With japonica rice 98-08, indica hybrids Shanyou 63, Gangyou 881, and X07S/Zihui 100, and sub-species hybrid Peiai 64S/9311 as materials, chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl a fluorescence parameters, and membrane lipid peroxidation in flag leaf were measured at late developmental stages under natural conditions. Fv/Fm, qP, ΦPS2, and electron transport rate gradually decreased while qN increased conversely. Excessive photon energy led to the accumulation of active oxygen (O2-), H2O, malonyldialdehyde, and products of membrane lipid peroxidation, and resulted in reduced Chl content and early ageing subsequent to the photooxidation during flag leaf senescence. There was obvious diversification of these parameters among rice cultivars. In comparison with japonica cv. 98-08 (tolerant to photooxidation), Fv/Fm decreased in indica cv. Shanyou 63 (susceptible to photooxidation) with greater accumulation of active oxygen and a sharp drop in Chl content, which resulted in "yellowish" early ageing, and affected the filling and setting of rice grains. The mechanism for premature ageing in indica rice was related to irradiance and temperature at filling stages. On a sunny day at above 25 °C, the reaction centre of photosystem 2 (PS2) exhibited a dynamic change on reversible inactivation. Under the intense irradiance at noon, PS2 function in indica rice exhibited obvious down-regulation and photoinhibition. Under intense irradiance with lowered temperatures, PS2 resulted in photo-damage and early ageing, related to the degradation of PS2-D1 protein and the inhibition of endogenous protection systems such as the xanthophyll cycle and enzymes scavenging active oxygen. Hence for high-yield breeding, based on a good plant-type and utilising heterosis and tolerance of photooxidation, the selection of japonica rice or a sterile line with the japonica genotype as female is a strategy worthy of consideration. and Demao Jiao, Benhua Ji, Xia Li.
In the untransformed rice (WT) and transgenic rice with the PEPC and PPDK genes (CK) we determined activities of C4 photosynthetic enzymes, photosynthetic response to irradiance and temperature, the metabolic index of active oxygen, and the yield component factors. The activities of C4 photosynthetic enzymes in WT were very low, while those of corresponding enzymes in CK were highly observable. Moreover, after adenosine triphosphate (ATP) treatment, and under high irradiance and high temperature, the net photosynthetic rate of CK increased by 17 and 12 %, respectively, as compared to that achieved without ATP treatment. The resistance of CK against photo-oxidation was enhanced under these conditions, and CK yield increased by 15 %. ATP treatment enhanced the photosynthetic productivity of CK, thereby proving that ATP is the key factor in enhancing the photosynthetic capacity of transgenic rice with C4 gene. Our new technical approach can be used in breeding rice with high photosynthetic efficiency and high grain yield. and B. J. Zhang ... [et al.].
Haloxylon ammodendron, Calligonum mongolicum, Elaeagnus angustifolia, and Populus hosiensis had different adaptations to limited water availability, high temperature, and high irradiance. C. mongolicum used water more efficiently than did the other species. Because of low transpiration rate (E) and low water potential, H. ammodendron had low water loss suitable for desert conditions. Water use efficiency (WUE) was high in E. angustifolia, but high E and larger leaf area made this species more suitable for mesic habitats; consequently, this species is important in tree shelterbelts. P. hosiensis had low WUE, E, and photosynthesis rates, and therefore, does not prosper in arid areas without irrigation. High irradiances caused photoinhibition of the four plants. The decrease of photochemical efficiency was a possible non-stomata factor for the midday depression of C. mongolicum. However, the species exhibited different protective mechanisms against high irradiance under drought stress. H. ammodendron and C. mongolicum possessed a more effective antioxidant defence system than E. angustifolia. These three species showed different means of coping with oxidative stress. Hence an enzymatic balance is maintained in these plants under adverse stress conditions, and the concerted action of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactive oxygen species scavenging mechanisms is vital to survive adverse conditions. and J. R. Gong ... [et al.].