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Foliar exposure of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to TiO2 nanoparticles under field conditions: Photosynthetic response and flavonol profileP. Teszlák, M. Kocsis, A. Scarpellini, G. Jakab, L. KőrösiPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1378-1386 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0832-6 In the past decade, utilization of nanostructured materials has increased intensively in a wide range of applications. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), for instance, can be applied for the inactivation of various pathogens through photo-induced generation of reactive oxygen species. Although TiO2 NPs with high antimicrobial activity are of great importance, in practice, their phytotoxic effects have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we investigated the potential phytotoxicity of TiO2 NPs on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) under field conditions. After foliar exposure, two particularly stress-sensitive parameters, photosynthetic function and the flavonol profile, were examined. Micro- and macroelement composition of the leaves was also studied by ICP-AES measurements. We found that TiO2 NPs significantly decreased the net CO2 assimilation and increased stomatal conductance, indicating metabolic (nonstomatal) inhibition of the photosynthesis. The lower electron transport rate and lower nonphotochemical quenching in treated leaves are indicative of diminished photoprotective processes. |
Effect of ammonium/nitrate ratio on pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) photosynthetic capacity and biomass accumulation under low light intensity and water deficitH.Q. Shang, G.M. ShenPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1039-1046 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0815-7 We conducted a hydroponic experiment in order to study effects of the ammonium/nitrate ratio (0:15, 5:10, 7.5:7.5, and 10:5) on photosynthetic characteristics and biomass accumulation in Brassica chinensis under low light intensity and water stress. Results showed that net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intrinsic water-use efficiency, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, electron transport rate, and nonphotochemical quenching were lower in the treatment (low light intensity and water deficit) than those in the control, whereas stomatal limitation increased. Minimum fluorescence, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photochemical quenching were largely unchanged. Pigment contents first increased and then decreased as the ammonium/nitrate ratios were altered, with significant differences between treatment and control observed at all ratios except for 10:5. Biomass first increased slightly and then decreased both in treated and control plants. Results suggest that economic losses caused by extreme conditions can be minimized by a proper adjustment of the ammonium/nitrate ratio. |
Physiological changes and growth promotion induced in poplar seedlings by the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis JSJ. H. Jang, S. -H. Kim, I. Khaine, M. J. Kwak, H. K. Lee, T. Y. Lee, W. Y. Lee, S. Y. WooPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1188-1203 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0801-0 This study aimed to determine the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis JS on the growth and physiological changes of Populus euramericana and Populus deltoides × P. nigra. Poplar seedlings were treated with B. subtilis JS and their growth was monitored for up to 120 d. Three different types of treatments [control, B1 (B. subtilis:double-distilled water, 1:100, v/v), and B2 (1:50)] were established. B. subtilis JS enhanced seedling height by 62% and total biomass by 37% after 120 d. Physiologically, the photosynthetic rate increased by 54%, and the total chlorophyll (Chl) content, foliage nitrogen and phosphate content were significantly higher after treatment with B2 than that of the control. These results suggest that the total Chl content is directly related to not only the photosynthetic capacity of the foliage but also to the nitrogen content, indicating that the strain JS may promote the growth of poplar. |
Soil Cu contamination destroys the photosynthetic systems and hampers the growth of green vegetablesM.-Z. Lin, M.-F. JinPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1336-1345 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0831-7 Soil metal contamination leads to a decrease in a yield of crops and is a threat to human health. In the present study, the properties (i.e., photosynthetic pigments, gas-exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, biomass, leaf area, leaf mass per area) of three green vegetables (i.e., Brassica chinensis, Chrysanthemum coronarium, Brassica alboglabra) grown under various Cu treatments [0, 200, 400, and 600 mg(Cu) kg-1] were measured and analysed. The results showed that soil Cu contamination resulted in the damage of photosynthetic pigments, negative effects on gas exchange, and hampered growth of all three vegetables. However, it did not significantly influence PSII functions of the three vegetables. It indicates that soil Cu contamination negatively affected photosynthesis particularly due to stomatal factors, but not due to the damage of photosynthetic apparatus. |
