Low Photosynthetically Active Radiation Research Articles

Effects of UVR on Photosynthesis in Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh Adapted to Different Nitrogen Levels

In recent years, golden tides caused by drifting Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh have caused serious ecological disasters in coastal areas of China. Eutrophication is an important cause of the formation of the golden tide. Additionally, the drifting population on the surface of the ocean is exposed to more ultraviolet radiation (UVR) than the attached population on the sea floor. In this study, the thalli of S. horneri were cultivated under two levels of nitrogen (LN: natural seawater, in which the concentration of NO3−-N was 1 µmol L−1; HN: NO3−-enriched seawater, in which the concentration of NO3−-N was 200 μmol L−1) for 6 days with low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and then exposed to three levels of radiation (P: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), 400–700 nm; PA: PAR + UVA, 320–700 nm; PAB: PAR + UVA + UVB, 280–700 nm) under each level of nitrogen for 2 h to investigate the effects of high UVR and nitrogen on photosynthesis. The results showed that the high level of N (HN) only enhanced the synthesis of pigments after 6 days of pre-cultivation under low PAR. After 2 h of high UVR exposure, high P, PA, and PB decreased the maximum photochemical quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in S. horneri regardless of the N level, and PAB significantly decreased Fv/Fm compared to PA under the LN condition alone. Under the LN condition, compared to the P group, PA and PAB significantly promoted the synthesis of carotenoids. Under the HN condition, compared to the P group, PAB increased the absorbed flux by active RCs (ABS/RC) and dissipated the energy flux by active RCs (DI0/RC) in S. horneri alone. Furthermore, HN increased Fv/Fm, ABS/RC, and DI0/RC more in S. horneri with PAB in comparison to those in the LN and PAB group. However, no significant differences in these parameters were observed between the LN and HN conditions under the same UVR treatments. These results demonstrate that drifting S. horneri on the surface of seawater could be inhibited by the high P; however, S. horneri living in eutrophic high-nitrogen seawater may have a stronger ability to resist high UVR damage, especially with regard to PAB radiation, which may be one of the reasons for the formation of golden tides in coastal seawater.

Underwater light attenuation inhibits native submerged plants and facilitates the invasive co‐occurring plant Cabomba caroliniana

AbstractAimDecreasing in the diversity and distribution of native submerged plants have been widely observed in recent decades. Global underwater darkening, which is mainly caused by radiation dimming and a decrease in transparency due to, e.g. eutrophication, has emerged as a general trend that strongly hampers the growth of submerged plants in lakes by decreasing the light available for photosynthesis. However, few studies have attempted to compare the responses of native and invasive submerged plants to underwater darkening. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of light attenuation on the growth and photosynthesis traits of native and invasive submerged plants.LocationEast China.MethodThrough field investigations and a mesocosm experiment, the responses of functional traits of two representative native [water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)] and one invasive [Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)] plant species to various environmental factors, notably to underwater light attenuation, were studied.ResultsUnderwater photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) exerted a substantial effect on the relative coverage and abundance of the three studied submerged plants in their natural freshwater habitats. Invasive C. caroliniana showed relatively superior growth (total biomass and relative growth rate) and photosynthesis traits (maximum quantum yield of photosystem II Fv/Fm, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content and the ratio of Chl a and b contents) compared to the two native plants under low underwater PAR conditions. In contrast, under high underwater PAR conditions, C. caroliniana showed the opposite response.Main ConclusionsLight attenuation inhibits the growth of native submerged plants but facilitates the growth of invasive plant species. Restoration of freshwater lakes by reducing deterioration from underwater darkening (for instance, by reducing of external nutrients loading) may therefore constrain the growth and spread of the invasive C. caroliniana.

