Effects of Iron Deficiency on Thylakoid Membrane Structure and Composition in the Alga Dunaliella salina

Abstract

The unicellular green alga Dunaliella was previously proposed as a model photosynthetic organism for adaptation to iron deficiency. The purpose of this study was to find out how iron limitation affects the structure and composition of the photosynthetic system of Dunaliella salina. Iron deprivation did not retard proliferation of D. salina cells, but was associated with a decrease in cell volume and chlorophyll content, and with a four‐fold reduction in iron content and a two‐fold increase in Cu content. Electron microscopic analysis revealed shrinkage of the chloroplast and decrease in stacked thylakoid membranes. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence induction in the presence of DCMU and of 77 K chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectra indicated gross changes in the photosynthetic efficiency of reaction centers and in the organization of their associated light harvesting antenna. Differential analysis of protein composition led to the identification of a major thylakoid membrane protein (Tidi), that was specifically induced under iron deprivation. Partial sequencing suggests that Tidi is a novel type of a chlorophyll a/b binding protein. These results clearly show that iron limitation is associated with extensive reorganization of the photosynthetic system in Dunaliella.     

不同光强和缺镁胁迫对黄瓜叶片叶绿素荧光特性和活性氧产生的影响

不同光强和镁离子浓度对黄瓜叶片叶绿素荧光特性和活性氧产生的影响研究发现 ,在强光和缺镁胁迫下 ,黄瓜叶片发生了明显的光抑制 ,主要表现为Pn下降 ,叶绿素荧光参数Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、qP和 qN降低 ;活性氧超氧阴离子产生速率和H2O2以及膜脂过氧化产物MDA增加。这些结果表明 ,缺镁黄瓜叶片在强光下qP和 qN的降低使叶片吸收的过剩光能通过光化学反应途径和非辐射能量途径耗散受阻 ,从而增加了过剩光能所激发的电子用来生成活性氧的比例 ,这在一定程度上可缓解光抑制 ;但其不能被及时清除掉时 ,会加剧光抑制 ,甚至引起光氧化对光合机构造成破坏 ,最终导致叶片的失绿坏死。适当遮荫有利于提高PSII的光化学效率 ,减轻光抑制。     

高温胁迫下外源褪黑素对黄瓜幼苗光合作用及叶绿素荧光的影响

以"津春4号"黄瓜品种为试验材料,采用喷施外源褪黑素(melatonin,MT)的方法,研究了MT对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:高温处理后黄瓜幼苗叶片净光合速率(Pn)降低,气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)却增大,但随外源MT处理浓度的增加,黄瓜幼苗叶片内P...     

Impact of the Mediterranean Urban Environment on Photosynthetic Efficiency of Quercus ilex Leaves

Environmental constrains and anthropogenic changes can contribute simultaneously to the limitation of plant performance in Mediterranean urban areas. Photosynthetic efficiency of Quercus ilex L. leaves from the urban area of Naples was evaluated by comparison with leaves from remote site (Vesuvius National Park). The photosynthetic performance of leaves with different age (current year [CY], 1- [1Y] and 2-year old [2Y]) was assessed by measurements of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment contents. The photosynthetic activity at the urban site was higher than that at the remote site for the CY leaves, while the opposite was observed for the 1Y and 2Y leaves. The growth of Q. ilex trees was mainly sustained by the CY leaves at the urban site, whereas at the remote site the photosynthetic activity was not affected by leaf ageing. In the urban environment, Q. ilex leaves strongly decreased the photosynthetic performance with leaf ageing as highlighted by leaf gas exchanges, although the photochemistry did not show any significant change. The mature leaves of urban site drove the reductive power deriving from the photochemistry more in non-assimilative processes rather than in carbon assimilative ones, avoiding a strong decrease of PSII photochemical efficiency.     