The effect of galling aphids feeding on photosynthesis photochemistry of elm trees (Ulmus sp.)K. Kmieć, K. Rubinowska, W. Michałek, H. SytykiewiczPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):989-997 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0813-9 Changes of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and photosynthetic pigment contents were analysed in galled leaves (visibly damaged and undamaged parts) and intact leaves. The values of minimal fluorescence of the dark-adapted state, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemical conversion, and photochemical quenching coefficient decreased in Ulmus pumila L. leaves galled by Tetraneura ulmi (L.) and in U. glabra Huds. galled by Eriosoma ulmi (L.). Colopha compressa (Koch.) feeding affected these parameters only in damaged parts of U. laevis Pall. galled leaves. The increasing number of T. ulmi galls progressively decreased photosynthetic performance. In gall tissues of all analysed aphid species, the lowest photosynthetic pigment content was found, indicating that the photosynthetic capacity must have been low in galls. Significant reduction of Chl and carotenoid contents were observed in damaged and undamaged portions of galled leaves only in the case of T. ulmi feeding. |
The effects of lead on photosynthetic performance of waxberry seedlings (Myrica rubra)B. He, M. Gu, X. Wang, X. HePhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1147-1153 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0800-1 The photosynthesis was investigated 30 d after Pb treatment in Myrica rubra seedlings. The Pb treatment resulted in significantly increased Pb concentrations in shoots. Low Pb concentration exposure (≤2 mM) reduced the net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (gs) without affecting the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), chlorophyll (Chl) content, and Chl fluorescence parameters. At 10 d after severe Pb treatment (≥4 mM), PN was inhibited and accompanied by Chl damage, while at 30 d, the inhibition of PN was followed by an increase of Ci and a decrease of gs, E, Chl content, and Chl fluorescence parameters. M. rubra showed a promising prospect for use in the soil phytoremediation, when Pb concentration is low, but the remediation efficiency of M. rubra is limited if Pb exceeds 2 mM. |
Chlorophyll fluorescence, yield and yield components of bread wheat affected by phosphate bio-fertilizer, zinc and boron under late-season heat stressH. R. Eisvand, H. Kamaei, F. NazarianPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1287-1296 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0829-1 We examined effects of late-season heat stress (L-SHS) on chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters and yield of bread wheat as well as roles of phosphate bio-fertilizer (PB-F) and Zn and B to compensate for the likely effects of heat stress. Factors were planting date (21 November and 5 January to coincide with grain filling to L-SHS) as the main factor, no inoculation (control) and inoculation of the seeds with PB-F as the sub-factor, and foliar application of water (control), Zn, B, and Zn + B as 3 L ha-1 as sub-sub factor. Results revealed that L-SHS reduced maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, efficiency of PSII in the light-adapted state, and the grain yield. Moreover, L-SHS increased the nonphotochemical quenching. The PB-F mitigated the effects of L-SHS on Chl fluorescence, yield, and yield components. Among nutrients, the combined Zn + B was more effective in reducing the effects of L-SHS than that of Zn and B alone. Nevertheless, there was an interaction between foliar nutrients application and PB-F, suggesting that Zn application alone had a profound influence on improving Chl fluorescence parameters and increased yield in combination with PB-F. |
Responses of photosynthesis, dry mass and carbon isotope discrimination in winter wheat to different irrigation depthsL. J. Zheng, J. J. Ma, X. H. Sun, X. H. Guo, J. Jiang, R. Ren, X. L. ZhangPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1437-1446 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0833-5 In order to test the effects of irrigation depth on winter wheat photosynthesis, four treatments were applied in a field experiment using PVC growth tubes (identical amounts of water were applied on the land surface, and at 60, 75, and 90% of the depth for the winter wheat root distribution, denoted as D0, D60, D75, and D90, respectively). Compared to the surface irrigation treatment D0, the leaf area index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration increased with irrigation depths. The values of these indicators obtained by the underground irrigation treatment D75 were higher than those of D60 and D90, and thus D75 was found to be the optimum irrigation depth. Furthermore, a positive but not significant correlation (r = 0.62) between carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) and grain yield was found. This study improves our understanding of the mechanism of underground water distribution control with depth, and the efficiency of water-saving irrigation for winter wheat. |
