In the present studies, we have found a fragment of amino acid sequence, called TFT motif, both in light-dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (LPOR) and in the L subunit of dark-operative (light-independent) protochlorophyllide oxidoreductases (DPOR). Amino acid residues of this motif shared similar physicochemical properties in both types of the enzymes. In the present paper, physicochemical properties of amino acid residues of this common motif, its spatial arrangement and a possible physiological role are being discussed. This is the first report when similarity between LPOR and DPOR, phylogenetically unrelated, but functionally redundant enzymes, is described., M. Gabruk ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Dark-grown seedlings of Pinus mugo Turra and Pinus sylvestris L. accumulate chlorophyll (Chl) and its precursor protochlorophyllide (Pchlide). Pchlide reduction is a key regulatory step in Chl biosynthesis. In the dark, Pchlide is reduced by light-independent Pchlide oxidoreductase (DPOR) encoded by three plastid genes chlL, chlN, and chlB (chlLNB). To investigate the differences in chlLNB gene expressions, we compared the dark-grown and 24-h illuminated seedlings of P. mugo and P. sylvestris. Expression of these genes was found constitutive in all analyzed samples. We report light-independent accumulation of important proteins involved in Chl biosynthesis (glutamyl-tRNA reductase) and photosystem formation (D1 and LHCI). Chl and Pchlide content and plastid ultrastructure studies were also performed. and K. Breznenová ... [et al.]
In this article, the effects of drought stress (DS) on gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and Calvin cycle enzymes in Phaseolus vulgaris are evaluated. Three-week-old plants were exposed to DS by receiving only so much water every evening to ensure 30% field capacity water content overnight. After three days under these conditions, we observed that DS induced a decline of the CO2 assimilation. Gas-exchange data showed that the closure of stomata during DS did not lead to a concomitant decline in calculated intercellular CO2 concentration. Moreover, DS plants showed a reduction of the photochemical Chl fluorescence quenching, photosystem II quantum yield and electron transport rate and a higher pH gradient and more heat dissipation as compared to controls. The activity of Calvin cycle enzymes, Rubisco, sFBPase, and Ru5PK, decreased strongly in DS plants as compared to controls. Data analysis suggest that the decrease of CO2 assimilation under drought conditions is not related to a diminished capacity of the use of NADPH and ATP but probably to the decline of enzyme activity involved in RuBP regeneration (Ru5PK). and M. C. Dias, W. Brüggemann.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low air temperature during nocturnal (TN) and diurnal (TD) periods as well as the substrate temperature (TS) on photosynthesis of 'Valencia' orange tree grafted on Rangpur lime rootstock. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber with seven-month-old plants. The plants were exposed to the following temperature regimes: low substrate temperature (LTS, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 20°C,
TS = 10°C); low air temperature during night (LTN, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 26°C); low temperature during nighttime and also low substrate temperature (LTSN, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 10°C,
TS = 10°C); low air temperature during both diurnal and nocturnal periods (LTND, with: TD = 17°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 26°C); and finally to low air temperature (night and day) and low substrate temperature (LTSND, with: TD = 17°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 10°C). As reference (control), plants were subjected to TD = 28°C, TN = 20°C, and TS = 26°C. Measurements of leaf gas exchange, photochemical activity and carbohydrate concentrations were performed after six days of exposure to each thermal treatment. Compared to the control, all thermal regimes caused reductions in photosynthesis due to diffusive and metabolic limitations. The photoinhibition was transient in plants exposed to night and substrate low temperatures, whereas it was severe and chronic in plants subjected to chilling during the diurnal period. However, the lowest photosynthesis was observed in plants with low substrate temperature of 10°C (in LTS, LTSND and LTSN treatments), regardless of air temperature. The occurrence of cold night and/or its combination with low substrate temperature caused accumulation of starch in leaves. When considering carbohydrate concentrations in stems and roots, it was not possible to establish a clear response pattern to chilling. In conclusion, the low substrate temperature causes a greater reduction of CO2 assimilation in citrus plants as compared to the occurrence of low air temperature, being such response a consequence of diffusive and biochemical limitations. and C. M. A. Santos ... [et al.].
Madagaskarské palmy tvoří necelou desetinu celkového světového palmového bohatství co do počtu rodů i druhů, což potvrzuje význam ostrova pro tuto čeleď. Po prvním dílu představujícím vegetační poměry ostrova a historii palmového výzkumu přibližujeme ve druhém dílu jednotlivé palmové rody. U větších rodů Ravenea a Dypsis je podán rámcový přehled druhové rozmanitosti, u malých rodů je přehled úplný. Pozornost věnujeme i ohrožení madagaskarských palem a jeho hlavním příčinám., Palm species of Madagascar encompass almost one tenth of the entire palm (Arecaceae) richness throughout the world. It confirms the importance of the island for palms. While the first part of the series described the vegetation characteristics along with the history of palm research, the second part introduces all the palm genera of Madagascar. Smaller genera are presented in full scope, and some interesting species from the larger genera Dypsis and Ravenea are highlighted. Conservation status and contemporary threats to the palms of Madagascar are also covered., and Vlastik Rybka, Romana Rybková.
