The 12^th International Conference on "Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Research for Sustainability 2024": in honour of John Allen,Eva-Mari Aro, İbrahim Dinçer, Kazunari Domen, Elizabeth Gantt, and Andrey Rubin

M. ZIVCAK, J. KERN, T. TOMO, G. SOYKAN, J.J. EATON-RYE, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV, B.D. BRUCE

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):81-92 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.010  

The 12^th International Conference "Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Research for Sustainability 2024" was organised in honour of John Allen, Eva-Mari Aro, İbrahim Dinçer, Kazunari Domen, Elizabeth Gantt, and Andrey Rubin, by Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul from 13 to 19 October 2024. The International Society of Photosynthesis Research (ISPR) and the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) supported the event. In the brief report, we provide a summary of the conference, the scientific contributions of honoured scientists, and a brief content of individual sessions. We specifically focused on the participation of young...

Natalia Evgenievna Belyaeva (1945-2025)

A.B. RUBIN, G.YU. RIZNICHENKO

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):93-94 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.013  

Dr. Autar Krishen Mattoo (1943-2024): an outstanding plant biologist with a focus on photosynthesis

A.K. HANDA, M. EDELMAN, W.W. ADAMS III, G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):95-103 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.014  

We provide here the academic life of Dr. Autar Krishen Mattoo (1943-2024), including his role as a research leader at the United States Department of Agriculture and his outstanding contributions in photosynthesis, plant physiology and molecular biology with a focus to enhance nutrients. His work included ways to regulate Photosystem II (PSII) reaction center proteins, as well as to exploit, for our benefit, the role of polyamines in the plant world. Further, he provided the basis for beneficial aspects of sustainable agriculture systems and for selecting genes/proteins that provide better growth, higher disease resistance, and tolerance from abiotic...

Potential mechanisms for the rapid post-drought reversal of ABA-induced stomatal closure by melatonin, 5-aminolevulinic acid, and brassinosteroids

M. WASEEM, M.M. HASAN, Y. HAZZAZI, B.M. ALHARBI, M.U. GHANI, P. AHMAD, M. CARRIQUÍ

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):104-115 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.011  

The regulation of stomatal movements is crucial for plants to optimize gas exchange and water balance. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) triggers stomatal closure in response to drought, effectively minimizing water loss to prevent hydraulic failure. However, it significantly constrains photosynthesis, restricting plant growth and productivity. Therefore, rapid post-drought stomatal opening is crucial for earlier photosynthetic recovery. This review explores how phytohormones or plant growth regulators reverse ABA-induced stomatal closure. Phytomelatonin, 5-aminolevulinic acid, and brassinosteroids promote stomatal reopening by either ABA degradation...

Effect of strobilurin fungicide on the initial growth of common bean plants

A.C.P. ROCHA, J.F. MIRANDA, L.B. DAS NEVES, M.M. MENDES, A.S. AMORIM, G.S. MORAIS, J.P.R. MARTINS, M.B. DA SILVA, A.B.P.L. GONTIJO, A.R. FALQUETO

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):116-128 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.017  

Strobilurin fungicides, such as pyraclostrobin (PCL), can impact plant metabolism and morphophysiological parameters. This study evaluated the effects of PCL on Phaseolus vulgaris L., subjecting seeds to imbibition in different concentrations (0, 112, 450; and 1,800 mg L^-1) for 10 and 30 min. After germination in a growth chamber, germination, growth, biomass, anatomical, and physiological characteristics were analyzed. The study confirmed that PCL interference was proportional to the concentration and seed imbibition time, affecting the percentage of germinated seeds in the first count, normal and abnormal seedlings, and dead seeds....

Green manure can be an auxiliary factor against dynamic photoinhibition in Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) young trees in areas impacted by mining

M.M. MENDES, I.F. RIBEIRO, V.F.D. SANTOS, F.R. PIRES, A.A. FERNANDES, L.F.T.D. MENEZES, R. BONOMO, D. CASSOL, J.P.R. MARTINS, A.R. FALQUETO

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):129-139 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.015  

This study evaluated the efficiency of green manure (+GM) on PSII efficiency throughout the day in Dalbergia ecastophyllum. The experiment was carried out in a disabled clay extraction deposit, located approximately 30 km south of São Mateus city (Espírito Santo State, Brazil). Chlorophyll (Chl) index, Chl a fluorescence, and plant growth were measured in the summer, after 12 months of planting. +GM improved the photochemical performance of D. ecastophyllum, reducing the occurrence of photoinhibition throughout the day. +GM increased the photochemical quantum yield, the probability of a photon absorbed to move beyond quinone...