Diurnal temperature-related variations in photosynthetic enzyme activities of two C4 species of Chenopodiaceae grown in natural environmentT. Y. Orujova, S. M. Bayramov, U. A. Gurbanova, H. G. Babayev, M. N. Aliyeva, N. M. Guliyev, Y. M. FeyziyevPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1107-1112 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0804-x The effects of the diurnal variations in ambient temperature on some C3 and C4 enzymes in the Salsola dendroides and Suaeda altissima species of Chenopodiaceae family were studied during the intensive vegetation period. Activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (AsAT) were shown to decrease in both species in the afternoon and evening. The activity of the mitochondrial AsAT decreased in S. altissima, remained relatively constant in S. dendroides during the day. The activity of alanine aminotransferase was high in the S. dendroides species in the morning and evening and decreased in the S. altissima species by the evening. Glucose-6-phosphate activated PEPC in both species throughout the day. The study of the redox status-regulated C3 enzymes showed temperature-related increases in NADP-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in both plants, in fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity in the S. altissima species, and in NADP-MDH activity in the S. dendroides species in the afternoon. |
Hydrogen peroxide in regulation of plant metabolism: Signalling and its effect under abiotic stressT.A. Khan, M. Yusuf, Q. FariduddinPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1237-1248 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0830-8 In plants, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as a signalling molecule that facilitates various biochemical and physiological processes. H2O2 is a versatile molecule, involved in several cellular processes both under stress and stress-free conditions. In regulating plant metabolism under stress conditions, exogenous application of H2O2 also plays a pivotal role which is manifested in improved growth, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant protection. Abiotic stress is an inevitable environmental factor that extensively affects and reduces growth, quality, yield, and productivity of plants. Several signalling pathways involved in H2O2-mediated stress and defense responses have been extensively studied and there is ample scope of additional research that could further clarify the mechanism and modulating factors which regulate these pathways. An attempt has been made to dissect the role of H2O2 under low temperature stress and how it affects plant growth and development, photosynthetic capacity, regulation of antioxidant system, and signalling. |
Leaf gas exchange and grain yield of common bean exposed to spermidine under water stressS. Torabian, M. R. Shakiba, A. Dabbagh Mohammadi Nasab, M. ToorchiPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1387-1397 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0834-4 Three prevalent aliphatic polyamines (PAs) include putrescine, spermidine, and spermine; they are low-molecular-mass polycations involved in many physiological processes in plants, especially, under stressful conditions. In this experiment, three bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes were subjected to well-watered conditions and two moderate and severe water-stressed conditions with and without spermidine foliar application. Water stress reduced leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll contents, stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate, maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), net photosynthetic rate (PN), and finally grain yield of bean plants. However, spermidine application elevated RWC, gs, Ci, Fv/Fm, and PN, which caused an increase in the grain yield and harvest index of bean plants under water stress. Overall, exogenous spermidine could be utilized to alleviate water stress through protection of photosynthetic pigments, increase of proline and carotenoid contents, and reduction of malondialdehyde content. |
Silicon nutrition mitigates salinity stress in maize by modulating ion accumulation, photosynthesis, and antioxidantsW. U. D. Khan, T. Aziz, M. A. Maqsood, M. Farooq, Y. Abdullah, P. M. A. Ramzani, H. M. BilalPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1047-1057 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0812-x Silicon is known to improve resistance against salinity stress in maize crop. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of silicon application on growth and salt resistance in maize. Seeds of two maize genotypes (salt-sensitive 'EV 1089' and salt-tolerant 'Syngenta 8441') were grown in pots containing 0 and 2 mM Si with and without 50 mM NaCl. After detailed investigation of ion concentrations in different maize organs, both genotypes were further selected in hydroponic experiment on basis of their contrasting response to salinity stress. In the second experiment, pre-germinated seedlings were transplanted into nutrient solution with 0 and 60 mM NaCl with and without 2 mM Si. Both genotypes differed significantly in their response to salinity. Silicon addition alleviated both osmotic and oxidative stress in maize crop by improving the performance of defensive machinery under salinity stress. Silicon application also improved the water-use efficiency in both tested genotypes under both normal and salinity stress conditions. In conclusion, this study implies that the silicon-treated maize plants had better chance to survive under salinity conditions and their photosynthetic and biochemical apparatus was working far better than that of silicon-non-treated plants. |
