Effect of selenium on leaf senescence was studied in oilseed rape plants treated with 10 μM Na2SeO4 at a rosette growth stage. In addition to developmental senescence, N deficiency and leaf detachment were used for induction of senescence. Nonphotochemical quenching declined in old leaves as senescence became more advancing but rose progressively in the plants supplied by Se. The total carbohydrate and protein pools decreased with leaf age, while increased by the Se treatment. However, during senescence induced by N deficiency, Se did not change remarkably the C and N metabolism, but delayed senescence mainly through protection of plants from photoinhibitory effects. After detachment, untreated leaves became chlorotic and necrotic, while the Se-treated ones remained fairly green. Our results demonstrated that Se delayed leaf senescence by a maintaining or even improving photochemical activities. During developmental senescence, the Se effect on the extending life span of the leaves was additionally linked to the metabolic regulation of senescence., S. Rahmat, R. Hajiboland, N. Sadeghzade., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Four plant species, Elymus mollis Trin., Carex kobomugi Ohwi, Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq., and Vitex rotundifolia L.f., are dominant perennial species in coastal sand dunes of Korea. We examined a physiological adaptation of these species by measurements of diurnal variation in photosynthesis and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and solute patterns in leaves during one season (June), which is favorable for plant growth of all four species. All four species adopted different strategies in order to utilize radiation and to maintain water status under a fluctuating microclimate. Although the lowest water contents among four plant species was found, E. mollis with a high Chl and K+ content showed better photosynthetic performance, with high stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthetic rate (PN), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (CE), and water-use efficiency. Midday depression of PN in E. mollis and G. littoralis, without a reduction of gs, was associated with a reduction in CE and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, indicating nonstomatal limitation. Photosynthesis depression in both C. kobomugi and V. rotundifolia, with relatively low gs values, could be attributed to both stomatal and nonstomatal limitations. The high storage capacity for inorganic ions in E. molli, C. kobomugi, and G. littoralis may play an efficient role in regulating photosynthesis and maintaining leaf water status through stomatal control, and can also play an important role in osmotic adjustment., J.-S. Hwang, Y.-S. Choo., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Cistus salvifolius L. is the most widely spread Cistus species around the Mediterranean basin. It colonizes a wide range of habitats growing from sea level to 1,800 m a.s.l., on silicolous and calcicolous soils, in sun areas as well as in the understory of wooded areas. Nevertheless, this species has been mainly investigated in term of its responsiveness to drought. Our aim was to understand which leaf traits allow C. salvifolius to cope with low-light environments. We questioned if biochemical and physiological leaf trait variations in response to a reduced photosynthetic photon flux density were related to leaf morphological plasticity, expressed by variations of specific leaf area (SLA) and its anatomical components (leaf tissue density and thickness). C. salvifolius shrubs growing along the Latium coast (41°43'N,12°18'E, 14 m a.s.l., Italy) in the open and in the understory of a Pinus pinea forest, were selected and the relationships between anatomical, gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and biochemical parameters with SLA and PPFD variations were tested. The obtained results suggested long-term acclimation of the selected shrubs to contrasting light environments. In high-light conditions, leaf nitrogen and Chl contents per leaf area unit, leaf thickness, and Chl a/b ratio increased, thus maximizing net photosynthesis, while in shade photosynthesis, it was downregulated by a significant reduction in the electron transport rate. Nevertheless, the increased pigment-protein complexes and the decreased Chl a/b in shade drove to an increased light-harvesting capacity (i.e. higher actual quantum efficiency of PSII). Moreover, the measured vitality index highlighted the photosynthetic acclimation of C. salvifolius to contrasting light environments. Overall, our results demonstrated the morphological, anatomical, and physiological acclimation of C. salvifolius to a reduced light environment., G. Puglielli, L. Varone, L. Gratani, R. Catoni., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The altitudinal effects on photosynthesis were measured on progenies of three populations of Rosa platyacantha Schrenk from altitudes of 1,170 (L); 1,580 (M); and 1,920 (H) m a. s. l. During the day, net photosynthetic rate (PN) decreased in all populations due to the high air temperature in the summer. The H population showed a significantly lower PN at noon compared to other populations. The midday depression of PN occurred in L and M populations due to stomatal limitations, while PN inhibition was associated with PSII activity decline in the H population. In order to avoid photodamage, the plants of H population triggered active antioxidant defenses with a higher