施氮与pH处理对尾巨桉-降香黄檀间作体系幼苗生长的影响

探讨豆科树种降香黄檀与桉树间作体系下根瘤与幼苗生长生理对不同施氮处理与pH环境的响应,为探索高效生物固氮的桉树人工林可持续经营模式提供科学依据。采用盆栽可控实验模拟尾巨桉-降香黄檀间作体系;采用双因素完全随机区组设计,氮素及pH分别设置N1,N2,N3,N4及pH4.5,pH5.5,pH7.5,pH9.5各4个浓度梯度处理。结果表明：1)在N2与N3施氮处理下,降香黄檀的结瘤能力被显著抑制(P<0.05),而N1处理幼苗根系结瘤能力与对照组(CK)无显著差异,且均在pH7.5处理下根系结瘤能力最强;2)尾巨桉的生物量与光合指标随施氮量的增加而提高。除pH9.5处理外,降香黄檀的生物量与光合指标随施氮量的增加呈现出先增加后减少的趋势;3)施氮后降香黄檀与尾巨桉的叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、硝酸还原酶(NR)含量均有提高,而丙二醛(MDA)含量表现相反趋势;4)除N3处理外,降香黄檀与尾巨桉幼苗在pH5.5处理下的生物量均大于pH4.5和pH9.5处理下的;5)冗余分析的结果表明,间作体系下,降香黄檀的结瘤能力会受到降香黄檀生理状况与尾...     

镉胁迫对尾巨桉幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

以尾巨桉(DH_32-29)幼苗为试验材料，以植株的生长指标(苗高、地径、叶面积)、生物量、根冠比、氮平衡指数(NBI)、叶绿素相对含量(SPAD 值)、丙二醛(MDA)含量和叶绿素荧光参数为指标，通过盆栽试验设置8个10~140 mg·kg^-1浓度镉(Cd)盐溶液处理，研究了不同浓度 Cd 胁迫处理下尾巨桉幼苗的形态和生理特性变化规律。结果显示：低浓度(10 mg·kg^-1)Cd 处理对尾巨桉幼苗的形态和生理特性无明显影响。当 Cd 浓度大于20 mg·kg^-1，随着 Cd浓度的逐渐增大，其对尾巨桉幼苗的伤害程度也逐渐增加，主要表现为：植株生长缓慢、生物量减小、叶绿素相对含量和叶绿素荧光参数(Fv/Fm、φPSⅡ、NP、NBI)均下降，qP 无明显变化， MDA 含量升高。Cd 浓度大于60 mg·kg^-1以上时，尾巨桉幼苗生长出现一定程度上的损伤症状和生长停滞现象。结果表明低浓度(≤20 mg·kg^-1)Cd处理下尾巨桉幼苗能正常生长，随着浓度的增大，Cd 处理对尾巨桉的形态和生理特性造成显著影响。同时结合部分桉树适生区土壤 Cd 含量调查及相关研究结果认为，尾巨桉具有一定修复 Cd 污染区土壤的潜力。     

遮荫对降香黄檀幼苗生长和生理的影响

【目的】探究遮荫对降香黄檀容器育苗生长发育和形态生理的影响,为林木育苗的光环境控制条件提供一定的理论依据。【方法】以当年生降香黄檀幼苗为试验材料,设遮荫程度0(T_0)、40%(T_1)、60%(T_2)、80%(T_3)、95%(T_4)5个处理,用不同遮荫程度处理4个月后,每隔15天监测降香黄檀幼苗的地径、苗高、叶片数等生长指标,观察其生长进程;并于试验处理结束后测量降香黄檀幼苗的生物量、比叶质量、叶绿素含量(Chl)、净光合速率(Pn)、胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾系数(Tr)等。【结果】随着遮荫程度的增加,处理时间的延长,降香黄檀幼苗的苗高、地径逐渐降低,生长越来越弱,且表现越来越明显,其中T_4的苗高和地径增量分别为7.7和1.0 mm,是T_0的39.2%和35.6%。随着遮荫程度的加强,降香黄檀幼苗的干物质积累、比叶质量以及质量指数(QI)、根冠比、存苗率显著降低,表明遮荫程度的增加使降香黄檀幼苗的生长发育受到抑制;随着遮荫程度加强,幼苗叶片的叶绿素b(Chlb)、叶绿素a(Chla)和植株各部分含水量显著增加,而叶绿素a与叶绿素b比值(Chla/Chlb)、Pn降低,表明遮荫程度的增加引起降香黄檀容器苗的光合利用效率下降,进而导致幼苗生长发育缓慢,存苗率下降。【结论】综合分析生长进程和生理形态指标,降香黄檀容器育苗幼苗期宜在全光照环境下进行,遮荫不利于其生长发育。     

