Quantum Yield Of CO2 Fixation Research Articles

An insight into spectral composition of light available for photosynthesis via remotely assessed absorption coefficient at leaf and canopy levels.

Non-invasive comparative analysis of the spectral composition of energy absorbed by crop species at leaf and plant levels was carried out using the absorption coefficient retrieved from leaf and plant reflectance as an informative metric. In leaves of three species with contrasting leaf structures and photosynthetic pathways (maize, soybean, and rice), the blue, green, and red fractions of leaf absorption coefficients were 48, 20, and 32%, respectively. The fraction of green light in the total budget of light absorbed at the plant level was higher than at the leaf level approaching the size of the red fraction (24% green vs. 25.5% red) and surpassing it inside the canopy. The plant absorption coefficient in the far-red region (700-750nm) was significant reaching 7-10% of the absorption coefficient in green or red regions. The spectral composition of the absorbed light in the three species was virtually the same. Fractions of light in absorbed PAR remained almost invariant during growing season over a wide range of plant chlorophyll content. Fractions of absorption coefficient in the green, red, and far-red were in accord with published results of quantum yield for CO2 fixation on an absorbed light basis. The role of green and far-red light in photosynthesis was demonstrated in simple experiments in natural conditions. The results show the potential for using leaf and plant absorption coefficients retrieved from reflectance to quantify photosynthesis in each spectral range.

Substituting Far-Red for Traditionally Defined Photosynthetic Photons Results in Equal Canopy Quantum Yield for CO2 Fixation and Increased Photon Capture During Long-Term Studies: Implications for Re-Defining PAR.

Far-red photons regulate shade avoidance responses and can have powerful effects on plant morphology and radiation capture. Recent studies have shown that far-red photons (700 to 750 nm) efficiently drive photosynthesis when added to traditionally defined photosynthetic photons (400–700 nm). But the long-term effects of far-red photons on canopy quantum yield have not yet been determined. We grew lettuce in a four-chamber, steady-state canopy gas-exchange system to separately quantify canopy photon capture, quantum yield for CO2 fixation, and carbon use efficiency. These measurements facilitate a mechanistic understanding of the effect of far-red photons on the components of plant growth. Day-time photosynthesis and night-time respiration of lettuce canopies were continuously monitored from seedling to harvest in five replicate studies. Plants were grown under a background of either red/blue or white light, each background with or without 15% (50 μmol m−2 s−1) of far-red photons substituting for photons between 400 and 700 nm. All four treatments contained 31.5% blue photons, and an equal total photon flux from 400 to 750 nm of 350 μmol m−2 s−1. Both treatments with far-red photons had higher canopy photon capture, increased daily carbon gain (net photosynthesis minus respiration at night), and 29 to 31% more biomass than control treatments. Canopy quantum yield was similar among treatments (0.057 ± 0.002 mol of CO2 fixed in gross photosynthesis per mole of absorbed photons integrated over 400 to 750 nm). Carbon use efficiency (daily carbon gain/gross photosynthesis) was also similar for mature plants (0.61 ± 0.02). Photosynthesis increased linearly with increasing photon capture and had a common slope among all four treatments, which demonstrates that the faster growth with far-red photon substitution was caused by enhanced photon capture through increased leaf expansion. The equivalent canopy quantum yield among treatments indicates that the absorbed far-red photons were equally efficient for photosynthesis when acting synergistically with the 400–700 nm photons.

Terrestrial biosphere models may overestimate Arctic CO2 assimilation if they do not account for decreased quantum yield and convexity at low temperature.

How terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) represent leaf photosynthesis and its sensitivity to temperature are two critical components of understanding and predicting the response of the Arctic carbon cycle to global change. We measured the effect of temperature on the response of photosynthesis to irradiance in six Arctic plant species and determined the quantum yield of CO2 fixation ( ) and the convexity factor (θ). We also determined leaf absorptance (α) from measured reflectance to calculate on an absorbed light basis ( ) and enabled comparison with nine TBMs. The mean was 0.045molCO2 mol-1 absorbed quanta at 25°C and closely agreed with the mean TBM parameterisation (0.044), but as temperature decreased measured diverged from TBMs. At 5°C measured was markedly reduced (0.025) and 60% lower than TBM estimates. The θ also showed a significant reduction between 25°C and 5°C. At 5°C θ was 38% lower than the common model parameterisation of 0.7. These data show that TBMs are not accounting for observed reductions in and θ that can occur at low temperature. Ignoring these reductions in and θ could lead to a marked (45%) overestimation of CO2 assimilation at subsaturating irradiance and low temperature.

