Low Photosynthetically Active Radiation Research Articles

Effects of water temperatures, UV radiation and low vs high PAR on phlorotannin content and germination in zoospores of Saccorhiza dermatodea (Tilopteridales, Phaeophyceae)

Steinhoff F.S., Wiencke C., Wuttke S. and Bischof K. 2011. Effects of water temperatures, UV radiation and low vs high PAR on phlorotannin content and germination in zoospores of Saccorhiza dermatodea (Tilopteridales, Phaeophyceae). Phycologia 50: 256–263. DOI: 10.2216/09-107.1Global climate change will have multiple effects on our environment and might especially change marine coastal ecosystems and their communities due to rising water temperatures and changing light regimes in the water column. Due to the key role of zoospores in the life-history cycle of kelps, we investigated how zoospores of the shallow water species Saccorhiza dermatodea (B. de la Pylaie) J.E. Areschoug respond to interactive effects of changing water temperatures, low/high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and UV radiation (UVR). Zoospores were examined with respect to germination pattern (germination rates, light micrographs) and phlorotannin content (Folin–Ciocalteu method). In summer 2007, we exposed S. dermatodea zoospores, obtained from fertile thalli in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norway), to low PAR laboratory [UV-B∶UV-A∶PAR (W m−2) 8∶114∶100; 2–17°C] and high PAR outdoor experimental conditions [UV-B∶UV-A∶PAR (W m−2) 0.1∶5∶100; 7°C] for 8 h. Under low PAR+UVR conditions and at 2–12°C, almost 98% of zoospores germinated in all light treatments. The germination rate was reduced under PAR+UV-A+UV-B only in the 17°C and 7°C outdoor treatment, to 21.4% and 9.6%, respectively. Light microscopic investigations showed differences in germling appearance, growth and pigmentation in the outdoor treatment and at 17°C low PAR conditions, compared with all other treatments, after an exposure time of 8 h. However, phlorotannin content within zoospores remained unaffected by changing UV and low/high PAR conditions. These results suggest that combined effects of present water temperatures, high PAR and UVR can exhibit similar effects on germination as the combined effects of unnatural high temperatures (17°C), low PAR and UVR. With respect to global climate change, the ecological implications of the present study illustrate that zoospores of S. dermatodea are able to survive enhanced water temperatures up to 12°C. Moreover, high PAR in combination with UVR might potentially affect zoospores of S. dermatodea stronger than expected in clear waters.

Phytochemical Changes Induced by Different Nitrogen Supply Forms and Radiation Levels in Two Leafy Brassica Species

The effect of three different nitrogen (N) supply forms differing in their ammonium-to-nitrate (NH(4):NO(3)) ratio (100% NH(4), 50% NH(4) + 50% NO(3), 100% NO(3)) under three different levels of daily photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) (low, 5.0; medium, 6.8; high, 9.0 mol m(-2) day(-1)) on a range of desirable health-promoting phytochemicals in Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. chinoleifera and Brassica juncea was determined. The 100% NH(4) supply under medium PAR levels led to the highest concentration of glucosinolates based on a low nitrogen/sulfur ratio as well as high levels of carotenoids in the leaves of both Brassica species. However, the 100% NH(4) supply under low and medium PAR levels resulted in low concentrations of flavonoids based on high N concentration in the leaves. Thus, the data provided here have strong implications for crop management strategies aimed at optimizing both the concentration and composition of a range of phytochemicals.

Combined effects of solar UV radiation and CO2-induced seawater acidification on photosynthetic carbon fixation of phytoplankton assemblages in the South China Sea

2010 We carried out short term pCO2/pH perturbation experiments in the coastal waters of the South China Sea to evaluate the combined effects of seawater acidification (low pH/high pCO2) and solar UV radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on photosynthetic carbon fixation of phytoplankton assemblages. Under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) alone treatments, reduced pCO2 (190 ppmv) with increased pH resulted in a significant decrease in the photosynthetic carbon fixation rate (about 23%), while enriched pCO2 (700 ppmv) with lowered pH had no significant effect on the photosynthetic performance compared to the ambient level. The apparent photosynthetic efficiency decreased under the reduced pCO2 level, probably due to C-limitation as well as energy being diverged for up-regulation of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). In the presence of UVR, both UV-A and UV-B caused photosynthetic inhibition, though UV-A appeared to enhance the photosynthetic efficiency under lower PAR levels. UV-B caused less inhibition of photosynthesis under the reduced pCO2 level, probably because of its contribution to the inorganic carbon (Ci)-acquisition processes. Under the seawater acidification conditions (enriched pCO2), both UV-A and UV-B reduced the photosynthetic carbon fixation to higher extents compared to the ambient pCO2 conditions. We conclude that solar UV and seawater acidification could synergistically inhibit photosynthesis.

