大气CO_2浓度升高对大豆光合生理的影响

绿色植物进行光合作用离不开CO_2,其浓度的高低对植物的生长发育会产生一定的影响。大豆是我国及世界主要的粮食作物之一,开展大气CO_2浓度升高对大豆影响的研究,将为CO_2浓度升高条件下,大豆生产如何响应高浓度CO_2提供理论依据。利用开顶式气室(OTC)进行了CO_2浓度升高对大豆主要发育期叶片光合及叶绿素荧光影响的研究。结果表明,大气CO_2浓度升高使大豆净光合速率增加,气孔导度和蒸腾速率均下降,水分利用效率增加。大气CO_2浓度升高对大豆的叶绿素荧光参数的影响因生育期不同而有所差异,开花期,大豆叶片光系统Ⅱ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、光系统Ⅱ实际光化学量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)和光化学淬灭系统(q P)均无显著变化;在鼓粒期,大豆叶片光系统Ⅱ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)均比对照明显降低,光系统Ⅱ实际光化学量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)和光化学淬灭系数(q P)均比对照显著增加。     

外源H_2O_2处理对两种小麦叶绿素荧光和叶绿素的影响

[目的]研究不同浓度H2O2处理对2种小麦幼苗叶绿素荧光和叶绿素的影响。[方法]以小麦品种宁春四号和西旱二号幼苗为材料,采用室内水培试验。[结果]对于宁春四号,200μmol/L H2O2处理使得初始荧光(F0)、最大荧光(Fm)、PSⅡ处调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y(NPQ)、光化学淬灭(qP)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)明显低于对照;不同浓度的H2O2处理使得幼苗叶片叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)和叶绿素总量均显著降低。50、100和200μmol/L H2O2处理下西旱二号幼苗叶片Chla含量和F0显著降低,PSⅡ的最大量子产量(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学反应效率(Y(Π))、电子传递速率(ETR)、qP和NPQ均增大,而Chlb和叶绿素总量无显著变化。[结论]与宁春4号相比,外源H2O2胁迫使西旱2号小麦幼苗叶片PSⅡ反应系统更开放,光合机构的损伤较严重。     

GA_3对葡萄果实成熟期叶片光合及荧光特性的影响

以3 a生全球红葡萄(Vitis vinifera L. cv. Red Globe)为试材,用不同质量浓度的GA3在花前花后两次处理葡萄果穗后,研究其对葡萄果实成熟期叶片光合色素含量、光合及荧光特性的影响。结果表明,①GA3处理增加了葡萄叶片光合色素(PPC)的含量,20 mg.L-1GA3处理效果最显著,Chla、Chlb和Car含量分别较对照增加了13.2%、23.3%和38.6%(P0.05),但由于Chla增加幅度小于Chlb,所以Chla/b降低;②GA3处理后叶片净光合速率(Pn)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2摩尔分数(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)都有不同程度的增加,但在一天当中发生改变的时间不同;③经不同质量浓度GA3处理,叶片初始荧光(Fo)、最大荧光(Fm)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ФPSⅡ)升高,暗适应下最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)增大,但不明显。     

NaCl和NaHCO3胁迫对萱草金娃娃光合作用及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

以萱草金娃娃为试验材料,研究不同浓度的中性盐(NaCl)和碱性盐(NaHCO_3)胁迫对萱草幼苗光合作用及叶绿素荧光特性的影响。结果显示,盐胁迫处理显著降低了萱草金娃娃的光合能力。在NaCl和NaHCO_3胁迫下,萱草幼苗光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的变化趋势基本相同,但在不同盐种类和盐浓度胁迫处理下萱草幼苗的光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数值存在显著差异。随着盐胁迫天数的延长、盐浓度的增加,初始荧光产量(F_o)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)升高;最大荧光产量(F_m)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ实际光合量子产量(Y)及表观量子效率(AQY)等都呈现下降的趋势;此外,随着盐胁迫天数的延长、盐浓度的增加,净光合速率(P_n)下降,胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)上升。由此推测,盐胁迫下,萱草金娃娃叶片的光合特性受到抑制:一方面是非气孔限制因素,即叶绿素含量降低,进而导致光合特性受到抑制;另一方面是叶肉细胞光合性能的下降导致萱草净光合速率降低。盐胁迫引起萱草光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的变化与盐种类及盐浓度密切相关,高盐胁迫显著抑制萱草金娃娃的光合能力,且NaHCO_3对萱草幼苗影响明显大于NaCl。     

