The photochemical reflectance index (PRI), based on reflectance signatures at 531 and 570 nm, and associated with xanthophyll pigment inter-conversion and related thylakoid energisation, was evaluated as an indicator of photosynthetic function in a Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) coppice. The chlorophyll fluorescence pulse-amplitude-modulation and the eddy correlation techniques were used to estimate the photosystem 2 photochemical efficiency of leaves and the CO2 flux over the canopy, respectively. The reflectance and fluorescence techniques yielded identical estimates of the photosynthetic activity in leaves exposed to dark-light-dark cycles or to a variable irradiance in laboratory. However, there was no such correlation between photosynthetic performance and PRI when applied to a sun-exposed canopy in field conditions. Fluorescence profiles inside the canopy and especially a helpful use of multispectral reflectance imaging highlight the limitations of such method.
A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate bioaccumulation and photosynthetic activity response to Cd in sweet sorghum seedlings. The seedlings were treated with 0, 50, and 100 μM Cd for 15 d. Our results showed that morphological characteristics of sweet sorghum were significantly affected by Cd treatments. The Cd concentrations in roots and shoots increased with increasing Cd concentrations in the nutrition solution; higher Cd accumulation was observed in the roots. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic activity decreased significantly and a shape of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transient in leaves was altered by Cd treatments. The Chl contents in the leaves decreased significantly, which was demonstrated by a change of spectral reflectance. Our data indicated that the higher Cd concentration reduced Chl contents and inhibited electron transport in the leaves, leading to the decrease of photosynthetic activity., Z. C. Xue, J. H. Li, D. S. Li, S. Z. Li, C. D. Jiang, L. A. Liu, S. Y. Wang, W. J. Kang., and Obsahuje bibliografii
An overview is given on the fluorescence imaging of plants. Emphasis is laid upon multispectral fluorescence imaging in the maxima of the fluorescence emission bands of leaves, i.e., in the blue (440 nm), green (520 nm), red (690 nm), and far-red (740 nm) spectral regions. Details on the origin of these four fluorescence bands are presented including emitting substances and emitting sites within a leaf tissue. Blue-green fluorescence derives from ferulic acids covalently bound to cell walls, and the red and far-red fluorescence comes from chlorophyll (Chl) a in the chloroplasts of green mesophyll cells. The fluorescence intensities are influenced (1) by changes in the concentration of the emitting substances, (2) by the internal optics of leaves determining the penetration of excitation radiation and partial re-absorption of the emitted fluorescence, and (3) by the energy distribution between photosynthesis, heat production, and emission of Chl fluorescence. The set-up of the Karlsruhe multispectral fluorescence imaging system (FIS) is described from excitation with UV-pulses to the detection with an intensified CCD-camera. The possibilities of image processing (e.g., formation of fluorescence ratio images) are presented, and the ways of extraction of physiological and stress information from the ratio images are outlined. Examples for the interpretation of fluorescence images are given by demonstrating the information available for the detection of different developmental stages of plant material, of strain and stress of plants, and of herbicide treatment. This novel technique can be applied for near-distance screening or remote sensing. and C. Buschmann, G. Langsdorf, H. K. Lichtenthaler.
Acid rain is a serious environmental problem and has obvious impacts on the growth, reproduction, and photosynthesis of terrestrial plants. Ulva prolifera, a main blooming species of green tides, was studied on its physiological response to acid rain. The photosynthetic parameters were determined under different conditions (salinity: 1, 10, 30‰; pH: 3.0, 3.5, 4.5; duration: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 h) followed by 24-h recovering under natural conditions. Results showed 1-h treatment with pH 3.5 caused 50-70% reduction in the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ФPSII) at normal salinity but when the low pH was combined with a salinity of 10‰ or lower, PSII activity was almost completely inhibited. Moreover, the low salinity (1‰ and 10‰) reduced the degree of photoprotection under low pH (3.5) conditions. Finally, we speculated if the pH of acid rain ≤ 3.5, with 1‰ salinity and 2-h rainfall time, the amount of U. prolifera and the scale of green tides would decrease.
Using measures of gas exchange and photosynthetic chain activity, we found some differences between grapevine inflorescence and leaf in terms of photosynthetic activity and photosynthesis regulations. Generally, the leaf showed the higher net photosynthesis (PN) and lower dark respiration than that of the inflorescence until the beginning of the flowering process. The lower (and negative) PN indicated prevailing respiration over photosynthesis and could result from a higher metabolic activity rather than from a lower activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Considerable differences were observed between both organs in the functioning and regulation of PSI and PSII. Indeed, in our conditions, the quantum yield efficiency and electron transport rate of PSI and PSII were higher in the inflorescence compared to that of the leaf; nevertheless, protective regulatory mechanisms of the photosynthetic chain were clearly more efficient in the leaf. This was in accordance with the major function of this organ in grapevine, but it highlighted also that inflorescence seems to be implied in the whole carbon balance of plant. During inflorescence development, the global PSII activity decreased and PSI regulation tended to be similar to the leaf, where photosynthetic activity and regulations remained more stable. Finally, during flowering, cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI was activated in parallel to the decline in the thylakoid linear electron flow. Inflorescence CEF was double compared to the leaf; it might contribute to photoprotection, could promote ATP synthesis and the recovery of PSII., M. Sawicki, B. Courteaux, F. Rabenoelina, F. Baillieul, C. Clement, E. Ait Barka, C. Jacquard, N. Vaillant-Gaveau., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Fluorescence images of leaves of sugar beet plants (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Patricia) grown on an experimental field with different fertilisation doses of nitrogen [0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 g(N) m-2] were taken, applying a new multicolour flash-lamp fluorescence imaging system (FL-FIS). Fluorescence was excited by the UV-range (280-400 nm, λmax = 340 nm) of a pulsed Xenon lamp. The images were acquired successively in the four fluorescence bands of leaves near 440, 520, 690, and 740 nm (F440, F520, F690, F740) by means of a CCD-camera. Parallel measurements were performed to characterise the physiological state of the leaves (nitrogen content, invert-sugars, chlorophylls and carotenoids as well as chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics and beet yield). The fluorescence images indicated a differential local patchiness across the leaf blade for the four fluorescence bands. The blue (F440) and green fluorescence (F520) were high in the leaf veins, whereas the red (F690) and far-red (F740) chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescences were more pronounced in the intercostal leaf areas. Sugar beet plants with high N supply could be distinguished from beet plants with low N supply by lower values of F440/F690 and F440/F740. Both the blue-green fluorescence and the Chl fluorescence rose at a higher N application. This increase was more pronounced for the Chl fluorescence than for the blue-green one. The results demonstrate that fluorescence ratio imaging of leaves can be applied for a non-destructive monitoring of differences in nitrogen supply. The FL-FIS is a valuable diagnostic tool for screening site-specific differences in N-availability which is required for precision farming. and G. Langsdorf ... [et al.].
Melatonin is a well-known bioactive molecule able to mitigate photooxidative damage caused by excess light. Here we have shown that mutant Arabidopsis lines with disrupted genes for melatonin putative receptor CAND2/PMTR1 and GPA1 encoding the α-subunit of heterotrimeric G-protein were partially insensitive to melatonin treatment under high light stress. They exhibited a higher degree of photodamage due to a significantly decreased photosynthetic activity and diminished expression of chloroplast and nuclear-encoded genes and the corresponding proteins. A possible mechanism for melatonin-dependent regulation of chloroplast genes is associated with a change in the activity of the genes for chloroplast RNA polymerases. We conclude that under high light stress, melatonin may act as a hormone-like signaling molecule via the CAND2/PMTR1-mediated signaling pathway.