Boron deficiency induced a dramatic inhibition in sunflower plant growth, shown by a reduction in dry mass of roots and shoots of plants grown for 10 d in nutrient solution supplied with 0.02 µM B. This low B supply facilitated the appearance of brown purple pigmentation on the plant leaves over the entire growth period. Compared to B-sufficient (BS) leaves, leakage from B-deficient (BD) leaves was 20 fold higher for potassium, 38 fold for sucrose, and 6 fold for phenolic compounds. High level of membrane peroxidation was detected by measuring peroxidase activities as well as peroxidative products in BD sunflower plants. Soluble and bound peroxidase activities measured in BD thylakoid membranes were accelerated two fold compared to those detected in BS-membranes. No detectable change in soluble peroxidase activity in roots whereas a 4 fold stimulation in bound peroxidase activity was detected. Thylakoid membranes subjected to low B supply showed enhancement in lipoxygenase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in parallel with 40 and 30 % decrease of linoleic and linolenic acid contents (related to total unsaturated fatty acids). A slower rate of Hill reaction activity (40 %) and a suppressed flow of electron transfer of the whole chain (30 %) were detected in BD thylakoid membranes. This reduction was accompanied with a decline in the activity of photosystem 2 shown by a diminished rate of oxygen evolution (42 %) coupled with a quenching (27.5 %) in chlorophyll a fluorescence emission spectra at 685 nm (F685). Thus B is an important element for membrane maintenance, protection, and function by minimizing or limiting production of free oxygen radicals in thylakoid membranes of sunflower leaves.
The structural characteristics of the extra-membrane domains and guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation of photosystem 2 (PS2) core antenna complexes CP43 and CP47 were investigated using fluorescence emission and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The extra-membrane domains of CP43 and CP47 possessed a certain degree of secondary and tertiary structure and not a complete random coil conformation. The tertiary structure and the chlorophyll (Chl) a microenvironment of CP47 were more sensitive to guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) than that of CP43. Changes in energy transfer from β-carotene to Chl a corresponded well to changes in the tertiary structure while their correlation with changes in the secondary structure was rather poor. Unlike most of water-soluble proteins, both CP43 and CP47 are partly resistant to denaturation induced by guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl); the denaturation of CP43 or CP47 is not a two-state process. Those features most probably reflect their character as intrinsic membrane proteins. and Y.-G. Qu ... [et al.].
Photosynthetic rates of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade and their sensitivities to different growth irradiances were studied in shade-grown plants over a period of 4 weeks. Maximal photosynthetic O2 evolution rates and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity] were higher in leaves exposed to intermediate sunlight [a maximal photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 500-600 µmol m-2 s-1] than in leaves grown under full sunlight (a maximal PPFD of 1 000-1 200 µmol m-2 s-1) and shade (a maximal PPFD of 200-250 µmol m-2 s-1). However, these two parameters of GFP were highest in plants grown under the shade and lowest in full sun-grown plants. Both GL and GFP of plants exposed to full sunlight had lower predawn Fv/Fm [dark adapted ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (the maximal photosystem 2 yield without actinic irradiation)] than those of shade-grown plants. When exposed to intermediate sunlight, however, there were no significant changes in predawn Fv/Fm in GL whereas a significant decrease in predawn Fv/Fm was found in GFP of the same plant. GFP exposed to full sunlight exhibited a greater decrease in predawn Fv/Fm compared to those exposed to intermediate sunlight. The patterns of changes in total chlorophyll (Chl) content of GL and GFP were similar to those of Fv/Fm. Although midday Fv/Fm fluctuated with prevailing irradiance, changes of midday Fv/Fm after exposure to different growth irradiances were similar to those of predawn Fv/Fm in both GL and GFP. The decreases in predawn and midday Fv/Fm were much more pronounced in GFP than in GL under full sunlight, indicating greater sensitivity in GFP to high irradiance (HI). In the laboratory, electron transport rate and photochemical and non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence were also determined under different irradiances. All results indicated that GFP are more susceptible to HI than GL. Although the GFP of Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade require a lower amount of radiant energy for photosynthesis and this plant is usually grown in the shade, is not necessarily a shade plant. and J. He, L. C. D. Teo
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sonalika) seedlings were grown in Hoagland solution. Primary leaves were harvested at 8, 12, and 15 d and cut into five equal segments. Contents of photosynthetic pigments and proteins, and photosystem 2 (PS2) activity increased from base to apex of these leaves. Chlorophyll (Chl) content was maximum at 12 d in all the leaf segments, but PS2 activity showed a gradual decline from 8 to 15 d in all leaf segments. In sharp contrast, the CO2 fixation ability of chloroplasts increased from 8 to 15 d. CO2 fixation ability of chloroplasts started to decline from base to apex of 15-d-old seedlings, where the content of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (RuBPCO-LSU) increased acropetally. RuBPCO-LSU content was maximum in all the leaf segments in 12-d-old seedlings. This shows a distinctive pattern of PS2, Chl, CO2 fixation ability of chloroplasts, and RuBPCO-LSU content along the axis of leaf lamina during development and senescence. RuBPCO-LSU (54 kDa) degraded to fragments of 45, 42, 37, 19, and 16 kDa products which accumulated along the leaf axis during ageing of chloroplasts. Thus the CO2 fixation ability of chloroplasts declines earlier than PS2 activity and photosynthetic pigment contents along the leaf lamina. and F. Dilnawaz ... [et al.].