Implications of spatial-temporal shading in agrivoltaics under fixed tilt & tracking bifacial photovoltaic panels

The spatial and temporal behavior of the incident sunlight can have important implications for agrivoltaic (AV) crop yield. Here we explore the short term (daily) and long term (monthly) variations of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under various tracking and fixed-tilt agrivoltaic PV modules configurations and propose strategies to minimize the shade-induced crop yield loss. For a fixed row to row PV module spacing, vertically installed PV modules facing East/West provide the best spatial homogeneity and a higher intensity of net daily incident PAR, while the traditional North/South faced fixed tilt PV modules result in a high spatial contrast, i.e., a significantly lower PAR underneath the PV modules as compared to the open space between the adjacent rows of PV modules. The shading behavior for the horizontal single axis tracking PV modules shows a seasonal dependence, a higher shading vertically below the PV modules during winters and vice versa for summers. The spatial variation in the crop yield correlates well with that of the net daily PAR spatial pattern in the case of the shade sensitive crops (e.g., tomato) while the spatial yield for the shade tolerant crops (e.g., lettuce) is less affected by PAR variations. We propose an intercropping approach where the cultivated areas for crops having high and low shade sensitivity are identified based on the calculated spatial PAR pattern. A case study of intercropping lettuce with tomato under various PV module configurations shows that this approach can minimize the biomass loss for shade sensitive crops in the presence of spatial PAR heterogeneity.

Influence of canopy architecture on the light interception, photosynthetic and biomass productivity in irrigated elite Sri Lankan rice varieties

Purpose: Canopy light interception and extinction play a crucial role in determining crop yield. Developing new rice varieties with improved canopy architecture along with modified intrinsic photosynthetic mechanisms will ensure the global food security. However, a comprehensive understanding of local rice varieties addressing on such avenues have not been reported. Hence, our pioneering experiments were carried out to elucidate such underlying properties among locally developed two elite rice varieties viz; At-362 and Bg 94-1 grown in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. Research Method: The field experiment was carried out at the Agro Tech Park, Malwatta (7°20'N and 81°44'E altitude 16.0 m above sea level) between October 2019 to January 2020 implemented with Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. The Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) distribution on the above and below canopy level was measured during the pre and post-anthesis stages. Then leaf stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and the chlorophyll content were also measured. At harvest, the final biomass produced were compared. Findings: The result revealed that variety At-362 had a higher Leaf Area Index (LAI) of 2.64 at pre anthesis and tend to decline at the latter part of their growth cycle. The striking feature was the extinction coefficient (k) seems to be much lower (0.47) in the At-362 variety than the Bg 94-1 (0.60) depicting that the former has produced vertical leaves (erect-leaf type) while the latter tends to produce horizontal leaf plans in the canopy. Hence, light attenuation was high and eventually, the bottom canopy layer received much lower PAR. Furthermore, LAI had a strong negative correlation with understory PAR indicating that the canopy architecture with an improved light interception will lead to permit more light penetration and utilization through the improved quantum yield efficiencies than the horizontal canopies. Hence significantly (p<0.05) improved above-ground biomass and panicle weight were observed in At-362. Originality/value: This experiment depicts that rice yield could be further improved through introgression of canopy architectural features along with improved photosynthetic traits.

