Water is a limited resource and is likely to become even more restricted with climate change. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of humic acid (HA) applications on photosynthesis efficiency of rapeseed plants under different watering conditions. Water stress strongly increased electron transport flux, probability that trapped excitation can move an electron into the electron transport chain beyond QA, and quantum yield of reduction of end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side. Application of HA decreased the values of these parameters to be similar to those of non-stress conditions. We found that, the application of HA improved plants net photosynthesis under water stress via increasing the rate of gas exchange and electron transport flux in plants., R. Lotfi, H. M. Kalaji, G. R. Valizadeh, E. Khalilvand Behrozyar, A. Hemati, P. Gharavi-Kochebagh, A. Ghassemi., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Photoprotection mechanisms protect photosynthetic organisms, especially under stress conditions, against photodamage that may inhibit photosynthesis. We investigated the effects of short-term immersion in hypo- and hypersalinity sea water on the photosynthesis and xanthophyll cycle in Sargassum fusiforme (Harvey) Setchell. The results indicated that under moderate light [110 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1], the effective quantum yield of PSII was not reduced in S. fusiforme fronds after 1 h in hyposalinity conditions, even in fresh water, but it was significantly affected by extreme hypersalinity treatment (90‰ sea water). Under high light [HL, 800 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1], photoprotective mechanisms operated efficiently in fronds immersed in fresh water as indicated by high reversible nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and de-epoxidation state; the quantum yield of PSII recovered during the subsequent relaxation period. In contrast, fronds immersed in 90‰ sea water did not withstand HL, barely developed reversible NPQ, and accumulated little antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin during HL, while recovery of the quantum yield of PSII was severely inhibited during the subsequent relaxation period. The data provided concrete evidence supporting the
short-term tolerance of S. fusiforme to immersion in fresh water compared to hypersalinity conditions. The potential practical implications of these results were also discussed., X. J. Xie, X. L. Wang, L. D. Lin, L. W. He, W. H. Gu, S. Gao, X. F. Yan, G. H. Pan, M. J. Wu, G. C. Wang., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
L-malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA ) intermediate, plays an important role in transporting NADH from cytosol to mitochondria for energy production and may be involved in the beneficial effects of improving physical stamina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of L-malate on the performance of forced swimming time and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue – blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (Glc), creatine kinase (CK) , total protein (TP) and lactic acid (LA). To investigate the effects of L-malate on the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in mice, the activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle were measured. L-malate was orally administered to mice continuously for 30 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. The swimming time was increased by 26.1 % and 28.5 %, respectively, in the 0.210 g/kg and 0.630 g/kg L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. There were no differences in the concentrations of Glc, BUN and TP between the L-malate-treated groups and the control groups. However, the levels of CK were significantly decreased in the L-malate-treated groups. The results predict a potential benefit of L-malate for improving physical stamina and minimizing muscle damage during swimming exercise. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in the L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. These enzymatic activities may be useful indicators for evaluating changes affecting the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in the liver of mice., J. L. Wu, Q. P. Wu, J. M. Huang, R. Chen, M. Cai, J. B. Tan., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Facultative diapause in the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, occurs in the final larval instar. Application of juvenile hormone analogs (JHAs) to the larvae of this species has similar effects to diapause, in terms of prolonged development of the larval stages and the arrest in the metamorphosis of internal organs. Here, we focus on testes development and spermatogenesis at the end of larval development in G. mellonella, how they are affected by diapause induced by an environmental decrease in temperature to 18°C and the application of a JHA (fenoxycarb) to larvae. Because neither testis development nor spermatogenesis are described in detail for this species, we examined them in individuals not in diapause during the period from the last larval instar to the newly emerged adult and present a timetable of changes that occur in the development of testes in this species. These observations have increased the