Potassium deficiency impedes elevated carbon dioxide‐induced biomass enhancement in well watered or drought‐stressed bread wheat

Potassium (K) deficiency reduces photosynthesis and biomass production of crop plants and also renders them vulnerable to drought stress, whereas elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) has a positive effect on photosynthesis and yield and ameliorates the adverse effects of drought stress. This study aimed to characterize the physiological responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stressed with K deficiency under elevated CO₂ and drought conditions. Increased biomass production caused by elevated CO₂ as a consequence of increased photosynthesis and water use efficiency was absent in young K‐deficient wheat plants. Shoot K concentration was negatively affected by elevated CO₂ particularly under K‐deficient conditions, whereas K content per plant was greatest in plants supplied with adequate K and adequate water. Specific leaf weight was increased as a consequence of carbohydrate accumulation in the source leaves of K‐deficient plants particularly under elevated CO₂ and drought stress. Potassium deficiency clearly impeded the impact of elevated CO₂ in both well watered as well as drought‐stressed plants. Adequate K fertilization is a prerequisite for efficient harvesting of atmospheric CO₂ through increased photosynthesis, decreased transpiration, and increased biomass production under changing atmospheric CO₂ and soil moisture conditions.     

Cadmium‐induced oxidative stress and protection by L‐Galactono‐1, 4‐lactone in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Two hydroponic culture experiments were conducted to investigate cadmium (Cd)‐induced oxidative stress in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings and the effects of L‐Galactono‐1, 4‐lactone (GalL), the biosynthetic precursor of the antioxidant ascorbate (AsA), on the oxidative stress induced by Cd. In experiment 1, with application of Cd (0, 10, 25, 50 µM) in nutrient solution, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as membrane permeability in both shoots and roots were significantly increased, indicating Cd‐induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation as well as plasma‐membrane damage in the plants. In experiment 2, H₂O₂ levels in plants exposed to Cd were significantly reduced by the addition of GalL (25 mM), associated with increased activities of peroxidase (POD), indicating that GalL alleviated the oxidative stress induced by Cd. Unexpectedly, however, the MDA levels were not reduced by the addition of GalL. Does Cd also induce lipid peroxidation directly besides via formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)? This needs further study.     

Photosynthetic capacity in potassium stressed soybean: Comparison of CO2 fixation and O2 evolution assays

Potassium deficiency in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) may cause decreased photosynthetic capacity. Potassium‐stressed soybeans were compared by CO₂ fixation and O₂ evolution assays. Trifoliate leaves of potassium‐stressed soybean seedlings which did not show reduced chlorophyll content per unit fresh weight nor altered rates of light‐induced O₂ evolution, fixed 38% less CO₂ than did control leaves.     

Increase in NAD(P)H‐dependent generation of active oxygen species and changes in lipid composition of microsomes isolated from roots of zinc‐deficient bean plants

The role of zinc (Zn) in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of plant membranes was investigated in the present work. The relationship between the activity of NAD(P)H oxidases generating active oxygen species and changes in lipid composition and peroxidation was evaluated in microsomal membrane vesicles isolated from roots of Zn‐defícient bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Bobis) plants. Zinc content of bean root microsomal membranes was decreased by about 30% by Zn deficiency. Microsomes isolated from roots of Zn‐deficient plants showed higher rates of NAD(P)H oxidation and NAD(P)H‐dependent O₂ ^‐ generation than Zn‐sufficient roots. Microsomal O₂ ^‐ consumption, measured in the presence of pyridine nucleotides, was also considerably enhanced by Zn deficiency. This latter activity was greatly stimulated by Fe(III)EDTA, while inhibited by Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, indicating that active oxygen species were produced during the oxygen consuming enzyme reaction. Zinc deficiency caused a decline in microsomal phospholipid (PL) content. In addition, saturated fatty acids were present at a higher proportion than unsaturated fatty acids in microsomes from Zn‐deficient roots. Sterol content of microsomal vesicles was also modified by Zn deficiency, which led to an increase in the planar sterol campesterol and a concomitant decrease in stigmasterol and sitosterol content. NADPH‐dependent lipid peroxidation, directly measured in microsomal vesicles as malondialdehyde (MDA) production, was slightly enhanced by Zn deficiency. These results support the idea that Zn deficiency determines an enhanced generation of harmful oxygen species by membrane‐associated enzymes and show that this activity can be more pronounced in the presence of iron (Fe), which accumulates in Zn‐deficient tissues. The relationship between the occurrence of this phenomenon and the changes in membrane lipid profile is discussed.     