施肥对降香黄檀苗期植株养分的影响

为探讨施肥对降香黄檀(Dalbergia odorifera)幼苗叶片氮素含量、叶绿素含量、水分含量的影响,以降香黄檀2年生播种苗为材料,采用不同的施肥方式试验。结果表明:施肥2个月后,根肥对降香黄檀幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、氮素含量、水分含量影响均较显著(P<0.05),其含量分别为19.17、1.29mg/g、28.03%。     

不同浓度生长调节剂对巨尾桉幼苗叶绿素含量的影响

以巨尾桉幼苗为材料,用GGR、IBA和PP333等3种生长调节剂各4种浓度对其处理,采用丙酮乙醇混合液法,用分光光度计在特定波长(663nm和645nm)下测定光密度,以研究不同浓度生长调节剂对巨尾桉幼苗叶绿素含量的影响,结果表明:喷施了植物生长调节剂的各处理叶绿素含量都高于对照CK,其中,以IBA20×10-6、IBA40×10-6、IBA80×10-6处理的效果较为明显,叶绿素含量分别为3.02、2.813和2.772mg!g-1。IBA对促进巨尾桉幼苗光合作用比其他处理效果好。     

尾叶桉落叶水提取液对走马胎幼苗生长及生理生化的影响

通过室内生物测定法检测不同浓度尾叶桉Eucalyptus urophylla S.T.Blakely落叶水提取液(20,40,60,80mg·m L~(-1))对走马胎Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf幼苗的生长及其叶片中SOD,POD,CAT含量的影响。结果表明,40,60,80 mg·m L~(-1)处理显著降低走马胎幼苗的株高(P0.05),各浓度处理极显著减少走马胎的根长、地下部分干重以及生物量(P0.01),且高浓度与其他浓度之间存在极显著差异(P0.01)。与对照(CK)比较,尾叶桉落叶水提取液显著提高了走马胎幼苗的SOD,POD,CAT活性(P0.05)。走马胎幼苗株高、基径、根长、生物量的化感效应指数RI0,且高浓度处理下RI的绝对值最大。综合分析认为,走马胎与尾叶桉存在较强的化感负效应,两者不能进行复合种植。     

模拟酸雨对广西4个树种苗木叶绿素含量的影

分析不同pH值及处理方式的酸雨对广西地区速生及珍贵树种幼苗叶绿素含量的影响,为此类树种对酸雨的耐受性方面研究提供理论依据。通过采用盆栽试验,设置4个水平（pH4.0、3.0、5.0、5.6）,1个对照（pH6.0）总共5种处理方式,测定叶片叶绿素含量变化情况。结果表明,不同pH的酸雨处理下,巨尾桉9号、格木、降香黄檀、土沉香的叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总含量及叶绿素a/b的变化规律不同,且同一pH值的酸雨对4个树种叶绿素a/b的影响也不相同;随着酸雨pH值的减小,各树种的叶绿素a/b总体上均表现出先降低后升高趋势。     

土壤水肥胁迫对尾叶桉叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以尾叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla)无性系幼苗为供试材料,通过2因素3水平控制土壤水分和养分,测定了不同水肥处理下18个月生尾叶桉的叶绿素荧光特性,结果表明:水肥胁迫对叶绿素荧光参数影响显著;土壤含水量越低或养分含量越高,尾叶桉幼苗的初始荧光(F_o)、最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ的非环式电子传递的量子效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和电子传递量子产量(ETR)参数值就越高;尾叶桉幼苗的非光化学猝灭系数值随土壤含水量增加呈现升高趋势,说明尾叶桉幼苗能通过热耗散消耗过剩光能,避免光合机构受到破坏;尾叶桉在不同水肥处理下实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))值较低,非化学猝灭系数(NPQ)较高,说明尾叶桉吸收的光能主要用于热耗散,表观电子传递速率较高表明尾叶桉属于较高光呼吸的植物。     