外源硝酸钙对盐胁迫黄瓜幼苗生长和光合作用的影响

以较耐盐黄瓜品种新泰密刺为试材,采用营养液栽培,研究了叶面喷施Ca(NO3)2对盐胁迫(65 mmol/L NaCl)下黄瓜幼苗生长、叶片叶绿素含量、光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,外源Ca(NO3)2显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的干鲜重和叶片叶绿素含量;Ca(NO3)2也提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ФPSⅡ)、光条件下最大光化学效率(F'v/F'm)和光化学淬灭系数(qP),而对胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、暗条件下最大化学效率(Fv/Fm)和非光化学淬灭系数(qN)没有显著影响。这些结果说明外源Ca(NO3)2可能通过提高叶绿素含量和调节气孔限制,以缓解盐胁迫对黄瓜幼苗光化学效率的抑制,进而提高植株耐盐胁迫能力,促进其生长。     

番茄黄化曲叶病毒侵染对番茄叶片光合及荧光特性的影响

以感病番茄‘1479’和抗病番茄‘H24’为试验材料,研究番茄黄化曲叶病毒(TYLCV)侵染对植株叶片光合及荧光特性的影响。结果表明:TYLCV侵染后,‘1479’叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)均显著降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)增加;‘H24’各个参数变化不显著;2个品种的PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)降低幅度较小,‘1479’的PSⅡ有效光化学量子产量(Fv’/Fm’)、PSⅡ实际光化学量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)均显著降低,而‘H24’则降幅较小;‘1479’非光化学猝灭系数(qN)显著升高,而‘H24’升高不明显。表明TYLCV侵染使番茄植株光合作用受到抑制,对感病材料影响显著,而对抗病材料无明显影响。     

不同浓度NaHSO3处理对菠菜幼苗光合作用的影响

研究了不同浓度NaHSO3(0.1,0.2,0.5,1.0,2.0,5.0 mmol/L)对菠菜叶片光合作用的影响.结果表明:低浓度的NaHSO3促进光合速率,高浓度的NaHSO3抑制光合速率,0.5 mmol/L为促进光合速率的最佳浓度.分析认为,低浓度NaHSO3下菠菜光合色素、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、电子传递速率(ERT)、原初光能转化效率(￠PSⅡ)升高和非光化学猝灭系数(qN)的降低是NaHSO3提高菠菜光合作用的内在原因.     

外源 H2O2处理对两种小麦叶绿素荧光和叶绿素的影响

[目的]研究不同浓度H2O2处理对2种小麦幼苗叶绿素荧光和叶绿素的影响。[方法]以小麦品种宁春四号和西旱二号幼苗为材料,采用室内水培试验。[结果]对于宁春四号,200μmol／LH2O2处理使得初始荧光（FO）、最大荧光（Fm）、PSI处调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y（NPQ）、光化学淬灭（qP）和非光化学淬灭（NPQ）明显低于对照;不同浓度的H2O2处理使得幼苗叶片叶绿素a（Chla）、叶绿素b（Chlb）和叶绿素总量均显著降低。50、100和200μmol／LH3O2处理下西旱二号幼苗叶片Chla含量和F0显著降低,PSI的最大量子产量（Fv/Fm）、实际光化学反应效率（1,（II））、电子传递速率（ETR）、qP和ⅣPQ均增大,而Chlb和叶绿素总量无显著变化。[结论]与宁春4号相比,外源H2O2胁迫使西旱2号小麦幼苗叶片PSⅡ反应系统更开放,光合机构的损伤较严重。     