Increased brassinolide accumulation and increased growth in low-light-grown transgenic tobacco

R. GREBENOK, T. UGINE, M. GALANTE, N. GREBENOK, H. IQBAL, N. OLSZEWSKI, X. KRULL, T. LINGENFELTER, R. SEDANO, E. CORIGLIANO, A. GREBENOK

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):140-150 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.016  

Transgenic tobacco, demonstrating bacterial cholesterol oxidase (CO) activity in the chloroplast, grown at PAR ~280 μmol(photon) m^-2s^-1 (low light), contained thylakoid membranes that include a greater variety of steroids and had reduced contents of sterol and sterol-esters per milligram chlorophyll in comparison to controls. The mature transgenic plants, grown at low light, demonstrate a ~3× larger root dry mass, ~3× larger stem dry mass, ~2× larger leaf dry mass, ~2× increased leaf number, and ~5× increased flower number than controls. Mature transgenic flowering plants, develop to first flower ~2× faster and grow ~30% taller...

Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms

N. RESSAISSI, W. MNAFGUI, N. MAIZA, F. ZRIBI, W. ZORRIG, N. LUDIDI, M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA, M. BADRI

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):151-161 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.008  

Drought and heat stress significantly threaten forage crop development and photosynthetic activity in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the physiological responses and photosynthetic activity of two Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and F83005.5 (F83), to single and combined heat and drought stress treatments. Biomass traits, leaf gas exchange, and photosystem activities were evaluated. Our findings indicate a reduction in biomass parameters under heat, drought, and combined stress on both lines, particularly in F83. The stomatal conductance and photosynthetic parameters exhibited differential responses, with F83 reducing...

Tribute to late Prof. Sakae Katoh (1932-2025): discovery of plastocyanin and his research in photosynthesis

K. SONOIKE

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):162-164 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.022  

Thermal stability changes of photosynthesis during osmotic and salt stress in wheat varieties cultivated in Central Europe and Mediterranean North Africa

A. ALLEM, R. TARNAI, S.B. TÓTH, W.A.E. ABIDO, S. DULAI

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):165-181 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.019  

The thermal stability of photosynthetic apparatus under osmotic/salt stress was examined in wheat cultivars grown under different climatic conditions. The thermostability of nonstressed plants did not differ significantly from each other and it was not improved by osmotic treatment in the absence of light. In contrast, the salt stress resulted in better thermostability. This was also manifested in the temperature dependence of maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. The temperature dependence of steady-state fluorescence and other photosynthetic parameters indicated a moderate reduction in thermal sensitivity of photosynthesis in well-watered...

The combined effect of Cd and high light stress on the photochemical processes in Arabidopsis thaliana

D. GIORDANO, M. BARTÁK, J. HÁJEK

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):182-195 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.020  

The adverse effects of cadmium on plants are accompanied by a limitation of photosynthesis, due to the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage to PSII and the disruption of key protein complexes involved in photosynthetic pathways. We investigated the effects of cadmium stress combined with high light in Arabidopsis thaliana, as dependent on the cadmium dose applied. The aim was to investigate the combined effect of the two stressors on photochemical processes with the hypothesis that Cd stress enhances the negative effect of the high light. The plants were treated with 0, 1, 10, and 50 mM Cd added as CdCl₂...

From spectrum to yield: advances in crop photosynthesis with hyperspectral imaging

D. PANDA, S. MOHANTY, S. DAS, J. SENAPATY, D.B. SAHOO, B. MISHRA, M.J. BAIG, L. BEHERA

Photosynthetica 2025, 63(2):196-233 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.012  

Ensuring global food security requires noninvasive techniques for optimizing resource use and monitoring crop health. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) enables the precise analysis of plant physiology by capturing spectral data across narrow bands. This review explores HSI's role in agriculture, particularly its integration with unmanned aerial vehicles, AI-driven analytics, and machine learning. These advancements allow real-time monitoring of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and carbon assimilation, linking spectral data to plant health and agronomic decisions. Key indicators such as solar-induced fluorescence and vegetation indices enhance crop...