利用叶片荧光参数估算油蒿灌丛群落生态系统生产力

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 利用叶片荧光参数估算油蒿灌丛群落生态系统生产力 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202103210750 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金（32071842，31901366，32071843） Estimating ecosystem productivity from leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameter in Artemisia ordosica shrub community Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:生态系统生产力（GEP）在全球碳循环中具有重要意义，但其准确估算仍然是一个挑战。近年来，叶绿素荧光和冠层GEP的关联成为生态学的研究热点，关系尚不清楚且存在广泛争议。于2015年对宁夏盐池毛乌素沙地荒漠灌木油蒿（Artemisia ordosica）灌丛生态系统碳交换（NEE）特征进行连续观测，使用多通道荧光监测仪对通量贡献区内油蒿叶片的实时荧光（Fs）和光下荧光（Fm'）进行原位连续监测，叶面积指数（LAI）、归一化植被指数（NDVI）以及环境因子同步观测。利用光合有效辐射（PAR）、LAI和实际光化学效率（ΦPSII）等参数构建基于叶绿素荧光的生态系统生产力（GEPChlF）模型，探究叶片和冠层尺度不同参数对环境因子波动的响应，比较分析GEPChlF和基于涡度相关法监测生态系统生产力（GEPEC）相关性及GEPChlF的适用性。研究发现，ΦPSII和NEE日变化规律一致，ΦPSII、GEPChlF和GEPEC由PAR控制，受空气温度（Ta）和饱和水汽压差（VPD）调控，土壤含水量（SWC）和ΦPSII呈显著正相关（P<0.01）。PAR处于400-800 μmol m-2 s-1时，GEPChlF与GEPEC线性关系最优，斜率为0.627（R2=0.67，P<0.01）；弱光下GEPChlF的低估可能是由于冠层实际光能拦截率高造成；强光下GEPChlF显著高于GEPEC，呈非线性关系，可能是GEPEC基于夜间温度敏感性所拟合的生态系统呼吸（Re）无法预测光呼吸部分所导致。GEPChlF具有荧光参数的特性，对环境波动更加敏感，和环境因子相关性优于GEPEC。结果表明，高辐射、极端温度、高蒸腾和干旱是限制叶片和冠层尺度下油蒿光合过程的主要胁迫因素。本研究构建的荒漠生态系统光合过程模型GEPChlF能够替代GEPEC作为一个良好的冠层尺度生态参数，所提出的空间尺度上推方法可为促进区域可持续发展提供数据支撑和决策参考。 Abstract:Accurate estimation of gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) remains a challenge despite its importance in the global carbon cycle. Recently, the relationship between chlorophyll fluorescence and canopy GEP becomes an important scientific concern in plant ecology. However, it remains unclear how they are linked at multiple spatial scales across the growing season. In this study, continuous measurements of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) were made in a desert shrub (Artemisia ordosica) ecosystem using eddy covariance (EC) technique from May to October 2015 in Mu Us desert. The real-time fluorescence (Fs) and fluorescence under light (Fm') were also measured in situ using the Monitoring-PAM multi-channel fluorometer. Leaf area index (LAI), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and environmental factors including photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air temperature (Ta), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), soil water content (SWC) and precipitation (PPT) were measured simultaneously within the range of carbon flux contribution. We developed a chlorophyll fluorescence-based model with input variables of photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), PAR, and LAI to estimate ecosystem productivity (GEPChlF). We then compared the applicability of GEPChlF with EC-based GEP (GEPEC) and examined the responses of different parameters to environmental factors at leaf and canopy scales. As a result, the diurnal pattern of ΦPSII was similar to that of NEE, being mainly controlled by PAR and modified positively by Ta and VPD (P<0.01). The ΦPSII had a significantly positive correlation with SWC (P<0.01). The GEPChlF agreed well with GEPEC when PAR was 400-800 μmol m-2 s-1, with a slope of 0.627 (R2=0.67, P<0.01). The GEPChlF was likely to be underestimated under low PAR, leading to a high light interception rate of canopy, thus resulting in a low absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) in the model. The GEPChlF was significantly higher than GEPEC under high PAR and their relationship was nonlinear, which may be due to Artemisia ordosica released excessive sunlight energy for photo-respiration, nitrogen metabolism, Miller reaction and other processes. It was noted that photo-respiration was difficult to predict accurately because the daytime ecosystem respiration (Re) was simulated on the basis of nocturnal temperature sensitivity. Compared with GEPEC, chlorophyll fluorescence-derived GEPChlF was more sensitive to environmental fluctuations and had a better relation with environmental factors. Our results confirmed that the GEPChlF from chlorophyll fluorescence-based model could replace GEPEC as a good ecological parameter at canopy scale in consideration of the plant physiological status. We found that excessive radiation, extreme temperature, high transpiration and drought were the main stress factors limiting the photosynthetic process of Artemisia ordosica at different spatial scales. The study provides a method for estimating ecosystem productivity under the stressed environmental conditions on the basis of monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence in relation to environmental factors. The present results may scientifically support decision-making for promoting regional sustainable development. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

A comparison of physiological responses between attached and pelagic populations of Sargassum horneri under nutrient and light limitation