The effect of lead on photosynthesis, as determined by photoacoustics in Synechococcus leopoliensis (Cyanobacteria)

The effect of lead on photosynthetic light storage efficiency was measured by the photoacoustic method. The advantage of this method is in its directness, since the signal obtained by a hydrophone is proportional to that fraction of light energy that is dissipated as heat. This increases as less energy is stored photochemically if the photosynthetic apparatus is damaged. Cells of shape Synechococcus leopoliensis (Cyanobacteria) were grown in medium containing lead in concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 ppm. To avoid the co-precipitation of lead and phosphorus as lead phosphate, phosphorus was omitted from the media used during weeklong exposure to lead. Both chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic energy storage efficiency decreased with time and with lead concentration. Reduction of photosynthesis progressed with time and increased with lead concentration, reaching up to 80% at the highest lead concentration after seven days.     

Heavy metal accumulation in leaves affects physiological performance and litter quality of Quercus ilex L.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between leaf functional modifications and heavy metal concentrations of Quercus ilex L., a good bioindicator of air quality. In addition, as metal concentration in litter plays an important role in decomposition and, in turn, in biogeochemical cycles, samples of undecomposed and whole‐leaf litter were analyzed for heavy metals. Leaves and leaf litter of Q. ilex were collected at six sites (roadsides, motorway sites, and urban parks) in Naples (Southern Italy) and characterized for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations. The investigated functional leaf traits were: leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry‐matter content (LDMC), water content (WC), leaf relative water content (RWC), maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m, variable fluorescence / maximal fluorescence), and total chlorophyll concentration. The motorways were the most contaminated sites, and Pb was the main responsible source of contamination. The metal contamination caused slight variation of F_v/F_m, suggesting that metals did not significantly alter functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus. On the other hand, it can be supposed that higher leaf deposit can cause an increase of pigment biosynthesis in response to the shading increase caused by dust deposition.     

Silicon: a beneficial nutrient for maize crop to enhance photochemical efficiency of photosystem II under salt stress

Soil salinity imposes an unprecedented risk to the soil fertility and availability of plant nutrients. The present proposal is designed to address the effect of salt stress on photosynthetic apparatus of maize including chlorophyll a fluorescence and how silicon nutrition helps to overcome this issue. In a sand culture experiment, two maize cultivars were sown in small pots with two levels of silicon (0 and 2 mM H₂SiO₃) and two levels of salinity stress (0 and 60 mM NaCl). Salinity stress reduced dry matter yield and potassium (K) concentration in both maize cultivars and also induced inefficient working of photosynthetic apparatus including photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Silicon addition alleviated NaCl stress on maize crop by improving the dry matter yield and water use efficiency (WUE). It decreased shoot Na concentration by increasing root and shoot K concentration of maize plants. It enhanced maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry which leads to smooth electron transport chain. It also significantly enhanced shoot silicon concentration and has a significant positive correlation with WUE. Therefore, silicon-treated maize plants have better chance to survive under salt stress conditions as their photosynthetic apparatus is working far better than non-silicon-treated plants.     

遮荫下氮肥用量对雪茄外包皮烟叶光合特性的调控效应

通过遮荫条件下的盆栽试验,测定分析了4个氮肥处理的雪茄外包皮烟叶片的叶绿素含量、净光合速率和叶绿素荧光动力学参数,探讨了不同氮肥用量对雪茄外包皮烟叶光合特性的调控效应。结果表明,随着氮肥用量的增加,烟叶的叶绿素含量增加,叶片的PS.II最大光化学效率和潜在活性,PSⅡ的实际光化学效率以及荧光光化学猝灭系数(qP)都有增加的趋势,最终导致叶片净光合速率的提高。试验还表明,适当的增施氮肥有利于改善叶片的光合功能,提高叶片的净光合速率,但过量氮肥则不利于光合能力的改善,更不利于荧光动力学参数的优化。     

重金属Cd2+对结缕草叶片光合特性的影响

用水培法研究了重金属Cd2+胁迫对结缕草叶片光合气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数、光能分配及叶绿素含量的影响。结果表明,Cd2+胁迫下,除胞间CO₂浓度（Ci）外,结缕草叶片净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)均较对照降低,差异显著;最小初始荧光(F0)、最大荧光(Fm)、光下最大荧光(Fm′)、光下最小荧光(F0′)、稳态荧光(Fs)、最大量子产量(Fv/Fm)、实际量子产量(Fv′/Fm′)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、相对电子传递速率(rETR)、光化学猝灭系数(qp)等均较对照显著降低,而20d时处理叶片的非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)较对照显著升高;在光能分配方面,除PSⅡ反应中心的过剩激发能C值无显著性变化,Cd2+胁迫显著降低了结缕草叶片PSⅡ光化学反应消耗的光能A值,显著提高了通过天线热耗散消耗的光能B值;尽管叶绿素与类胡萝卜素含量无显著变化,但30 d的Cd2+胁迫仍使二者含量降低。     

