Can seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. H. Karst.) populations withstand changed climate conditions?

H. HÚDOKOVÁ, P. FLEISCHER JR, M. JEŽÍK, J. MAREŠOVÁ, E. PŠIDOVÁ, M. MUKARRAM, Ľ. DITMAROVÁ, A. SLIACKA-KONÔPKOVÁ, G. JAMNICKÁ

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):328-341 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.026  

A manipulative experiment with two different water regimes was established to identify the variability of physiological responses to environmental changes in 5-year-old Norway spruce provenances in the Western Carpathians. While variations in the growth responses were detected only between treatments, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters were also differently influenced among provenances. Following drought treatment, an obvious shrinkage of tree stems was observed. In most provenances, drought had a negative effect on leaf gas-exchange parameters and kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence. Secondary metabolism was not affected so much with...

Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on parameters of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings

X.L. YUE, X.F. LIU, S.Z. FANG

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):318-327 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.023  

Cyclocarya paliurus has been traditionally used as a functional food in China. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to determine the effects of N and P additions on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) of C. paliurus seedlings. N and P additions significantly altered photosynthesis and ChlF in the seedlings, but responses of these parameters to the N and P concentrations varied at different developmental stages. The greatest net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (Ф_PSII) occurred in the treatment of 150.0 mg(N) L^-1 and 25.0 mg(P) L^-1 addition,...

Evaluation of the relationship between color-tuning of photosynthetic excitons and thermodynamic stability of light-harvesting chromoproteins

M. RÄTSEP, A. LEHTMETS, L. KANGUR, K. TIMPMANN, K. LEIGER, Z.-Y. WANG-OTOMO, A. FREIBERG

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):308-317 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.022  

Color-tuning is a critical survival mechanism for photosynthetic organisms. Calcium ions are believed to enhance both spectral tuning and thermostability in obligatory calcium-containing sulfur purple bacteria. This study examined the thermo- and piezo stability of the LH1-RC complexes from two calcium-containing sulfur purple bacteria notable for their extreme red-shifted spectra. The results generally show limited reversibility of both temperature and pressure effects related to the malleability of calcium-binding sites. While the pressure-induced decomposition product closely resembles the calcium-depleted form of the chromoproteins, the thermally...

Strong increase of photosynthetic pigments and leaf size in a pruned Ginkgo biloba tree

H.K. LICHTENTHALER, E. ABUSLIMA, P. NICK

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):297-307 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.020  

A 50-year-old solitary, sun-exposed ginkgo tree had strongly been pruned in the fall of 2021. Very few buds for the formation of new leaves, twigs, and branches were left over. In spring 2022, these few remaining buds responded with the formation of a different leaf type. These leaves were 2.7 times larger and also thicker than in the years before. In addition, the mean content of total chlorophylls [Chl (a+b)] per leaf area unit of dark-green leaves was 1.45, those of green leaves two times higher as compared to the years before pruning and the two other ginkgo trees which had been investigated in parallel. A comparable increase was...

Excess energy and photosynthesis: responses to seasonal water limitations in co-occurring woody encroachers of the semi-arid Southern Great Plains

H.D. RAUB, N. RAJAN, K.J. MCINNES, J.B. WEST

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):285-296 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.018  

Woody plant areal encroachment is pervasive throughout the Southern Great Plains, USA. The ability of woody plants to dissipate excess solar radiation - dynamically over the day and sustained periods without recovery overnight -is key for maintaining photosynthetic performance during dry stretches, but our understanding of these processes remains incomplete. Photosynthetic performance and energy dissipation were assessed for co-occurring encroachers on the karst Edwards Plateau (Juniperus ashei, Prosopis glandulosa, and Quercus fusiformis) under seasonal changes in water status. Only J. ashei experienced mild photoinhibition...

Changes of dorsoventral asymmetry and anoxygenic photosynthesis in response of Chelidonium majus leaves to the SiO₂ nanoparticle treatment

V. LYSENKO, Y. GUO, V.D. RAJPUT, E. CHALENKO, O. YADRONOVA, T. ZARUBA, T. VARDUNY, E. KIRICHENKO

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):275-284 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.016  

Natural SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) are widely distributed in the environment, and at the same time, synthetic SiO₂-NP may be applied in agriculture. Evaluations of physiological responses to SiO₂-NPs treatment of plants are controversial. They are often performed at adaxial leaf sides whereas NPs permeate leaf tissues through stomata located at the abaxial leaf side in the majority of bifacial plants. We measured coefficients of the functional dorsoventral asymmetry of NPs-stressed Chelidonium majus leaves, S, by values of the CO₂ assimilation rate (SP_N), dark respiration...