Large-scale Sargassum blooms have been increasingly observed in coastal zones in recent years. Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh blooms (pelagic) have been observed in Jeju Island (Korea) and the southwest of the Korean Peninsula, causing serious problems for seaweed and abalone farms as well as for fisheries, tourism and recreational industries. The present study explored the physiological responses of attached and pelagic S. horneri populations cultivated under different nutrient concentrations (HN: 50 μM of nitrogen and 5 μM of phosphorus; LN: 5 μM of nitrogen and 0.5 μM of phosphorus) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (H-PAR: 250; M-PAR: 150; L-PAR: 50 μmol photons m−2 s−1) for 25 days. Relative growth rates (RGR) were significantly lower in the pelagic population than that in the attached population. All thalli from the pelagic population died within 20 days. Chlorophyll a and c, and carotenoids were significantly higher at HN than at LN, and decreased as PAR increased for both populations. For the attached population, photosynthetic rate, tissue nitrogen, and carbon and nitrogen removal were also significantly higher at HN than at LN. These results suggest that high nutrient and lower PAR increased the biomass accumulation of attached populations in coastal areas. Nutrient limitation and high PAR may accelerate senescence of the pelagic populations while traveling on the sea surface from their point of origin.

Phytochrome A elevates plant circadian-clock components to suppress shade avoidance in deep-canopy shade

Shade-avoiding plants can detect the presence of neighboring vegetation and evoke escape responses before canopy cover limits photosynthesis. Rapid stem elongation facilitates light foraging and enables plants to overtop competitors. A major regulator of this response is the phytochrome B photoreceptor, which becomes inactivated in light environments with a low ratio of red to far-red light (low R:FR), characteristic of vegetational shade. Although shade avoidance can provide plants with a competitive advantage in fast-growing stands, excessive stem elongation can be detrimental to plant survival. As such, plants have evolved multiple feedback mechanisms to attenuate shade-avoidance signaling. The very low R:FR and reduced levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) present in deep canopy shade can, together, trigger phytochrome A (phyA) signaling, inhibiting shade avoidance and promoting plant survival when resources are severely limited. The molecular mechanisms underlying this response have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana phyA elevates early-evening expression of the central circadian-clock components TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1), PSEUDO RESPONSE REGULATOR 7 (PRR7), EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), and ELF4 in photocycles of low R:FR and low PAR. These collectively suppress stem elongation, antagonizing shade avoidance in deep canopy shade.

The inhibitory effects of the antifouling compound Irgarol 1051 on the marine diatom Skeletonema sp. across a broad range of photosynthetically active radiation.

The release of anthropogenic organic pollutants has resulted in extensive environmental risks to coastal waters. Among pollutants released, the most common antifoulant, Irgarol 1051, is an effective inhibitor of photosystem II of photoautotrophs; thus, the continuous release of this compound into surrounding seawater would potentially threaten marine algae. To investigate this, we grew the model marine diatom Skeletonema sp. at different concentrations of Irgarol 1051 and levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Irgarol did not affect the photochemical capacity when cells were incubated in the dark, but photochemical yields all significantly decreased, and relative inhibition by Irgarol increased once cells were exposed to even the lowest PAR, with lower photochemical yields observed under increased level of Irgarol. In addition, the rate of decrease in yield increased with Irgarol concentration but was unchanged among PAR treatments. The growth rates showed a similar pattern to photochemical yields, with lower values under higher Irgarol concentrations, but with no significant differences in the effect of Irgarol observed between the light levels employed. The ratio of repair to damage rates of PSII clearly shows that this ratio decreased with light intensity, largely due to increases in damage rates and that the PAR level at which repair balanced damage decreased under a high level of Irgarol. Our results suggest that the inhibitory effects of Irgarol become obvious after PAR exposure even at a relatively low light level, suggesting that Irgarol would affect phytoplankton throughout the daytime, and may therefore have a broad environmental risk, potentially limiting coastal primary production.