Effects of exogenous calcium on mesophyll cell ultrastructure, gas exchange, and photosystem II in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum Linn.) under drought stressW. Hu, S. B. Tian, Q. Di, S. H. Duan, K. DaiPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1204-1211 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0822-8 The effects of calcium chloride solution (10 mmol L-1) on mesophyll cell ultrastructure, gas exchange, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and PSII in tobacco leaf were studied by simulating water deficit conditions via treatment with 25% PEG-6000 for 24 h. The results showed that under drought stress, the mesophyll cell structure and morphology were destroyed, photosynthesis and gas-exchange processes changed, photosynthetic pigment content decreased, and the electron transfer efficiency in PSII reduced. However, compared with the control treatment, under drought conditions, the addition of exogenous calcium could stabilize the structure and function of the chloroplasts, mitochondria, and endomembrane system in the mesophyll cells, maintain normal leaf net photosynthetic rate and gas exchange, alleviate the degree of photosynthetic pigment degradation, and increase the electron transfer energy in the leaves in PSII. As a means of ensuring normal photosynthesis under drought stress, we discovered that the application of exogenous calcium was more important for stabilization of the structure of the organelles, regulation of the osmotic balance, and increase of the photosynthetic pigment content, and proved to be less important for regulation of stomatal opening and closing. |
Cadmium stress in Dongying wild soybean seedlings: growth, Cd accumulation, and photosynthesisL. Liu, Y. K. Shang, L. Li, Y. H. Chen, Z. Z. Qin, L. J. Zhou, M. Yuan, C. B. Ding, J. Liu, Y. Huang, R. W. Yang, Y. H. Zhou, J. Q. LiaoPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1346-1352 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0844-2 In order to understand better Cd resistance in soybean, Dongying wild soybean treated with different Cd concentrations were evaluated. The biomass, chlorophyll (Chl) content, leaf color, Chl a fluorescence parameters, photosynthesis parameters, and Cd contents were determined. Our results showed that when Cd concentration was ≤ 2 kg m-3, no significant decrease in biomass, photosynthetic parameters, and maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII was observed. This indicated that Dongying wild soybean resisted Cd toxic effects under such conditions. In addition, atomic absorption experiment results demonstrated that when Cd concentration was ≤ 0.5 kg m-3, the accumulation of Cd in wild soybean was lower in roots than that in shoots, while the accumulation of Cd was higher in roots than that in shoots when Cd concentration was ≥ 1 kg m-3. Therefore, Dongying wild soybean showed a certain resistance to Cd and could serve as a valuable germplasm resource for improving the breeding of Cd-resistant soybean. |
H2O2-induced acclimation of photosystem II to excess light is mediated by alternative respiratory pathway and salicylic acidQ. Z. Hou, Y. P. Wang, J. Y. Liang, L. Y. Jia, H. Q. Feng, J. Wen, N. Ehmet, J. Y. BaiPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1154-1160 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0806-8 Acclimation to excess light is required for optimizing plant performance under natural environment. The present work showed that the treatment of Arabidopsis leaves with exogenous H2O2 can increase the acclimation of PSII to excess light. Treatments with H2O2 also enhanced the capacity of the mitochondrial alternative respiratory pathway and salicylic acid (SA) content. Our work also showed that the lack in alternative oxidase (AOX1a) in AtAOX1a antisense line and the SA deficiency in NahG (salicylate hydroxylase gene) transgenic mutant attenuated the H2O2-induced acclimation of PSII to excess light. It indicates that the H2O2-induced acclimation of PSII to excess light could be mediated by the alternative respiratory pathway and SA. |
Role of alternative oxidase pathway in protection against drought-induced photoinhibition in pepper leavesW. H. Hu, X. H. Yan, Y. He, X. L. YePhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1297-1303 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0837-1 The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway on energy metabolism in chloroplasts, and evaluate the importance of the AOX in alleviating drought-induced photoinhibition in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Inhibition of AOX pathway decreased photosynthesis and increased thermal energy dissipation in plants under normal conditions. It indicated that AOX pathway could influence chloroplast energy metabolism. Drought reduced carbon assimilation. Photoinhibition was caused by excess of absorbed light energy in spite of the increase of thermal energy dissipation and cyclic electron flow around PSI (CEF-PSI). Upregulation of AOX pathway in leaves experiencing drought would play a critical role in protection against photoinhibition by optimization of carbon assimilation and PSII function, which would avoid over-reduction of photosynthetic electron transport chain. However, inhibition of AOX pathway could be compensated by increasing the thermal energy dissipation and CEF-PSI under drought stress, and the compensation of CEF-PSI was especially significant. |