Městské parky, dřeviny a byliny kolem cest a v zahradách. Za vznikem tohoto historického dědictví stáli britští obchodníci s vínem a cukrem z cukrové třtiny, kteří v 18. a 19. stol. zakládali zahrady kolem svých farem a sídel. Později se izolované zahrady spojily a vznikaly první větší zahradní celky kolem hotelů. Ve 20. stol. se zakládaly parky již přístupné veřejnosti. Vznikaly tematické sbírky tropických rostlin, kaktusů a jiných sukulentů. Parků, zahrad a ostatních zelených ploch je jen v hlavním městě Funchalu přes 450 ha. Téměř každý dům, hotel a restaurace má zahrádku. Jsou zde k vidění i keře a stromy prakticky z celého světa. Většinu z nich lze v našich podmínkách pěstovat pouze ve sklenících. Exotické rostliny byly vysazeny i ve volné krajině. Některé druhy jsou velmi agresivní a nekontrolovaně se šíří po ostrovech., In the 18th and 19th centuries, British merchants set up gardens around their settlements. Later, larger gardens appeared around hotels, and in the 20th century, parks were established, maintaining also collections of tropical plants or succulents. Almost 450 ha of these green spaces in the capital city of Funchal host trees and bushes from all over the world. Exotic species were planted even in open countryside. Some of them are invasive, spreading rapidly across the islands., and Miloslav Kuklík, Václav Zelený.
In China, narrow-wide row planting pattern has been advocated for maize (Zea mays L.) production. However, no previous study has clearly elucidated the complexity of factors affecting maize canopy such as the microclimatic factors, and the effect of photosynthesis in narrow-wide row planting pattern. The current study was undertaken to identify the planting patterns that influence microclimatic conditions and photosynthesis of two maize cultivars (Beiyu288 and Xianyu335) grown in three planting patterns: narrow-wide rows of (1) 30 cm + 170 cm (P1, 6.4 plants m-2), and (2)
40 cm + 90 cm (P2, 6.4 plants m-2), and (3) uniform row of 65 cm (CK, conventional row as control, 6.4 plants m-2). Light interception, temperature, relative humidity (RH), CO2 concentration, and leaf photosynthesis within the canopy were measured in each planting treatment at the grain-filling stage. The net photosynthetic rate
(PN), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance
(gs), transpiration rate (E), and temperature of the narrow-wide row exceeded that of the conventional row. The CO2 concentration and RH of the narrow-wide row were lower than CK by 50 cm strata. The narrow-wide row had a more uniform light intercepted at the whole canopy profile. The results of the current study suggest that
narrow-wide row-planting pattern has a positive effect on canopy microclimate factors and promotes photosynthesis., T. D. Liu, F. B. Song., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Periodic drought fluctuation is a common phenomenon in Northwest China. We analyzed the response of Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) seedlings, a dwarf shrub species with considerably strong adaptabilities, exposed to water stress (WS) by withholding water for 21 d, and subsequent recovery of 7 d. Leaf relative water content (LRWC), net photosynthetic rate (PN), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) decreased with increasing water deficit. In contrast, the nonphotochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (NPQ) significantly increased, as well as the amounts of violaxanthin (V) + antheraxanthin (A) + zeaxanthin (Z). In the whole levels, the photosynthetic pigment composition did not display significant changes in WS seedlings. However, the de-epoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle pigments [(Z+0.5A)/VAZ ] generally exhibited higher values in WS seedlings. The significant inhibition of de-epoxidation by dithiothreitol (DTT) and negligible changes of epoxidation of Z by glucosamine (Gla) were both observed; the slight but stably upregulated transcript level of violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) and downregulated zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) expression profile were found during WS period, indicating that they were regulated on post-transcript levels. VDE activity, via the accumulation of Z and A, which confers a greater capacity of photoprotection, appears to contribute to the survival of severely stressed plants. and X. S. Song ... [et al.].
Mutants with altered leaf morphology are useful as markers for the study of genetic systems and for probing the leaf differentiation process. One such mutant with deficient greening and altered development of the leaf mesophyll appeared in an inbred line of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The objectives of the present study were to determine the inheritance of the mutant leaf trait and its morphological characterisation. The mutation, named mesophyll cell defective1 (mcd1), has pleiotropic effects and it is inherited as a monogenic recessive. The structure and tissue organization of mcd1 leaves are disrupted. In mcd1 leaves, the mesophyll has prominent intercellular spaces, and palisade and spongy tissues are not properly shaped. The mutant palisade cells also appear to be more vacuolated and with a reduced number of chloroplasts than the wild type leaves of equivalent developmental stage. The lamina thickness of mcd1 leaves is greatly variable and in some areas no mesophyll cells are present between the adaxial and abaxial epidermis. The leaf area of the mcd1 mutant is extremely reduced as well as the stem height. A deficient accumulation of photosynthetic pigments characterizes both cotyledons and leaves of the mutant. In mcd1 leaves, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence imaging evidences a spatial heterogeneity of leaf photosynthetic performance. Little black points, which correspond to photosystem II (PSII) maximum efficiency (Fv/Fm) values close to zero, characterize the mcd1 leaves. Similarly, the lightadapted quantum efficiency (ΦPSII) values show a homogeneous distribution over wild type leaf lamina, while the damaged areas in mcd1 leaves, represented by yellow zones, are prominent. In conclusion, the loss of function of the MCD1 gene in Helianthus annuus is correlated with a variegated leaf phenotype characterized by a localized destruction of mesophyll morphogenesis and defeat of PSII activity. and M. Fambrini ... [et al.].