Phenotypic plasticity to photon flux density of physiological, anatomical and growth traits in a modern Criollo cocoa clone.

Cocoa grows under shade, but some cultivars develop successfully in full sunlight. In order to characterize the response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of a Modern Criollo cocoa clone, gas exchange, photochemical activity and leaf traits, and their relation to growth were measured in seedlings growing in a greenhouse at three different values of PPFD, as well as in adults in full sunlight and shade in the field. Plants showed changes in physiological, biochemical, and morpho-anatomical traits in response to the different light conditions, and in the phenotypic plasticity of these variables. Seedlings subjected to high PPFD in the greenhouse showed decreases in photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation and photochemical quenching, and increases in non-photochemical quenching, suggesting down-regulation of PSII. In contrast, trees under full sunlight in the field showed a marked reduction in maximum quantum yield of PSII, indicating photoinhibition and supporting that cocoa is a shade tolerant crop. Cocoa showed higher plasticity of physiological and biochemical variables than morpho-anatomical variables in response to PPFD. Effects of time under treatment in the greenhouse and plant age (greenhouse vs field) on plasticity were observed. The acclimation observed in some of the variables studied after 6 months in high light did not represent a particular advantage to seedlings, since relative growth rate was lower than in low- and medium-light seedlings.

An Excel tool for deriving key photosynthetic parameters from combined gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence: theory and practice.

Combined photosynthetic gas exchange and modulated fluorometres are widely used to evaluate physiological characteristics associated with phenotypic and genotypic variation, whether in response to genetic manipulation or resource limitation in natural vegetation or crops. After describing relatively simple experimental procedures, we present the theoretical background to the derivation of photosynthetic parameters, and provide a freely available Excel-based fitting tool (EFT) that will be of use to specialists and non-specialists alike. We use data acquired in concurrent variable fluorescence-gas exchange experiments, where A/Ci and light-response curves have been measured under ambient and low oxygen. From these data, the EFT derives light respiration, initial PSII (photosystem II) photochemical yield, initial quantum yield for CO2 fixation, fraction of incident light harvested by PSII, initial quantum yield for electron transport, electron transport rate, rate of photorespiration, stomatal limitation, Rubisco (ribulose 1·5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) rate of carboxylation and oxygenation, Rubisco specificity factor, mesophyll conductance to CO2 diffusion, light and CO2 compensation point, Rubisco apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, and Rubisco CO2 -saturated carboxylation rate. As an example, a complete analysis of gas exchange data on tobacco plants is provided. We also discuss potential measurement problems and pitfalls, and suggest how such empirical data could subsequently be used to parameterize predictive photosynthetic models.

Impacts of leafroll‐associated viruses (GLRaV‐1 and ‐3) on the physiology of the Portuguese grapevine cultivar ‘Touriga Nacional’ growing under field conditions

AbstractThe impact of mixed infection of grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 1 and 3 (GLRaV‐1&‐3) on physiological performance of the Portuguese grapevine variety ‘Touriga Nacional’ was evaluated during 3 years with the main purpose of understanding the drastic reduction in yield. Overall, gas exchange was negatively affected in leaves with these leafroll virus infections. Particularly at ripeness stage, the reduction in stomatal conductance (gs) was higher than in net CO2 assimilation rate (A), leading to higher intrinsic water use efficiency (A/gs) in infected leaves. However, the decrease in gs and A were not a consequence of the decrease in bulk water potential, as the water index/normalised difference vegetation index ratio suggested similar magnitude for both treatments. The maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II was unaffected by GLRaV‐1&‐3, whereas quantum effective efficiency of PSII, apparent electron transport rate and photochemical quenching significantly decreased in infected leaves and these was paralleled by a significant increase of non‐photochemical quenching. Relative to carbon metabolism, the analyses of the net CO2 assimilation rate/photosynthetic photon flux density (A/PPFD) and net CO2 assimilation rate/internal CO2 concentration (A/Ci) curves revealed that virus infection had a negative effect on light saturated rate of CO2 fixation at high irradiances and carboxylation efficiency but, in contrast, apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation was significantly higher. Meanwhile, the presence of GLRaV‐1&‐3 resulted in a marked decrease in photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars and soluble proteins contents, while starch and anthocyanins were significantly improved. N, P, Ca, S and Fe leaf concentrations significantly decreased, while K, Mg, B, Cu, Zn and Mn were unaffected by these two leafroll virus species. Infected plants showed a significant decrease in yield, mainly due to a lower cluster weight. These results emphasised the important role of GLRaV‐1&‐3 as a biotic stress for the grapevine physiology and consequently to yield attributes.

