We compared the responses of sun and shade acclimated saplings of Picea abies and Pinus cembra to excess photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) equivalently exceeding the level for saturating net photosynthetic rate (PN). Exposure for 2 h up to 2000 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 did not affect radiant energy saturated PN. Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was indicated by a small (10 %) reduction of the potential efficiency of photosystem 2 as derived from measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence (FV/FM). However, the extent of FV/FM reduction and half-time for recovery were similar in sun and shade acclimated saplings of both species. Furthermore, the effect on FV/FM was not stronger when the plants were exposed to excess PPFD at 5 °C instead of 15 °C. Frost-hardening of plants increased slightly their resistance to excess PPFD. Establishment of these conifer saplings usually acclimated to shade in their natural habitat may hardly be endangered by a sudden increase of PPFD, e.g., by gap formation. and R. Gamper, S. Mayr, H. Bauer.
Low temperature (LT) is one of the major factors that limit crop production and reduce yield. To better understand the cold-tolerance mechanism in the plantains, a sensitive cultivar Williams (Musa acuminata AAA cv. Williams) and a tolerant cultivar Cachaco (Musa paradisiaca ABB cv. Dajiao) were used. LT resulted in increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, elevated contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radical (O2.-), and decreased photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and net photosynthetic rate (PN), but cv. Cachaco showed better LT tolerance than cv. Williams. After LT treatment for 120 h, total scavenging capability (DPPH. scavenging capability) in Williams showed a significant decrease but no significant alternations was found in Cachaco. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) displayed a significant increase but superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed no significant alternations and catalase (CAT) showed a significant decrease in Cachaco after 120 h of LT treatment. All the four antioxidant enzymes above showed a significant decrease in Williams after 120 h of LT treatment. Our results suggest that higher activities of APX, POD, SOD, and DPPH. scavenging capability to a certain extent can be used to explain the higher cold tolerance in the plantain, which would provide a theoretical guidance for bananas production and screening cold-resistant variety. and Q. Zhang ... [et al.].
In spring and winter cultivars of oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera), acclimation of photosynthetic apparatus to cold was connected with the increase in activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS). Conversely, cold de-acclimation entailed the decline of RuBPCO and SPS activities. The rate of this photosynthetic de-acclimation might depend on day temperature. On the other hand, temperature rise during de-acclimation (identical during the day and night) resulted in the improvement of photosynthetic activity measured by means of chlorophyll fluorescence. An increase in SPS activity (and even transitory increase in RuBPCO activity) was observed when the elongation growth rate (EGR) accelerated during de-acclimation. Throughout re-acclimation, plants with high EGR were unable to maintain or recover higher photosynthetic capacity, despite the fact that SPS activity remained high or even increased during re-acclimation. and M. Rapacz, K. Hura.