Photosynthetica, 2026 (vol. 64), issue 2
Photosynthetic responses and growth dynamics of Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze (Arecaceae) in a chronosequence in a Restinga restoration area
A.J.G. JÚNIOR, M.M. MENDES, F.R. PIRES, A.A. FERNANDES, A.R. FALQUETO, L.F.T.D. MENEZES
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):64-72 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.001 
Knowledge about plant species' growth dynamics is essential in restoring degraded environments. In this study, we evaluated the growth dynamics of Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze in a chronosequence of plantations in the Restinga. The sampling was taken from three populations with different planting ages (n = 12): group GI - 8 months; GII - 4 years; GIII - 7 years. We analyzed biometric measurements, leaf traits, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. The GI group's maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry was significantly higher. On the other hand, the energy dissipation by heat was significantly...
Exploring prediction mechanisms for temperature-induced variation in maximum carboxylation rate from spectral reflectance across 450-850 nm in cucumber leaves
T. SHIBATA, H. YAMAGUCHI, S. KUBOTA, D. YASUTAKE, T. HIROTA, G. YOKOYAMA
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):73-81 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.006
Leaf spectral reflectance across 450-850 nm has been shown to predict maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), which varies with leaf temperature (Tleaf). However, the mechanism by which temperature-induced variation in Vcmax is predicted from reflectance remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore this mechanism using spectral reflectance across 450-850 nm. We measured Vcmax across a range of Tleaf (18-31°C) and reflectance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves. Partial least squares regression models moderately predicted Vcmax...
Revealing differences in the invasiveness of Sphagneticola trilobata under different light environments based on physiological and morphological plasticity
X.T. ZHENG, H. ZHU, Y.Z. ZHENG, Y.S. WANG, M. DING, J.X. WANG, Z.C. YU
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):82-94 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.009
Studies of the physiological and morphological characteristics of invasive plants contribute to understanding their invasive capacity. However, it remains unclear whether the same invasive plant species relies equally on morphological and physiological traits to enhance its invasiveness potential across different light habitats. In this study, the invasive plant Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski was used to examine eight morphological traits and nine physiological traits of the leaf under contrasting light conditions. Results revealed that under full light, growth, biomass, and all physiological traits, as well as most morphological traits...
Drought stress-induced changes in PSII functioning in ecologically contrasting plants: chlorophyll fluorescence study of poikilohydric and homoiohydric species
J. HÁJEK, A. PUHOVKIN, J. LANG, S.I. UL HAQ, M. BERNATOVÁ, D. GIORDANO, J. SEKERÁK JR., M. BARTÁK
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):95-109 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.012
Dehydration reduces photosynthetic performance in leaves and other photosynthetic organs in response to drought. This decline is linked to changes in chlorophyll fluorescence, which reflects reduced photosystem II activity and increased protective non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). This study examined NPQ dynamics during desiccation across diverse species, including lichens, mosses, conifers, crops, and C3 and C4 plants, using the method of NPQ induction and relaxation curves. Gradual dehydration from a full-hydration state (RWC 100%) to complete dryness (RWC 0%) was applied in order to compare poikilohydric and homoiohydric species....
Effect of LED spectra on growth, physiology, and biochemical profiles of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)
N.H. NGUYEN, Q. PHAN, H.T.T. CHU, Q.C. TONG, T.T.H. HOANG, T.Q. TRAN, B.N. BUI, T.V. NGUYEN, Q.T. HO, H.H. CHU, P.T. DO
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):110-118 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.018
The effects of the light-emitting diode (LED) spectra on plant growth, flowering, and phytochemical accumulation of African marigold were assessed under controlled conditions. The combination of white, blue, and red LEDs prolonged the time to flower by up to 20 d compared to full white LEDs and other light treatments. The white LEDs are an insufficient lighting condition for marigold growth, indicated by the lower plant and flower biomass. The dichromatic blue-red light and the white-blue-red (WBR) light were most suitable for marigold growth, biomass production, as well as flower quantity and quality. In addition, the highest contents of flavonoids...
Happy 95th birthday to Pierre Joliot, a brilliant scientist and a wonderful friend
G. GOVINDJEE, B.D. BRUCE
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):119-125 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.019
It is both a privilege and a pleasure to celebrate the upcoming 95th birthday of Pierre Joliot, one of the most influential figures in modern photosynthesis research. Across more than seven decades of scientific activity, Pierre has transformed our understanding of oxygenic photosynthesis through pioneering studies of oxygen evolution, excitation-energy transfer, photosynthetic electron transport, and membrane bioenergetics. His discoveries helped establish fundamental concepts that continue to guide contemporary research, including the now-classic period-four oscillation of oxygen evolution and the mechanistic framework underlying the Kok-Joliot...
Physiological mechanism by which exogenous salicylic acid alleviates salt stress injury in Osmanthus fragrans seedlings
C.Y. GUO, E.Y. XUE, C.J. MENG, X.C. DU, J.D. ZHANG, M. YUE
Photosynthetica 2026, 64(2):126-136 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.014
Salicylic acid (SA) mitigates salt stress in plants, yet its combined effects with salinity on Osmanthus fragrans remain unstudied. O. fragrans is a key Chinese ornamental tree, whose growth and use are restricted by salinization. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SA application on O. fragrans under salt stress. O. fragrans seedlings were subjected to NaCl, SA, and NaCl+SA treatments, and their physiological and growth responses to salt stress were examined. Under NaCl, plant height, leaf mass per area, photosynthetic rate, and pigments of O. fragrans decreased by 29.5, 20.6, 42.2, and 29.2%, respectively....