To assess the short- and long-term impacts of UV radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) on the microalga Scrippsiella trochoidea, we exposed cells to three different radiation treatments (PAB: 280-700 nm, PA: 320-700 nm, and P: 400-700 nm). A significant decrease in the photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII) at high irradiance (100% of incident solar radiation, 216.0 W m-2) was observed. Photoinhibition was reduced from 62.7 to 10.9% when the cells were placed in 12% solar radiation (26.1 W m-2). In long-term experiments (11 days) using batch cultures, cell densities during the first 5 days were decreased under treaments P, PA, and PAB, reflecting a change in the irradiance experienced in the laboratory to that of incident solar irradiance. Thereafter, specific growth rates increased and UV-induced photoinhibition decreased, indicating acclimation to solar UV. Cells were found to exhibit both higher ratios of repair to UV-related damage, shorter period for recovery and increased concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds (UVabc), whose maximum absorption was found to be at 336 nm. Our data indicate that S. trochoidea is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, but was able to acclimate relatively rapidly (ca. 6 days) by synthesizing UVabc and by increasing the rates of repair processes of D1 protein in PSII. and W. C. Guan, S. H. Lu.
Changes in the utilization pattern of primary substrate, viz. [U-14C] acetate, 14CO2 and [U-14C] saccharose, and the contents of 14C fixation products in photosynthetic metabolites (sugars, amino acids, and organic acids) were determined in Fe-deficient citronella in relation to the essential oil accumulation. There was an overall decrease in photosynthetic efficiency of the Fe-deficient plants as evidenced by lower levels of incorporation into the sugar fraction and essential oil after 14CO2 had been supplied. When acetate and saccharose were fed to the Fe-deficient plants, despite a higher incorporation of label into sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, there was a lower incorporation of these metabolites into essential oils than in control plants. Thus, the availability of precursors and the translocation to a site of synthesis/accumulation, severely affected by Fe deficiency, is equally important for the essential oil biosynthesis in citronella. and N. K. Srivastava, A. Misra, S. Sharma.
The photoprotection of energy dissipation and water-water cycle were investigated by comparing chilling sensitivity of photosystems 2 (PS2) and 1 (PS1) in two chilling-sensitive plants, cucumber and sweet pepper, upon exposure to 4 °C under low irradiance (100 μmol m-2 s-1) for 6 h. During chilling stress, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PS2 (Fv/Fm) decreased only slightly in both plants, but the oxidisable P700 decreased markedly, which indicated that PS1 was more sensitive to chilling treatment under low irradiance than PS2. Sweet pepper leaves had lower Fv/Fm, higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and higher oxidisable P700 during chilling stress. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in cucumber leaves was higher, but APX activity decreased apparently compared to that at room temperature. The productions of active oxygen species (H2O2, O2 -) increased in both plants, faster in cucumber leaves than in sweet pepper leaves. In sweet pepper leaves, a stronger de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle pigments, a higher NPQ could act as a major protective mechanism to reduce the formation of active oxygen species during stress. Thus sensitivity of both plants to chilling under low irradiance was dominated by the protective mechanisms between PS1 and PS2, especially the energy dissipation and the water-water cycle. and X.-G. Li ... [et al.].
Rye (Secale cereale L.) plants were treated with an ethylene releaser ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) in concentration of 4×10-2 M. We studied electron microscopically, if and how chloroplasts interact with well-documented sites of ethylene production/binding, i.e., with endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes, mitochondria, plasma membrane, and tonoplast. During the sharp increase of ethylene synthesis in mesophyll cells of rye leaves, the direct local continguity of chloroplast envelope or envelope protrusions with the above mentioned cell compartments was typical. Moreover, a large number and diversity of versatile chloroplast-dictyosome associations were conspicuous, in which both the chloroplast and each cisterna of dictyosome were capable to exo/endocytosis. The dictyosomes were directed towards the chloroplasts, plasma membrane, or tonoplast both with cis-face, trans-face, or with the rim, they could change their direction or shut up the trans-face, developing simultaneously several flexible chains of vesicular dispatches among chloroplasts and some other cell compartments. This reflects interaction of protein/ethylene producing, photosynthesising, DNA containing compartments, and regulated action of lysosomal system. Structural contacts and vesicular transport among compartments of symplastic system equalises concentrations of H+, Ca2+, etc. ions, as well as provide connection with an apoplast. We propose that ethylene functions in plant mesophyll cells are both as intra/intercellular signalling substance and as phytohormone that regulates gene expression in nuclei, chloroplasts, and mitochondria in a complicated synapse-like process and causes programmed death of leaves of the main stalks of rye for the sake of promoted growth of side shoots. and T. Selga, M. Selga.
The effect of three different concentrations of amitrole (AM), a bleaching herbicide affecting carotenogenesis, on chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthetic pigment contents, and photochemical activity was studied in two maize genotypes differing in photosynthetic characteristics. The content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves of plants treated with low (20 μM) AM concentration was similar to control plants and no damaging effect of the herbicide on the ultrastructure of either mesophyll (MC) or bundle-sheath (BSC) cell chloroplasts was observed. Higher (60 and 120 μM) concentrations of AM caused a significant decrease in the content of carotenoids (especially xanthophylls), which was followed by photooxidative destruction of chlorophylls and some alterations of chloroplast ultrastructure. MC chloroplasts appeared more sensitive to the damaging effect of AM compared to BSC chloroplasts. A significant decrease in the amount of both granal and intergranal thylakoids in MC chloroplasts was observed with the increasing concentration of AM. As regards BSC chloroplasts, rapid decrease in the volume density of starch inclusions was found in plants treated with higher concentrations of AM. When 120 μM AM was used, both MC and BSC chloroplasts contained just a few thylakoid membranes that were strongly altered. The changes in the ultrastructure of MC chloroplasts were accompanied by the changes in their photochemical activity. The formation of chloroplast protrusions after treatment of plants with AM as well as in control plants was also observed. and R. Pechová ... [et al.].
The practicality of the portable, non-destructive type nitrogen meter (Agriexpert PPW-3000) was tested on ten forest species. Also investigated was the potential relationship between leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll (Chl) contents and the readings taken with the PPW-3000 and a Chl meter (SPAD-502). There was a significantly positive correlation between the readings of PPW-3000 and N content in the same leaves, whereas the correlation between leaf Chl content and the PPW-3000 values was less positive. Similarly there was a significant positive correlation between actual Chl content and the SPAD-502 readings and the less positive correlation between actual N content and the SPAD-502 readings. Thus using both the PPW-3000 and SPAD-502 enables to determine leaf N and Chl contents simply and non-destructively in the field. and T. Ichie ... [et al.].
Needle yellowing is a typical symptom of declíning spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] which grow at altitudes over 700 m a.s.l. In tiie chloroplasts of yellowing needles the thylakoidal systém was reduced. The contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a, b, carotene (a + |3) and neoxanthin in the needles decreased simultaneously, while lutein and the pigments of the xanthophyll cycle were less affected. Activities of the xanthophyli cycle were inhibited only in the advanced stages of yellowing. Yellowing processes with comparable symptoms could be induced in artificial atmospheres, simulating realistic conditions of pollution. Possible mechanisms accounting for the yellowing process were examined. Fast yellowing events occurred not only under full sunlight, but also imder red radiation (X > 600 ran). Therefore, the excited Chl probably sensitized pigment destruction. As the light-harvesting C\ň-a/b- protein complex of Photosystem 2 lost its photo- and acid-stability before yellowing occiured, chloroplasts were changed from a photostable to a photolabile state.