Response of Gas Exchange and Water Use Efficiency to Light Intensity and Temperature in Transgenic Rice Expressing PEPC and PPDK Genes

Aiming to controvert whether the photosynthetic capacity of transgenic rice expressing C4 genes is enhanced, with the C3-type untransformed rice （WT） and maize （a C4 plant） as controls, the activity of C4 photosynthetic enzymes, gas exchange parameters and water use efficiency （WUE） under different light intensities and temperatures, the stable carbon isotope ratio （8-3C） value and the metabolic index of active oxygen as well as plant yield parameters were determined in transgenic rice carrying the PEPC and PPDK genes （CK） in this study. The results showed that the light-saturated photosynthetic rate of CK was intermediate between that of WT and maize, with a slight bias towards that of maize. Under a high light intensity （1 200 μmol m^-2 s^-1） and high temperature （35℃）, CK still exhibited higher photosynthetic capacity, while the Gs decreased. The WUE of CK was only slightly increased, and was similar to that of WT. The δ13C value indicated that CK functioned as a C3 plant. In addition, the tolerance to photo-oxidation and grain yield of CK was enhanced by sprayed with NaHSO3. In conclusion, CK possesses higher photosynthetic productivity under the conditions of high photon flux density （PFD）, high temperature and spraying with NaHSO3 solution, thereby providing a new technical approach and physiological basis for constructing C4-like rice.     

晋西黄土区人工刺槐林生理生态特点分析与研究

采用Li-cor 6400便携式光合仪,对山西省吉县蔡家川流域试验区内刺槐的光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度及其环境因子进行了观测,并辅以不同水分梯度下的林木生理指标观测与比较,研究了生理指标与环境因子之间的相互关系.结果表明:刺槐在生长过程中没有充足水分供应时,光合速率会出现负值;蒸腾日变化曲线单峰或双峰取决于土壤水分条件;各环境因子之间呈显著相关关系,综合作用于蒸腾速率,其中光合有效辐射是蒸腾速率的主要影响因子;气孔导度与相对湿度的变化一致,它们之间显著相关,呈二次项曲线关系.     

Photosynthetic acclimation of shade-grown red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings to a high light environment

Photosynthetic light acclimation in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings was examined in a greenhouse study to better understand the physiological response of this species to increased light intensity following release from competition. Seedlings grown in a high (HL), medium (ML) or low (LL) light environment for 12 weeks were transferred to high light. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of ML and LL seedlings were measured prior to and following transfer and compared with the HL control treatment. Photosynthetic characteristics were related to initial light treatment and time after transfer. Acclimation of gas exchange features to high light in shade formed ML and LL foliage was relatively rapid, with similar values among light treatments within 57 days of transfer. Acclimation of net photosynthetic rate was similar in ML and LL seedlings, and was associated primarily with increased mesophyll conductance to CO₂. The ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) decreased initially after transfer, especially in LL seedlings, but recovered to normal values after 57 days. Red pine seedlings appear to be well adapted for photosynthetic acclimation to high light intensity, consistent with that reported for other early successional tree species.     

橡胶树种质资源的倍性鉴定

倍性鉴定是橡胶树种质资源鉴定评价的基础工作之一。本研究利用流式细胞仪对国家橡胶树种质资源圃内的橡胶树种质资源进行全面的倍性鉴定,对嵌合体的四倍体细胞比例进行分析,并比较不同倍性的气孔性状差异。从5177份野生种质中发现三倍体11份,四倍体1份。从552份魏克汉种质中发现,三倍体9份,四倍体2份,嵌合体14份。14份嵌合体的四倍体细胞比例在49.06%~78.26%之间。不同倍性间的气孔长度、宽度和密度差异均极显著,气孔长度和宽度的排序为四倍体>三倍体>嵌合体,气孔密度的排序相反。研究结果对利用四倍体种质资源开展橡胶树倍性间杂交育种具有重要应用价值。     

Understanding physiological and morphological traits contributing to drought tolerance in barley

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for crop production in the arid and semi‐arid regions. Here, we screened eighty barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes collected from different geographical locations contrasting in drought stress tolerance and quantified a range of physiological and agronomical indices in glasshouse trails. The experiment was conducted in large soil tanks subjected to drought treatment of eighty barley genotypes at three‐leaf stage and gradually brought to severe drought by withholding irrigation for 30 days under glasshouse conditions. Also, root length of the same genotypes was measured from stress‐affected plants growing hydroponically. Drought tolerance was scored 30 days after the drought stress commenced based on the degree of the leaf wilting, fresh and dry biomass and relative water content. These characteristics were related to stomatal conductance, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Na, K, Cl contents measured in control (irrigated) plants. Responses to drought stress differed significantly among the genotypes. The overall drought tolerance was significantly correlated with relative water content, stomatal conductance and leaf Na⁺ and K⁺ contents. No significant correlations between drought tolerance and root length of 6‐day‐old seedling, stomatal density, residual transpiration and leaf sap Cl^? content were found. Taking together, these results suggest that drought‐tolerant genotypes have lower stomatal conductance, and lower water content, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^? contents in their tissue under control conditions than the drought‐sensitive ones. These traits make them more resilient to the forthcoming drought stress.     