Spatio-temporal variation of photosynthetically active radiation in China in recent 50 years

Based on long-term measurement data of weather/ecological stations over China, this paper calculated and produced annually- and seasonally-averaged Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) spatial data from 1961 to 2007, using climatological calculations and spatialization techniques. The spatio-temporal variation characteristics of annually- and seasonally-averaged PAR spatial data over China in recent 50 years were analyzed with Mann-Kendall trend analysis method and GIS spatial analysis techniques. The results show that: (1) As a whole, the spatial distribution of PAR is complex and inhomogeneous across China, with lower PAR in the eastern and southern parts of China and higher PAR in the western part. Mean annual PAR over China ranges from 17.7 mol m−2 d−1 to 39.5 mol m−2 d−1. (2) Annually- and seasonally-averaged PAR of each pixel over China are averaged as a whole and the mean values decline visibly with fluctuant processes, and the changing rate of annually-averaged PAR is −0.138 mol m−2 d−1/10a. The changing amplitudes among four seasons are different, with maximum dropping in summer, and the descending speed of PAR is faster before the 1990s, after which the speed slows down. (3) The analysis by each pixel shows that PAR declines significantly (α=0.05) in most parts of China. Summer and winter play more important roles in the interannual variability of PAR. North China is always a decreasing zone in four seasons, while the northwest of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau turns to be an increasing zone in four seasons. (4) The spatial distributions of the interannual variability of PAR vary among different periods. The interannual variabilities of PAR in a certain region are different not only among four seasons, but also among different periods.

Expected and observed conditions during the SAGE iron addition experiment in Subantarctic waters

The SAGE iron addition experiment was conducted from R.V. Tangaroa east of South Island, New Zealand, in late March–early April 2004. A desktop survey of climatological data was completed before the experiment, providing information to inform site selection and experiment design. The desktop survey is presented here in updated and enhanced form in order to explain the site selection and describe the conditions expected at the site during the experiment in comparison with those actually encountered. The experiment site was in Subantarctic waters between the Subtropical and Subantarctic Fronts. These waters are characterised by high surface macronutrient concentration, low iron concentration and low chlorophyll. The preferred site based on the desktop survey was in the vicinity of 173.5°E, 47.5°S, in Southern Bounty Trough. The actual release location was chosen immediately before the release and was 112 km to the northwest of this at 172°32′E, 46°44′S. The surface water here has typically come from the southwest (over the northern Campbell Plateau) or the southeast (through Pukaki Gap) and the mean current is directed towards ENE at ∼0.1 m s −1. The release location is well removed from regions of high eddy kinetic energy to the east (where the Subantarctic Front reaches its northern limit) and the west (where fine-scale instabilities develop on the Southland Front, which flows along the continental shelf). Typical conditions at the release site at the end of March are: surface temperature 12 °C; mixed layer depth 40 m; surface chlorophyll concentration ∼0.3 mg m −3; surface photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) 23 E m −2 d −1; surface nutrient concentrations 8–10 mmol m −3 (nitrate), 0.5–0.8 mmol m −3 (phosphate), 1–2 mmol m −3 (silicate) and 0.1–0.5 nM (iron); 99th percentile wind speed 19–21 m s −1. At this time of year, surface PAR is well below its summer maximum, the mixed layer is beginning its seasonal deepening and the silicate concentration is at its seasonal minimum. These factors may have limited the phytoplankton response to iron addition and were compounded in March–April 2004 by strong winds early in the experiment (substantially exceeding the 99th percentile in speed), lower than the average SST, larger than the average mixed layer depth, silicate concentration at the bottom end of the expected range and initially low PAR.