不同氮素水平下CO2倍增对大豆叶片荧光诱导动力学参数的影响

本文研究了在不同氮素水平下，CCO2倍增对大豆叶片单位鲜重叶绿素（Chl）和类胡萝卜素（Car）含量，以及荧光诱导动力学参数的影响。结果表明，在正常大气下增施氮肥，对叶片Chl含量的提高作用相当于CO2倍增的作用，但是增施氮肥又可进一步强化CO2倍增的作用。CO2倍增和增施氮肥均有改善大豆光合功能的作用，提高大豆的PSⅡ活性和光合作用潜在量子转化效率，提高PSⅡ反应中心开放部分的比例，降低非辐射能量的耗散，使大豆能更充分地利用所捕获的光能用于光合作用，结果促进PSⅡ总的光化学量子产量的提高。增施氮肥同样表现出可增强CO2倍增对光合功能的改善作用。表明要使高浓度的CO2对C3植物光合作用起更好的作用，增施氮肥是必要的。     

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) leaf injury,photosynthesis and stomatal functions under elevated ozone levels

Three bush bean cultivars (Lit, Groffy and Stella) were grown under four levels of ozone exposure (ambient air+50 ppb O₃ ambient air+25 ppb O₃, ambient air and charcoal filtered air) in open- top chambers. Number and leaf injury statistics showed significant reduction in the number of healthy leaves as the level of O₃ increased. The area based leaf injury percentages of the cvs. Lit, Groffy and Stella were 69.8, 57.9 and 71.1% at the highest O₃ level, 24.1, 19.6 and 30.3% at the 2nd highest O₃ level, and 4.5, 0.7 and 5.6% at the ambient air, respectively. The plants grown in the filtered air revealed no injury symptoms. The stomatal conductances were found to decrease gradually in each cultivar as the O₃ level increased. At the highest O₃ level, Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on the 2nd leaf from the top on 24th day of exposure resulted in significantly the highest Fv/Fm values, the lowest f₀ and the highest F_m values whereas the 4th leaf showed the smallest Fm and correspondingly the smallest F_v/F_m values. This is an indication of photosystem II damage after accumulation of a high ozone dose in the 4th leaf. The photosynthetic rate of the 2nd leaf measured on 30th day of exposure was comparatively higher at the highest exposure but the data taken from the same leaf on 40th day of exposure showed significantly lower photosynthetic rate than the plants in ambient air. Both chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic measurements indicated that ozone stressed leaves experience a stimulation of photosynthesis (possibly due to increased assimilate demand) prior to irreversible damage. Bush bean leaves need to accumulate a critical ozone dose(an AOT40 of presumably > 18 ppm-h) for reduction of the photosynthetic capacitys.     

Silicon‐induced cadmium resistance in rice (Oryza sativa)

Silicon (Si)‐induced cadmium (Cd) tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated by analyzing Cd uptake, growth, and physiological parameters. Silicon treatments (0.0, 0.2, or 0.6 mM) were added to 6 d–old seedlings, and Cd treatments (0.0 or 5.0 μM) were added to 20 d–old seedlings. Parameters determined included: maximum net CO₂ assimilation (A_max), stomatal conductance (g_smax), and transpiration (E_max) rates at varying intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i). Also measured were chlorophyll fluorescence, growth, and Cd‐uptake parameters. Results showed a Si‐induced inhibition of Cd uptake. However, 0.2 mM or 0.6 mM Si treatment concentrations did not differentially inhibit Cd uptake or differentially alleviate Cd‐induced growth inhibition, despite a significant increase in tissue Si concentration due to 0.6 mM Si treatment compared to 0.2 mM Si treatment. Additionally, photosynthesis and chlorophyll‐fluorescence analysis showed that treatment with Cd significantly inhibited photosynthetic efficiency. Interestingly, the addition of 0.2 mM Si, more so than the addition of 0.6 mM Si, significantly alleviated the inhibitory effects of Cd toxicity on photosynthesis and chlorophyll‐fluorescence parameters. Our results suggest that 0.2 mM Si could be close to an optimum Si‐dose requirement for the alleviation of toxicity symptoms mediated by moderate (5 μM) Cd exposure.     