Intercepted Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Transmitted PAR under High-Density and Super High-Density Olive Orchards

We quantified the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception in a high-density (HD) and a super high-density (SHD) or hedgerow olive system, by measuring the PAR transmitted under the canopy along transects at increasing distance from the tree rows. Transmitted PAR was measured every minute, then cumulated over the day and the season. The frequencies of the different PAR levels occurring during the day were calculated. SHD intercepted significantly but slightly less overall PAR than HD (0.57 ± 0.002 vs. 0.62 ± 0.03 of the PAR incident above the canopy) but had a much greater spatial variability of transmitted PAR (0.21 under the tree row, up to 0.59 in the alley center), compared to HD (range: 0.34–0.43). This corresponded to greater variability in the frequencies of daily PAR values, with the more shaded positions receiving greater frequencies of low PAR values. The much lower PAR level under the tree row in SHD, compared to any position in HD, implies greater self-shading in lower-canopy layers, despite similar overall interception. Therefore, knowing overall PAR interception does not allow an understanding of differences in PAR distribution on the ground and within the canopy and their possible effects on canopy radiation use efficiency (RUE) and performance, between different architectural systems.

Grapevine morphological shade acclimation is mediated by light quality whereas hydraulic shade acclimation is mediated by light intensity

Plants acclimate to shade by sensing light signals such as low photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), low blue light (BL) levels and low red-to-far red ratios (R:FR) trough plant photoreceptors cross talk. We previously demonstrated that grapevine is irresponsive to variations in R:FR and that BL-attenuation mediates morphological and architectural responses to shade increasing light interception and absorption efficiencies. However, we wondered if grapevine respond to low R:FR when BL is attenuated at the same time. Our objective was to evaluate if morphological, architectural and hydraulic acclimation to shade is mediated by low R:FR ratios and BL attenuation. To test this, we carried out experiments under natural radiation, manipulating light quality by selective sunlight exclusion and light supplementation. We grew grapevines under low PAR (LP) and four high PAR (HP) treatments: HP, HP plus FR supplementation (HP + FR), HP with BL attenuation (HP–B) and HP with BL attenuation plus FR supplementation (HP–B + FR). We found that plants grown under HP-B and HP-B + FR had similar morphological (stem and petiole length, leaf thickness and area), architectural (laminae’ angles) and anatomical (stomatal density) traits than plants grown under LP. However, only LP plants presented lower stomata differentiation, lower δ13C and hence lower water use efficiency. Therefore, even under a BL and R:FR attenuated environment, morphological and architectural responses were modulated by BL but not by variation in R:FR. Meanwhile water relations were affected by PAR intensity but not by changes in light quality. Knowing grapevine responses to light quantity and quality are indispensable to adopt tools or design new cultural management practices that manipulate irradiance in the field intending to improve crop performance.

English

Crop canopy architecture is known to affect weed performance. Field experiments were conducted to examine the effect of altered crop canopy architecture and light interception on growth and development of wild proso millet and giant foxtail, two problematic weed species. Crop canopy architecture was manipulated by planting two sweet corn varieties contrasting in canopy architecture (Bonus-has a dense leaf canopy and Sprint-has an open leaf canopy) at two row spacings (51-cm and 76-cm rows). Results showed that sweet corn variety, rather than row spacing, altered crop canopy architecture, which in turn altered photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and red:far-red light ratio (R:FR) received by both weeds. The competitive Bonus canopy had a higher (P&lt;0.05) PAR and R:FR than Sprint at anthesis and harvest. Bonus also more effectively suppressed weed growth and development than Sprint, and weeds growing on Bonus plots had reduced tiller numbers, reduced biomass, lower population densities, and reduced seed production (P&lt;0.05). These responses were attributed to the Bonus canopy having a higher canopy area index, which intercepted more light resulting in lower PAR and R:FR received by both weeds. This study suggests that crop variety selection is an important consideration for weed suppression in row-cropping systems. Key words: Crop canopy architecture, light interception, photosynthetically active radiation, red:far-red ratio, row spacing, sweet corn, wild proso millet, giant foxtail.

Smart glass impacts stomatal sensitivity of greenhouse Capsicum through altered light.