A method of a bicolor fast-Fourier pulse-amplitude modulation chlorophyll fluorometryV. Lysenko, D. Lazár, T. VardunyPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1447-1452 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0848-y A simple method of a bicolor (multicolor), fast-Fourier, PAM chlorophyll fluorometry has been developed to obtain fluorescence induction curves. Quantum yields of PSII photochemistry were determined with blue and red simultaneously applied pulsed measuring lights for three subsequent 20-min periods of dark-, light-adaptation under actinic light and dark recovery. Measuring lights were cross-combined with blue and red actinic lights and saturation pulses. Coefficients of chromatic divergence were calculated as a ratio of the quantum yields obtained by red measuring light to that obtained by blue measuring light. Adaptation of Ficus benjamina and Hordeum vulgare leaves under blue (but not red) actinic light resulted in the sufficient increase of chromatic divergence. In addition, fraction of active, non(photo)inhibited, PSII centers was shown to be dependent on the color of measuring light. Thus, color of the light sources should be considered when reporting results of parameters evaluated from fluorescence induction curves. |
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Yield and photochemical activity of selected rice cultivars from Eastern India under medium depth stagnant floodingD. PANDA, A. RAY, R.K. SARKARPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(4):1084-1093 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.126 Stagnant flooding (SF) is a serious threat for rice production in rainfed lowland areas of Southeast Asian countries. To overview the SF effect, photosynthetic performances and productivity were studied with three landraces (Ravana, Kamini, and Rashpanjor) and four high-yielding cultivars (Savitri, Savitri-Sub1, Gayatri, and Varshadhan) of rice under medium depth (40-50 cm) of water level. Stagnant flooding significantly increased the stem elongation and decreased yield and yield attributing parameters. The chlorophyll a fluorescence rises from O- to P-step with distinct J- and I-step were noticed in all the cultivars up to 75 d of SF. Prolonged flooding (> 2 months) perturbed both donor and acceptor side of PSII. Vitality indices (PIABS and PITOT) decreased greatly under prolonged SF. Analysis of O-J-I-P transients suggests that the information is useful for agricultural planning with the purpose to enhance rice yield under lowland medium depth SF. |
Ferredoxin: the central hub connecting photosystem I to cellular metabolismJ. Mondal, B. D. BrucePhotosynthetica 2018, 56(1):279-293 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0793-9 Ferredoxin (Fd) is a small soluble iron-sulfur protein essential in almost all oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. It contains a single [2Fe-2S] cluster coordinated by four cysteine ligands. It accepts electrons from the stromal surface of PSI and facilitates transfer to a myriad of acceptors involved in diverse metabolic processes, including generation of NADPH via Fd-NADP-reductase, cyclic electron transport for ATP synthesis, nitrate reduction, nitrite reductase, sulfite reduction, hydrogenase and other reductive reactions. Fd serves as the central hub for these diverse cellular reactions and is integral to complex cellular metabolic networks. We describe advances on the central role of Fd and its evolutionary role from cyanobacteria to algae/plants. We compare structural diversity of Fd partners to understand this orchestrating role and shed light on how Fd dynamically partitions between competing partner proteins to enable the optimum transfer of PSI-derived electrons to support cell growth and metabolism. |
Can needle nitrogen content explain the interspecific difference in ozone sensitivities of photosynthesis between Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis)?T. SUGAI, M. KITAO, T. WATANABE, T. KOIKEPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(2):540-547 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.042 Although deciduous and evergreen conifers are expected to utilize needle nitrogen differently, their interspecific differences in the ozone sensitivity remain unclear. We compared the growth and physiological responses to elevated O3 concentrations in deciduous Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and evergreen Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) seedlings. Seedlings of both species were exposed to 62.5 ± 1.95 nmol(O3) mol-1 during the day time in open-top chambers. Elevated O3 had no effect on height or diameter growth in either of the species but suppressed photosynthetic parameters. A decline in photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency was observed in both species. However, needle N content in larch was decreased by O3, whereas it was not decreased in fir. Needle N responses to O3 were different between larch and fir seedlings, indicating that the O3 sensitivity of photosynthesis could vary depending on needle N dynamics. We also observed a higher correlation between photosynthesis and needle N even under O3 exposure, particularly in the mass-based relationship with higher accuracy. The result indicated that mass-based needle N could explain difference in O3 sensitivity of photosynthesis between the different leaf habits in larch and fir seedlings. |
