Melatonin has different functions in plant growth and development, especially in the protection of plants suffering from various forms of abiotic stress. We explored the effect of melatonin priming on photosynthetic activity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) leaves. Our results showed that 100 µM is the optimal concentration used for alleviation of the damage to photosynthetic apparatus. Melatonin priming both in the form of leaf spray and direct root application was found to reduce the damage to photosynthetic apparatus, and increase the electron transfer rate and quantum yield of PSI and PSII photochemistry, to protect the thylakoid membrane from damage caused by low-temperature stress. Our study provides fundamental information for further research on the molecular mechanism of melatonin function in regulating photosynthesis., X. L. Yang, H. Xu, D. Li, X. Gao, T. L. Li, R. Wang., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The microstructure of leaves and ultrastructure of chloroplasts were examined in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plants treated with elevated temperature. Plants were exposed to 35°C for 30 d after florescence. The plants grown continuously under 25°C served as controls. Compared with the controls, the net photosynthetic rate (PN) in stressed plants decreased significantly. Stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentrations, the rate of transpiration, and the limitation of stomatal conductance showed that the decrease in PN was caused mainly by nonstomatal restrictions. Meanwhile, stomata density increased significantly in the stressed plants. The stomata status of opening and closing became disorganized with a prolonged 35°C exposure. The damage of chloroplast membrane occurred earlier and was more serious in the plants under elevated temperature. At the same time, the thylakoids were loosely distributed with lesser grana, but the number of lipid droplets increased in chloroplasts. The number of starch grains in chloroplasts increased first and then decreased. In addition, the length of the main nerve in leaves increased and the main vein showed distortion in the plants stressed by 35°C. An increase was observed in the number of cells on the abaxial side of the main vein and these cells were overly congregated. The thickness of a vertical section became thinner in the stressed leaves. The cells of the upper epidermis thinned, and the ratio of palisade tissue to spongy tissue decreased. Generally, the photosynthetic apparatus of tomato changed significantly and the changed chloroplast ultrastructure might be one of the important reasons that caused the decrease of PN under 35°C., J. Zhang, X. D. Jiang, T. L. Li, X. J. Cao., and Obsahuje bibliografii