Different light-quality colored films affect growth, photosynthesis, chloroplast ultrastructure, and triterpene acid accumulation in Glechoma longituba plants

L.X. ZHANG, Q.S. CHANG, Q.S. GUO, X.G. HOU, L. LIU, Z.B. ZHU, S.D. CHEN

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):264-274 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.046  

To elucidate the adaptive strategies of Glechoma longituba in response to different light-quality colored films, the growth, photosynthesis, chloroplast ultrastructure, and triterpene acid accumulation were analyzed. In this study, four colored films improved electron transport and maintained the function of PSII, and allocated more light energy absorbed for photochemical reactions, thus increasing the photosynthetic capacity and ultimately improving dry mass accumulation. Additionally, blue film (BF) and green film (GF) enhanced photosynthesis by increasing stomatal openness and chlorophyll contents and maintaining chloroplast structural...

Photosystems under high light stress: throwing light on mechanism and adaptation

N. SHARMA, S. NAGAR, M. THAKUR, P. SURIYAKUMAR, S. KATARIA, A.K. SHANKER, M. LANDI, A. ANAND

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):250-263 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.021  

High light stress decreases the photosynthetic rate in plants due to photooxidative damage to photosynthetic apparatus, photoinhibition of PSII, and/or damage to PSI. The dissipation of excess energy by nonphotochemical quenching and degradation of the D1 protein of PSII and its repair cycle help against photooxidative damage. Light stress also activates stress-responsive nuclear genes through the accumulation of phosphonucleotide-3'-phosphoadenosine- 5'-phosphate, methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate, and reactive oxygen species which comprise the chloroplast retrograde signaling pathway. Additionally, hormones, such as abscisic acid, cytokinin, brassinosteroids,...

The basalt dust deposition on leaves does not influence the measurement of ecophysiological traits in grapevine

F. PETRACCA, C. ARENA, C. CIRILLO, V. DE MICCO

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):244-249 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.013  

In many crops, including grapevine, the distribution of reflecting dust on foliage is a practice potentially leading to the mitigation of environmental stresses such as excessive light and limited water supply. This study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of dust on the leaves may affect PSII photochemical efficiency and gas-exchange measurements, thus leading to biased results. The study was conducted in a winery located at Benevento (Italy) on Vitis vinifera L. subsp. vinifera 'Falanghina' where the application of basalt dust was tested on the canopy to alleviate the effects of water stress. The results showed that there is no...

Effect of UV exclusion and AMF inoculation on photosynthetic parameters of Glycine max

P. LAAD, P. PATEL, K.N. GURUPRASAD, M.P. SHARMA, S. KATARIA, M. BRESTIC

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):236-243 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.014  

The study aims to understand the effect of UV exclusion and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on the photosynthetic parameters of soybean. The study was conducted in nursery bags and plants were grown under iron mesh covered with UV cut-off filters. The plants grown under the exclusion of UV with AMF inoculation (I) showed higher photosynthetic pigments, carbonic anhydrase activity, reduced internal CO₂ concentration, enhanced transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance as well as improved photosynthetic rate over uninoculated plants. Moreover, -UVB+I and -UVAB+I plants exhibited an increased performance index, the activity...

Variation in leaf mesophyll anatomy of fern species imposes significant effects on leaf gas exchange, light capture, and leaf hydraulic conductance

S. FUJII, K. NISHIDA, T.K. AKITSU, A. KUME, Y.T. HANBA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):225-235 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.017  

The mesophyll anatomical traits are essential factors for efficient light capture, CO₂ diffusion, and hydraulics in leaves. At the same time, leaf hydraulics are governed by the xylem anatomical traits. Thus, simultaneous analyses of the mesophyll and xylem anatomy will clarify the links among light capture, CO₂ capture, and water use. However, such simultaneous analyses have been scarcely performed, particularly on non-seed plants. Using seven fern species, we first showed that fern species with a large mesophyll thickness had a high photosynthetic rate related to high light capture, high drought tolerance, and low leaf hydraulic...