Smoke compounds aggravate stress inflicted on Brassica seedlings by unfavourable soil conditionsR. BˇCZEK-KWINTA, J. ANTONKIEWICZ, A. ŁOPATA-STASIAK, W. KĘPKAPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(1):1-8 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.026 The aim of the study was to assess the physiological status of Brassica seedlings grown in two types of soils following a single application of smoke water (SW). One soil was contaminated with heavy metals from a local smelter, and another was sandy and poor in nutrients. Three-week monitoring indicated that soil composition was the primary factor affecting chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) parameters, growth, and development of seedlings, and the contaminants affected the plants more than the lack of nutrients. SW aggravated the negative impact of heavy metals, which became visible when the plants transiently suffered from the heavy metal exposure. Most of CF parameters changed suddenly but then the trend reversed indicating that plants gradually adapted to the specific conditions. However, this was not reflected in the final biomass of the seedlings. This might be due to redirection of photosynthates towards protective mechanisms against toxic effects of metals. |
Downregulation of PSII activity and increased cyclic electron transport in cotton prevents PSI from photoinhibition due to night chillingF. XIAO, Y.L. ZHANG, Y.L. YANG, W.F. ZHANGPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(2):523-532 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.072 The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of night chilling on the photosynthetic characteristics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at a boll-forming stage. The results suggest that overreduction of PSII after night chilling (≤ 10°C) led to excess excitation energy in cotton leaves. The night chilling (compared to 22°C) reduced PSI acceptor side limitation under moderate and high light intensity and increased maximum photooxidizable P700. This suggests that in contrast to PSII, PSI was protected from photoinhibition due to night chilling. However, PSII activity and linear electron transport were not significantly affected by the 30/16°C treatment. In addition, the night chilling (≤ 10°C) increased the quantum yield of cyclic electron transport. This suggests that cyclic electron transport around PSI might be important to prevent photoinhibition of PSI and PSII in cotton under night chilling stress. |
Chlorophyll fluorescence for prediction of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) susceptibility to droughtK. JUZOŃ, I. CZYCZYŁO-MYSZA, A. OSTROWSKA, I. MARCIŃSKA, E. SKRZYPEKPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(4):950-959 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.102 Drought has become an essential environmental factor limiting plant productivity. In order to detect differences in chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, Chl concentration (in SPAD units), and yield parameters of yellow lupin ('Morocco 4' and 'Taper') and pea ('Wenus' and 'SZD165'), drought stress was initiated by withholding water for 14 d (25% of field water capacity). A significant decrease of leaf relative water content was found in tested cultivars. SPAD values did not show significant changes in all cultivars. The maximum photochemical efficiency and area over the Chl a fluorescence induction curve decreased in both species under drought. Performance index in lupin did not change significantly under drought while it declined in pea. Among the tested cultivars, lupin cv. 'Morocco 4' maintained the highest efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus as well as the highest number of pods, seeds per plant, height, and dry mass of shoots under drought conditions. |
Early emergence of the FtsH proteases involved in photosystem II repairS. Shao, T. Cardona, P. J. NixonPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(1):163-177 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0769-9 Efficient degradation of damaged D1 during the repair of PSII is carried out by a set of dedicated FtsH proteases in the thylakoid membrane. Here we investigated whether the evolution of FtsH could hold clues to the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis. A phylogenetic analysis of over 6000 FtsH protease sequences revealed that there are three major groups of FtsH proteases originating from gene duplication events in the last common ancestor of bacteria, and that the FtsH proteases involved in PSII repair form a distinct clade branching out before the divergence of FtsH proteases found in all groups of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. Furthermore, we showed that the phylogenetic tree of FtsH proteases in phototrophic bacteria is similar to that for Type I and Type II reaction centre proteins. We conclude that the phylogeny of FtsH proteases is consistent with an early origin of photosynthetic water oxidation chemistry. |