Co<sub>2</sub> assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence in green versus red Berberis thunbergii leaves measured with different quality irradiation

Photosynthesis, photorespiration, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in green and red Berberis thunbergii leaves were studied with two different measuring radiations, red (RR) and "white" (WR). The photosynthetic and photorespiration rates responded differently to the different radiation qualities, which indicate that the carboxylase and oxygenase activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) were affected. Differences in photosynthetic rate between the two color leaves were less under RR than under WR. However, this reduced difference in photosynthetic rate was not correlated with the stomatal response to the measuring radiation qualities. Compared with the WR, the RR reduced the differences in dark-adapted minimum and maximum fluorescence, steady-state fluorescence, light-adapted maximum fluorescence, and actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPS2) of photosystem 2 (PS2), but enlarged the difference in non-photochemical quenching between the two color leaves. Differences in both maximum quantum yield of PS2 and ratio of ΦPS2 to quantum yield of CO2 fixation between the two color leaves were similar under the two measuring radiations. To exclude disturbance of radiation attenuation caused by anthocyanins, it is better to use RR to compare the photosynthesis and Chl fluorescence in green versus red leaves.

Which plant traits promote growth in the low-light regimes of vegetation gaps?

Nine temperate grass species were screened for their potential to grow in the low-light conditions typical of gaps in dense vegetation. To this end, photosynthetic photon flux densities (PFD) were simulated in a growth chamber (PFD 100, 50 or 25 μmol photons m−2 s−1). Relative and absolute growth rates (RGR and AGR, respectively) of the species were regressed on ten different ecophysiological and morphogenetic plant attributes. No significant relationships were found between plant attributes and relative growth rate, while six attributes explained a significant proportion of the interspecific variance in absolute biomass growth: net photosynthetic rate at growth PFD (P net ) (75.5%), leaf apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation (62.5%), leaf dark respiration rate (65.2%), leaf compensation PFD (71.0%), root: shoot ratio (66.4%) and plant nitrogen content on a mass basis (42.0%). Only species with extremely low allocation to roots and very high (relatively speaking) net photosynthetic rates were able to grow fast in low light. Specific leaf area (SLA), instantaneous photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) and leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis as well as on an area basis were not significantly related to growth. The absence of effects of plant traits on RGR, unlike for AGR, could arise from a relationship that we observed between AGR and a fitted start value of the biomass-time course (i.e. seed mass or germination time). This suggests that interspecific differences in the very early growth stages of the plants were responsible for differences in successful development under low light, rather than differences in RGR. Based on its high explanatory power, its relative constancy with plant age and the lack of effect of growth PFD, P net would be the best candidate for characterizing potentially shade-tolerant species that are likely to establish in dense vegetation in the field.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL ACCLIMATION TO IRRADIATION BY LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES (LEDS)

PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL ACCLIMATION TO IRRADIATION BY LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES (LEDS)

Changes in photosynthesis and fluorescence in response to flooding in emerged and submerged leaves of Pouteria orinocoensis

In the seasonally flooded forest of the Mapire River, a tributary of the Orinoco, seedlings remain totally covered by flood water for over six months. In order to characterize the physiological response to flooding and submergence, seedlings of the tree Pouteria orinocoensis, an important component of the forest vegetation, were subjected experimentally to flooding. Flooding was imposed gradually, the maximum level of flood including submerged and emerged leaves. After 45 d a severe reduction of net photosynthetic rate (P N) and stomatal conductance (g s) was observed in emerged leaves, whereas leaf water potential remained constant. The decrease in P N of emerged leaves was associated to an increase in both relative stomatal and non-stomatal limitations, and the maintenance of the internal/air CO2 concentration (C i/C a) for at least 20 d of flooding. After this time, both P N and g s became almost zero. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity of emerged leaves with flooding was also evidenced by a decrease in carboxylation efficiency; photon-saturated photosynthetic rate, and apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation. Oxygen evolution rate of submerged leaves measured after three days of treatment was 7 % of the photosynthetic rate of emerged leaves. Submersion determined a chronic photoinhibition of leaves, viewed as a reduction in maximum quantum yield in dark-adapted leaves, whereas the chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of emerged leaves pointed out at the occurrence of dynamic, rather than chronic, photoinhibition. This was evidenced by the absence of photochemical damage, i.e. the maintenance of maximum quantum yield in dark-adapted leaves. Nevertheless, the observed lack of complementarity between photochemical and non-photochemical quenching after 12 d of flooding implies that the capacity for photochemical quenching decreased in a non-co-ordinate manner with the increase in non-photochemical quenching.