铝对蚕豆叶绿素荧光和叶绿素含量影响探讨

指出了酸雨及铝工业发展导致的铝毒害是限制植物生长的重要影响因子。选取蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)为材料,测定了不同浓度Al~(3+)胁迫下蚕豆生长发育,叶绿素荧光动力学参数、光合色素含量。结果表明:Al~(3+)胁迫抑制蚕豆幼苗生长,随着处理时间的延长和处理浓度的增加,Al~(3+)毒害现象加重。蚕豆幼苗根系受Al~(3+)毒害程度大于茎叶。Al~(3+)胁迫对蚕豆叶片的色素含量和叶片的潜在光化学效率(Fv/Fm)影响不大。低浓度Al~(3+)(10μM)胁迫对叶绿素荧光参数的影响较小,高浓度Al~(3+)(100 M)胁迫则明显降低了叶片实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)和表观光合电子传递速率(ETR),PSⅡ有效光化学量子产量(Fv′/Fm′)也降低,同时非光化学淬灭系数(qN)上升。     

稀土对巨尾桉苗木生长的影响及生理效应研究

用0、50、100、200、300mg/L的稀土处理巨尾桉幼苗,以探讨其对巨尾桉苗木生长的影响及生理效应.结果表明稀土能促进苗高和地径的生长.提高根系活力,增加叶片气孔密度和栅栏细胞密度,提高叶片N、P、K以及蛋白质含量.提高苗木叶绿素含量和净光合速率.     

叶型对马尾松幼苗生长及叶绿素荧光特征的影响

【目的】研究叶型对马尾松幼苗生长及叶绿素荧光特征的影响,以期为马尾松苗木选择及栽培提供参考。【方法】以出圃时呈现为全初生条形叶、全次生针形叶和中间型的马尾松1年生幼苗为试验材料,分析其生长指标、光合色素含量及叶绿素荧光参数,研究初生叶和次生叶叶绿素荧光特征差异及对幼苗生长的影响。【结果】全次生叶幼苗出圃时苗木质量指数(QI)、干物质积累量及造林1年后净生长量均显著高于全初生叶幼苗;次生叶的叶长、体积和表面积等指标均显著大于初生叶;初生叶中叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量均显著高于次生叶,两者间的类胡萝卜素含量无显著差异。初生叶的F_m、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o均显著高于次生叶,F_o在2种叶型间无显著差异;初生叶的PSⅡ反应中心参数Y(Ⅱ)和F_v’/F_m’、淬灭参数q_P和NPQ、能量耗散参数Y(NPQ)和Y(NO)及光响应参数ETR_max、α、β和I_k也均高于次生叶,在高光强条件下,初生叶的非光化学淬灭和调节性能量耗散能力增强。由于次生针叶叶长、体积和表面积等形态指标均显著大于初生叶,因而具有次生针叶的幼苗的光合作用面积更大,干物质量积累较多,出圃时的苗木质量以及造林后的生长表现均高于全初生叶的幼苗。【结论】与次生叶相比,初生叶拥有较高的叶绿素含量,较耐光抑制,有较高的光能转化效率,但高光强条件下会通过热耗散的形式来减少多余光能对光合系统的损害;拥有次生叶的幼苗表现出较好的苗木质量及生长特性。     