very limited data on the course of spermatogenesis in pyralid insects. We then used these data for comparative analysis of testes in larvae from two experimental groups: individuals in diapause and those treated with fenoxycarb. The results on the general morphology testes revealed obvious degenerative changes caused by fenoxycarb (but not by diapause), including testicular wall hypertrophy and disarrangement of testicular follicles. Moreover, treatment with fenoxycarb finally resulted in the disintegration of nearly all testicular cyst-containing germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis, a situation never previously described in the literature. In contrast, the main effect of diapause on testes was merely the degeneration of spermatocytes in the proximal regions of the testicular follicles. Finally, the TUNEL analyses, revealed that the degenerative changes in germ cells were apoptotic in character in the testes of both individuals in diapause and fenoxycarb-treated males., Piotr Bebas, Bronislaw Cymborowski, Michalina Kazek, Marta Anna Polanska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In this study, we investigated maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry(Fv/Fm),effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) of walnut (Juglans regia ‘Xinxin2’) leaves with different leaf-to-fruit ratios (LFRs). The results indicated that the increasing LFR increased the values of Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, and NPQ in leaves on the girdled shoot with one and two leaves, and decreased the values of Fv/Fm and ΦPSII in leaves on the girdled shoot with five leaves, whereas had no effect on the chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in leaves on the girdled shoot with three and four leaves. These results indicate that the effects of LFR on Chl fluorescence depend on a LFR range and show a transitional trend transition, and that excessive fruit load accelerates leaf senescence resulting in the destruction of the reaction center in PSII., C. F. Zhang, C. D. Pan, H. Chen., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Chrococcoid cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus are the important component of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Picocyanobacteria comprise even 80% of total cyanobacterial biomass and contribute to 50% of total primary cyanobacterial bloom production. Chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and photosynthetic light response (P-I) curves are commonly used to characterize photoacclimation of Synechococcus strains. Three brackish, picocyanobacterial strains of Synechococcus (BA-132, BA-124, BA-120) were studied. They were grown under 4 irradiances [10, 55, 100, and 145 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1] and at 3 temperatures (15, 22.5, and 30°C). Photosynthetic rate was measured by Clark oxygen electrode, whereas the Chl fluorescence was measured using Pulse Amplitude Modulation fluorometer. Based on P-I, two mechanisms of photoacclimation were recognized in Synechococcus. The maximum value of maximum rate of photosynthesis (Pmax) expressed per biomass unit at 10 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1 indicated a change in the number of photosynthetic units (PSU). The constant values of initial slope of photosynthetic light response curve (α) and the maximum value of Pmax expressed per Chl unit at 145 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1 indicated another mechanism, i.e. a change in PSU size. These two mechanisms caused changes in photosynthetic rate and its parameters (compensation point, α, saturation irradiance, dark respiration, Pmax) upon the influence of different irradiance and temperature. High irradiance had a negative effect on fluorescence parameters, such as the maximum quantum yield and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (φPSII), but it was higher in case of φPSII., S. Jodłowska, S. Śliwińska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In this study, effects of yellow (Y), purple (P), red (R), blue (B), green (G), and white (W) light on growth and development of tobacco plants were evaluated. We showed that monochromatic light reduced the growth, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, and transpiration rate of tobacco. Such a reduction in PN occurred probably due to the stomatal limitation contrary to plants grown under W. Photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted state, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), and maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) of plants decreased under all monochromatic illuminations. The decline in ΦPSII occurred mostly due to the reduction in qP. The increase in minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted state and the decrease in Fv/Fm indicated the damage or inactivation of the reaction center of PSII under monochromatic light. Plants under Y and G showed the maximal nonphotochemical quenching with minimum PN compared with the W plants. Morphogenesis of plants was also affected by light quality. Under B light, plants exhibited smaller angles between stem and petiole, and the whole plants showed a compact type, while the angles increased under Y, P, R, and G and the plants were of an unconsolidated