The age dependence of the photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll fluorescence and chloroplast ultrastructure of green form and Chl ft-deficient form (aurea) of tobacco Su/su mutant were compared. The most pronounced differences between the aurea and green tobacco found in young leaves diminished with leaf age. Slower accumulation of the photosynthetic pigments during the development of aurea leaves was accompanied by a slower accumulation of LHC antennae of both photosystems, particularly that of PS2, and by retention of an increase in the capacity of PS2 photochemistry, measured as Fy/FM The ratio Fv/Fm, however, increased rapidly during maturation of aurea leaves, and fmally the mature aurea leaves exhibited higher values of this ratio than the green ones. Rates of photosynthesis at saturating irradiance (Epiax) saturating CO2 concentration (/’sat) decreased with leaf age for both aurea and green tobacco, being always higher in aurea leaves than in leaves of green tobacco of comparable age. AU these characteristics indicated retarded development of aurea leaves. Also the chloroplast ultrastructure, particularly grana formation, exhibited slower development. The decrease in /Wx and with leaf age in both tobacco forms and retardation in the development of aurea leaves can explain higher value of usually found in aurea tobacco.
Differences between photosynthetic characteristics of chlorophyll (Chl) 6-deficient aurea mutant (Su/su) and the green (su/su) variety of Nicotiana tabacum were tested. Fully mature leaves of 3-5-month-old plants grown in potted soil were investigated. Main differences were found as follows: Respective Chl a and b contents were 3 and 5 times lower in aurea plants, while xanthophylls and carotenes contents per unit of Chl were higher. The content of light-harvesting complex (LHC) was lower and LHC composition differed in aurea mutant. PS 1 activity calculated per unit of Chl content was higher in aurea mutant. The green variety showed the lower photosynthetic rates (Pn) at saturating irradiances whether calculated on the Chl or leaf area basis. At excessive light declined with green plants. Carboxylation efficiency (CE) (CO2 response slope of Pjj at low CO2 concentrations) was higher for aurea mutant. Time- integrated intercellular CO2 concentrations derived from ^^C discrimination were higher for aurea mutant (304 cm^ m'^) than for green plants (283 cm^ m'^), which together with higher mean stomatal conductance in aurea matched CE differences.