不同连作土壤处理对再植水蜜桃苗生长状况及光合特性的影响

为了比较分析不同连作土壤处理水蜜桃再植苗的生长状况及其对主要营养元素的吸收差异,以探讨连作土壤对再植桃苗生长的影响机制,设置了4个土壤处理即重茬土(T_1)、重茬土+生石灰(T_2)、重茬土+活性炭(T_3)、重茬土+微生物肥(T_4)进行试验,分别测定了再植桃苗的生物量、气体交换参数、光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数及各组织中N、P的含量。试验结果表明:T_1处理的再植桃苗生长缓慢,其生物量最低,T_2、T_3和T_4处理则均明显地促进了再植桃苗的生长,其中T_4处理的长势最佳;T_1处理的再植桃苗其生长受到抑制,其影响因素为叶片气孔关闭和光合色素合成受阻、P元素缺乏等非气孔因素;T_4处理可促进再植桃苗叶片光合色素的合成,能明显提高其净光合速率,使其光合机构分配到光化学反应中的光能明显增多,光能利用效率明显提高,各组织中的P含量明显增加。研究结果表明:连作条件下再植桃苗的生长受到明显抑制,但施入微生物肥能有效缓解连作土壤对再植桃苗生长的伤害。     

AM真菌对降香黄檀幼苗生长的影响

实验研究接种聚丛球霉菌(Glomuse aggrregattum)、幼套球霉菌(Glomuse etunicatum)、摩西球霉菌(Glomuse mossea)后对降香黄檀幼苗生殖生长以及营养吸收利用的影响,结果显示:1)3个菌根菌侵染效果较好,且降香黄檀幼苗对3种菌种有较强的依赖性。2)其中接种聚丛球霉菌的苗高、地茎、生物量、叶绿素含量及对营养元素N,P的吸收利用优于其他2个菌种,并与CK差异达显著水平;其苗高、地茎高于CK 44%和78%,生物量、叶绿素含量分别是CK的3.6,1.9倍,根部、茎部及叶部含N量是CK的1.47,2.03,1.34倍,而根部、茎部及叶部含P量是CK的1.53,1.47,2.09倍。     

模拟酸雨对元宝枫幼苗生理及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探明元宝枫的生理及叶绿素荧光参数对模拟酸雨胁迫的响应特征,以2年生元宝枫幼苗为研究对象,采用pH值分别为5.6、4.0、3.0、2.0的模拟酸雨处理0、15、30d后,分别测定了叶片脯氨酸、丙二醛、质膜透性等生理指标及叶绿素荧光参数。试验结果表明:1)pH值为4.0的酸雨处理初期,元宝枫叶片未出现伤害症状,处理后期叶片上出现了极少量的斑点,而pH值分别为3.0和2.0的酸雨胁迫下元宝枫叶面均出现了明显的伤斑,且随着酸雨胁迫时间的持续,酸害指数不断增大;2)随着酸度的增大,元宝枫叶片的叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)逐渐减少,尤其在pH值分别为3.0和2.0的酸雨处理下叶片的SPAD含量均显著低于对照;3)随着酸度的增大,元宝枫叶片中脯氨酸、丙二醛含量和质膜透性均呈上升趋势,但胁迫时间不同,各处理与对照间的差异显著性也不同;4)随着酸度的增大,元宝枫叶片的PSⅡ原初光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、以吸收光能为基础的性能指数(PIabs)、以单位面积为基础的性能指数(PIcs)均逐渐变小。当胁迫时间分别为0和15d时,pH值为4.0的酸雨处理下叶片的Fv/Fm值和PIabs与对照间均无显著差异,在pH值分别为3.0和2.0的酸雨处理下叶片的Fv/Fm值和PIabs均显著低于对照。研究结果表明:轻度酸雨(pH值为4.0)胁迫下,元宝枫植株渗透调节物质、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数的变化均不大,而其他处理尤其在重度酸雨(pH值为2.0)处理下,元宝枫植株的生长发育受到了严重的影响。     

模拟酸雨对两种针叶植物气体交换和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

以马尾松(Pinus massoniana)和杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)为试验材料,通过盆栽的方法,研究了重度酸雨处理、中度酸雨处理和酸雨对照处理对这两种针叶植物叶片叶绿素相对含量、气体交换参数以及叶绿素荧光特性等的影响.结果表明:在pH4.0时,酸雨胁迫对马尾松和杉木幼苗的地径生长有一定的促进;在不同酸雨处理下,马尾松幼苗的最大净光合速率从大到小依次是pH5.6>pH4.0>pH2.5;杉木幼苗的最大净光合速率从大到小依次是pH2.5>pH4.0>pH5.6,说明这2种植物幼苗的光合能力受到影响;Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo随着酸雨酸度的增加而减小,变化趋势是pH5.6>pH4.0>pH2.5,说明在pH 2.5的酸雨胁迫下,两种针叶植物幼苗叶片受到胁迫,叶绿素分子捕获激发能的效率和PSⅡ潜在活性有所降低.     

