Two types of fluorimeter (inductíon and modulated) were employed to compare the intrinsic photosystem 2 efSciency of sun-exposed and shaded flag leaves of two cultivars (ICSV112 and Aralba) of sorghum, in the irrigated and unirrígated fleld plots at Monterotondo, Rome. Generally there was a good correlation between instruments, but for the irrigated sun adapted leaves of both cultivars much larger ratios were recorded with the modulated fluorimeter than with the inductíon one. This discrepancy was attributed to an insufficient flash intensity in the inductíon systém when measuring the healthy leaves adapted to a high irradiance.
Chlorophyllase (Chlase) actívity measured as the in vitro degradation of chlorophyll (Chl) was variably enhanced by various heavy metals (Cd2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Co^"*", Ni2+ and their mixture). The en2yme actívity on Chl a was higher than that on Chl b. Chlase isolated from Chlorella fusca oř Kirchneriella lunaris responded differently to the heavy metals. The inclusion of Ca2+ in the assay media affected the enzyme actívity. While some concentrations were stimulatory, others were inhibitory depending on partícular heavy metal, the algal species, and the Chl a oř b.
Chlorophyliase (Chlase) is widely distributed in higher and lower plants and differs in activity. It occurs in various organs. In some plants the enzyme is synthesized in cytoplasm, in others in chloroplasts. Various Chlase forms are known. Participation, in the chlorophyll (Chl) degrading systém belongs to the main fimctions of Chlase. Moreover, it may catalyse Chl biosynthesis and takés part in photosynthesis. The Chlase activity is stimulated by radiant energy, sublethal freezing, heavy metals (Hg, Zn, Cu), Fe and Mn deficiency, and mosaic virus infection. The effect of water content on Chlase activity depends on individual plant organs. Osmotic and saline- osmotic stress decreases Chlase activity, but NaCl can stimulate the activity. The influence of plant age depends on plant genus. Some growth regulators (ethylene, heteroauxin, abscisic acid) increase Chlase activity, others (kinetin, dicarboxylic monoesters, gibberellic acid, gibbérellin A3) inhibit it. The mechanisms of Chlase action are also reviewed.
Effects of high irradiance (HI) treatment on chloroplast pigment bleaching and on low temperature excitation and emission fluorescence spectra were studied in thylakoids isolated from 3- or 24-h greening cucumber cotyledons of etiolated seedlings. Irradiation of thylakoids isolated from 3-h greening seedlings with HI (approx. 3500 pmol m'^ s'*) caused chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) breakdown with the initial rates 3.0 and 4.2 mg m’^ s'*, respectively, whereas these values were 1.3 and 0.8 mg m-^ s'^ respectively, in thylakoids isolated from 24-h greening cotyledons. The photosusceptibility decreased in the sequence: protochlorophyll(ide), P-carotene, xanthophylls, Chl a, Chl b. In control seedlings the ratio E472/E437 or E486/E437 was 1.7-1.8-fold higher at the later phase than at the early phase of greening whereas the ratio F730/F684 reached approx. 0.40 or approx. 1.65 after 3- or 24-h greemng, respectively. Treatment of isolated thylakoids with high photon flux density caused a relative increase of the 472 and 486 nm band intensities in the excitation fluorescence spectrum of Chl, whereas the ratio F730/F684 increased only at the later phase investigated.
Development of mesophyll cell chloroplasts during ontogeny of second wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf was compared in plants grown in Ml nutrient solution (+N) and in nutrient solution without nitrogen (-N). Chloroplast size and ultrastructure were evaluated quantitatively by means of transmission electron microscopy and stereology. In -N plants compared to +N ones, the life spán of the second leaf was shortened and chloroplast development modified; the most striking feature was the accumulation of starch. Moreover, mature chloroplasts of -N plants were smaller and had smaller relative partial volume of thylakoids and larger relative partial volume of plastoglobules than those of +N plants.
A new species Chonopeltis liversedgei sp. n. of the endemic African genus Chonopeltis Thiele, 1900 (Crustacea: Branchiura) is described. T his ectoparasite inhabits the branchial chamber of its mormyrid host Mormyrus lacerda Castelnau, 1861 and was collected from three localities in the Okavango River and its inland Delta in Botswana, Southern Africa.