Inhibition of photosynthesis by UV-B exposure and its repair in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

The photosynthetic performance of Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 854 during the process of UV-B exposure and its subsequent recovery under photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was investigated in the present study. Eight hours UV-B radiation (3.15 W m−2) stimulated the increase of photosynthetic pigments content at the early stage of UV-B exposure followed by a significant decline. It suggested that UV-B damage was not an immediate process, and there existed a dynamic balance between damage and adaptation in the exposed cells. Short-term UV-B exposure severely inhibited the photosynthetic capability, but it could restore quickly after being transferred to PAR. Further investigations revealed that the PS II of M. aeruginosa FACHB 854 was more sensitive to UV-B exposure than PS I, and the oxygen-evolving complex of PS II was an important damage target of UV-B. The inhibition of photosynthetic performance caused by UV-B could be recovered to 90.9% of pretreated samples after 20 h exposure at low PAR, but it could not be recovered in the dark as well as under low PAR in the presence of Chloromycetin. It can be concluded that PAR and de novo protein synthesis were essential for the recovery of UV-B-damaged photosynthetic apparatus.

Light regulation of endogenous salicylic acid levels in hypocotyls of Helianthus annuus seedlings

Plants growing in canopy shade typically exhibit increased stem elongation and reduced leaf growth. This is as a result of direct interactions between plant photoreceptors sensing the change (reduction) in the ratio of red to far-red (R/FR) light and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and plant hormones, and regulating these morphological traits. The effect of the varying light conditions found in shade on endogenous salicylic acid (SA) content was tested, and the possible role of SA in shade avoidance by sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) hypocotyls was examined. A logarithmic increase in PAR irradiance levels increased endogenous SA levels roughly 10-fold. Separation of individual light wavelengths (R, FR, and blue) constituting the PAR irradiance of sunlight, established that only FR light had significant and positive effects on endogenous SA levels. Further, a low R/FR ratio significantly increased the endogenous SA content in hypocotyls compared with normal and high R/FR ratios. Uncoupling the effect of R/FR ratio and PAR irradiance on endogenous SA content demonstrated that PAR irradiance is a much stronger signal than FR light-enrichment. Thus, while a low R/FR ratio increases the SA content in sunflower hypocotyls, low PAR, the other component of canopy shade, decreases the SA content much more effectively than low R/FR ratio increases it. Therefore, it appears that SA probably has no direct role in shade avoidance effects.

Interactions between temperature, drought and stomatal opening in legumes

The effect of heat and drought on stomatal behaviour of 2–4-week-old legumes, bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and red clover ( Trifolium pratense), was investigated. Drought stress was induced by complete water deficit or with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and abscisic acid (ABA) was applied to mimic plant drought response. Heat stress was simulated by water bath (leaf segments) and infrared and halogen lighting (whole plants). Various experimental conditions were studied: high temperature alone or combined with drought, and low or high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Stomatal opening was either measured directly or determined using thermal imaging as a proxy. When water was not limiting, stomata opened in darkness under heat stress. At high PAR, drought and moderate heat caused increased leaf temperatures and temperature oscillations (±3–4 °C), attributed to the opening and closing of stomata. At low PAR, heat led to leaf temperature oscillations in control plants, whereas the application of drought caused stomatal closure, increasing leaf temperature to 39 °C. Stomatal opening occurred under high temperatures, despite the presence of the drought-induced hormone ABA, and was maintained into a recovery period at room temperature for 30 min. This study helps to illustrate stomatal plasticity and the interplay between leaf gas-exchange and maintaining favourable metabolic conditions (water status and temperature) within the leaf. Knowledge of how legumes are affected by two environmental stresses, heat and drought, expected to occur simultaneously with greater frequency in the future, is important in determining overall plant survival strategies.

Effect of nitrogen form and radiation on growth and mineral concentration of two Brassica species