Impact of additional green light and deficit in cryptochrome 1 on photosynthetic activity and pro-/antioxidant balance in Arabidopsis thaliana

V. KRESLAVSKI, A. KHUDYAKOVA, A. KOSOBRYUKHOV, P. PASHKOVSKIY, M. VERESHCHAGIN, T. BALAKHNINA, H.F. ALHARBY, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):215-224 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.009  

The light spectral composition acting through a set of photoreceptors, such as cryptochromes and phytochromes, plays an important role in maintaining sustainable photosynthesis. An impact of cryptochrome 1 deficiency and additions of green light (GL) against the background of red (RL) and blue (BL) (different ratios of RL:BL:GL) on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus, the content of photosynthetic pigments, pro-/antioxidant balance, and expression of some genes in the leaves of 23-d-old Arabidopsis thaliana hy4 mutant plants was studied. The deficiency of cryptochrome 1 at RL/BL ratio of 4:1 led to a decrease in the rate of...

Intraspecific variation in photosynthetic efficiency in soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties towards solar ultraviolet radiations

S.S. BARONIYA, K. JUMRANI, M. BARONIYA, K.N. GURUPRASAD, M. LANDI, S. KATARIA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):203-214 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.048  

In the current study, we used four soybean varieties PK-1029, PK-472, NRC-7, and Hardee to examine the effect of exclusion of solar UV radiation on photosynthetic efficiency and to test possible variety-dependent sensitivity to ambient UV (280-400 nm). Plants that were grown under UV exclusion filters had higher chlorophyll a and b, efficiencies of PSII and more active reaction centers indicated that PSII were substantially affected by solar UV radiation. The significant increase in net photosynthesis was linked to increased stomatal conductance and lower intercellular concentration of CO₂ in UV-excluded plants. The exclusion...

Changes in the photosynthetic performance, the activity of enzymes of nitrogen metabolism, and proline content in the leaves of wheat plants after exposure to low CO₂ concentration

A. IVANOV, A. KOSOBRYUKHOV, V. KRESLAVSKI, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):190-202 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.047  

The changes in photosynthetic activity, as well as the activity of nitrogen-metabolism enzymes, the intensity of lipid peroxidation, and proline content were studied in Triticum aestivum L. plants after their incubation at a low CO₂ concentration in a sealed chamber for 10 d. CO₂ deficiency (-CO₂) compared to normal CO₂ concentration (control) led to a decrease in the rate of O₂ gas exchange at the plateau of the light curve and quantum yield of photosynthesis. The maximum and effective quantum photochemical yields also decreased. CO₂ deficiency reduced the activity of nitrate...

Moderate photoinhibition of PSII and oxidation of P700 contribute to chilling tolerance of tropical tree species in subtropics of China

V.S.J. SUNOJ, Y. WEN, A. JAJOO, A.W. SHORT, W.H. ZENG, N.I. ELSHEERY, K.F. CAO

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):177-189 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.039  

In the subtropics, a few tropical tree species are distributed and planted for ornamental and horticultural purposes; however, the photosynthesis of these species can be impaired by chilling. This study aimed to understand how these species respond to chilling. Light-dependent and CO₂ assimilation reactions of six tropical tree species from geographically diverse areas, but grown at a lower subtropical site in China, were monitored during a chilling (≤ 10°C). Chilling induced stomatal and nonstomatal effects and moderate photoinhibition of PSII, with severe effect in Ixora chinensis. Woodfordia fruticosa was little affected...

Light intensity affects tolerance of pyrene in Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus

R.S. TOMAR, R. ATRE, D. SHARMA, P. RAI-KALAL, A. JAJOO

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):168-176 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.044  

The impact of light intensity on the toxicity of pyrene, a 4-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), was studied in Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus. Both species were cultured under low light, LL [50-60 µmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1], and high light, HL [100-110 µmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1] conditions to study the effects of pyrene (PYR) toxicity on growth parameters, the content of biomolecules, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency. In the presence of PYR, S. acutus could grow well in LL and HL intensity. On the other hand, C. vulgaris showed a drastic...

Changes in ultrastructure, photosynthetic abilities, and secondary metabolite due to individual and interactive effects of chromium and ultraviolet-B radiation in Adhatoda vasica

A. PANDEY, D. JAISWAL, M. AGRAWAL, S.B. AGRAWAL

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):157-167 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.042  

The study was executed to assess individual and interactive effects of elevated ultraviolet-B (eUV-B) radiation and chromium (Cr) on a medicinal plant Adhatoda vasica Nees. The experiment was conducted under field conditions involving control, Cr, eUV-B, and Cr+eUV-B treatments. The results showed that Cr content was the highest in roots as compared to other parts under Cr+eUV-B. Significant reductions in photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and stomatal conductance were observed under all treatments with maximum under Cr+eUV-B. Chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters showed variable responses under Cr and Cr+eUV-B....