style. The total soluble sugar content increased significantly under B. The reducing sugar content increased under B but decreased significantly under R and G compared with W. In conclusion, different monochromatic light quality inhibited plants growth by reducing the activity of photosynthetic apparatus in plants. R and B light were more effective to drive photosynthesis and promote the plant growth, while Y and G light showed an suppression effect on plants growth. LEDs could be used as optimal light resources for plant cultivation in a greenhouse., L. Y. Yang, L. T. Wang, J. H. Ma, E. D. Ma, J. Y. Li, M. Gong., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The acclimation to high light, elevated temperature, and combination of both factors was evaluated in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. M82) by determination of photochemical activities of PSI and PSII and by analyzing 77 K fluorescence of isolated thylakoid membranes. Developed plants were exposed for six days to different combinations of temperature and light intensity followed by five days of a recovery period. Photochemical activities of both photosystems showed different sensitivity towards the heat treatment in dependence on light intensity. Elevated temperature exhibited more negative impact on PSII activity, while PSI was slightly stimulated. Analysis of 77 K fluorescence emission and excitation spectra showed alterations in the energy distribution between both photosystems indicating alterations in light-harvesting complexes. Light intensity affected the antenna complexes of both photosystems stronger than temperature. Our results demonstrated that simultaneous action of high-light intensity and high temperature promoted the acclimation of tomato plants regarding the activity of both photosystems in thylakoid membranes., A. Faik, A. V. Popova, M. Velitchkova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In order to investigate the effects of low irradiation (LI) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinyou 35) during a ripening stage, our experiment was carried out in a climate chamber. Two levels of PAR were set for plants: normal irradiation [NI, 600 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1] and low irradiation [LI, 100 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1], respectively. The experiments lasted for 9 d; then both groups of plants were transferred under NI to recover for 16 d. The plants showed severe chlorosis after the LI treatment. Chlorophyll (Chl) a, initial slope, photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiation (P max), light saturation point, maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), electron transport rate of PSII (ETR), soluble protein content, and catalase (CAT) activity in cucumber leaves decreased under LI stress, while Chl b, carotenoids, light compensation point, nonphotochemical quenching (qN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) exhibited an increasing trend under LI. After 16 d of recovery, values of P max, Fv/Fm, ETR, qN, SOD, CAT, MDA, and soluble protein were close to those of the control after one, three, and five days of the LI treatment, while those kept under LI for 7 and 9 d could not return to the control level. Therefore, 7 d of LI stress was a meteorological disaster index for LI in cucumber at the fruit stage., Z. Q. Yang, C. H. Yuan, W. Han, Y. X. Li, F. Xiao., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Pepper is a thermophilous and heliophilic vegetable. In China, pepper is grown in greenhouse during winter and spring under lower temperature and irradiation. In this study, we investigated the effects of low temperature and low irradiance (LTLI) on the physiological characteristics and the expression of related genes in five pepper species, Capsicum annuum L. (CA), C. baccatum L. (CB), C. chinense Jacquin (CC), C. frutescens L. (CF), and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pavon (CP) in order to screen for greenhouse species that is resistant to such adverse conditions. We observed significant reductions not only in photosynthetic pigments and stomatal conductance but also in proline, total soluble sugar, enzyme activity, and root activity; disordered arrangements of leaf palisade and spongy tissues; and first rising and then falling expression of C-repeat binding factor (CBF3) and cold-regulated genes (CORc410). These results indicate that pepper is not resistant to LTLI. We also found that CP showed significantly higher photosynthetic activity, more proline and total soluble sugar, higher enzyme activity, higher root activity, higher CBF3 and CORc410 expression levels, more tightly packed leaf palisade and spongy tissues, and thicker bundle sheath than the other four species did under LTLI, while CF exhibited the lowest values for these indicators. It demonstrated significant differences in the ability to resist to LTLI among different species, with CP showing the strongest resistance, followed by CB. Therefore, we recommend the introduction of CP and CB to greenhouse cultivation to further screen for low temperature and low light-resistant pepper varieties to increase pepper production by strengthening intervariety hybridization., L. J. Ou, G. Wei, Z.Q. Zhang, X. Z. Dai, X. X. Zou., and Obsahuje bibliografii