Influence of drought (D) on changes of leaf water potential (Ψ) and parameters of gas exchange in D-resistant and D-sensitive genotypes of triticale and maize was compared. Soil D (from -0.01 to -2.45 MPa) was simulated by mannitol solutions. At -0.013 MPa significant differences in Ψ, net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and internal CO2 concentration (Ci) of D-resistant and D-sensitive triticale and maize genotypes were not found. Together with the increase in concentration of the mannitol solution the impact of D on E and gs for D-sensitive genotypes (CHD-12, Ankora) became lower than for the D-resistant ones (CHD-247, Tina). Inversely, impact of D on Ψ was higher in D-sensitive than D-resistant genotypes. From 1 to 3 d of D, a higher decrease in PN was observed in D-resistant genotypes than in the D-sensitive ones. Under prolonged D (5-14 d) and simultaneous more severe D the decrease in PN was lower in D-resistant than in D-sensitive genotypes. Changes in Ψ, PN, E, and gs caused by D in genotypes differing in the drought susceptibility were similar for triticale and maize. Compared to control plants, increase of Ci was different for triticale and maize genotypes. Hence one of the physiological reasons of different susceptibility to D between sensitive and resistant genotypes is more efficient protection of tissue water status in resistant genotypes reflected in higher decrease in gs and limiting E compared to the sensitive ones. Other reason, observed in D-resistant genotypes during the recovery from D-stress, was more efficient removal of detrimental effects of D. and M. T. Grzesiak, S. Grzesiak, A. Skoczowski.
The effects of Cu, Cd, and Pb toxicity on photosynthesis in cucumber leaves (Cucumis sativus L.) were studied by the measurements of gas exchange characteristics, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, and Chl content. Concentrations of metals in sequence of 20 μM Cu, 20 and 50 μM Cd, and 1 000 μM Pb decreased the plant dry mass to 50-60 % after 10 d of treatment whereas 50 μM of Cu decreased it to 30 %. The content of Cd in leaves of plants treated with 50 μM Cd was three times higher than the contents of Cu and Pb after plant treatment with 50 μM Cu or 1 000 μM Pb. Hence Cd was transported to leaves much better than Cu and Pb. Nevertheless, the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in leaves treated with 50 μM Cu or Cd were similarly reduced. Thus, Cu was more toxic than Cd and Pb for photosynthesis in cucumber leaves. None of the investigated metals decreased internal CO2 concentrations. Also the effect of metals on potential efficiency of photosystem 2, PS2 (Fv/Fm) was negligible. The metal dependent reduction of PS2 quantum efficiency (ΦPS2) after plant adaptation in actinic irradiation was more noticeable. This could imply that reduced demand for ATP and NADPH in a dark phase of photosynthesis caused a down-regulation of PS2 photochemistry. Furthermore, in leaves of metal-treated plants the decrease in water percentage as well as lower contents of Chl and Fe were observed. Thus photosynthesis is not the main limiting factor for cucumber growth under Cu, Cd, or Pb stress. and M. Burzyński, G. Kłobus.
Differences in structural, physiological, and biochemical features between C3 and C4 species resulted in different wateruse efficiencies and different adaptations to climate. This paper aimed at investigating, at a late successional stage, the water-use efficiency of two forage species, Dichanthium ischaemum and Dasypyrum villosum, which exhibit different growth forms (perenial, annual) and photosynthetic mechanisms (C4 and C3, respectively). The annual C3 species Avena fatua, at an early successional stage, was included in our experiments to contrast its behaviour against D. villosum. The experiment was conducted during the growing season in low-elevation grasslands of North Greece. Midday leaf water potential, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were measured. Instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE) and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi) were calculated in D. ischaemum, D. villosum, and A. fatua. The results suggest that, under natural rainfall conditions, the annual C3 grass species D. villosum exhibits a similar WUE with higher values of WUEi than the perennial C4 species
D. ischaemum at late stage of succession on the low elevation Mediterranean grasslands. Moreover, A. fatua at an early successional stage, exhibited different photosynthetic behaviour than D. villosum at a late successional stage. These findings indicate that the annual C3 species D. villosum under drought and at a late successional stage seems to modify the WUE obtaining values similar to those of C4 species. The extent to which the ecophysiological characteristics of D. villosum are environmentally or intrinsically determined remains to be answered. and M. Karatassiou, B. Noitsakis.