Photosynthetic light and CO 2 utilization and C 4 traits of two novel super-rice hybrids

Characteristics of photosynthetic light and CO2 use efficiency from seedling to heading stage, and C4 pathway enzyme activities in both flag leaves and lemma were compared between two newly developed super-rice hybrids (Oryza sativa L.), Liangyoupeijiu and Hua-an 3, and a traditional rice hybrid, Shanyou 63. At seedling and tillering stages, Liangyoupeijiu and Hua-an 3 had higher net photosynthetic rates (Pn) and light saturated assimilation rates (Asat) than did Shanyou 63, at both normal (360 micromol mol(-1)) and doubled (720 micromol mol(-1)) CO2 concentrations. At the heading stage, the flag leaves of all three rice hybrids had similar Pn and Asat. However, the two super-rice hybrids had higher apparent quantum yield (AQY) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) during all three typical developmental stages, and higher quantum yield of CO2 fixation (PhiCO2) at the tillering and heading stages. In addition, Liangyoupeijiu showed significantly higher activities of the C(4) pathway enzymes in both flag leaves and lemmas than did Shanyou 63. As a result, flag leaves of the two super-rice hybrids had higher Pn at morning, noontime and late afternoon during the daily cycle. Since most of the grain yield of rice comes from the photosynthesis of flag leaves, the similar Asat and much higher AQY, CE and PhiCO2 at heading stage of the two super-rice hybrids indicates that higher photosynthetic efficiency rather than higher photosynthetic capacity may be the primary factor contributing to their higher grain yields.

The Quantum Yield of CO2 Fixation is Reduced for Several Minutes after Prior Exposure to Darkness. Exploration of the Underlying Causes

Previous work has shown that the apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation can be reduced for up to several minutes after prior exposure to darkness. In the work reported here, we investigated this phenomenon more fully and have deduced information about the underlying processes. This was done mainly by concurrent measurements of O2 and CO2 exchange in an oxygen-free atmosphere. Measurements of O2 evolution indicated that photochemical efficiency was not lost through dark adaptation, and that O2 evolution could proceed immediately at high rates provided that there were reducible pools of photosynthetic intermediates. Part of the delay in reaching the full quantum yield of CO2 fixation could be attributed to the need to build up pools of photosynthetic intermediates to high enough levels to support steady rates of CO2 fixation. There was no evidence that Rubisco inactivation contributed towards delayed CO2 uptake (under measurement conditions of low light). However, we obtained evidence that an enzyme in the reaction path between triose phosphates and RuBP must become completely inactivated in the dark. As a consequence, in dark-adapted leaves, a large amount of triose phosphates were exported from the chloroplast over the first minute of light rather than being converted to RuBP for CO2 fixation. That pattern was not observed if the pre-incubation light level was increased to just 3-5 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1). The findings from this work underscore that there are fundamental differences in enzyme activation between complete darkness and even a very low light level of only 3-5 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) which predispose leaves to different gas exchange patterns once leaves are transferred to higher light levels.

Photoprotective role of rhodoxanthin during cold acclimation in Cryptomeria japonica

ABSTRACTTo examine the role of rhodoxanthin in long‐term acclimation to low temperatures, we monitored seasonal changes in pigment composition, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and the level of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in needles of wild‐type and mutant forms of Cryptomeria japonica. In winter, rhodoxanthin accumulated in sun‐exposed needles of wild‐type plants, but not in those of the mutant. The level of chlorophyll decreased in both types of plant in winter. In contrast, the level of the xanthophyll cycle pool increased in both cases. The level of the pool in the mutant was twice that in the wild type in winter, on a Chl basis, even though the levels in both were similar in summer. The synthesis of rhodoxanthin might be triggered by photo‐inhibitory conditions, as suggested by the sustained elevated levels of zeaxanthin (Z) and antheraxanthin (A). In the wild type and the mutant, the quantum yield of CO2 fixation (φ), the photosynthetic capacity, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), the photochemical quenching and the level of Rubisco in summer were similar. However, all these values for the wild type were higher than those for the mutant in winter. The non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) in the mutant in winter increased rapidly even under low light conditions due to the high sustained levels of Z and A. In contrast, in the wild type, the conversion of Z via A to rhodoxanthin prevented the rapid increase in NPQ to maintain the relatively high level of φ. These findings suggest that rhodoxanthin might play an important photoprotective role in long‐term acclimation to cold. The dynamic regulation of the amount of rhodoxanthin relative to the level of the xanthophyll cycle pool might act to maintain an appropriate balance between light absorption, photosynthesis and the thermal dissipation of energy due to excess absorbed light in winter.