Optical films that alter light transmittance may reduce energy consumption in high-tech greenhouses, but their impact on crop physiology remains unclear. We compared the stomatal responses of Capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or the smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked >50% of short-wave radiation and ~9% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). SG had no significant effects on steady-state (gs) or maximal (gmax) stomatal conductance. In contrast, SG reduced stomatal pore size and sensitivity to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), thereby increasing rates of leaf water loss, guard cell K+ and Cl- efflux, and Ca2+ influx. SG induced faster stomatal closing and opening rates on transition between low (100 µmol m-2 s-1) and high PAR (1500 µmol m-2 s-1), which compromised water use efficiency relative to control plants. The fraction of blue light (0% or 10%) did not affect gs in either treatment. Increased expression of stomatal closure and photoreceptor genes in epidermal peels of SG plants is consistent with fast stomatal responses to light changes. In conclusion, stomatal responses of Capsicum to SG were more affected by changes in light intensity than spectral quality, and re-engineering of the SG should maximize PAR transmission, and hence CO2 assimilation.

Long-term straw incorporation increases rice yield stability under high fertilization level conditions in the rice–wheat system

Straw incorporation is a global common practice to improve soil fertility and rice yield. However, the effect of straw incorporation on rice yield stability is still unknown, especially under high fertilization level conditions. Here, we reported the effect of straw returning on rice yield and yield stability under high fertilization levels in the rice–wheat system over nine years. The results showed that straw incorporation did not significantly affect the average rice yield of nine years. Straw incorporation reduced the coefficient of variation of rice yield by 25.8% and increased the sustainable yield index by 8.2%. The rice yield positively correlated with mean photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of rice growth season and the effects of straw incorporation on rice yield depended on the PAR. Straw incorporation increased the rice yield by 5.4% in the low PAR years, whereas it did not affect the rice yield in the high PAR years. Long-term straw incorporation lowered soil bulk density but improved the soil organic matter, total N, available N, available P, and available K more strongly than straw removal. Our findings suggest that straw incorporation can increase rice yield stability through improving the resistance of rice plant growth to low PAR.

Spatial-Temporal Shading Under Mobile &amp; Fixed Tilt Bifacial Agrivoltaic Panels &amp; Implications for the Cropping Practices

Spatial and temporal behavior of the incident sunlight can have important implications for agrivoltaic (AV) crop yield. We explore the daily and monthly variations of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under various tracking and fixed-tilt agrivoltaic solar panels and propose strategies to minimize the shade-induced crop yield loss. Vertically installed solar panels facing East/West provide the best spatial homogeneity and a higher intensity of net daily incident PAR, while North/South faced fixed tilt panels result in a high spatial contrast, i.e., a significantly lower PAR underneath the panels as compared to the spacing between the adjacent panel rows. The shading behavior for the horizontal single axis tracking panels shows a seasonal dependence, a higher shading below the panels during winters and vice versa for summers. The spatial variation in the crop yield correlates well with that of the net daily PAR pattern in the case of the shade sensitive crops (e.g., tomato) while the spatial yield for the shade tolerant crops (e.g., lettuce) is less affected by PAR variations. We propose an intercropping approach using crops with high and low shade sensitivity to minimize the biomass loss related to PAR heterogeneity and present lettuce/tomato intercropping schemes under various agrivoltaic configurations

Seasonal variation in the lipid profile of Acropora millepora at Halfway Island, Great Barrier Reef