Pisum sativum (L.) plants were grown under "white" luminescent lamps, W [45 µ mol(quantum) m-2 s-1] or under the same irradiation supplemented with narrow spectrum red light-emitting diodes (LEDs), RE [λmax = 660 nm, Δλ = 20 nm, 40 µmol(quantum) m-2 s-1]. Significant differences in the chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters, degree of State 1-State 2 transition, and the pigment-protein contents were found in plants grown under differing spectral composition. Addition of red LEDs to the "white light" resulted in higher effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (PS2), i.e. F'v/F'm, linear electron transport (ϕPS2), photochemical quenching (qP), and lower non-photochemical quenching (qN as well as NPQ). The RE plants were characterised by higher degree State 1-State 2 transition, i.e. they were more effective in radiant energy utilisation. Judging from the data of "green" electrophoresis of Chl containing pigment-protein complexes of plants grown under various irradiation qualities, the percentage of Chl in photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centre complexes in RE plants was higher and there was no difference in the total Chl bound with Chl-proteins of light-harvesting complexes (LHC2). Because the ratio between oligomeric and monomeric LHC2 forms was higher in RE plants, we suggest higher LHC2 stability in these ones. and N. M. Topchyi ... [et al.].
Responses of two sides of Rumex K-1 leaves to chilling stress (5 °C, photon flux density of 100 µmol m-2 s-1) were studied by using gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and spectrum reflectance techniques. The Chl and carotenoid contents in the two sides were not affected by chilling treatment, and both were higher in the adaxial side. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem (PS) 2 and fraction of functional PS1 in the abaxial side decreased more markedly than those in the adaxial side during the chilling treatment, indicating that the abaxial side was damaged more significantly than the adaxial side. Before chilling, there were no obvious differences in actual photochemical efficiency of PS2, photosynthesis, and photorespiration between two sides of the leaves. Under chilling stress, the actual photochemical efficiency of PS2, photosynthesis, and photorespiration all declined more significantly in the abaxial side, which was partly attributed to lower carboxylation efficiency in the abaxial side than that in the adaxial side. Non-photochemical quenching was higher in the adaxial side, though the de-epoxidation of xanthophyll cycle pigments' pool on basis of Chl was higher in the abaxial side. Both the slower decrease in the photochemical quenching and the higher non-photochemical quenching may account for the higher resistance to chilling stress in the adaxial side of Rumex K-1 leaves. and P.-M. Li ... [et al.].
The influence of increased solar UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic characteristics in cowpea seedlings (Vigna unguiculata) grown at optimal (Mgs) and low (Mgd) Mg levels were studied. Both higher UV-B and Mgd treatments caused significant drops of photochemical activities and net CO2 uptake rates (PN). Yet the UV-B-induced decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency was lesser in Mgd seedlings. The leaf Chl a fluorescence measurements proved that after receiving an enhanced UV-B radiation these seedlings showed a significant enhancement in their variable parts. The PSM oscillation of slow fluorescence kinetics was remarkably altered by both treatments. The PN also followed a typical inhibitory pattern as seen in photochemical activities. Concentrations of several chloroplast proteins in trifoliate leaves were significantly reduced by Mgd treatment and unaffected by the other two treatments. Whereas the contents of 43-47 kDa polypeptides in primary leaves were markedly reduced with a maximal effect in Mgd seedlings, no major difference was noted for combined stress. and A. Premkumar, G. Kulandaivelu.
Two different pathways for protochlorophyllide a (Pchlide) reduction in photosynthetic organisms have been proved: one is strictly light-dependent whereas the second is light-independent. Both pathways occur in all photosynthetic cells except in angiosperms which form chlorophyll only through the light-dependent pathway. Most cells belonging to Eubacteria (i.e., the anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria) synthesize bacteriochlorophyll through the light-independent pathway. This review deals with the physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological features of molecules involved in both pathways of Pchlide reduction.
The photosynthetic pathway of the roots (both the white velamentous main portions and the green, nonvelamentous tips) was investigated in twelve taxa (natural species and intergeneric hybrid cultivars) of epiphytic orchids having CAM leaves. All organs contained chlorophyll, and the a/b ratios indicate that the organs, especially the roots, are likely shade-adapted. Stable carbon isotope ratios of the tissues were near -15‰ for all organs, a value typical of obligate (constitutive) CAM plants. Values for root tissues were slightly lower (more negative) than those of the leaves. The presence of CAM in the leaves of these orchids did not ensure that their roots performed CAM photosynthesis. Further work is needed to address the questions raised in this study and to determine if the photosynthetic roots of these taxa are capable of assimilating atmospheric CO2. and C. E. Martin ... [et al.].
Physiological traits, which are positively associated with yield under salt-stress conditions, can be useful selection criteria in screening for salt tolerance. We examined whether chlorophyll (Chl) content can be used as screening criterion in wheat. Our study involved 5 wheat genotypes under both saline and nonsaline field conditions as well as in a sand-culture experiment. Salt stress reduced significantly biomass, grain yield, total Chl and both Chl a and b in all genotypes. In the sand-culture experiment, Chl accumulation was higher in PF70354/BOW, Ghods, and H499.71A/JUP genotypes at nonsaline control, moderate, and high salt concentrations, respectively. In the field experiment, genotype H499.71A/JUP belonged to those with the highest Chl density. The SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) meter readings were linearly related to Chl content both in the sand-culture and in the field experiment. However, salt stress affected the calibration of SPAD meter. Therefore, separate Chl-SPAD equations were suggested for saline and nonsaline conditions. The correlation coefficients between the grain yield and SPAD were positive and significant both in the sand culture and in the field experiment. These findings suggested that SPAD readings could be used as a tool for rapid assessment of relative Chl content in wheat genotypes. It could be used for the indirect selection of high-yielding genotypes of wheat under saline condition in sand-culture and field experiments., A. Kiani-Pouya, F. Rasouli., and Obsahuje bibliografii