Three greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the growth, yield, nitrate, total N and S concentration in shoots, and water uptake of hydroponically grown Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica var. chinoleifera and Brassica juncea L. In each experiment, daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) level was 5.0 mol m −2 (low), 6.8 mol m −2 (medium) or 9.0 mol m −2 (high). Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions having equal N concentrations of 11 mM in different forms: 100% NH 4, 50% NH 4 + 50% NO 3, and 100% NO 3. Nitrogen supplied as 100% NH 4 reduced fresh and dry shoot biomass, leaf area, and leaf number in both Brassica species, especially at low and medium PAR levels. In both Brassica species, S concentrations were highest, while nitrate concentrations were lowest in leaves of plants grown at N supplied as 100% NH 4. No differences in leaf nitrate concentrations were observed between 50% NH 4 + 50% NO 3 and 100% NO 3 treatments. Low and high PAR levels increased the nitrate concentrations and decreased the N/S ratio in leaves of both crops compared to medium PAR level. Fresh shoot biomass was maximized in Brassica rapa when PAR level was above the medium value and nitrate was supplied in the nutrient solution as NO 3 or as a mixture of 50% NO 3 and 50% NH 4. The highest fresh shoot biomass of Brassica juncea was observed in all nutrient solution treatments at high PAR level.

Responses of Antarctic Iridaea cordata (Rhodophyta) tetraspores exposed to ultraviolet radiation

SUMMARYIn Antarctica ozone depletion is highest during spring, coinciding with the reproduction of many seaweed species. Propagules are the life‐stage of an alga most susceptible to environmental perturbations. Therefore, fertile thalli of Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory (Rhodophyta) were collected in the eulittoral of King George Island (Antarctica) to examine spore susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In the laboratory, freshly released tetraspores were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400–700 nm), PAR+UV‐A (320–700 nm) or PAR+UV‐A+UV‐B (280–700 nm). Photosynthetic efficiency was measured during 1–8 h of exposure and after 48 h of recovery. Additionally, mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) and DNA damage were determined. Saturating irradiance of photosynthesis of freshly released tetraspores was 57 µmol photons m−2 s−1. Exposure to increasing fluence of PAR reduced photosynthetic efficiency. UVR further decreased the photosynthetic efficiencies of the tetraspores but spores were able to recover completely after UVR exposure and 2 days post‐cultivation under low PAR. DNA damage was minimal and lesions were effectively repaired under photoreactivating light. Concentrations of the MAAs shinorine and palythine were higher in tetraspores treated with UVR than in spores only exposed to PAR. Generally, the tetraspores show a good UV tolerance. This flexible response of the tetraspores of this species to changing radiation conditions enables the alga to grow along a considerable depth gradient from the sublittoral to the eulittoral where they can be exposed to enhanced UVBR under conditions of stratospheric ozone depletion.

The vegetative arctic freshwater green alga Zygnema is insensitive to experimental UV exposure

The physiological performance and ultrastructural integrity of the vegetative freshwater green alga Zygnema sp., growing under ambient polar day solar radiation and after exposure to experimentally low radiation, but with high UVR:PAR ratio were investigated. In the laboratory, algae were exposed to low photosynthetic active radiation (PAR = P, 400–700 nm, 20 μmol m −2 s −1), PAR + UV-A = PA (320–400 nm, 4.00 W m −2 = UV-A) and PAR + UV-A + UV-B = PAB (280–320 nm, 0.42 W m −2 = UV-B) for 24 h at 7 °C. Photosynthetic performance and ultrastructure of ambient solar radiation-exposed (field control) and experimentally treated Zygnema samples were assessed using chlorophyll fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No significant treatment effect was observed in the photosynthesis–irradiance curve parameters. Exclusion of the UV-B spectrum in the laboratory treatment caused significantly lower effective photosynthetic quantum yield compared to samples exposed to the whole radiation spectrum. TEM revealed no obvious differences in the ultrastructure of field control and laboratory P-, PA- and PAB-exposed samples. Substantial amounts of lipid bodies, visualized by Sudan IV staining, were observed in all samples. Chloroplasts contained numerous plastoglobules. Organelles like mitochondria, Golgi bodies and the nucleus remained unaffected by the radiation exposures. Zygnema is well adapted to ambient solar radiation, enabling the alga to cope with experimental UV exposure and it is expected to persist in a scenario with enhanced UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion.