To understand how environmental conditions and reproductive events affect coral energetic status, seasonal variations in lipid and fatty acid profiles of the common scleractinian coral, Acropora millepora, were studied from pre-spawning in November 2009 until post-spawning in November 2010 at Halfway Island (in the Keppel Island Group, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia). Seasonal chlorophyll levels, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), rainfall and water temperature were major drivers of the overall coral lipid profile, and this was particularly pronounced in correlations with the important, high-energy lipid, triacylglycerol. This likely reflected changing food sources and feeding modes (i.e. phototrophy vs heterotrophy), which corresponds to the opportunistic feeding behaviour of corals. Water temperature was also a major influencer of the coral fatty acid profile. In particular, saturated fatty acids correlated positively with water temperature, while polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated negatively, reflecting cell membrane fluidity regulation, which is necessary for coral to tolerate changing temperatures. Spawning and maternal provisioning also proved to be a major driver of change in the coral lipid profile. The mass spawning events in spring for both 2009 and 2010 caused reductions in the important coral egg constituents: wax ester, triacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and fatty acid 10:0. Interestingly, lipid accumulation was significantly lower in the 2010 spawn compared to 2009, possibly due to lower PAR and chlorophyll levels, reflecting reduced photosynthetic activity and phytoplankton availability. Regardless, in 2010, resource provisioning to egg production was greater than in 2009, suggesting increased reproductive effort in the face of environmental stress. This study demonstrates the strong influence of opportunistic heterotrophy and autotrophy and maternal provisioning on the coral lipid profile. Such information is fundamental to understanding the environmental and biochemical processes underlying coral health and predicting how anomalous events and climate-driven changes will affect coral reef assemblages.

Adaptation of Coccomyxa sp. to Extremely Low Light Conditions Causes Deep Chlorophyll and Oxygen Maxima in Acidic Pit Lakes.

Deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) and metalimnetic oxygen maxima (MOM) are outstanding biogeochemical features of acidic pit lakes (APL). However, knowledge of the eukaryotic phototrophs responsible for their formation is limited. We aimed at linking the dynamics of phototrophic communities inhabiting meromictic APL in Spain with the formation of these characteristic layers. Firstly, the dynamics of DCM and MOM and their relation to physico-chemical parameters (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), pH, dissolved ferric iron concentration, temperature), pigments and nutrient distribution is described; secondly, the phototrophic community composition is studied through a combination of microscopy, biomolecular and “omics” tools. Phototrophic communities of the studied APL show a low diversity dominated by green microalgae, specifically Coccomyxa sp., which have been successfully adapted to the chemically harsh conditions. DCM and MOM are usually non-coincident. DCM correspond to layers where phototrophs have higher chlorophyll content per cell to cope with extremely low PAR (<1 µmol m−2 s−1), but where photosynthetic oxygen production is limited. MOM correspond to shallower waters with more light, higher phytoplankton biomass and intense photosynthetic activity, which affects both oxygen concentration and water temperature. The main drivers of DCM formation in these APL are likely the need for nutrient uptake and photo-acclimation.

Effect of light and temperature on photosynthesis of a cultivated brown alga, Saccharina sculpera (Laminariales), from Japan

ABSTRACT Understanding the physiological responses of kelp to environmental parameters is essential for the conservation of natural kelp beds and increased cultivation yield. We investigated the effects of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on photosynthesis of a subarctic edible brown alga, Saccharina sculpera (Laminariales), using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)–chlorophyll fluorometry and optical dissolved oxygen sensors. Photosynthesis–PAR experiments at 8 °C, 15 °C, and 22 °C revealed the highest net photosynthetic rates at 22 °C. Values for compensation (Ec) and saturation (Ek) indicated a high affinity for a light environment that reflected the natural vertical habitat of this alga. The photosynthetic response of S. sculpera to temperature indicated that the optimum temperature for oxygenic photosynthesis () was 22.9 °C, which was consistent with the highest seawater temperature in Japanese distribution range for this subarctic species. The alga survived for 168 h at 24 °C in darkness. Continuous 6 h exposure to PAR of 100 µmol (low) and 1000 µmol (high) photons m–2 s–1 at 8 °C, 15 °C, and 22 °C induced chronic photoinhibition in the alga, with greater declines in effective quantum yields of photosystem II (ΦPSII). Failure to recover Fv/Fm after dark acclimation at low and high PAR was observed, except for low PAR at 8 °C. The physiological performance of S. sculpera indicates an affinity for a low light environment. We expect that our results will lead to an improvement in aquaculture techniques through the regulation of cultivation depth.