Discovering trends in photosynthesis using modern analytical tools:More than 100 reasons to use chlorophyll fluorescenceW. BˇBA, A. KOMPAŁA-BˇBA, M. ZABOCHNICKA-¦WIˇTEK, J. LU¬NIAK, R. HANCZARUK, A. ADAMSKI, H.M. KALAJIPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(2):668-679 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.069 In this review, using the network analysis, based on the bibliometric data, collected from Web of Science Core Collection database, we followed the development of chlorophyll fluorescence research (CFR) during 1947-2018. We confirmed dramatic increase in diversity of CFR from late 90-ties and vigorous development of this discipline in the last ten years. They are parallel to an increase in number of research areas and institutions involved and were triggered by the accumulation of knowledge and methodological, technological, and communication advances, especially modern fluorimeters and fluorescence techniques. The network analysis of keywords and research areas confirmed CFR changed into modern, multidisciplinary, highly collaborative discipline, in which in spite of many 'core' disciplines as plant science, environmental sciences, agronomy/food science and technology, the promising, modern areas developed: biochemistry and molecular biology, remote sensing, and big data artificial intelligence method. |
Diurnal and seasonal variations in the photosynthetic performance and chlorophyll fluorescence of cassava 'Rayong 9' under irrigated and rainfed conditionsK. VONGCHAROEN, S. SANTANOO, P. BANTERNG, S. JOGLOY, N. VORASOOT, P. THEERAKULPISUTPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(1):268-285 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.027 Diurnal photosynthesis responses of cassava cultivar Rayong 9 ('RY9') three months after planting, grown in a field conditions under irrigated and rainfed conditions, were evaluated during the rainy, cool, and hot seasons. Under the mild conditions of the rainy and cool seasons, net photosynthetic rates (PN) increased in parallel with light intensity and attained the maximum at 13.00 or 11.00 h. In the hot season, PN attained the prominent peak at 9.00 h, after which stomatal conductance decreased rapidly coordinated with declining PN and nonphotochemical quenching was enhanced. Photosynthetically active radiation was the major factor influencing PN in the rainy and cool seasons, whereas vapor pressure deficit was the major factor in the hot season. 'RY9' adapted extremely well in this climate because the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry recovered fully in the evening even under the rainfed conditions in the hot season. |
Whole leaf photosynthetic light response in a carnivorous plant species Sarracenia alataK.A. HOPKINS, D.A. GRAVATTPhotosynthetica 2019, 57(4):985-992 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.119 Photosynthetic light-response curves of mature leaves of Sarracenia alata were generated and characterized using a custom built chamber (2.79 L) capable of accommodating whole leaves, or pitchers, coupled to a LI-COR 6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System. In addition to generating light-response curves, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and dry mass measurements were obtained for each pitcher. Gas-exchange variables from the light-response curves are reported on a leaf area and dry mass basis. Calculated light-saturated photosynthesis was found to be 2.09 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1 with a light-saturation point of 315.14 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, light-compensation point of 40.25 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1, dark respiration rate of -0.57 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1, and apparent quantum efficiency of 0.033. The use of a large custom built chamber proved to be successful and the data presented indicate that adequate mixing and sampling was achieved. This study is the first to document photosynthetic response of S. alta. The data from this study indicate that S. alata collected from our study site photosynthetically performed like that of a shade-adapted C3 plant and the measurements were consistent with those published for other species of Sarracenia. |
On Otto Warburg, Nazi Bureaucracy and the difficulties of moral judgmentK. NickelsenPhotosynthetica 2018, 56(1):75-85 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0773-0 Twentieth-century photosynthesis research had strong roots in Germany, with the cell physiologist Otto H. Warburg being among its most influential figures. He was also one of the few scientists of Jewish ancestry who kept his post as a director of a research institution throughout the Nazi period. Based on archival sources, the paper investigates Warburg's fate during these years at selected episodes. He neither collaborated with the regime nor actively resisted; he was harrassed by bureaucracy and denunciated to the secret police, but saved by powerful figures in economy, politics, and science. Warburg reciprocated this favour with problematic testimonies of political integrity after 1945. Warburg's case, thus, defies wellestablished notions of how scientists in Germany lived and worked during the Nazi regime, and, therefore, helps provide a more nuanced perspective on this theme. |