Effects of solar UV and visible radiations on the spiral structure and orientation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (Cyanophyta)

P. Li and K. Gao. 2008. Effects of solar UV and visible radiations on the spiral structure and orientation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (Cyanophyta). Phycologia 47: 573–579. DOI: 10.2216/08-19.1Morphological characteristics of Arthrospira spp. are important for product quality and harvesting efficiency. Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been previously shown to break their spirals. To further explore the relationship of morphology and UVR, we examined the spiral length, helix diameter, helical pitch and orientation of A. platensis while exposing the cells to solar radiation with or without UVR. Although solar exposures initially led to breakage of the spirals, no significant difference was found among the treatments with or without UVR. During the long-term exposures to solar radiation, the spirals became more compressed in the outdoor strain (grown under sunlight for decades) but more loosened in the indoor strain [grown under artificial photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for decades]. Spiral orientation was altered from the right- to left-handed only in the outdoor strain, with a frequency of less than 1%. Presence of UVR enhanced such an orientation change, and regrowing under indoor low PAR (UVR-free condition) reversed the orientation to right-handed. Structure of some membrane molecules was suggested to be altered by high solar PAR and UVR.

Growth, pigments, UV-absorbing compounds and agar yield of the economic red seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta) grown at different depths in the coastal waters of the South China Sea

The economic red alga, Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory, was grown at different depths in the coastal waters of the South China Sea, and its growth, pigments, ultra-violet (UV)-absorbing compounds and agar yield were investigated in order to see the impacts of depth change. Gracilaria lemaneiformis grew slower at greater depths in March, while the highest relative growth rate (RGR) was found at about 1.0 m depth in April, about 9% higher than that at surface water (0.5 m below the surface). The RGR increased with the increasing daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) dose received by the thalli at different depths. The contents of phycoerythrin and chlorophyll a increased, while that of UV-absorbing compounds (UVAC, absorption peak at 325 nm) decreased with increased depth. The highest levels of the UVAC in the thalli grown in surface seawater played a protective role against solar UV radiation (280–400 nm). The content of UVAC declined at deeper depths and under indoor low PAR. The agar yield of the thalli increased with the increasing depths, with the highest content found at 3.5 m depth.

Tomato quality is more dependent on temperature than on photosynthetically active radiation

AbstractBACKGROUND: A greenhouse experiment was performed to study the effect of cumulative air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) on tomato quality. Tomato plants were subjected to two different shading treatments causing a 30 and 50% reduction in incoming PAR respectively (plants were exposed to 70 and 50% of incoming PAR respectively). Control plants (exposed to 100% of incoming PAR) were also included in the experiment. The experiment was carried out under unheated greenhouse conditions. To minimise the dependence of temperature on PAR, only a small area inside a large greenhouse was shaded, thereby allowing air currents to homogenise temperature all over the enclosure. Parameters of tomato quality were correlated with cumulative temperature (Tcum) and cumulative PAR (PARcum) for a period of 45 days before harvest.RESULTS: Tcum was strongly correlated with firmness, electrical conductivity, soluble solids content and total phenolic compounds and weakly correlated with pH, dry weight, titratable acidity and vitamin C content. PARcum was only weakly correlated with firmness, dry weight, soluble solids content and total phenolic compounds.CONCLUSION: Tcum has a stronger influence on tomato quality than PARcum. Growers could obtain tomatoes of similar quality under lower PAR than that provided by natural sunlight. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Solar PAR and UV radiation affects the physiology and morphology of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Solar UV radiation (280–400 nm) may affect morphology of cyanobacteria, however, little has been evidenced on this aspect while their physiological responses were examined. We investigated the impacts of solar PAR and UVR on the growth, photosynthetic performance and morphology of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 while it was grown under three different solar radiation treatments: exposures to (a) constant low PAR (photosynthetic active radiation, 400–700 nm), (b) natural levels of solar radiation with and (c) without UV radiation (290–400 nm). When the cells were exposed to solar PAR or PAR + UVR, the photochemical efficiency was reduced by about 40% and 90%, respectively, on day one and recovered faster under the treatment without UVR over the following days. Solar UVR inhibited the growth up to 40%, reduced trichome length by up to 49% and depressed the differentiation of heterocysts. Negligible concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds were found even in the presence of UVR. During the first 2 d of exposure to natural levels of PAR, carotenoid concentrations increased but no prolonged increase was evident. Heterocyst formation was enhanced under elevated PAR levels that stimulated quantum yield and growth after an initial inhibition. Higher concentrations of carotenoids and a twofold increase in the carotenoid to chlorophyll a ratio provided protection from the high levels of solar PAR. Under radiation treatments with UVR the relatively greater decrease in chlorophyll a concentrations compared with the increase in carotenoids was responsible for the higher carotenoid: chlorophyll a ratio. Heterocyst formation was disrupted in the presence of solar UVR. However, the longer term impact of heterocyst disruption to the survival of Anabaena sp. requires further study.

