Photosystem 2 (PS 2) reaction centers inactive in plastoquinone pool reduction are present in isolated thylakoid membranes, intact chloroplasts, and leaves of dark- adapted plants. Here we describe om recent work investigating the physical and physiological properties that distínguish inactive firom active centers. Inactive PS 2 centers are defíned by their slow rate of Q^’ oxidation. They háve a competent water oxidation systém and constitute about one-third of the total PS 2 present in dark- adapted leaves and thylakoid membranes. Their effective absorption cross section for radiant energy utilization is half that of active PS 2 centers. Irradiation modifies inactive PS 2 centers in leaves and thylakoid membranes. The modification is manifested by a 50 % dechne of their varíable fluorescence and of their contribution to the electrochromic shift. In leaves the light-induced modification is reversible in the dark, whereas it is irreversible in thylakoid membranes.
We demonstrate the feasibility of assaying and predicting post-harvest damage in lemons by monitoring chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. Fruit quality was assayed using a commercial instrument that determines photosynthetic performance by imaging Chl fluorescence parameters under different irradiances. Images of Chl fluorescence from individual lemons reveal that photosynthesis is active throughout the post-harvest ripening process. Because photosynthesis is highly sensitive to biotic and abiotic stress, variations in Chl fluorescence parameters over the surface of a lemon fruit can be used to predict areas that will eventually exhibit visible damage. The technique is able to distinguish between mould-infected areas that eventually spread over the surface of the fruit, and damaged areas that do not increase in size during ripening. This study demonstrates the potential for using rapid imaging of Chl fluorescence in post-harvest fruit to develop an automated device that can identify and remove poor quality fruit long before visible damage appears. and L. Nedbal ... [et al.].