大气CO2浓度和气温升高对大豆叶片光合特性及氮代谢的影响

以大豆品种“中黄35”为材料,利用人工气候室,设置对照CK（CO2浓度和气温与外界测定值相同）、EC（CO2浓度为外界测定值+200μmol·mol–1,气温与外界测定值相同）、ET（CO2浓度与外界测定值相同,气温为外界测定值+2℃）、ECT（CO2浓度为外界测定值+200μmol·mol–1,气温为外界大气测定值+2℃）共4个处理。大豆整个生育期均种植在人工气候室内,在大豆鼓粒期（8月12日）利用相对叶绿素仪测定大豆叶片相对叶绿素含量,利用便携式气体交换系统测定光合参数,利用便携式光合测量系统测定光响应曲线和CO2响应曲线,并测定叶片氮代谢相关指标,以研究CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1和气温升高2℃对鼓粒期大豆叶片的光合特性和氮代谢关键指标的影响。结果表明：（1）ET处理鼓粒期大豆叶片相对叶绿素含量（SPAD）显著增加,EC和ECT处理对其影响不明显。（2）各处理鼓粒期大豆叶片气孔导度（Gs）均显著下降。ET处理中,叶片净光合速率（Pn）、水分利用效率（WUE）显著下降,EC处理对其影响不大,但是可以提高叶片水分利用效率（WUE）,改善气温升高对叶片的负面影响。（3）EC和ET处理鼓粒期大豆叶片最大净光合速率（Pnmax）均显著下降,ECT处理对其影响不显著。（4）EC处理中,鼓粒期大豆叶片CO2补偿点（Γ）、饱和胞间CO2浓度（Cisat）、光呼吸速率（Rp）均显著增加,ET和ECT对其影响不大。各处理均使鼓粒期大豆叶片最大净光合能力（Amax）下降。（5）EC处理鼓粒期大豆叶片硝酸还原酶（NR）活性和可溶性蛋白含量均显著下降,但是ET和ECT处理叶片可溶性蛋白含量显著增加,硝酸还原酶（NR）活性变化不显著,各处理均降低了谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）的活性。总之,CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1可以改善气温升高2℃对鼓粒期大豆叶片光合作用的负面影响,但对氮代谢有抑制作用,而气温升高2℃可以一定程度上缓解CO2浓度升高200μmol·mol–1对鼓粒期大豆叶片氮代谢的抑制作用。     

用气体交换和叶绿素荧光法研究黄柏剥皮后的再生机理

应用植物气体交换和叶绿素荧光技术,测定了5年生黄柏主干环状全剥皮及新皮再生对叶片光合效率、蒸腾速率以及叶绿素荧光的影响。结果表明,剥皮后7-29d,其光合效率、叶绿素荧光最大量子效率ΦPO、实际量子效率ΦP’和光化学猝灭qp均显著低于对照(未剥皮树),35d后与对照无显著差异;而蒸腾速率与对照无显著差异。说明剥皮导致的光合下降不是由气孔因素引起,也不是光系统结构的破坏,而是因剥皮阻断了光合碳同化物向下运输,从而发生光合产物积累对光合作用过程的反馈抑制。一旦韧皮部向下运输的功能恢复,反馈抑制随即解除,光合作用迅速恢复至常态。     