Canopy water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain

Canopy water use efficiency ( W), the ratio of crop productivity to evapotranspiration (ET), is critical in determining the production and water use for winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in the North China Plain, where winter wheat is a major crop and rainfall is scarce and variable. With the eddy covariance (EC) technique, we estimated canopy W of winter wheat at gross primary productivity ( W G) and net ecosystem productivity ( W N) levels from revival to maturing in three seasons of 2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 at Yucheng Agro-ecosystem Station. Meanwhile we also measured the biomass-based water use efficiency ( W B). Our results indicate that W G, W N and W B showed the similar seasonal variation. Before jointing (revival-jointing), W G, W N and W B were obviously lower with the values of 2.09–3.54 g C kg −1, −0.71 to 0.06 g C kg −1 and 1.37–4.03 g kg −1, respectively. After jointing (jointing-heading), the winter wheat began to grow vigorously, and W G, W N and W B significantly increased to 5.26–6.78 g C kg −1, 1.47–1.86 g C kg −1 and 6.41–7.03 g kg −1, respectively. The maximums of W G, W N and W B occurred around the stage of heading. Thereafter, W G, W N and W B began to decrease. During the observed periods, three levels of productivity: GPP, NEP and aboveground biomass (AGB) all had fairly linear relationships with ET. The slopes of GPP–ET, NEP–ET and AGB–ET were 4.67–6.12 g C kg −1, 1.50–2.08 g C kg −1 and 6.87–11.02 g kg −1, respectively. Generally, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and daytime vapor pressure deficit ( D) had negative effects on W G, W N and W B except for on some cloudy days with low PAR and D. In many cases, W G, W N and W B showed the similar patterns. While there were still some obvious differences between them besides in magnitude, such as their significantly different responses to PAR and D on cloudy and moist days.

Photoperiod, light quality, and irradiance effects on flowering in the alpine and prairie ecotypes of Stellaria longipes

Plants growing in vegetative shade are subjected to reductions in both red to far-red (R/FR) light ratio and in irradiance levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). In this report we have attempted to uncouple the reduced R/FR ratio- and low PAR-mediated effects of shade on flowering in the ramets of Stellaria longipes Goldie s.l. (Caryophyllaceae) ecotypes collected from alpine “sun” and lower elevation prairie “shade” habitats. Both ecotypes were also tested for their flowering response (defined as the number of open flowers per ramet) to daylength. The alpine ecotype plants can best be classified as day-neutral, whereas prairie ecotype plants require long-days (LD). Under a low PAR of 115 μmol m–2·s–1 given under LD conditions at a reduced (0.7) R/FR ratio, alpine ecotype plants flowered significantly later relative to plants grown under the low PAR at a normal (1.22) R/FR ratio. In contrast, plants of the prairie ecotype flowered earlier under the reduced R/FR ratio combined with the same low PAR. Flower number per ramet differed significantly between the two ecotypes, with alpine ecotype plants developing fewer flowers under a low PAR (109 μmol m–2·s–1 irradiance) relative to a high PAR of 611 μmol m–2·s–1 (both given at a normal R/FR ratio). The prairie ecotype plants responded differently and had similar flower numbers under both low and high PARs at the normal (1.22) R/FR ratio. However, growing the prairie ecotype plants under a reduced R/FR ratio at a low PAR showed a significant increase in number of flowers. In contrast, plants grown under high (2.7) and normal (1.9) R/FR ratios combined with low PAR produced many more flowers than the alpine ecotype. Thus, the two components of shade, reduced R/FR ratio and low PAR can cause distinctly different flowering responses in sun and shade plants of S. longipes.

