In a two-year experiment (2002-2003), five N application rates [0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg(N) ha-1, marked N0, N60, N120, N180, and N240, respectively] were applied to sugar beet cv. Rizor arranged in a Randomized Complete Block design with six replications. Leaf shape parameters [leaf area (LA), maximum length (L), maximum width (W), average radial (AR), elongation (EL), and shape factor (SF)] were determined using an image analysis system, and leaf area index (LAI) was non-destructively measured every two weeks, from early August till mid-September (four times). Years, samplings, and their interaction had significant effects on the determined parameters. Fertilization at the highest dose (N240) increased L and sampling×fertilization interaction had significant effects on LA, L, W, and SF. For this interaction, W was the best-correlated parameter with LA and LAI meaning that W is a good predictor of these parameters. Two proposed models for LA estimation were tested. The model based on both leaf dimensions [LA = 0.5083 (L×W) + 31.928] predicted LA better than that using only W (LA = 21.686 W - 112.88). Instrumentally measured LAI was highly correlated with predicted LAI values derived from a quadratic function [LAI = -0.00001 (LA)2 + 0.0327 LA - 2.0413]. Thus, both LA and LAI can be reliably predicted non-destructively by using easily applied functions based on leaf dimensions (L, W) and LA estimations, respectively. and J. T. Tsialtas, N. Maslaris.
Five cyanobacterial symbionts from Azolla filiculoides, two symbionts from Az. microphylla and two free-living cyanobacteria Nos toe muscorum and Anabaena variabilis were analyzed for chlorophyll (Chi) a, carotenoids and phycobiliprotein contents, heterocyst frequency and nitrogenase activity. The symbiont AS-S1 as well as the free-living N. muscorum and An. variabilis contained highest amounts of Chi a and lowest amounts of carotenoids. The C-phycocyanin content was always higher than that of allo-phycocyanin and C-phycoerythrin. Among the symbionts, AS-S1 contained the highest amount of C-phycocyanin and highest nitrogenase activity. Heterocysts were more abundant in An. azollae than in free-living cyanobacteria.
Two japonica rice cultivars with different panicle trait index (PTI), HP917 (a high-PTI cultivar) and DP128 (a low-PTI cultivar) were used to investigate the effects of the nitrogen (N) rate and plant density on the grain distribution of secondary branches on the panicle axis, leaf photosynthetic characteristics, and grain yield by a split plot design. The main plots were assigned to four N rates (0, 140, 200, and 260 kg ha-1), and the subplots were assigned to two plant densities: (D20, 15 plants m-2; D10, 30 plants m-2). Results showed that the grain yield was increased by increasing N rate and plant density, reaching a peak at N200 with D10. Compared with N0 treatment, the PTIs of HP917 and DP128 increased with an increase in the N rate, respectively. The PTIs of HP917 and DP128 increased by 4% with increasing plant density from D20 to D10. The leaf capacity was significantly affected by N rate and plant density. The grain distribution characteristics of secondary branches on the panicle axis was closely related to yield. Correlation analysis showed the PTI was positively correlated with grain yield and net photosynthetic rate. These results suggested the improvement in PTI from 0.15 to 0.52 was beneficial to increase the grain yield, which might contribute to the increased grain number of secondary branches of the middle and bottom panicle.
Using intense ns-laser pulses up to 2 x 10** photons per cm^ per pulse the intensity dependence of fluorescence yield (O) of different photosystem 2 (PS2) subunits in spinách on the intensity of excitation pulse (/) was measured. A sti ong drop of O was observed with increasing laser pulse I. Measurements of the light-harvesting complex of PS2, LHC2, were taken at excitation wavelengths of 645-700 nm. A shift of the í) vs. I curves to lower I with increasing absorption cross section was observed. Measurements of PS2 and thylakoid membrane ífagments taken at a fixed excitation wavelength of 645 nm showed the same O V5, I dependences as LHC2. This suggests that LHC2-pigment proteins dominate the exciton concentration in the photosynthetic apparatus. A smáli drop of O measured at CP29 and CC2 particles was possibly caused by smaller domains. Smaller drop of O measured at D1D2 particles was similar to that of free chlorophyll (Chl), indicating that bimolecular annihilation was absent. Experimental results could be described using a simple two-level model including exciton-exciton-annihilation and depletion of Chl ground States. Good fits of measured O-intensity ciu-ves were possible for LHC2 with all the ušed excitation wavelengths. Outputs of these approximations are statements about excited statě concentration and time dependence of their decay as a function of excitation irradiance.
