. Go to original source...
    18. Lichtenthaler, H.K., Miehé, J.A.: Fluorescence imaging as a diagnostic tool for plant stress.-Trends Plant Sci. 2: 316-320, 1997. Go to original source...
    19. Lichtenthaler, H.K., Rinderle, U.: The role of chlorophyll fluorescence in the detection of stress conditions in plants.-CRC crit. Rev. anal. Chem. 19: S29-S85, 1988. Go to original source...
    20. Morris, I.: The Physiological Ecology of Phytoplankton.-Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford 1980.
    21. Pyliotis, N.A., Goodchild, D.J., Grimme, L.H.: The regreening of nitrogen-deficient Chlorella fusca. II. Structural changes during synchronous regreening.-Arch. Microbiol. 103: 259-270, 1975. Go to original source...
    22. Samuelsson, G., Öquist, G.: A method for studying photosynthetic capacities of unicellular algae based on in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence.-Physiol. Plant. 40: 315-319, 1977. Go to original source...
    23. Sayed, O.H.: Edaphic gradients and species attributes influencing plant distribution in littoral salt marshes of Qatar.-Qatar Univ. Sci. J. 14: 257-262, 1994.
    24. Sayed, O.H., Hegazy, A.K.: Inhibition of secondary carotenoid biosynthesis during degreening of Chlorella fusca (Chlorococcales, Chlorophyta) and implications for growth and survival.-Cryptogamie, Algol. 13: 181-186, 1992.
    25. Sayed, O.H., Emes, M.J., Butler, R.D., Earnshaw, M.J.: High temperature-induced changes in chloroplast ultrastructure, leaf fluorescence and photosynthesis in wheat varieties from different thermal environments.-Biochem. J. 14: 59, 1986. Go to original source...
    26. Van Kooten, O., Snel, J.F.H.: The use of chlorophyll fluorescence nomenculature in plant stress physiology.-Photosynth. Res. 25: 147-150, 1990. Go to original source...

    Return to the content