A computer‐operated routine of gas exchange and optical measurements to diagnose photosynthetic apparatus in leaves

AbstractPhotosynthesis is a complex process whose rate is affected by many biochemical and biophysical factors. Fortunately, it is possible to determine, or at least estimate, many of the most important parameters using a combination of optical methods and gas transient analyses. We describe here a computer‐operated routine that has been developed to make detailed assessments of photosynthesis at a comprehensive level. The routine comprised the following measurements: steady‐state light and CO2 response curves of net CO2 assimilation at 21 and 2 kPa O2; transients from limiting to different saturating CO2 concentrations at 2 kPa O2; post‐illumination CO2 fixation transient; dark–light induction of O2 evolution; O2 yield from one saturating single‐turnover flash; chlorophyll fluorescence F0, Fs and Fm during the light and CO2 response curves; leaf transmission at 820 nm (P700+) during the light and CO2 response curves; post‐illumination re‐reduction time of P700+. The routine was executed on a two‐channel fast‐response gas exchange measurement system (A. Laisk and V. Oja: Dynamic Gas Exchange of Leaf Photosynthesis. CSIRO, Canberra, Australia). Thirty‐six intrinsic characteristics of the photosynthetic machinery were derived, including quantum yield of CO2 fixation (YCO2), time constant of P700 re‐reduction (τ′), relative optical cross‐sections of PSII and PSI antennae (aII, aI), PSII and PSI density per leaf area unit, plastoquinone pool, total mesophyll resistance, mesophyll diffusion resistance, Vm, Km(CO2) and CO2/O2 specificity of Rubisco, RuBP pool at CO2 limitation (assimilatory charge). An example of the routine and calculations are shown for one leaf and data are presented for leaves of 8‐year‐old‐trees of two birch clones growing in Suonenjoki Forest Research Station, Finland, during summer 2000. Parameters YCO2, basic τ′, aII, aI, Km(CO2) and Ks varied little in different leaves [relative standard deviation (RSD) < 7%], other parameters scattered widely (RSD typically 10–40%). It is concluded that the little scattered parameters are determined by basic physico‐chemical properties of the photosynthetic machinery whereas the widely scattered parameters are adjusting to growth conditions. The proposed non‐destructive routine is suitable for diagnosing the photosynthetic machinery of leaves and may be applied in plant ecophysiology and in genetic engineering of plants.

Chain Correlation between Variables of Gas Exchange and Yield Potential in Different Winter Wheat Cultivars

Variables of gas exchange of flag leaves and grain yield potentials of five representative winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars varied greatly across different development stages under the same management and irrigation. The cultivars with high yield potential had higher net photosynthetic rate (PN), PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) saturated photosynthetic rate (Psat), stomatal conductance (gs), and maximum apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation (Φm,app) than those with low grain yield, but their dark respiration rate (RD) and compensation irradiance (Ic) were remarkably lower. Compared with overall increase of yield potential of 71 % from low yield cultivars to high yield ones, PN, Psat, Φm,app, and gs were 13, 19, 57, and 32 % higher, respectively; but RD and Ic decreased by 19 and 76 %, respectively. Such difference was evidently large during anthesis stage (e.g., PN by 33 %), which indicated that this period could be the best for assisting further selection for better cultivars. However, transpiration rate (E) and water use efficiency (WUE) differed only little. At different development stages, especially at anthesis, PN and Psat were positively correlated with Φm,app, gs, and yield potential, and negatively correlated with RD and Ic. Thus the high-yield-potential winter wheat cultivars possess many better characters in photosynthesis and associated parameters than the low-yield cultivars.