The review deals with thermal dissipation of absorbed excitation energy within pigment-protein complexes of thylakoid membranes in higher plants. We focus on the de-excitation regulatory processes within photosystem 2 (PS2) that can be monitored as non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence consisting of three components known as energy-dependent quenching (qE), state-transition quenching (qT), and photoinhibitory quenching (qI). We summarize the role of thylakoid lumen pH, xanthophylls, and PS2 proteins in qE mechanism. Further, both the similarity between qE and qI and specific features of qI are described. The other routes of thermal energy dissipation are also mentioned, that is dissipation within photosystem 1 and dissipation through the triplet Chl pathway. The significance of the individual de-excitation processes in protection against photo-oxidative damage to the photosynthetic apparatus under excess photon supply is stretched. and M. Štroch, V. Špunda, I. Kurasová.
For Tunisian olive tree orchards, nitrogen deficiency is an important nutritional problem, in addition to the availability of water. Establishment of relationships between nutrients such as nitrogen and ecophysiological parameters is a promising method to manage fertilisation at orchard level. Therefore, a nitrogen stress experiment with one-year-old olive trees (Olea europaea L. 'Koroneiki' and 'Meski') was conducted with trees respectively subjected to four nitrogen supply regimes (23.96 meq l-1, 9.58 meq l-1, 4.79 meq l-1 and 0 meq l-1 NO3-).
The current paper focuses on the use of the SPAD-502 portable chlorophyll (Chl) meter, a nondestructive method for fertilisation management under nitrogen stress conditions of olive trees. Maximum net photosynthetic assimilation rates, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and the SPAD Chl index were therefore measured simultaneously and the Chl and nitrogen content of the leaves were analysed. Significant correlations were established in the olive tree leaves between SPAD-502 readings on the one hand and Chl content, nitrogen content, photosynthetic assimilation rate, and Chl fluorescence parameters (ΦPSII and ETR) on the other hand. and O. Boussadia ... [et al.].
Leaf area of a plant is essential to understand the interaction between plant growth and environment. This useful variable can be determined by using direct (some expensive instruments) and indirect (prediction models) methods. Leaf area of a plant can be predicted by accurate and simple leaf area models without damaging the plant, thus, provide researchers with many advantages in horticultural experiments. Several leaf-area prediction models have been produced for some plant species in optimum conditions, but not for a plant grown under stress conditions. This study was conducted to develop leaf area estimation models by using linear measurements such as lamina length and width by multiple regression analysis for green pepper grown under different stress conditions. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. The first experiment focused to determine leaf area of green pepper grown under six different levels of irrigation water salinity (0.65, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 7.0 dS m-1) and the other under four different irrigation regime (amount of applied water was 1.43, 1.0, 0.75, and 0.50 times of required water). In addition to general models for each experiment, prediction models of green pepper for each treatment of irrigation water salinity and of irrigation regime experiments were obtained. Validations of the models for both experiments were realized by using the measurements belong to leaf samples allocated for validation purposes. As a result, the determined equations can simply and readily be used in prediction of leaf area of green pepper grown under salinity and water stress conditions. The use of such models enable researchers to measure leaf area on the same plants during the plant growth period and, at the same time, may reduce variability in experiments. and B. Cemek ... [et al.].
Nondestructive approach of modeling leaf area could be useful for plant growth estimation especially when number of available plants is limited and/or experiment demands repeated estimation of leaf area over a time scale. A total of 1,280 leaves were selected randomly from eight different morphotypes of som (Persea bombycina) established at randomized complete block design under recommended cultural regimes in field. Maximum leaf laminar width (B), length (L) and their squares B2, L2; leaf area (LA), and lamina length × width (L×B) were determined over two successive seasons. Leaf parameters were significantly affected by morphotypes; but seasons had nonsignificant impacts on tested features. Therefore, pooled seasonal morphotype means of each parameter were used to establish relationship with LA. L and its square L2 did not provide accurate models for LA predictions. Considerably better models were obtained by using B (y = 2.984 + 7.9664 x, R2 = 0.615, P≥0.001, n = 119) and B2 (y = 12.784+ 0.9604 x, R2 = 0.605, P≥0.001, n = 119) as independent variables. However, maximum accuracy of prediction of LA could be achieved through a simple linear relationship of L×B (y = 8.2203 + 0.4224 x, R2 = 0.843, P≥0.0001, n = 119). The model (LA:L×B) was validated with randomly selected leaf samples (n = 360) of som morphotypes and highly significant (P≤0.001) linear function was found between actual and predicted LAs. Therefore, the last model may consider adequate to predict leaf area of all cultivars of som with sufficient fidelity. and S. Chattopadhyay ... [et al.].