enzyme activity and redox ratio of ascorbate at midday compared to the L and M populations. However, more oxidative injury still occurred in the H plants at noon due to higher lipid peroxidation. Our results indicated that the provenance significantly affected photosynthesis in R. platyacantha from northwestern China., S. H. Yang, J. J. Wei, H. Ge., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Photoinhibition is a significant constraint for improvement of radiation-use efficiency and yield potential in cereal crops. In this work, attached fully expanded leaves of seedlings were used to assay the factors determining photoinhibition and for evaluation of tolerance to photoinhibition in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Our results showed that even 1 h under PPFD of 600 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 could significantly reduce maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and performance index (PI) compared to low light [300 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1]. The decrease of Fv/Fm and PI was more noticeable with the increase of light intensity; irradiance higher than 800 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 resulted in photoinhibition. Compared to 25°C, lower (20°C) or higher temperature (≥ 35°C) aggravated photoinhibition, while slightly high temperature (28°) alleviated photoinhibition. At 25°C, irradiance of 1,000 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 for 1 h was enough to cause photoinhibition and a significant decrease of Fv/Fm, PI, trapped energy flux, electron transport flux, and density of reaction center as well as increase of dissipated energy flux per cross section were observed. In addition, seedlings at 21-32 days after planting showed a relatively stable phenotype, while the younger or older seedlings indicated an increased susceptibility to photoinhibition, especially in senescing leaves. Finally, six wheat varieties with relative tolerance to photoinhibition were identified from 22 Chinese winter wheat varieties by exposing attached leaves of the 25-d old seedlings for 1 h to 1,000 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 at 25°C. Therefore, our work established a possible method for development of new wheat varieties with enhanced tolerance to photoinhibition., H. Li, Q. Zheng, J. Zhang, B. Li, Z. Li., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Increase in salinity is predicted to affect plant growth and survival in most arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. is an important medicinal tree species distributed throughout the semiarid regions of India; however, it is facing a threat of its extinction in its natural habitat. We examined the effects of increasing NaCl salinity on two-month-old M. parvifolia seedlings grown in an environment-controlled chamber and exposed to soils of different electrical conductivity (EC) caused by NaCl [0-5 (control), 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25 dS m-1)] for 85 days. Seedlings transferred to soil of EC >15 dS m-¹ did not survive beyond 1 week. Increase in the Na+ concentration negatively correlated with their height and positively correlated with their water-use efficiency (WUE). However, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate showed varying correlations and an overall decrease in these parameters compared with the control. At EC of 10-15 dS m-1, the seedling height was reduced by 37% and PN was lowered by 50% compared with those of the control. An increase in the Na+/K+ ratio was observed with increasing salinity. The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII significantly decreased with increasing salinity compared with the control. Our results suggest that the increase in salinity reduced the overall performance of the M. parvifolia seedlings. However, the maintenance of WUE and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII might help M. parvifolia to tolerate NaCl salinity of 15 dS m-1., A. Bidalia, M. Hanief, K. S. Rao., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of increased copper contents on selected physiological processes in oneyear-old Pinus sylvestris L. needles from a former German timber storage area in Warcino Forest District, a subject to an environmental quality survey. Samples were collected from the area with the high copper content in the soil. The control area was a nearby pine tree stand showing unimpeded growth. The significant growth inhibition was found in dwarf shoots and whole needles, increased water content, and reduced dry mass were also observed. The chlorophyll content was lowered, while 20% higher electrolyte leakage was found. Chlorophyll a fluorescence indicated only higher values of the nonphotochemical quenching in P. sylvestris from the Cu-site. Significant differences were shown in the rate of gas exchange measured by changes in carbon dioxide or oxygen concentration. The intensity of photosynthesis in needles of P. sylvestris from the Cu-site measured by CO2 uptake was considerably higher than that of oxygen production. The rate of respiration in the needles from the Cu-site measured by the amount of released CO2 was higher only by 15%, while according to O2 consumed, the rate increased by 30% in relation to the control. Our results suggest that the copper accumulation in P. sylvestris needles affected the morphology and physiology of the studied organs., K. Możdżeń, T. Wanic, G. Rut, T. Łaciak, A. Rzepka., and Obsahuje bibliografii