Bromide Tolerance in Salicornia brachiata Roxb, an Obligate Halophyte

In coastal marshy lands, halogen bromide concentration is reported to be generally higher than in the inland soils where, annual halophytic species naturally grow. The effect of bromide on plant responses is relatively less known. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of sodium bromide (NaBr) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, tissue ions content and changes in enzymes activity in Salicornia brachiata, a salt marsh halophyte. Presence of NaBr in the root medium induced 200 percent increase in fresh mass and 30% increase in dry mass, compared to untreated control. Relative water content also increased significantly with NaBr treatment. Increase in fresh and dry mass was not associated with high photosynthetic efficiency as evidenced by decrease in photosynthetic pigments accumulation. However, inorganic ion analysis revealed that S. brachiata accumulated Na⁺ as a primary osmotica. The concentration of Na⁺ in NaBr treated plants was ～4 fold higher than that measured in untreated controls and this was associated with significant reduction in K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ contents. Bromide content also increased significantly and accounted for 20 to 50 percent of dry weight. In addition, significant differences in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and ATPase were observed in bromide treated plants. For the first time bromide tolerance in coastal halophyte was reported and the results suggest that bromide was not toxic to S. brachiata for growth and metabolism even at 600 mM. concentration and suggest that the species can be used in phytoremediation of bromide contaminated soils.     

缺钾对水稻不同品种光合和能量耗散的影响

试验测定了钾敏感型(二九丰)和钾钝感型(原丰早)两个水稻品种在缺钾处理41.d后其剑叶的生长、光合光响应曲线、叶绿素荧光参数光响应曲线和暗弛豫动力学曲线。结果表明,缺钾降低了水稻剑叶的光合作用,显著抑制了生长。但是缺钾条件下导致两个水稻品种净光合速率(Pn)下降的主导因子并不相同。在缺钾条件下,原丰早(YFZ)剑叶的Pn随气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)的下降而下降,但叶绿素荧光参数和叶绿素含量几乎没有变化,说明其Pn下降主要归于气孔的限制。缺钾处理41.d后,二九丰(EJF)在低光强下[500mol/(m2.s)],Pn随Gs和Ci下降,但在更强的光强下,Pn和Gs继续下降,而Ci开始上升,并在1200mol/(m2.s)处超越了对照,说明此时主导因子不单受气孔限制,还受非气孔因子限制;它的光饱和点从1200mol/(m2.s)下降到大约500mol/(m2.s);同时,其荧光参数Fv/Fm、ФPSII、qP和ETR随光强上升而迅速下降,而L(PFD)、E和PP迅速增加,NPQ在1200mol/(m2.s)光强下上升,但是在高光强下却迅速降低,甚至低于对照,而且Fm、Fv/Fm下降,Fo上升,均说明缺钾处理可能使光合机构受到了伤害,发生了光抑制。对非光化学猝灭的分析得到其中间组分qNm可能起了更大的能量耗散作用,部分激发能从PSⅡ转移到PSⅠ,降低了PSⅡ耗散能量的压力。以上结果表明,两品种对钾敏感性不同极可能也与缺钾条件下光保护能力的差异有关。     

Nitrogen deficiency induced a decrease in grain yield related to photosynthetic characteristics,carbon–nitrogen balance and nitrogen use efficiency in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)

ABSTRACT

Field experiments involving proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) cultivar under four nitrogen (N) levels (N0, N60, N105 and N150) were conducted in 2015 and 2016 to explore the decrease in grain yield under N deficiency related to the changes in leaf photosynthetic characteristics, carbon (C)–N balance and N use efficiency. Results showed that N deficiency decreased the net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and chlorophyll content and increased the intercellular CO₂ concentration of proso millet flag leaves from flowering to maturity. N deficiency negatively regulated the C–N balance and increased the C/N ratio by reducing the total N, soluble protein and soluble sugar contents, resulting in high starch content. N uptake and utilisation were significantly reduced because of less available N. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the grain yield and photosynthetic characteristics or N use efficiency, whereas a negative correlation was found between the grain yield and the C/N ratio. The yields generated by N0, N60 and N105 were lower than that of N150 in both years. The N fertiliser regression formulae developed in the study would provide useful information about the N fertiliser rate of proso millet.     