不同氮素籽粒生产效率油菜品种苗期叶片光合特性差异

2007-2008年度通过对不同氮肥水平下28个品种苗期叶片叶绿素含量和光合参数以及氮素籽粒生产效率的测定,结果表明：（1）不同品种氮素籽粒生产效率差异较大,施用氮肥氮素籽粒生产效率显著降低。（2）多数品种施用氮肥叶片叶绿素含量(SPAD值),净光合速率(Pn)增加;PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm),光化学淬灭系数(qP)增加,非光化学淬灭系数(qN)减小。（3）叶片叶绿素含量(SPAD值)与净光合速率(Pn)之间,净光合速率(Pn)与PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)之间都表现显著正相关关系。（4）氮素籽粒生产效率与苗期叶片PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)呈显著正相关,不施氮肥条件下氮素籽粒生产效率与SPAD值呈显著正相关。     

两种微生物有机肥对枸杞叶绿素荧光参数变化的影响

【目的】在田间试验条件下,以甘肃景泰玉杰农贸有限公司种植园内5a生宁杞1号为供试材料,通过施用不同种类的微生物肥料,分析评价施用不同处理对叶绿素荧光参数的影响。【方法】采用随机区组设计,测定了供试材料叶片的叶绿素荧光慢速动力曲线、光响应曲线、光化学淬灭以及非光化学淬灭等参数的变化,分析其差异。【结果】施用微生物肥料有助于提高和改善枸杞的光能利用率,不同程度地提高了枸杞叶片的最大荧光产量(Fm)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ的潜在活性(Fv/F0)、表观电子传递速率(ETR)、实际光化学量子产量Yield(Ⅱ)以及光化学淬灭系数(qP)。【结论】施用腐植酸生化复合肥后明显提高了PSⅡ反应中心的能量捕捉效率,增强了光合结构电子传递能力,降低了光合作用中非辐射能量的耗散。     

Effects of potassium deficiency on photosynthesis and photoprotection mechanisms in soybean(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)

Potassium is an important nutrient element requiring high concentration for photosynthetic metabolism.The potassium deficiency in soil could inhibit soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.) photosynthesis and result in yield reduction.Research on the photosynthetic variations of the different tolerant soyben varieties should provide important information for high yield tolerant soybean breeding program.Two representative soybean varieties Tiefeng 40(tolerance to K~+ deficiency) and GD8521(sensitive to K~+ deficiency) were hydroponically grown to measure the photosynthesis,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco activity under different potassium conditions.With the K-deficiency stress time extending,the net photosynthetic rate(P_n),transpiration rate(T_r) and stomatal conductance(G_s) of GD8521 were significantly decreased under K-deficiency condition,whereas the intercellular CO_2 concentration(C_i) was significantly increased.As a contrast,the variations of Tiefeng 40 were almost little under K-deficiency condition,which indicated tolerance to K~+ deficiency variety could maintain higher efficient photosynthesis.On the 25 th d after treatment,the minimal fluorescence(F_0) of GD8521 was significantly increased and the maximal fluorescence(F_m),the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry(F√F_m),actual photochemical efficiency of PSII(φ_(PSII)),photochemical quenching(q_p),and electron transport rate of PSII(ETR)were significantly decreased under K~+ deficiency condition.In addition,the Rubisco content of GD8521 was significantly decreased in leaves.It is particularly noteworthy that the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco content of Tiefeng 40 were unaffected under K~+ deficiency condition.On the other hand,the non-photochemical quenching(q_N) of Tiefeng 40 was significantly increased.The dry matter weight of Tiefeng 40 was little affected under K~+ deficiency condition.Results indicated that Tiefeng 40 could avoid or relieve the destruction of PSII caused by exceeded absorbed solar energy under K-deficiency condition and maintain natural photosynthesis and plant growth.It was an essential physiological mechanism for low-K-tolerant soybean under K-deficiency stress.     

有机生态型无土栽培对茄子幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

以茄子幼苗为试材,研究了有机生态型无土栽培和土壤栽培对茄子幼苗生长及叶片光合特性的影响.结果表明:除茄子幼苗的初始荧光(Fo)明显低于土壤栽培Fo外,有机生态型无土栽培茄子幼苗的株高和茎粗增加幅度、叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)以及PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)及PSⅡ光合电子传递量子效率(ФPSⅡ)都明显高于土壤栽培,说明有机生态型无土栽培茄子幼苗的生长量、光合特性和荧光系数均好于土壤栽培.     