Fatty acid composition of olive oil in response to fruit canopy position and artificial shading

The fatty acid composition of olive oil is greatly affected by geographical origin, and olive oil is often promoted by health experts because of its high oleic acid concentration. Unfortunately, recent evidence has shown that oleic acid (%) can be low in many non-Mediterranean regions due to high temperatures. Thus, management tools related to irrigation, fertilization, and canopy management are being sought that might improve fatty acid composition in such regions. The objectives here were to: 1) evaluate the relationships between fatty acid composition in fruit at different canopy positions and both the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and red-to-far red ratio (R/FR) measured at these same positions; and 2) determine the response functions of the fatty acid concentrations to PAR using multiple shading levels applied at different fruit growth phases. Fruit samples were taken from 60 canopy positions in a large olive hedgerow (cv. Arbequina) to achieve the first objective, and different shading levels (3, 20, 40, 70% PAR) were applied using shade cloth over the northern portion of large individual trees (cv. Arbequina) for the second objective. The oleic acid concentration (%) showed a significant exponential decay with increasing daily PAR values obtained from the different canopy positions. Maximum values of about 60% oleic acid were observed at low PAR and minimum values of 50% occurred at high PAR. Based on the artificial shading treatments, the high oleic acid at shaded canopy positions appeared to be related to less fruit maturation. The other main fatty acids did not differ by canopy position, and no significant relationships between individual fatty acids and R/FR ratio were found. However, severe artificial shading under shade cloth did increase stearic and linolenic acid concentrations. Despite oleic acid being about 10% higher in the more shaded parts of the canopy, cultivating olive trees at low PAR values in order to meet international olive oil trade standards would likely not be commercially feasible due to low flowering and yields. Careful cultivar selection, early harvesting when fruit are less mature and oleic acid is higher, and blending of oils from different cultivars are recommended to improve fatty acid composition in warm regions.

Eco-physiological responses of desert and riverain legume plant species to extreme environmental stress

Abstract Drought and heat events frequency and severity are expected to increase in the near future as responses to global warming, influencing crops productivity and human diet as result in the increasing soil aridity and area affected by drought. It is becoming increasingly important to find new crop plants or genotypes of crops that have adaptation strategies to water loss at extreme arid conditions. It was hypothesized that growth and development of plants are affected differently by drought stress, depending on their nature habitats whether desert or riverain. In this current research, we compared the changes in physiological behavior between desert and riverain legume plants, as response to drought stress at two levels of water regimes. Rates of transpiration were highly correlated to radiation. Transpiration increases with the increase in photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) at both levels of water regimes. Highest photosynthesis (pn) and transpiration (E) were achieved in R. minima at both low water regime and high PAR (1250). The super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase activities were higher in Rhynchosia minima. Drought stress induced significant accumulation of total sugars, flavonoids, saponins, proteins and phenolics. The higher photosynthesis rate, higher flavonoids and phenolics content and stronger activity of protective enzymes were the important physiological reasons for the drought resistance of Rhynchosia minima.

Energetic and Environmental Constraints on the Community Structure of Benthic Microbial Mats in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

ABSTRACTEcological communities are regulated by the flow of energy through environments. Energy flow is typically limited by access to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and oxygen concentration (O2). The microbial mats growing on the bottom of Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, have well-defined environmental gradients in PAR and (O2). We analyzed the metagenomes of layers from these microbial mats to test the extent to which access to oxygen and light controls community structure. We found variation in the diversity and relative abundances of Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryotes across three (O2) and PAR conditions: high (O2) and maximum PAR, variable (O2) with lower maximum PAR, and low (O2) and maximum PAR. We found distinct communities structured by the optimization of energy use on a millimeter-scale across these conditions. In mat layers where (O2) was saturated, PAR structured the community. In contrast, (O2) positively correlated with diversity and affected the distribution of dominant populations across the three habitats, suggesting that meter-scale diversity is structured by energy availability. Microbial communities changed across covarying gradients of PAR and (O2). The comprehensive metagenomic analysis suggests that the benthic microbial communities in Lake Fryxell are structured by energy flow across both meter- and millimeter-scales.