Uncoupling light quality from light irradiance effects in Helianthus annuus shoots: putative roles for plant hormones in leaf and internode growth

An attempt has been made to uncouple the effects of the two primary components of shade light, a reduced red to far-red (R/FR) ratio and low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), on the elongation of the youngest internode of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings. Maximal internode growth (length and biomass) was induced by a shade light having a reduced R/FR ratio (0.85) under the low PAR of 157 micromol m(-2) s(-1). Reducing the R/FR ratio under normal PAR (421 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) gave similar growth trends, albeit with a reduced magnitude of the response. Leaf area growth showed a rather different pattern, with maximal growth occurring at the higher (normal) PAR of 421 micromol m(-2) s(-1)), but with variable effects being seen with changes in light quality. Reducing the R/FR ratio (by enrichment with FR) gave significant increases in gibberellin A(1) (GA(1)) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) contents in both internodes and leaves. By contrast, a lower PAR irradiance had no significant effect on GA(1) and IAA levels in internodes or leaves, but did increase the levels of other GAs, including two precursors of GA(1). Interestingly, both leaf and internode hormone content (GAs, IAA) are positively and significantly correlated with growth of the internode, as are leaf levels of abscisic acid (ABA). However, changes in these three hormones bear little relationship to leaf growth. By implication, then, the leaf may be the major source of GAs and IAA, at least, for the rapidly elongating internode. Several other hormones were also assessed in leaves for plants grown under varying R/FR ratios and PARs. Leaf ethylene production was not influenced by changes in R/FR ratio, but was significantly reduced under the normal (higher) PAR, the irradiance treatment which increased leaf growth. Levels of the growth-active free base and riboside cytokinins were significantly increased in leaves under a reduced R/FR ratio, but only at the higher (normal) PAR irradiance; other light quality treatments evoked no significant changes. Taken in toto, these results indicate that both components of shade light can influence the levels of a wide range of endogenous hormones in internodes and leaves while evoking increased internode elongation and biomass accumulation. However, it is light quality changes (FR enrichment) which are most closely tied to increased hormone content, and especially with increased GA and IAA levels. Finally, the increases seen in internode and leaf GA content with a reduced R/FR ratio are consistent with FR enrichment inducing an overall increase in sunflower seedling GA biosynthesis.

The interaction of light quality and irradiance with gibberellins, cytokinins and auxin in regulating growth of Helianthus annuus hypocotyls

A reduced red to far-red (R/FR) light ratio and low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) irradiance are both strong signals for inducing etiolation growth of plant stems. Under natural field conditions, plants can be exposed to either a reduced R/FR ratio or lower PAR, or to a combination of both. We used Helianthus annuus L., the sunflower, to study the effect of reduced R/FR ratio, low PAR or their combination on hypocotyl elongation. To accomplish this, we attempted to uncouple light quality from light irradiance as factors controlling hypocotyl elongation. We measured alterations in the levels of endogenous gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs) and the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the effect of exogenous hormones on hypocotyl growth. As expected, both reduced R/FR ratio and lower PAR can significantly promote sunflower hypocotyl elongation when given separately. However, providing the reduced R/FR ratio at a low PAR resulted in the greatest hypocotyl growth, and this was accompanied by significantly higher levels of endogenous IAA, GA1, GA8, GA20 and of a wide range of CKs. Providing a reduced R/FR ratio under normal PAR also significantly increased growth and again gave significantly higher levels of endogenous IAA, GAs and CKs. However, only under the de-etiolating influence of a normal R/FR ratio did lowering PAR significantly increase levels of GA1, GA8 and GA20. We thus conclude that light quality (e.g. the R/FR ratio) is the most important component of shade for controlling hypocotyl growth and elevated growth hormone content.

Biotransformation of mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) in the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense

Changes in mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) induced by the increase of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were studied in the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense. Cultures of A. tamarense were maintained at exponential growth under low (25 μmol quanta m −2 s −1) PAR irradiance. The cultures were nutrient enriched and one day later exposed to higher irradiance (150 μmol quanta m −2 s −1). The content of MAAs was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Eleven MAAs, including some partially characterized compounds, were identified. The MAAs synthesis induction can be described as a two-stage process. The first one involves the net synthesis of the MAAs bi-substituted by amino acids. In the second stage these compounds were transformed into other secondary MAAs. The two most prominent changes were observed in the concentration of porphyra-334 and palythene. The cellular concentration of porphyra-334 increased during the first 2 h of exposure to higher irradiance and then decreased rapidly. In contrast, the cellular concentration of palythene showed a continuous accumulation since the beginning of the exposure. In A. tamarense the main route of MAAs transformation has porphyra-334 as a precursor of a sequential conversion resulting in the accumulation of palythene.