Net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal limitation (Ls) of Populus euphratica grown at different groundwater depths in the arid region were measured. gs of the trees with groundwater depth at 4.74 m (D4) and 5.82 m (D5) were lower and a little higher than that at 3.82 m (D3), respectively. Compared with C i and Ls of the D3 trees, Ci decreased and Ls increased at 4.74 m, however, Ci increased and Ls decreased at D5. Hence photosynthetic reduction of P. euphratica was attributed to either stomatal closure or non-stomatal factors depending on the groundwater depths in the plant locations. PN of the D3 trees was significantly higher than those at D4 or D5. The trees of D4 and D5 did not show a significant difference in their PN, indicating that there are mechanisms of P. euphratica tolerance to mild and moderate drought stress. and Y. P. Chen ... [et al.].
Sun-and shade-adapted plants of Ailanthus altissima utilized thermal-dissipative photoprotection (NPQ) across a range of photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD), with higher NPQ and lower maximum quantum yield of photosystem 2 photochemistry (Fv/Fm) in sun-adapted individuals, suggesting increased engagement of antennae-based quenching. Photosynthetic quantum requirements (Qreq; number of photons per CO2) were similar in sun and shade plants, but were low and comparable to forest understory species. Diurnal measurements showed that PPFDs in both habitats were consistently above photosynthetic compensation irradiance, and frequently exceeded saturating values. In addition, sun- and shade-adapted individuals possessed stomata that tracked short-term fluctuations in PPFD. Thus A. altissima may be unique in that it couples high, shade-plant like photosynthetic efficiency with high photosynthetic capacity in high-irradiance, while stomatal attributes that optimize water use efficiency are maintained in the shade. These features may contribute to success of A. altissima in establishing in disturbance-prone urban systems, and facilitate its spread into more PPFD-limited and competitive natural ecosystems.
The objective of the present investigation was to examine the extent of variations in single leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) and its relative dependence on stomatal conductance (gs) and the mesophyll capacity to fix carbon in 12 clones of the natural rubber plant. There were significant variations in PN measured at low and saturating photon flux density (PFD); the extent of variation was larger at low than at saturating PFD. The compensation irradiance (CI) and apparent quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (φc) calculated from the PN/PFD response curves showed significant variations among the clones. PN at low irradiance was positively correlated with φc. Thus a clone with large PN at low irradiance, high φc, and low CI may tolerate shade better and thus produce a high tree stand per hectare. A strong positive correlation existed between PN saturated with radiant energy (Psat) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) estimated from the response curves of PN on intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), but gs showed a poor correlation with Psat High CO2 compensation concentration (Γ) led to low CE in Hevea clones. A clone with large Psat, high CE, low gs, and low Γ is the one in which photosynthesis is more dependent on the mesophyll factors than stomata. Such a clone may produce relatively high biomass and maintain high water use efficiency. and K. N. Nataraja, J. Jacob.
Photosynthesis, photorespiration, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in green and red Berberis thunbergii leaves were studied with two different measuring radiations, red (RR) and "white" (WR). The photosynthetic and photorespiration rates responded differently to the different radiation qualities, which indicate that the carboxylase and oxygenase activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) were affected. Differences in photosynthetic rate between the two color leaves were less under RR than under WR. However, this reduced difference in photosynthetic rate was not correlated with the stomatal response to the measuring radiation qualities. Compared with the WR, the RR reduced the differences in dark-adapted minimum and maximum fluorescence, steady-state fluorescence, light-adapted maximum fluorescence, and actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPS2) of photosystem 2 (PS2), but enlarged the difference in non-photochemical quenching between the two color leaves. Differences in both maximum quantum yield of PS2 and ratio of ΦPS2 to quantum yield of CO2 fixation between the two color leaves were similar under the two measuring radiations. To exclude disturbance of radiation attenuation caused by anthocyanins, it is better to use RR to compare the photosynthesis and Chl fluorescence in green versus red leaves. and P.-M. Li ... [et al.].
