Protective cytokinin action switches to damaging during senescence of detached wheat leaves in continuous light

Abstract

The effect of exogenous application of the cytokinin meta‐topolin [mT; N6‐(meta‐hydroxybenzyl)adenine] on artificial senescence of detached wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hereward) was studied and compared in leaves senescing under continuous light (100 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and darkness. Senescence‐induced deterioration in structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus was characterized by reduction in chlorophyll content, maximal efficiency of photosystem (PS) II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and the rate of CO2 assimilation, by increase in the excitation pressure on PSII (1 − qP) and a level of lipid peroxidation and by modifications in chloroplast ultrastructure. While in darkened leaf segments mT effectively slowed senescence‐induced changes in all measured parameters, in light‐senescing segments the effect of mT changed into opposite a few days after detachment. We observed an overexcitation of photosynthetic apparatus, as indicated by pronounced increases in the excitation pressure on PSII and in a deepoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle pigments, marked starch grain accumulation in chloroplasts and stimulation of lipid peroxidation in light‐senescing leaf segments in mT. Possible mechanisms of acceleration of senescence‐accompanying decrease in photosynthetic function and increase in lipid peroxidation during mT influence are discussed. We propose that protective mT action in darkness becomes damaging during artificial senescence in continuous light due to overexcitation of photosynthetic apparatus resulting in oxidative damage.