CO2 (40, 200, 400 loM) was added to the root systém of 10-d-old pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv. Ran). The Co2'''-excess caused a reduction in the plant fresh and diy masses and water and chlorophyll contents. The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration decreased, while proline content and stomata resistance increased. The dramatic effect of Co2+-toxicity was expressed both in an inhibition of ribulose 1,5- bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase activity and a stimulation of RuBP-oxygenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities on the 4‘h day of cnltivation of plants in a solution of 400 pM C6^*.
The ultrastructure of cotton leaves, exhibiting reddening as symptom of physiological disorder, was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy. Osmiophilisation of the membrane compartment was established. Massive agglomerations on the tonoplast in the vacuole of cells under the adaxial epidermis were observed, and were referred to as electron-dense osmiophilic substance, most probably of anthocyanin nature. In chloroplast stroma a zone of low electron density enclosing numerous osmiophilic aggregations of unclear chemical character was differentiated. Fragmentation and severe destruction of thylakoids in chloroplasts of reddening cotton leaves was not detected. and D. Stoyanova-Koleva ... [et al.].
Strong inhibition of rates of CO2 assimilation and transpiration, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency as well as photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical activity were related to the severity of reddening. The inhibition of photosynthesis in red cotton leaves was due to both decreased photochemical activity and stomatal limitation. Lowered photosynthetic capacity could be one of the main factors of reduced yield in reddening cotton. and V. Velikova ... [et al.].
Fifteen-day-old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in a climatic chamber were exposed to water deficit (WD) and high temperature (HT) stresses applied separately or in combination. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence quenching were investigated. Bean plants that endured mild (42 °C, 5 h for 2 d) WD separately or in combination with HT did not change their qP and qN quenching (measured at 25 °C) compared with those of the control. After 5 min testing at 45 °C, qP in control and droughted plants strongly decreased, while qP of plants that experienced combined WD+HT stress was insignificantly influenced, suggesting the acclimation effect of HT treatments. At more severe stresses (after 3 d-treatment), qP measured at 25 °C was the lowest in WD+HT plants and qN values were the highest. But when measured at 45 °C, qP of WD+HT plants had practically the same values as at 25 °C. Under these conditions qP of WD plants also showed an adaptation to HT. Twenty-four hours after recovery, the unfavourable effects of the stresses were strongly reduced when measured at 25 °C, but they were still present when measured at 45 °C. Positive effect of the carbamide cytokinin 4-PU-30 was well expressed only in droughted plants. and I. Yordanov, V. Velikova, T. Tsonev.
Alterations in photosynthetic performance of lutein-deficient mutant lut2 and wild type (wt) of Arabidopsis thaliana were followed after treatment with low temperature and high light for 6 d. The obtained results indicated lower electrolyte leakage, lower excitation pressure, and higher actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in lut2 plants exposed to combined stress compared to wt plants. This implies that lut2 is less susceptible to the applied stress conditions. The observed lower values of quantum efficiency of nonphotochemical quenching and energy-dependent component of nonphotochemical quenching in lut2 suggest that nonphotochemical quenching mechanism(s) localized within LHCII could not be involved in the acquisition of higher stress tolerance of lut2 and alternatives to nonphotochemical quenching mechanisms are involved for dissipation of excess absorbed light. We suggest that the observed enhanced capacity for cyclic electron flow and the higher oxidation state of P700 (P700+), which suggests PSI-dependent energy quenching in lut2 plants may serve as efficient photoprotective mechanisms, thus explaining the lower susceptibility of lut2 to the combined stress treatments.
At the whole plant level, the effect of stress is usually perceived as a decrease in photosynthesis and growth. That is why this review is focused mainly on the effect of drought on photosynthesis, its injury, and mechanisms of adaptation. The analysed literature shows that plants have evolved a number of adaptive mechanisms that allow the photochemical and biochemical systems to cope with negative changes in environment, including increased water deficit. In addition, the acquisition of tolerance to drought includes both phenotypic and genotypic changes. The approaches were made to identify those metabolic steps that are most sensitive to drought. Some studies also examined the mechanisms controlling gene expression and putative regulatory pathways. and I. Yordanov, V. Velikova, T. Tsonev.