The relationships between drought response and anatomical/physiological properties were assessed in two poplar clones belonging to the Aigeros section: Populusxeuramericana clone Dorskamp (drought-tolerant) and clone Luisa Avanzo (drought-sensitive). Cuttings of both clones were exposed for 12 h to 0 mM (control). 50 mM (osmotic potential -0.112 MPa), and 150 mM (-0.336 MPa) mannitol. In control, Dorskamp had smaller stomata than Luisa Avanzo, one or two layers of palisade cells, a spongy mesophyll, and high concentrations of antioxidative compounds (ascorbate, glutathione). After exposure to 50 or 150 mM mannitol, both clones closed their stomata: leaf conductance and opening of stomata decreased. When exposed to 50 mM mannitol, net photosynthetic rate (PN) and chlorophyll (Chl) and total solute contents remained stable; ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/-oxygenase activity, Chl synthesis and turn-over, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were less affected in Dorskamp than in Luisa Avanzo. Following an exposure to 150 mM mannitol, Dorskamp exhibited higher PN and higher contents of antioxidants (ascorbate, glutathione) and antioxidative enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase) than Luisa Avanzo. Hence the drought-tolerant poplar was able to better avoid and tolerate osmotic stress. and M. Courtois, E. Boudouresque, G. Guerrier.
We compared the effects of salt-stresses (SS, 1: 1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na2SO4) and alkali-stresses (AS, 1: 1 molar ratio of NaHCO3 to Na2CO3) on the growth, photosynthesis, solute accumulation, and ion balance of barley seedlings, to elucidate the mechanism of AS (high-pH) damage to plants and the physiological adaptive mechanism of plants to AS. The effects of SS on the water content, root system activity, membrane permeability, and the content of photosynthetic pigments were much less than those of AS. However, AS damaged root function, photosynthetic pigments, and the membrane system, led to the severe reductions in water content, root system activity, content of photosynthetic pigments, and net photosynthetic rate, and a sharp increase in electrolyte leakage rate. Moreover, with salinity higher than 60 mM, Na+ content increased slowly under SS and sharply under AS. This indicates that high-pH caused by AS might interfere with control of Na+ uptake in roots and increase intracellular Na+ to a toxic level, which may be the main cause of some damage emerging under higher AS. Under SS, barley accumulated organic acids, Cl-, SO4 2-, and NO3 - to balance the massive influx of cations, the contribution of inorganic ions to ion balance was greater than that of organic acids. However, AS might inhibit absorptions of NO3 - and Cl-, enhance organic acid synthesis, and SO4 2- absorption to maintain intracellular ion balance and stable pH. and C.-W. Wang ... [et al.].
The seedlings of wheat were treated by salt-stress (SS, molar ratio of NaCl: Na2SO4 = 1:1) and alkali-stress (AS, molar ratio of NaHCO3: Na2CO3 = 1:1). Relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area, and water content decreased with increasing salinity, and the extents of the reduction under AS were greater than those under SS. The contents of photosynthetic pigments did not decrease under SS, but increased at low salinity. On the contrary, the contents of photosynthetic pigments decreased sharply under AS with increasing salinity. Under SS, the changes of net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (E) were similar and all varied in a single-peak curve with increasing salinity, and they were lower than those of control only at salinity over 150 mM. Under AS, PN, gs, and E decreased sharply with rising salinity. The decrease of gs might cause the obvious decreases of E and intercellular CO2 concentration, and the increase of water use efficiency under both stresses. The Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratio in shoot increased and the K+ content in shoot decreased under both stresses, and the changing extents under AS were greater than those under SS. Thus SS and AS are two distinctive stresses with different characters; the destructive effects of AS on the growth and photosynthesis of wheat are more severe than those under SS. High pH is the key feature of the AS that is different from SS. The buffer capacity is essentially the measure of high pH action on plant. The deposition of mineral elements and the intracellular unbalance of Na+ and K+ caused by the high pH at AS might be the reason of the decrease of PN and gs and of the destruction of photosynthetic pigments. and C. W. Yang ... [et al.].