Leaf anthocyanin content changes in Zea mays L. grown at low temperature: Significance for the relationship between the quantum yield of PS II and the apparent quantum yield of CO2 assimilation

The quantum yield of non-cyclic electron transport from PS II (ΦPS II) and the apparent quantum yield of CO2 fixation (ΦCO2) were measured in the maize genotype, R-CH HOPI, which shows a high leaf anthocyanin content when grown at a temperature slightly below 20 °C. Thus, the leaf anthocyanin content was thirty-five times higher in plants grown at 18 °C when compared to plants grown at 23 °C. The relationship between ΦPS II and ΦCO2 obtained at different CO2 partial pressure was linear for plants with both high and low leaf anthocyanin content. The ΦPS II/ΦCO2 ratio was about 16 in plants with high leaf anthocyanin content and about 10 in plants with low leaf anthocyanin content. The leaf light absorptance in the 400–700 nm region was higher in plants with higher leaf anthocyanin content. Since leaf absorptance between 400 and 600 nm and leaf anthocyanin content also resulted in a strict linear relationship, an indirect estimation of the absorbed light by leaf anthocyanins and thus at chloroplasts was derived. Using the correct estimation of the absorbed light at chloroplasts, to obtain ΦCO2, differences in ΦPS II/ΦCO2 ratios between plants with different leaf anthocyanin content were eliminated. The modulation of leaf anthocyanin content by growth temperature is regarded as an effective strategy to modulate the light available at the chloroplasts.

Expressing an RbcS Antisense Gene in Transgenic Flaveria bidentis Leads to an Increased Quantum Requirement for CO2 Fixed in Photosystems I and II.

It was previously shown with concurrent measurements of gas exchange and carbon isotope discrimination that the reduction of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase by an antisense gene construct in transgenic Flaveria bidentis (a C4 species) leads to reduced CO2 assimilation rates, increased bundle-sheath CO2 concentration, and leakiness (defined as the ratio of CO2 leakage to the rate of C4 acid decarboxylation; S. von Caemmerer, A. Millegate, G.D. Farquhar, R.T. Furbank [1997] Plant Physiol 113: 469-477). Increased leakiness in the transformants should result in an increased ATP requirement per mole of CO2 fixed and a change in the ATP-to-NADPH demand. To investigate this, we compared measurements of the quantum yield of photosystem I and II ([phi]PSI and [phi]PSII) with the quantum yield of CO2 fixation ([phi]CO2) in control and transgenic F. bidentis plants in various conditions. Both [phi]PSI/[phi]CO2 and [phi]PSII/[phi]CO2 increased with a decrease in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content, confirming an increase in leakiness. In the wild type the ratio of [phi]PSI to [phi]PSII was constant at different irradiances but increased with irradiance in the transformants, suggesting that cyclic electron transport may be higher in the transformants. To evaluate the relative contribution of cyclic or linear electron transport to extra ATP generation, we developed a model that links leakiness, ATP/NADP requirements, and quantum yields. Despite some uncertainties in the light distribution between photosystem I and II, we conclude from the increase of [phi]PSII/[phi]CO2 in the transformants that cyclic electron transport is not solely responsible for ATP generation without NADPH production.

Increased capacity for photosynthesis in wheat grown at elevated CO2: the relationship between electron transport and carbon metabolism

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown under optimal nutrition for six weeks at 700 and 350 μmol·mol−1 CO2 and simultaneous measurements of photosystem-II (PSII) chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange were conducted on intact attached leaves. Plants grown at elevated CO2 had double the concentration of CO2 at the carboxylation site (Cc) despite a lowered stomatal (gs) and mesophyll (gm) conductance compared with ambient-grown plants. Plants grown at elevated CO2 had a higher relative quantum yield of PSII electron transport (ΦPSII) and a higher relative quantum yield of CO2 fixation (ΦCO2). The higher ΦPSII was due to a larger proportion of open PSII centres, estimated by the coefficient of photochemical quenching of fluorescence (qp), with no change in the efficiency of light harvesting and energy transduction by open PSII centres (F′v/F′m). Analysis of the relationship between ΦPSII and ΦCO2 conducted under various CO2 and O2 concentrations showed that the higher ΦCO2 for a given ΦPSII in leaves developed under elevated CO2 was similar to that obtained in leaves upon a partial reduction in photorespiration. Calculation of the allocation of photosynthetic electron-transport products to CO2 and O2 showed that for leaves developed in elevated CO2, there was an increase in both total linear electron flow and electron flow to CO2 and a decrease in electron flow to O2. Plants developed under elevated CO2 showed positive acclimation manifested by a higher ΦCO2 when measured under ambient CO2 and higher assimilation rates in A/Ci curves. Initial and total activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco EC 4.1.1.39) measured in vitro increased by 16 and 15% respectively in leaves from plants grown in elevated CO2, which was in agreement with a 15% higher in vivo carboxylation efficiency. It is concluded that growth of spring wheat at elevated CO2 enhances photosynthesis due to a change in the balance of component processes manifested as an increased capacity for carbon fixation, total electron transport and Rubisco activity, and a concomitant partial reduction of photorespiration.

Effects of Continuous Lighting and Light Spectral Composition on Photosynthesis and Related Processes of Greenhousegrown Tomato and Pepper Plants

Growing tomato and pepper plants under continuous light causes negative effects such as leaf chlorosis and deformities, and decreased growth and yield. Such effects are more pronounced on tomato plants. Our general objectives are to identify the physiological process(es) responsible for these negative effects and to explain the difference in sensitivity of tomato and pepper plants to continuous light. The specific objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of continuous light and light spectral composition on photosynthesis and related processes of tomato and pepper plants. Tomato and pepper plants were place on 7 June 1994 in growth chambers under photoperiod treatments of 12 h [high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps], 24 h (HPS lamps), and 24 h [metal halide (MH) lamps]. For all treatments, FPP was 350 μmol·m–2·s–1, temperatures were 21C (day) and 17C (night), and RH was 70%. Every 2 weeks (7 June until 2 Aug.), tomato and pepper leaf samples were harvested and frozen in liquid nitrogen for subsequent measurements of starch content (Robinson et al, 1988, Plant Physiol.), sucrose phosphate synthase activities (Dali et al., 1992, Plant Physiol.) and chlorophyll and carotenoid content (determination on HPLC). A system that measured gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of fresh leaf samples was used to determine the photosynthetic rate and quantum yield of CO2 fixation and electron transport. Development of the negative effects of continuous light on plants was monitored. Light spectral composition of the two types of lamps was measured using a spectroradiometer. Results show that, under continuous light, pepper plants were less-efficient than tomato plants in using light for CO2 fixation, but were more efficient in dissipating the extra energy received. This may explain why pepper plants are less sensitive to continuous light than tomato plants. MH lamps caused more-severe chloroses on tomato leaves than HPS plants. We believe that the higher proportion of UV-light provided by MH lamps may be related to this effect. Detailed results will be presented.

Effects of Continuous Lighting and Light Spectral Composition on Photosynthesis and Related Processes of Greenhousegrown Tomato and Pepper Plants

Growing tomato and pepper plants under continuous light causes negative effects such as leaf chlorosis and deformities, and decreased growth and yield. Such effects are more pronounced on tomato plants. Our general objectives are to identify the physiological process(es) responsible for these negative effects and to explain the difference in sensitivity of tomato and pepper plants to continuous light. The specific objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of continuous light and light spectral composition on photosynthesis and related processes of tomato and pepper plants. Tomato and pepper plants were place on 7 June 1994 in growth chambers under photoperiod treatments of 12 h [high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps], 24 h (HPS lamps), and 24 h [metal halide (MH) lamps]. For all treatments, FPP was 350 μmol·m–2·s–1, temperatures were 21C (day) and 17C (night), and RH was 70%. Every 2 weeks (7 June until 2 Aug.), tomato and pepper leaf samples were harvested and frozen in liquid nitrogen for subsequent measurements of starch content (Robinson et al, 1988, Plant Physiol.), sucrose phosphate synthase activities (Dali et al., 1992, Plant Physiol.) and chlorophyll and carotenoid content (determination on HPLC). A system that measured gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of fresh leaf samples was used to determine the photosynthetic rate and quantum yield of CO2 fixation and electron transport. Development of the negative effects of continuous light on plants was monitored. Light spectral composition of the two types of lamps was measured using a spectroradiometer. Results show that, under continuous light, pepper plants were less-efficient than tomato plants in using light for CO2 fixation, but were more efficient in dissipating the extra energy received. This may explain why pepper plants are less sensitive to continuous light than tomato plants. MH lamps caused more-severe chloroses on tomato leaves than HPS plants. We believe that the higher proportion of UV-light provided by MH lamps may be related to this effect. Detailed results will be presented.