草酸对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片光合机构和叶黄素循环的影响

 在40℃高温胁迫条件下，研究了外源草酸对黄瓜叶片光合作用、叶绿素荧光参数和叶黄素循环的影响。结果表明，在高温胁迫前3 d用5 mmol·L-1草酸处理叶片减小了高温胁迫下净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）、原初光能转换效率（Fv/Fm）、光合电子传递量子效率（φPSⅡ）、光化学猝灭系数（qP）和非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）的下降幅度，而对气孔导度（Gs）没有影响。草酸处理可提高叶黄素循环库的大小和（A+Z）/（V+A+Z），并使高温胁迫下叶黄素循环库、叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量的下降幅度和（A+Z）/（V+A+Z）在胁迫后期的下降幅度减小。这些结果说明，草酸对高温胁迫下黄瓜叶片光合机构的破坏具有保护作用。     

外源一氧化氮对铝胁迫下烟草叶片光能利用和光保护系统及活性氧代谢的影响

以云烟100(耐铝)和云烟105(铝敏感)为材料,采用水培法研究外源一氧化氮(NO)对铝胁迫下烟草植株生长、叶片活性氧含量、光合特性、叶绿素荧光参数、光呼吸和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,铝胁迫显著降低了烟草叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSII光合电子传递量子效率(FPSII)和光化学猝灭系数(q P),提高了反应中心PSII过剩激发能,从而导致叶片超氧阴离子(O_2·)和过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量升高,植株生物量下降。外源NO可显著提高铝胁迫下烟草叶片叶绿素含量、Pn、Fv/Fm、FPSII、q P和植株生物量,降低反应中心PSII过剩激发能和叶片O_2·、H_2O_2含量,且云烟105变化幅度高于云烟100。此外,外源NO还显著提高了铝胁迫下烟草叶片非光化学猝灭系数、光呼吸速率、超氧化物歧化酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性,说明NO可通过提高烟草叶片光化学反应能力、热耗散、光呼吸以及抗氧化酶活性来降低反应中心PSII过剩激发能,防止或清除叶绿体内产生的活性氧,缓解铝对烟草的毒害,这种缓解效应在敏感基因型云烟105中表现更明显。     

水分胁迫下毛竹幼苗光合及叶绿素荧光特性的响应

为分析水分胁迫对毛竹幼苗光合、荧光特性及水分利用效率的影响,以1年生毛竹为试验材料,采用气体交换和叶绿素荧光成像技术,研究不同水分亏缺条件下毛竹幼苗叶片光合生理参数的变化。研究表明:①随着胁迫程度的加深,光系统PSⅡ反应中心活性减弱与光合速率降低一致,气孔限制及PSⅡ反应中心可逆失活或破坏是其净光合速率（Pn）降低的主要原因;②从无胁迫（NS）处理至重度胁迫（HS）处理,光饱和点（LSP）下降20.45%,最大净光合速率(Pnmax)下降67.22%、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量（Fv/Fm）减少22.46%,有效荧光产量减少45.60%;③低度胁迫（LS）处理水分利用效率较NS处理提高17.81%,光化学淬灭系数（qP）和非光化学淬灭系数（qN）先降低后升高;④初始荧光(Fo)、最大荧光(Fm)、Fv/Fm变异系数均随胁迫处理程度加深而增大,Fo变异区间为18.182%～26.404%,Fm为16.321%～24.899%,Fv/Fm 为1.291%～33.932%。      

Leaf photosynthesis and yield components of mung bean under fully open-air elevated[CO_2]

Mung bean(Vigna radiata L.) has the potential to establish symbiosis with rhizobia,and symbiotic association of soil micro flora may facilitate the photosynthesis and plant growth response to elevated[CO_2].Mung bean was grown at either ambient CO_2 400 μmol mol~(-1) or[CO_2]((550+17) μmol mol~(-1)) under free air carbon dioxide enrichment(FACE) experimental facility in North China.Elevated[CO_2]increased net photosynthetic rate(P_n),water use efficiency(WUE) and the non-photochemical quenching(NPQ) of upper most fully-expanded leaves,but decreased stomatal conductance(G_s),intrinsic efficiency of PSII(F_v '/F_m'),quantum yield of PSII(φ_(PSll)) and proportion of open PSII reaction centers(q_p).At elevated[CO_2],the decrease of F_v'/F_m',φ_(PSII),q_p at the bloom stage were smaller than that at the pod stage.On the other hand,P_n was increased at elevated[CO_2]by 18.7 and 7.4%at full bloom(R2) and pod maturity stages(R4),respectively.From these findings,we concluded that as a legume despite greater nutrient supply to the carbon assimilation at elevated[CO_2],photosynthetic capacity of mung bean was still suppressed under elevated[CO_2]particularly at pod maturity stage but plant biomass and yield was increased by 11.6 and 14.2%,respectively.Further,these findings suggest that even under higher nutrient acquisition systems such as legumes,nutrient assimilation does not match carbon assimilation under elevated[CO_2]and leads photosynthesis down-regulation to elevated[CO_2].     