Effects of abiotic stress on photosystem II proteins

M. LANDI, L. GUIDI

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):148-156 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.043  

Photosystem II (PSII) represents the most vulnerable component of the photosynthetic machinery and its response in plants subjected to abiotic stress has been widely studied over many years. PSII is a thylakoid membrane-located multiprotein pigment complex that catalyses the light-induced electron transfer from water to plastoquinone with the concomitant production of oxygen. PSII is rich in intrinsic (PsbA and PsbD, namely D1 and D2, CP47 or PsbB and CP43 or PsbC) but also extrinsic proteins. The first ones are more largely conserved from cyanobacteria to higher plants while the extrinsic proteins are different among species. It has been found that...

Influence of phytochromes on microRNA expression, phenotype, and photosynthetic activity in A. thaliana phy mutants under light with different spectral composition

P. PASHKOVSKIY, V. KRESLAVSKI, A. KHUDYAKOVA, A. KOSOBRYUKHOV, Vl.V. KUZNETSOV, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):138-147 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2022.036  

Light-induced changes in miRNAs, morphogenesis, and photosynthetic processes in phytochrome-deficient mutant plants grown under different light qualities were studied. miRNA activity in many processes is regulated by phytochromes and phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs). The reduced content of photoreceptors in phytochrome mutants affects the PIF-microRNA interaction. In plants grown under red light (RL) and white light (WL), the phenotype of phyb mutant was distorted; however, under blue light (BL) conditions, the phyb phenotype was normalized. The photosynthetic rates of both the mutants and wild type were higher under BL than under...

EDITORIAL

M. LANDI, M. BRESTIC, S. KATARIA, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(2):135-137 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.024  

Morphological and physiological responses of two Osmanthus fragrans cultivars to salt stress

C.Y. GUO, C.J. MENG, M. YUE

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):124-134 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.012  

We examined the morphological and physiological responses of Osmanthus fragrans 'Yingui' (Yin) and O. fragrans 'Jingui' (Jin) to different NaCl concentrations. NaCl concentrations significantly affected plant height and leaf mass per area. Total biomass decreased by 22.8-41.8% under moderate and high NaCl which inhibited O. fragrans growth. The ratio of root to shoot biomass in Yin was 44.3% higher than that in Jin at high NaCl concentrations which suggested that Yin possesses conservative resource acquisition strategies to resist salt stress. Compared to Yin, Jin showed higher net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and intercellular...

The physiological responses of critically endangered species Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf (Primulaceae) to different light intensities

R. LIU, X.E. NING, D.M. LI, L. CHEN, Z.L. NING

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):115-123 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.011  

To investigate the light intensity suitable for the growth of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf, morphology, photosynthetic parameters, and indicators of oxidative stress were analyzed under different light intensities. Compared to high-irradiance treatment, medium and low-irradiance treatments promoted plant growth and restricted transpiration. Compared to medium irradiance, plants under high and low irradiance exhibited significantly lower maximal photochemical efficiency, potential photochemical efficiency, and electron transport rate, but significantly higher malondialdehyde content. This indicated that both excessive light and severe shading inhibited...

The life story of Albert W. Frenkel (1919-2015): a pioneer in photosynthesis research

G. GOVINDJEE, S. FRENKEL

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):108-114 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.015  

In this historical perspective, we focus on selected discoveries that Albert Frenkel (1919-2015) made all by himself - single-handedly - which is the discovery of photophosphorylation and NAD reduction in anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. Then, we present various aspects of his research life through his unpublished letters with some key scientists in his research field. To give a glimpse of his personal life, we have also provided some photographs.

Downregulated expression of TaDeg7 inhibits photosynthetic activity in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

F.F. LIU, G.P. LI, H.W. LI

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):97-107 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.008  

Deg proteases play critical roles in photoprotection and PSII-repair circle, which remains elusive in cereal crops including wheat. Here, a Deg7-encoding gene TaDeg7 was silenced in wheat via a Barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene-silencing system (BSMV-VIGS). When the expression level of TaDeg7 was downregulated, the photosynthetic activity including CO₂ assimilation rate, actual photochemical efficiency of PSII, and electron transport rate declined while the nonphotochemical quenching increased significantly. When grown in high light, the BSMV:TaDeg7 plants accumulated more soluble sugar, malondialdehyde,...