低氮胁迫对耐低氮玉米品种苗期光合及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

【目的】叶绿素荧光参数经常用来评价光合器官的功能和环境压力的影响,不同玉米基因型耐低氮胁迫能力差异较大,与光合及叶绿素荧光特性对低氮胁迫的响应机制有关。本文以耐低氮能力差异较大的4个玉米杂交种为试验材料,研究了低氮胁迫对不同耐低氮性玉米品种苗期光合及叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以期明确耐低氮胁迫玉米品种的光合机制。【方法】采用二因素完全随机设计盆栽试验,因素A为不同耐低氮性玉米品种:‘正红311’、‘成单30’和不耐低氮品种‘先玉508’、‘三北2号’;因素B为不同氮素水平:正常氮CK(霍格兰完全营养液,N 15 mmol/L)、低氮胁迫LN1(N 0.5 mmol/L)、极低氮胁迫LN2(N 0.05 mmol/L)。测定了苗期单株干物质积累量,单株氮素积累量,叶片叶绿素含量与荧光特性,以及光合效率指标。【结果】低氮胁迫下玉米苗期单株干物质积累量、单株氮素积累量、叶片叶绿素含量等生理指标显著下降,但耐低氮品种的下降幅度显著低于不耐低氮品种;低氮胁迫下玉米苗净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)显著降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)显著升高,净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)的降幅及胞间CO2浓度(Ci)的增幅耐低氮品种均显著低于不耐低氮品种;低氮胁迫下可变荧光(Fv)、最大荧光(Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/F0)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ有效光量子产量(Fv'/Fm')和光化学猝灭系数(q P)等叶绿素荧光特性也均显著降低,耐低氮品种下降幅度显著低于不耐低氮品种;低氮胁迫下耐低氮品种PSⅡ实际光量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)降低,不耐低氮品种有所增加;而耐低氮品种非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)升高,不耐低氮品种有所降低。【结论】耐低氮玉米品种能够减缓低氮胁迫对植株光合系统的影响,进而保证植株较高的氮素积累,提高叶片叶绿素含量,维持较高的PSⅡ有效光量子产量(Fv'/Fm')和光化学猝灭系数(q P),为光合作用提供充足的光能;从而保持了较高的净光合速率(Pn),保证了耐低氮品种在低氮条件下保持较高的干物质生产。     

Determination of photosynthetic parameters Vcmax and Jmax for a C3 plant (spring hulless barley) at two altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau

On the Tibetan Plateau, the unique alpine climate factors of low air pressure, low CO₂ partial pressure and low air temperature have significant but non-explicit influences on the photosynthetic capacity of plants. To evaluate these influences, we measured the net photosynthetic rates for spring hulless barley leaves at two altitudes of 3688 m (the low altitude) and 4333 m (the high altitude), respectively. Two photosynthetic parameters—Vc_max, the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylase activity, and J_max, the maximum rate of photosynthetic electron transport—were determined. The net photosynthetic rate and the photosynthetic parameters Vc_max and J_max were higher for leaves from plants grown at the high altitude than for those at the low altitude. Vc_max and J_max were approximately 24% and 22% greater, respectively, for leaves from plants grown at the high altitude. The CO₂ and air temperature at the high altitude were lower than those at the low altitude. As a consequence, plants exposed to lower CO₂ partial pressure and lower air temperature have a higher photosynthetic capacity on the Tibetan Plateau. The optimal temperatures for Vc_max and J_max were approximately 6.5% and 3.5% higher, respectively, in leaves from plants grown at the high altitude than those grown at the low altitude, and the ratio of J_max to Vc_max was 12.7% lower at the low altitude. Simulation analyses revealed that the photosynthetic capacities of plants decreased after long-term increases in CO₂ partial pressure and temperature associated with global climate change on the Tibetan Plateau.     

Cadmium Effects on Sunflower Growth and Photosynthesis

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant growth, chlorophyll content, and fluorescence. Sunflower plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 50, and 500 μ M) for 21 d. Growth parameters (organ length, fresh and dry weights) were determined and results compared with two parameters associated with photosynthesis degradation: chlorophyll content and fluorescence (an easy and non-destructive method). Exposure to Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing shoot and root lengths and their fresh and dry weight. Cadmium also decreased significantly chlorophyll content and fluorescence efficiency in all treatments. Chlorophyll a (chl a) and chl b contents showed a significant correlation with chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m ratio). The EC₅₀ values showed that the roots' length was the most sensitive endpoint in this study, followed by the roots' and shoots' weight endpoints. Also, chl b showed higher sensitivity to Cd contamination than chl a. These data show that in complement to growth parameters, the use of photosynthetic parameters provides helpful information on plant response to Cd exposure.