Amelioration of cadmium stress in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflora L.) by application of potassium and silicon

Gladiolus corms were grown in media contaminated with cadmium (Cd) (50 mg kg^?1) and supplemented with silicon (Si) and potassium (K). The role of Si and K for mitigation of Cd toxicity was evaluated. Cd-induced stress generated significantly increased level of oxidative stress markers including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in gladiolus. The application of K and Si improved the production of protein and proline in the treated plants. Moreover, K and Si supplemented plants exhibited an improvement in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and a reduction in the level of MDA, H₂O₂ and Cd uptake under Cd stress. Application of K and Si also enhanced the uptake of mineral nutrients including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S) and K. The plants supplemented with K and Si exhibited a higher amount of total phenolics and flavonoids. The combined effect of Si and K was more pronounced regarding beneficial effects on gladiolus plants compared to individual effect of these elements under Cd stress. The current research reveals that Si and K may improve gladiolus growth by decreasing the oxidative stress and Cd uptake and by increasing the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes, the quantity of secondary metabolites and plant nutrition.     

CO2激光与外源NO对低温胁迫小麦的防护效应

以冬小麦‘小堰22号’为试验材料,研究了CO2激光与外源一氧化氮(NO)复合作用对低温胁迫(4℃)下小麦幼苗自由基双氧水(H2O2)、超氧阴离子(O2?)浓度,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)活性,一氧化氮(NO)及蛋白质含量,及幼苗生长发育的影响。结果表明:与单独低温胁迫相比,外源NO处理后低温胁迫和CO2激光处理后低温胁迫都显著降低了H2O2和O2?浓度,提高了SOD、CAT、POD、APX、NOS活性,NO和蛋白质含量,促进幼苗生长发育。外源NO处理后再进行CO2激光辐射,虽然可以降低低温胁迫下幼苗H2O2和O2?浓度,提高SOD、CAT、POD、APX、NOS活性及NO和蛋白质浓度,促进幼苗生长发育,但其保护效应明显低于外源NO处理后低温胁迫和CO2激光处理后低温胁迫的效果。上述结果说明,NO对低温胁迫的防护效应优于NO和CO2激光复合处理。因此,建议在农业生产中单独采用NO处理或者CO2激光处理,可以促进农作物对低温胁迫的抗性。     

Drought stress tolerance and photoprotection in two varieties of olive tree

Abstract

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is adapted to tolerate severe drought and high irradiance levels. Relative electron transport rate (J), photosynthetic efficiency (in terms of F _v /F _m and Φ_PSII), photochemical (qP) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were determined in 2-year old olive plants (cultivars ‘Coratina’ and ‘Biancolilla’) grown under two different light levels (exposed plants, EP, and shaded plants, SP) during a 21-day controlled water deficit. After reaching pre-dawn leaf water potentials of about -6.5 MPa, plants were rewatered for 23 days. During the experimental period, measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were carried out to study the photosynthetic performance of olive plants. The effect of drought stress and high irradiance levels caused a reduction of gas exchange, J, Φ_PSII and F _v/F _m and this decrease was more marked in EP. Under drought stress, EP showed a higher degree of photoinhibition, a higher NPQ and a lower qP if compared to SP. Coratina was more sensitive to high light and drought stress and had a slower recovery during rewatering. The results confirm that photoprotection is an important factor that affects photosynthetic productivity in olive, and that the degree of this process varies between the cultivars. This information could give a more complete picture of the response of olive trees grown under stressful conditions of semi-arid environments, and could be important for the selection of drought-tolerant cultivars with a high productivity.     

Potassium Silicate Improves Salinity Resistant and Affects Fruit Quality in Two Strawberry Cultivars Grown Under Salt Stress

ABSTRACT

The response of ‘Kurdistan’ and ‘Paros’ strawberry cultivars to potassium silicate (K₂O₃Si) under sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity stress was studied in terms of vegetative parameters, sodium (Na) and potassium (K) content and fruit quality. K₂O₃Si could recover dry mass distribution of NaCl-stressed strawberry organs. Kurdistan cultivar tended to keep higher dry weight of leaves to maintain its photosynthetic apparatus activity. Inhibitory impact of K₂O₃Si on Na uptake of leaf was more obvious than root. Implementation of K₂O₃Si in some cases increased Total Soluble Solid (TSS) and Titratable Acidity (TA), which are the main factors determining taste of strawberry fruit. Furthermore, phenols and flavonoids were increased in Paros cultivar by effect K₂O₃Si under saline and non-saline conditions, respectively. Overall, our data suggest that silicon supply in strawberry plants not only could be used as a routine strategy to maintain growth and yield under salinity but also it could be beneficial for improvement of fruit quality attributes and health-related constituents.

Abbreviations: ANOVA: Analysis of Variance; CRD: Completely Randomized Design; DPPH: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl; FF: Fruit Firmness; LSD: Least Significant Difference; PAL: Phenyl Alanine Ammonia Lyase; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; TSS: Total Soluble Solid; TAA: Total Antioxidant Activity; TA: Titratable Acidity; TAC: Total Anthocyanin; TF: Total Flavonoids; TP: Total Phenolics;     

An effective antioxidant defense provides protection against zinc deficiency‐induced oxidative stress in Zn‐efficient maize plants

Maize plants (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga 2 and cv. Jaunpuri satha) were grown in solution culture under glasshouse conditions at deficient (0 µM) and normal (1 µM) levels of Zn supply. Appearance of visible effects characteristic of Zn deficiency, depression in plant growth, and dry matter yield of the plants indicated that Ganga 2 was more susceptible to Zn deficiency than Jaunpuri satha. Higher susceptibility of Ganga 2 to Zn deficiency was also manifested by a greater decrease in plant dry mass and an increased accumulation of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, describing lipid peroxidation). While total SOD activity was decreased in Zn deficient plants of Ganga 2, it was increased marginally in case of Jaunpuri satha. The marginal increase in total SOD activity in the Zn‐deficient Jaunpuri satha plants was a result of a marked increase in non‐CuZn SOD and only a slight decrease in CuZn SOD. Though Zn deficiency increased H₂O₂ concentration and the activities of H₂O₂‐scavenging enzymes in both the cultivars, there was less increase in H₂O₂ concentration and the activities of peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were more prominently increased in the Zn‐efficient Jaunpuri satha. Plants of the susceptible variety, Ganga 2, accumulated higher concentrations of glutathione disulfide. It is concluded that the significant decreases in the activities of CuZn SOD (CN‐sensitive SOD) and glutathione reductase, and high concentrations of H₂O₂ predisposed Zn‐deficient Ganga 2 plants to more severe oxidative stress than those of Jaunpuri satha and, therefore, contributed to a greater decrease in dry matter production.     

活性氧调控豆科植物早期结瘤的研究进展

活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）是一类具有高反应活性的氧衍生物,包括超氧阴离子（·O₂^—）、羟自由基（·OH）、过氧羟自由基（·HO₂）以及过氧化氢（H₂O₂）等。植物在进行有氧代谢或遭遇生物与非生物胁迫时会产生ROS,它不仅仅是有氧代谢的有毒副产物,同时能作为信号分子调节体内代谢过程,对抗外界环境。豆科植物形成根瘤时同样会产生ROS,这种ROS的变化区别于病原体入侵,而是作为一种信号物质参与结瘤过程。结瘤因子（nod factor,NF）诱导下ROS的产生参与了浸染线形成时细胞壁的重建、植物基质糖蛋白（matrix glycoprotein,MGP）的交联和肌动蛋白微丝的成核和延长过程。细胞质膜NADPH氧化酶（respiratory burst oxidase homologue,RBOHs）是共生过程中ROS产生的主要途径,Rboh基因的过表达会促进根瘤菌浸染和根瘤形成,同时根瘤中的共生微粒体数量增加,固氮效率提高,而表达受抑制后会减少ROS的产生,同时下调结瘤相关基因RIPs、NIN、ENOD2的表达,抑制固氮酶活性。此外,ROS时空上的变化与Ca²⁺相关联,协同调控根系结瘤。ROS的产生是植物与微生物早期的识别信号,通过认识ROS在早期结瘤过程中的作用有助于我们进一步理解共生关系建立的特异性。本文就ROS在早期结瘤过程中的产生及其发挥的作用做了综述,指出ROS通过直接或间接作用诱导结瘤基因的表达,是豆科植物根瘤形成以及功能固氮的重要信号分子。     

Higher ROS scavenging ability and plasma membrane H+‐ATPase activity are associated with potassium retention in drought tolerant tea plants

Drought is one of the main limiting factors resulting in the reduction of yield and quality of tea production. Our previous studies indicated that K⁺ retention was a key factor associated with alleviating drought‐induced damage in tea plants. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In the present study, drought tolerant tea plant (variety Zhongcha108) exhibited higher plasma membrane (PM) H⁺‐ATPase activity and lower negative membrane potential compared with the drought sensitive tea plant (variety Ruanzhiwulong). In addition to superior mesophyll K⁺ retention ability and higher PM H⁺‐ATPase activity, the drought tolerant tea plant exhibited lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the sensitive one. Moreover, exogenous supply of Na₃VO₄ (plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase inhibitor) and H₂O₂ (mimicking apoplastic ROS) resulted in a significantly higher K⁺ efflux in the mesophyll of the drought sensitive tea plant than the non‐treated one. Taken together, the higher ROS scavenging ability and plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase activity were major factors contributing to the higher K⁺ retention in drought tolerant tea plants.     

Adequate supply of potassium improves plant water‐use efficiency but not leaf water‐use efficiency of spring wheat

Enhancing crop water‐use efficiency (WUE) is a major research objective in water‐scarce agroecosystems. Potassium (K) enhances WUE and plays a crucial role in mitigating plant stress. Here, effects of K supply and PEG‐induced water deficit on WUE of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Sonett), grown in nutrient solution, were studied. Plants were treated with three levels of K supply (0.1, 1, 4 mM K⁺) and two levels of PEG (0, 25%). WUE was determined at leaf level (WUE_L), at whole‐plant level (WUE_P), and via carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C). Effects of assimilation and stomatal conductance on WUE_L were evaluated and compared with effects of biomass production and whole‐plant transpiration (E_P) on WUE_P. Adequate K supply enhanced WUE_P up to 30% and by additional 20% under PEG stress, but had no effect on WUE_L. E_P was lower with adequate K supply, but this effect may be attributed to canopy microclimate. Shoot δ¹³C responded linearly to time‐integrated WUE_L in adequately supplied plants, but not in K‐deficient plants, indicating negative effects of K deficiency on mesophyll CO₂ diffusion. It is concluded that leaf‐scale evaluations of WUE are not reliable in predicting whole‐plant WUE of crops such as spring wheat suffering K deficiency.     

The Cd‐tolerant rice mutant cadH‐5 is a high Cd accumulator and shows enhanced antioxidant activity

To investigate the mechanism of cadmium (Cd) detoxification in rice (Oryza sativa L.), a Cd‐tolerant mutant cadH‐5, obtained by an Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐based gene‐delivery system, was used for a Cd‐tolerance and accumulation study. After 15 d of exposure to 0.75 mM CdCl₂, significant phenotypic differences were observed between the wild type (WT) and cadH‐5. When exposed to 0.5 mM CdCl₂, higher Cd levels were accumulated in cadH‐5 root cell wall, root cytosol, and membranes than those in WT. However, Cd concentrations in root tissues varied in both WT and cadH5. No significant difference of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations was observed between WT and cadH‐5, while contents of cell‐wall polysaccharides and phytochelatins (PCs) in the mutant were higher compared to WT. The ratios of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH : GSSG) and ascorbate to dehydroascorbate (ASC : DHA) were lower in WT than in cadH‐5, while the NADPH : NADP⁺ ratio was different to the ratios of GSH : GSSG and ASC : DHA; the ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), glutathione peroxidase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1), and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) activities were lower in WT compared to cadH‐5. Our results indicate that under long‐term Cd stress, cadH‐5 plants can accumulate more Cd with more PC. Also, the redox status of ASC‐GSH cycle was more inhibited in WT than in cadH‐5 plants, rendering WT less able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cadH‐5 mutant maintains relatively high ASC, GSH, and NADPH concentrations, ratios of ASC : DHA, GSH : GSSG, and NADPH : NADP⁺, as well as antioxidative enzymatic activities and PC concentrations. Thus, it is tolerant of relatively high Cd accumulation.     

Impact of sulfate nutrition on the utilization of atmospheric SO2 as sulfur source for Chinese cabbage

The ability of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) to utilize atmospheric sulfur dioxide (SO₂) as sulfur (S) source for growth was investigated in relation to root sulfate (SO ) nutrition. If seedlings of Chinese cabbage were transferred to a sulfate‐deprived nutrient solution directly after germination, plants became rapidly S‐deficient. Plant‐biomass production was decreased and the shoot‐to‐root ratio decreased. Sulfate deprivation resulted in a substantial decrease in total S, sulfate, organic‐S, and water‐soluble nonprotein thiol contents and in an increase in amino‐acid content of both shoot and root. The sulfate‐uptake rate of the root was strongly increased, whereas nitrate‐uptake rate was decreased. Upon resupply of sulfate, the onset of S‐deficiency symptoms was prevented, and growth was restored, whereas sulfate and nitrate‐uptake rates were quite similar to those of the sulfate‐sufficient plants. A 6‐day exposure to 0.12 µL L^–1 SO₂ of sulfate‐sufficient plants did not affect plant‐biomass production, shoot‐to‐root ratio, S and nitrogen (N) compounds of shoot and root, or sulfate and nitrate uptake by the root. Exposure of sulfate‐deprived plants to SO₂ resulted in enhanced total S, organic‐S, and water‐soluble nonprotein thiol contents of the shoot. The contribution of SO₂ as S source for biomass production depended on the duration of the sulfate deprivation. If Chinese cabbage was transferred to a sulfate‐deprived nutrient solution and simultaneously exposed to SO₂, then plants benefited optimally from the foliarly absorbed S. The development of S‐deficiency symptoms was prevented, and shoot‐biomass production was quite similar to that of sulfate‐sufficient plants. However, upon SO₂ exposure root‐biomass production was even higher than that of sulfate‐sufficient plants, whereas sulfate uptake was still enhanced. Evidently, upon SO₂ exposure there was no strict and direct shoot‐to‐root signaling in tuning sulfate uptake by the root and its transport to the shoot to the need for growth, via down‐regulation of sulfate uptake and normalizing shoot–to–root biomass partitioning.     

铁、镁、锌营养胁迫对植物体内活性氧代谢影响机制

活性氧是植物体内常见的一类自由基,对植物有很强的伤害。本文总结了铁、镁、锌元素胁迫影响植物体内活性氧代谢机制。铁对于催化植物体内的Haber-Weiss反应产生活性氧具有重要作用。镁诱导植物体内活性氧代谢失调与光氧化有密切关系。缺锌条件下,植物体内活性氧含量升高,其机制是多方面的:NADPH氧化酶氧化能力提高,O2产生增多;体内铁浓度升高,增强了铁诱导的活性氧的产生;光氧化伤害加重;清除系统活性降低。     

Studies on photosynthetic electron transport,photophosphorylation and CO2 fixation in zinc deficient leaf cells of Zea mavs. L.

The effect of Zn deficiency on rate of photosynthesis of leaf discs, isolated mesophyll and bundle sheath cells and chloroplasts of maize (Zea mays. L) was studied. The yield of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells obtained by enzymic digestion of the leaf tissues from Zn deficient plants is lower than the identical tissues from normal plants which suggests that Zn deficiency brings about some structural changes in the leaf cell. Photosynthetic oxygen evolution measured in the leaf discs is low due to Zn deficiency. Photosystem‐II dependent Hill reaction and non cyclic photophosphorylation of chloroplasts were also affected by Zn deficiency. Rate of photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation by both bundle sheath and mesophyll cells obtained from Zn deficient leaf‐tissue waslower than the cells free from Zn deficiency. Addition of various metabolites like NADPH, ATP and PEP to Zn deficient mesophyll cells whowed marked enhancement in 14‐CO₂ fixation. However, addition of NADPH, ATP and RuBP to Zn deficient bundle sheath cells showed no or very little enhancement in the rate of 14‐Cu₂ fixation. Addition of exogenous Zn ions to isolated cells inhibited the CO₂ fixation both in the non‐deficient and Zn deficient cell types. It is suggested that Zn deficie ‐ncy affects the primary electron transport and phospho‐rvlation ability for chloroplasts which in turn affects CO₂ fixation in leaf cells.     

EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE CAN ALLEVIATE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON SUNFLOWER

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine whether foliarly applied potassium + phosphorus (K + P) in the form of monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) could mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress on sunflower plants. There were two levels of root-applied salt [0 and 150 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)], and varying levels of KH₂PO₄ [(NS (no spray), WS (spray of water), 5 + 4, 10 + 8, 15 + 12, and 20 + 16 mg g^?1 K + P, pH 6.5] applied foliarly to 18-day old non-stressed and salt stressed sunflower plants. Salt stress adversely affected the growth, yield, photosynthetic capacity, and accumulation of mineral nutrients in the sunflower plants. However, varying levels of foliar applied KH₂PO₄ proved to be effective in improving growth and yield of sunflower under salt stress. The KH₂PO₄ induced growth in sunflower was found to be associated with enhanced photosynthetic capacity, water use efficiency and relative water contents.     

Image changes in chlorophyll fluorescence of cucumber leaves in response to iron deficiency and resupply

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plants and its deficiency causes decrease not only in the photosynthetic rate but also in the actual photosystem II efficiency at steady‐state photosynthesis. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of Fe deficiency in plants of Cucumis sativus (L.) in two different experimental conditions. In the first experiment, plants were grown with or without Fe for 7 d. After 7 d, Fe‐deficient plants were resupplied with Fe and sampled after 12 h and 48 h. In the second experiment, plants were grown with Fe in the nutrient solution for 3 d and after this period, Fe was withdrawn and plants sampled after 3 and 6 d. Iron and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and Chl‐fluorescence imaging were measured. In cucumber leaves subjected to Fe deficiency, fluorescence imaging of Chl a evidenced spatial changes on leaf lamina. Following Fe deficiency both after 7 d (Exp. 1) or 6 d (Exp. 2) leaves showed a slight, nonsignificant decrease in F_v/F_m ratio. However Chl‐fluorescence parameters determined in light conditions showed significant changes which indicate an alteration in the photosynthetic process. Surprisingly, the effect of Fe deficiency was more pronounced in leaves of plant of Exp. 2 as compared to those that had grown in complete absence of Fe (Exp. 1). In the latter case down‐regulated mechanisms preserved leaves from irreversible photoinhibition leading to complete recovery when plants were resupplied with the microelement.     

Effects of Ozone and/or Soil Water Stress on Growth and Photosynthesis of Fagaus Crenata Seedlings

The effects of ozone (O₃) and soil water stress, singly and in combination, on the growth and photosynthesis of Fagus crenata seedlings were investigated. Four-year-old seedlings were exposed to charcoal-filtered air (< 5 nmol mol^?1 O₃) or 60 nmol mol^?1 O₃, 7 hours per day (11:00–18:00), for 156 days from 10 May to 11 October 1999 in naturally-lit growth chambers at 20/15 °C (6:00–18:00/18:00–6:00). During the same period, half of the seedlings in each gas treatment received 250 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (well-watered treatment), while the rest received 175 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (water-stressed treatment). The exposure of the seedlings to O₃ caused reductions in the leaf, stem, root and whole-plant dry weights. The net photosynthetic rate at 350 µmol mol^?1 CO₂, the maximum net photosynthetic rate at saturated CO₂-concentration, carboxylation efficiency of photosynthesis and Rubisco content were significantly reduced by the exposure to O₃. The soil water stress induced reductions in the stem, bud and whole-plant dry weights, transpiration rate and leaf water potential during the midday. The additive effects of O₃ and soil water stress were observed on the dry matter production, leaf gas exchange rates and leaf water potential. As a result, the whole-plant dry weight of the seedlings exposed to both stresses was markedly reduced compared with that of the seedlings exposed to charcoal-filtered air and grown in the well-watered treatment.     

Growth and photosynthesis of salt‐stressed sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plants as affected by foliar‐applied different potassium salts

In order to assess the effectiveness of foliar‐applied potassium (K⁺, 1.25%) using different salts (KCl, KOH, K₂CO₃, KNO₃, KH₂PO₄, and K₂SO₄) in ameliorating the inhibitory effect of salt stress on sunflower plants, a greenhouse experiment was conducted. Sodium chloride (150 mM) was applied through the rooting medium to 18 d–old plants and after 1 week of salt treatment; different K⁺‐containing salts were applied twice in 1‐week interval as a foliar spray. Salt stress adversely affected the growth, yield components, gas exchange, and water relations, and also caused nutrient imbalance in sunflower plants. However, foliar‐applied different sources of potassium improved shoot and root fresh and shoot dry weights, achene yield, 100‐achene weight, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water‐use efficiency, relative water content, and leaf and root K⁺ concentrations of sunflower plants grown under saline conditions. Under nonsaline conditions, improvement in shoot fresh weight, achene yield, 100‐achene weight, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, and root Na⁺ concentration was observed due to foliar‐applied different K sources. Of the different salts, K₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄, KNO₃, and K₂CO₃ were more effective than KCl and KOH in improving growth and some key physiological processes of sunflower plants.