Professor Charles Percival Whittingham (1922-2011)

C.H. FOYER, A.J. KEYS, M.A.J. PARRY, G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):94-96 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.010  

Photosynthetic machinery under salinity stress: Trepidations and adaptive mechanisms

T.V. VINEETH, G.K. KRISHNA, P.H. PANDESHA, L. SATHEE, S. THOMAS, D. JAMES, K.T. RAVIKIRAN, S. TARIA, C. JOHN, N.M. VINAYKUMAR, B.M. LOKESHKUMAR, H.S. JAT, J. BOSE, D. CAMUS, S. RATHOR, S.L. KRISHNAMURTHY, P.C. SHARMA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):73-93 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.002  

Chloroplasts and photosynthesis are the physiologically fateful arenas of salinity stress. Morphological and anatomical alterations in the leaf tissue, ultrastructural changes in the chloroplast, compromise in the integrity of the three-layered chloroplast membrane system, and defects in the light and dark reactions during the osmotic, ionic, and oxidative phases of salt stress are conversed in detail to bring the salinity-mediated physiological alterations in the chloroplast on to a single platform. Chloroplasts of salt-tolerant plants have evolved highly regulated salt-responsive pathways. Thylakoid membrane remodeling, ion homeostasis, osmoprotection,...

Protection of nitrogenase from photosynthetic O₂ evolution in Trichodesmium: methodological pitfalls and advances over 30 years of research

A. HANIA, R. LÓPEZ-ADAMS, O. PRÁŠIL, M. EICHNER

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):58-72 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.007  

The Trichodesmium genus comprises some of the most abundant N₂-fixing organisms in oligotrophic marine ecosystems. Since nitrogenase, the key enzyme for N₂ fixation, is irreversibly inhibited upon O₂ exposure, these organisms have to coordinate their N₂-fixing ability with simultaneous photosynthetic O₂ production. Although being the principal object of many laboratory and field studies, the overall process of how Trichodesmium reconciles these two mutually exclusive processes remains unresolved. This is in part due to contradictory results that fuel the Trichodesmium enigma....

The photosynthetic function analysis for leaf photooxidation in rice

H. XU, X. CHU, K.J. GOU, D.X. JIANG, Q.Q. LI, C.G. LV, Z.P. GAO, G.X. CHEN

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):48-57 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.004  

Photooxidative damage causes early leaf senescence and plant cell death. In this study, a light-sensitive rice cultivar, 812HS, and a non-light-sensitive cultivar, 812S, were used to investigate early leaf photooxidation. Leaf tips of 812HS exhibited yellowing under a light intensity of 720 µmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1, accompanied by a decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoids, but 812S was unaffected. The photosynthetic performance of 812HS was also poorer than that of 812S. The H₂O₂, O₂^*-, and malondialdehyde content increased sharply in 812HS, and associated antioxidant enzymes were...

On the evolution of the concept of two light reactions and two photosystems for oxygenic photosynthesis: A personal perspective

G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):37-47 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.006  

I present here a personal perspective of the evolution of the two-light reaction two-pigment scheme for the electron transport in oxygenic photosynthesis - as I have lived through it - first as a graduate student of Robert Emerson, from September 1956-January 1959, and then of Eugene Rabinowitch from February 1959-September 1960. I have provided here some of the key published work in my way and have also provided a few photographs. It is essential to remind ourselves upfront that different individuals may have different recollections of the same event (see e.g., the Japanese movie 'Rashomon' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon). Thus,...

Improving salt tolerance of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with hydrogen sulfide

M. EKINCI, M. TURAN, S. ORS, A. DURSUN, E. YILDIRIM

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(1):25-36 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.005  

The current study examined the H₂S applications on growth, biochemical and physiological parameters of bean seedlings under saline conditions. The findings of the study indicated that salt stress decreased plant growth and development, photosynthetic activity, and mineral and hormone content [excluding abscisic acid (ABA)] in bean seedlings. Plant and root fresh mass and dry mass with H₂S applications increased as compared to the control treatment at the same salinity level. Both salinity and H₂S treatments significantly affected the net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular...