Growth and development rates in many insects are affected by photoperiod, which enables insects to synchronize their life histories with seasonal events, but this aspect of insect photoperiodism remains understudied. Here we use several experimental combinations of constant day length and temperature to determine whether there are quantitative developmental responses to photoperiod in the bug Scantius aegyptius and leaf beetle Timarcha tenebricosa. The thermal ecology of these two species is strikingly different: the former is thermophilic and active throughout summer and the latter is spring-active and avoids the hottest time of the year. In accordance with their contrasting natural thermal environments, S. aegyptius survives better and achieves a larger final body mass at the high experimental temperatures, while T. tenebricosa survives better and is heavier at the low experimental temperatures. Despite this polarity, long-day conditions accelerate larval development relative to a short-day photoperiod in both species, and this developmental response is stronger at low temperatures. Our re-visitation of previous literature in light of the new findings indicates that this similarity in photoperiodic response is superficial and that relatively faster development in midsummer is likely to have a different ecological role in summer- and spring-active species. In the former, it may allow completion of an additional generation during the favourable season, whereas in the latter, this acceleration likely ensures that the larval stage, which is vulnerable to heat, is completed before the onset of hot weather., Dmitry Kutcherov, Elena B. Lopatina, Sergei Balashov., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields are impacted by overall photosynthetic production. Factors that influence crop photosynthesis are the plants genetic makeup and the environmental conditions. This study investigated cultivar variation in photosynthesis in the field conditions under both ambient and higher temperature. Six diverse cotton cultivars were grown in the field at Stoneville, MS under both an ambient and a high temperature regime during the 2006-2008 growing seasons. Mid-season leaf net photosynthetic rates (PN) and dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence variable to maximal ratios (Fv/Fm) were determined on two leaves per plot. Temperature regimes did not have a significant effect on either PN or Fv/Fm. In 2006, however, there was a significant cultivar × temperature interaction for PN caused by PeeDee 3 having a lower PN under the high temperature regime. Other cultivars' PN were not affected by temperature. FM 800BR cultivar consistently had a higher PN across the years of the study. Despite demonstrating a higher leaf Fv/Fm, ST 5599BR exhibited a lower PN than the other cultivars. Although genetic variability was detected in photosynthesis and heat tolerance, the differences found were probably too small and inconsistent to be useful for a breeding program., W. T. Pettigrew., and Obsahuje bibliografii
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., T. Y. Orujova, S. M. Bayramov, U. A. Gurbanova, H. G. Babayev, M. N. Aliyeva, N. M. Guliyev, Y. M. Feyziyev., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Chrococcoid cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus are the important component of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Picocyanobacteria comprise even 80% of total cyanobacterial biomass and contribute to 50% of total primary cyanobacterial bloom production. Chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and photosynthetic light response (P-I) curves are commonly used to characterize photoacclimation of Synechococcus strains. Three brackish, picocyanobacterial strains of Synechococcus (BA-132, BA-124, BA-120) were studied. They were grown under 4 irradiances [10, 55, 100, and 145 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1] and at 3 temperatures (15, 22.5, and 30°C). Photosynthetic rate was measured by Clark oxygen electrode, whereas the Chl fluorescence was measured using Pulse Amplitude Modulation fluorometer. Based on P-I, two mechanisms of photoacclimation were recognized in Synechococcus. The maximum value of maximum rate of photosynthesis (Pmax) expressed per biomass unit at 10 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1 indicated a change in the number of photosynthetic units (PSU). The constant values of initial slope of photosynthetic light response curve (α) and the maximum value of Pmax expressed per Chl unit at 145 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1 indicated another mechanism, i.e. a change in PSU size. These two mechanisms caused changes in photosynthetic rate and its parameters (compensation point, α, saturation irradiance, dark respiration, Pmax) upon the influence of different irradiance and temperature. High irradiance had a negative effect on fluorescence parameters, such as the maximum quantum yield and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (φPSII), but it was higher in case of φPSII., S. Jodłowska, S. Śliwińska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Earth’s climate has experienced notable changes during the past 50-70 years when global surface temperature has risen by 0.8°C during the 20th century. This was a consequence of the rise in the concentration of biogenic gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone) in the atmosphere that contribute, along with water vapor, to the so-called ‘greenhouse effect’. Most of the emissions of greenhouse gases have been, and still are, the product of human activities, namely, the excessive use of fossil energy, deforestations in the humid tropics with associated poor land use-management, and wide-scale degradation of soils under crop cultivation and animal/pasture ecosystems. General Circulation Models predict that atmospheric CO2 concentration will probably reach 700 μmol(CO2) mol-1. This can result in rise of Earth’s temperature from 1.5 to over 5°C by the end of this century. This may instigate 0.60-1.0 m rise in sea level, with impacts on coastal lowlands across continents. Crop modeling predicts significant changes in agricultural ecosystems. The mid- and
high-latitude regions might reap the benefits of warming and CO2 fertilization effects via increasing total production and yield of C3 plants coupled with greater water-use efficiencies. The tropical/subtropical regions will probably suffer the worst impacts of global climate changes. These impacts include wide-scale socioeconomic changes, such as degradation and losses of natural resources, low agricultural production, and lower crop yields, increased risks of hunger, and above all waves of human migration and dislocation. Due to inherent cassava tolerance to heat, water stress, and poor soils, this crop is highly adaptable to warming climate. Such a trait should enhance its role in food security in the tropics and subtropics., M. A. El-Sharkawy., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Excess solar radiation under hot climate can lead to decline in photosynthetic activity with detrimental effects on growth and yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a transparent plastic roof as shading for diurnal changes in photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, fruit set and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. 'Nam Dok Mai' growth in the field conditions. Fully expanded leaves were examined either shaded by the plastic roof or sunlit under natural conditions. Leaf temperature and leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit of the shaded leaves measured on the clear day were lowered compared to those of the sunlit leaves. It resulted in increased stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates of the shaded leaves compared to those of the sunlit leaves, especially from the morning to midday. Furthermore, the reversible decrease of the maximal quantum yield of PSII was more pronounced in the sunlit leaves than that in the shaded ones. Shading increased the total fruit number; the shaded fruits developed better external color than that of the sun-exposed fruits. Our results indicated that shading could maintain the high photosynthetic activity by reducing stomatal limitations for carbon supply and was effective in alleviating the photoinhibitory damage to PSII during bright and clear days with excessive radiation. Finally, shading could increase the number of fruits and improve mango peel color., K. Jutamanee, S. Onnom., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876, a ciliate parasite, is a cosmopolitan and problematic parasite of cultured freshwater fish. Each geographical isolate of I. multifiliis has variations in life cycle timing under different abiotic water conditions, such as temperature and salinity. We assessed the effects of salinity and temperature on the development and the preferred settlement site of a temperate Australian isolate of I. multifiliis. The time until theront release was significantly different between each temperature; development time was longest at 5 °C with a mean time of 189 h and decreased to a mean time of 11.7 h at 30 °C. At 5 °C our isolate produced a mean of 267 theronts per tomont, which increased to a mean of 493 theronts at 25 °C and reduced to a mean of 288 theronts at 30 °C. Theront length showed an inverse relationship to temperature; mean length was 62 μm at 5 °C and 41 μm at 30 °C. Our isolate reproduced faster at all temperatures and a greater sensitivity to salinity than all reported profiles for temperate isolates. Parasite abundance was highest on the dorsal region of the fish. An accurate understanding of temperature-life cycle information and optimal region to sample for surveillance will aid in the development of specific management plans for the Australian isolate of I. multifiliis, facilitating the strategic timing of treatments., James M. Forwood, James O. Harris, Matt Landos, Marty R. Deveney., and Obsahuje bibliografii
C3 photosynthesis at high light is often modeled by assuming limitation by the maximum capacity of Rubisco carboxylation (VCmax) at low CO2 concentrations, by electron transport capacity (Jmax) at higher CO2 concentrations, and sometimes by
triose-phosphate utilization rate at the highest CO2 concentrations. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) at lower light is often modeled simply by assuming that it becomes limited by electron transport (J). However, it is known that Rubisco can become deactivated at less than saturating light, and it is possible that PN at low light could be limited by the rate of Rubisco carboxylation (VC) rather than J. This could have important consequences for responses of PN to CO2 and temperature at low light. In this work, PN responses to CO2 concentration of common bean, quinoa, and soybean leaves measured over a wide range of temperatures and PPFDs were compared with rates modeled assuming either VC or J limitation at limiting light. In all cases, observed rates of PN were better predicted by assuming limitation by VC rather than J at limiting light both below and above the current ambient CO2. One manifestation of this plant response was that the relative stimulation of PN with increasing the ambient CO2 concentration from 380 to 570 µmol mol-1 did not decrease at less than saturating PPFDs. The ratio of VC to VCmax at each lower PPFD varied linearly with the ratio of PN at low PPFD to PN at high PPFD measured at 380 µmol(CO2) mol-1 in all cases. This modification of the standard C3 biochemical model was much better at reproducing observed responses of light-limited PN to CO2 concentrations from
pre-industrial to projected future atmospheric concentrations., J. A. Bunce., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Plant response to the combination of two or more abiotic stresses is different than its response to the same stresses singly. The response of maize (Zea mays L.) photosynthesis, growth, and development processes were examined under sunlit plant growth chambers at three levels of each day/night temperatures (24/16°C, 30/22°C, and 36/28°C) and UV-B radiation levels (0, 5, and 10 kJ m-2 d-1) and their interaction from 4 d after emergence to 43 d. An increase in plant height, leaf area, node number, and dry mass was observed as temperature increased. However, UV-B radiation negatively affected these processes by reducing the rates of stem elongation, leaf area expansion, and biomass accumulation. UV-B radiation affected leaf photosynthesis mostly at early stage of growth and tended to be temperature-dependent. For instance, UV-B radiation caused 3-15% decrease of photosynthetic rate (PN) on the uppermost, fully expanded leaves at 24/16°C and 36/28°C, but stimulated P N about 5-18% at 30/22°C temperature. Moreover, the observed UV-B protection mechanisms, such as accumulation of phenolics and waxes, exhibited a significant interaction among the treatments where these compounds were relatively less responsive (phenolics) or more responsive (waxes) to UV-B radiation at higher temperature treatments or vice versa. Plants exposed to UV-B radiation produced more leaf waxes except at 24/16°C treatment. The detrimental effect of UV-B radiation was greater on plant growth compared to the photosynthetic processes. Results suggest that maize growth and development, especially stem elongation, is highly sensitive to current and projected UV-B radiation levels, and temperature plays an important role in the magnitude and direction of the UV-B mediated responses., S. K. Singh, K. R. Reddy, V. R. Reddy, W. Gao., and Obsahuje bibliografii