Evaluation of the Heterosis on Leaf Photosynthesis of Remote-Cross F1 Rice (Oryza saliva L.)

The heterosis of leaf photosynthesis was studied on the main characters included in the range from CO₂exchange rate (CER) to enzymatic activity using a remote cross F, rice. The CER was significantly higher than those of the parental strains, showing a 111 % heterosis effect on average; at the same time strong heterosis was observed for the leaf area production and growth. Also stomatal and mesophyll conductances increased in the F₁ rice, which may contribute to the increase in CER. Chlorophyll content (Ch1), soluble protein content (SPC) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase activity (RCA) were measured as the internal factors related to photosynthesis, and compared between the F₁, rice and the parents. For all these factors, the F₁ rice showed low values compared to the parents. Positive heterosis was not expressed here. On the other hand, the specific activity of RCA (RCA/SPC) increased in the F₁, rice, showing a 120% heterosis effect. This may be regarded as one of the main causes for the increase in CER of the F₁, rice. High CER expressed as heterosis concurrently with large leaf area production is one of the important findings in our study, and this may suggest a high possibility of further improvement in biomass production or yield of rice by gathering the advantageous elements into a hybrid plant.     

Seasonal trends in hydraulic conductance of field-grown ‘Valencia’ organge trees

Leaf water potential (ψ₁), whole tree transpiration (F) and leaf surface conductance (g), together with a number of environmental parameters, were measured from early summer until late winter in a well-watered mature ‘Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) orchard during the growing season of 1977/78. F and g showed a seasonal trend, with maximum values reached during the late summer. Tree conductance (C_tree), calculated as the ratio between transpiration and the water potential difference between the wet soil and the sunlit leaves, was found to vary seasonally and showed maximum values during late summer. The soil temperature (T_s) showed a seasonal trend similar to C_tree. Analysis of this and other data from the literature confirmed that the sensitivity of tree conductance to soil temperature is related to the climatic origin of the plant species.The linear regression fitted to the relationship between C_tree and T_s was used to calculate soil temperature at apparent zero C_tree. This datum can be used as an index of plant sensitivity to root medium temperature.     

Acclimation of citrus to water stress

Alemow (Citrus macrophylla Wester) seedlings were subjected to moderate or severe water stress by watering them at different intervals for several irrigation cycles. Transpiration rate was measured after irrigation was resumed. Severe water stress reduced transpiration but increased leaf water potential (ψ_leaf), while moderate water stress reduced transpiration less and did not affect ψ_leaf. This suggests that moderate water stress influences only stomatal conductance and not root and shoot resistance.     

Root restriction-induced limitation to photosynthesis in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaves

Root restriction often depresses photosynthetic capacity and the mechanism for this reduction, however, remains unclear. To identify the mechanism by which root restriction affects the photosynthetic characteristics, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings were subjected to root restriction stress with or without supplemental aeration to the nutrient solution. With the development of the root restriction stress, CO₂ assimilation rate was decreased only in confined plants without supplemental aeration. There were also significant decreases in leaf water potential, stomatal conductance (g_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and increases in the stomatal limitation (l) and the xylem sap ABA concentration. Meanwhile, the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (V_cmax) and the capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (J_max) also decreased, followed by substantial reductions in the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ_PSII). Additionally, root restriction resulted in accumulation of carbohydrates in various plant tissues irrespective of aeration conditions. It is likely that root restriction-induced depression of photosynthesis was mimicked by water stress.     

东达山高寒草甸8种植物气孔特征沿土壤水分梯度的变化

植物叶片气孔密度和大小具有可塑性,在外界胁迫下而变化,是植物适应环境变化的重要机制。为揭示高寒草甸生境趋向干旱化过程中植物气孔特征的变化规律,选择藏东南东达山高寒草甸的8种优势或常见植物作为研究对象,设置10个土壤水分梯度,分析气孔特征的变化。结果表明,根据植物对土壤水分的依赖程度可划分为4种类型:大花嵩草为沼生型,随土壤干旱程度的增加气孔密度增加、气孔大小减小;鸭跖草、小大黄、矮生嵩草和珠芽蓼为湿生型,气孔密度和大小与土壤含水率之间的关系多呈现为单峰曲线格局;圆穗蓼和线叶嵩草为旱生型,气孔特征随土壤干旱程度增加的变化趋势与沼生型植物几乎相反;高山嵩草气孔特征与土壤含水率之间的相关性不显著,在土壤水分梯度上分布范围广,为广布型。每种植物生长都有适宜的土壤水分条件,过高或过低的土壤含水率都将胁迫植物的生长,因此植物气孔特征与土壤含水率之间的关系呈现多种变化格局。