典型荒漠植物白刺叶绿素荧光特性对模拟增雨的响应

我国西北干旱区未来降水有增加趋势，研究不同增雨条件下典型荒漠植物白刺叶片叶绿素荧光变化规律能够揭示未来气候变化条件下荒漠植物对降水增加的响应与适应机制，对准确评估陆地生态系统碳收支具有重要意义。基于乌兰布和沙漠东缘白刺荒漠生态系统人工模拟增雨试验平台，除对照（自然降水）外，共设置4个增雨处理，即在自然降水的基础上分别增加多年平均降水量（145 mm）的25%、50%、75%和100%，分别测定不同增雨条件下白刺的叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明:1）增雨对白刺叶片叶绿素荧光特性有显著影响的时间主要在白刺自身生理活性强、生长速率快且对水分需求较高的生长季前期(6月)；2）增雨后，原初光化学量子效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(q_p)和非光化学猝灭系数(nPq)上升，增雨使白刺叶片对光能的吸收、利用和转化效率提高的同时，也增加了其热耗散能力；3）原初光化学量子效率、电子传递速率和非光化学猝灭系数三者对最大净光合速率变化的解释量分别为29%、26%和23%，说明PSⅡ反应中心活性增强、光能转化效率和电子传递速率提高是促进白刺光合生产能力提高以及光合产物积累增加的关键过程。总之，白刺对新的水分条件表现出较强的适应性，这种适应性主要体现在调控自身生理特性及增加光合产物积累上，研究结果对揭示全球变化背景下荒漠生态系统对降水增加的响应机制具有重要意义。     

紫花苜蓿对蓟马危害的光合生理响应

【目的】探索紫花苜蓿对大田蓟马危害的光合生理响应机制,揭示苜蓿对蓟马危害的补偿机制。【方法】以抗蓟马苜蓿无性系R-1和感蓟马苜蓿无性系I-1为材料,在大田蓟马持续危害条件下,于初花期测定2个无性系不同受害级别叶片的气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光诱导动力学参数的变化。【结果】随着叶片受害级别的增加,R-1、I-1无性系叶片的叶绿素含量和水分利用效率（WUE）降低,胞间CO2浓度（Ci）、蒸腾速率（Tr）和气孔导度（Gs）升高,净光合速率（Pn）先升高后降低;R-1无性系的光补偿点（Lcp）、暗呼吸速率（Rd）先降低后升高,表观量子效率（AQY）、光饱和点（Lsp）、最大净光合速率（Pnmax）先升高后降低,I-1无性系的Lcp、Rd升高,AQY、Lsp降低,Pnmax先升高后降低;受害级别相同时,R-1无性系的Pn、AQY、Lsp和Pnmax高于I-1无性系,Rd、Lcp低于I-1无性系。随着叶片受害级别的增加,R-1无性系的初始荧光（F0）先降低后升高,PSII实际光合效率（ФPSII）、非光化学淬灭系数（NPQ）、光化学淬灭系数（qP）、PSII潜在活性（Fv/F0）和PSII原初光能转化效率（Fv/Fm）先升高后降低,I-1无性系的F0升高,NPQ、qP先升高后降低,ФPSII、Fv/F0和Fv/Fm降低;受害级别相同时,R-1无性系的F0低于I-1无性系,ФPSII、qP、Fv/F0和Fv/Fm高于I-1无性系。相对于健康叶片而言,R-1无性系不同受害级别叶片的气体交换参数、光响应参数及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的增幅、降幅均小于I-1无性系。【结论】蓟马危害造成了紫花苜蓿PSII反应中心受损,使得紫花苜蓿对光能的利用能力下降,光合效率降低。但在受害较轻的情况下,R-1无性系具有较高的光合效率,光合补偿效应显著大于I-1无性系,说明R-1无性系对蓟马危害具有较强的抗性。     

Photosynthetic Characteristics of a Super High Yield Cultivar of Winter Wheat During Late Growth Period

The mechanism of high yield of winter wheat in the field at late growth period was investigated by measuring the photosynthetic characteristics of photosystem Ⅱ （PSⅡ） and xanthophylls cycle, which could provide physiological reference for breeding. Weimai 8 （W8）, a super high yield cultivar, and Lumai 14 （L14）, a control cultivar were object. The photosynthetic rate （Pn）, parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content were measured. The Pn, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII （Fv/Fm）, quantum yield of PSII electron transport （ΦPSⅡ）, efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PSII reaction centers （Fv＇/Fm＇）, and photochemical quenching coefficient （qP） were higher in Weimai 8 compared to that in Lumai 14, a commercial high yield cultivar. Furthermore, Weirnai 8 showed a lower non- photochemical quenching coefficient and a lower de-epoxidized ratio of the xanthophyll cycle pigments than of Lumai 14 at late growth period. At mature stage, chlorophyll content of different leaves decreased both in Weimai 8 and Lumai 14. Chlorophyll content in flag, second and third leaf from the top of plant decreased more in Lumai 14 than in Weimai 8. These results suggested that Weimai 8 had more antenna pigments to absorb light energy, and had higher photosynthetic capability and photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ. The yield of Weimai 8 was also higher than that of Lumai 14.     

Responsibility of non-stomatal limitations for the reduction of photosynthesis—response of photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme characteristics in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings to water stress and rehydration

Water stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 solution (ψ _s = 0.2 MPa, stress time: 48 h, rehydration time: 48 h) was performed in leaves of two alfalfa cultivar (Long-Dong and Algonquin) seedlings. Gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, activity of antioxidant enzyme and photosynthetic pigment concentrations were measured to investigate the available photosynthetic and antioxidant enzyme response to variable water conditions as well as stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis. The results showed that non-stomatal limitations were responsible for the reduction of photosynthesis during water stress. At the beginning of water stress (12 h), water was lost and then the stomata closed rapidly, which resulted in a decrease of transpiration, net photosynthesis and CO₂ diffusion. Therefore, when intercellular CO₂ concentration and carboxylation efficiency decrease, water use efficiency and value of stomatal limitation would increase. However, the decline of net photosynthetic rate was faster than transpiration rate. At the same time, the maximal photochemical efficiency, potential activity of PSII reaction center and photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence declined significantly, the activity of antioxidant enzyme increased rapidly and the photosynthetic pigment concentrations changed slightly. The results also indicated that, at the initial period of stress, neither oxidative stress nor membrane lipid peroxidation was induced, nor were photosynthetic structures damaged, but photosynthetic functions were partly inhibited. Therefore, the stomatal limitation and non-stomatal limitations had the same responsibility for the reduction of photosynthesis. At the mid-late stage of water stress, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, maximal photochemical efficiency, potential activity of PSII reaction center and photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence decreased linearly with the decline of the relative water content. And the relative electron transport rate, the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry and photosynthetic pigment concentrations declined continually. The activity of antioxidant enzymes maintained at a higher level but malondialdehyde accumulated gradually with prolonging of water stress. Simultaneously, the non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence increased obviously after water stress for 24 h. The remarkable decline of light saturated point of photosynthetic electron transport, that is, the initial point of photo-inhibition, was observed in advance. Therefore, non-stomatal limitations dominated the changes of a series of physiological and biochemical reactions during mid-late period of water stress. After 48 h rehydration, all the parameters except intercellular CO₂ concentration in Long-Dong recovered obviously but incompletely, which resulted from severe oxidative injury and photo-inhibition induced by water stress even though photo-protection was triggered during water stress in alfalfa leaves. Alfalfa seedlings were sensitive to water stress and there were certain differences between cultivars.