Some ecophysiological characteristics of artà (Calligonum comosum Ľ Hérit) in response to drought stress

Water deficit is an important environmental factor restricting plant growth and photosynthesis. The effect of water deprivation on leaf water status, photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters of artà (Calligonum comosum) was studied. Five-month-old artà seedlings, grown in pots in the open air, were subjected to one of four drought treatments (i.e., mild, moderate, severe and extreme drought stress) and compared to control seedlings (normal watering regime). Results show that leaf water potential, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll a and b) decreased with increasing levels of drought stress. Inactivation of the photosynthetic apparatus was accompanied by changes in the fluorescence characteristics, providing evidence that reduction of photosynthetic rate could be attributed to non-stomatal limitations. Alterations imply changes in photochemical conversion efficiency of photosystem II by which plants could reduce water transpiration or protect their photosynthetic apparatus from destruction. These adaptations are discussed in relation to the strategies developed to grow drought-resistant artà seedlings in desert environments.     

Effects of different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus on chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and photosynthesis in Larix olgensis seedlings

In our experiments, one-year-old Larix olgensis seedlings were cultivated in sand, and supplied with solutions with different concentrations of nitrate or phosphate. The effects of nitrogen and phosphorus supply on chlorophyll biosynthesis, total nitrogen content, and photosynthetic rate were studied. The experimental results are listed below: 1) 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetic rate increased as nitrate concentrations supplied to larch seedlings increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L. But the rate decreased by 17% when nitrate concentration increased to 16 mmol/L, in contrast to the control. Under phosphate treatments, ALA synthetic rates were similar to those under nitrate treatments. The activities of porphobilinogen (PBG) synthase reached a maximum when larch seedlings were supplied with 8 mmol/L of nitrate or 1 mmol/L of phosphate. 2) when larch seedlings were supplied with 8 mmol/L of nitrate and 0.5 mmol/L of phosphate, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids reached a maximum. The total nitrogen contents in leaves increased as nitrate concentrations increased. 3) When phosphate concentrations increased from 0.125 to 1 mmol/L, the total nitrogen contents in leaves slightly increased; however, continuous increase of phosphate concentrations resulted in the decrease in total nitrogen contents in leaves. When nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, soluble protein contents in leaves increased in general, and continuous increase of nitrate concentrations induced a decrease in soluble protein contents in leaves. Under treatment of 0.25 mmol/L of phosphate, the soluble protein contents reached a maximum. 4) In general, F _v/F _m increased as nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, and continuous increase of nitrate concentration resulted in decrease in F _v/F _m. The similar changes occurred under phosphate treatments. As nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, photosynthetic rates gradually increased, but when nitrate concentrations increased to 16 mmol/L, photosynthetic rate reduced by 16%, in contrast to the control. Photosynthetic rates reached a maximum when seedlings were supplied with 1 mmol/L, and an oversupply of phosphate (2 mmol/L) resulted in decrease in photosynthetic rates. The results suggested that supply levels of nitrogen affected ALA biosynthetic rates, activities of PBG synthase, and affected contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids. Moreover, nitrogen supply levels affected contents of total nitrogen and soluble proteins in leaves, and net photosynthetic rates. ALA biosynthesis rates and activities of PBG synthase were affected by phosphate supply, but contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids were not affected. And net photosynthetic rates were affected little by phosphate supply. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(4) [译自:林业科学, 2005, 41(4)]     

Increasing the sink:source balance enhances photosynthetic rate of 1-year-old balsam fir foliage by increasing allocation of mineral nutrients

To determine the impact of altering the sink:source balance on gas exchange rates in 1-year-old foliage of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), seedlings were either debudded before the growing season began or left intact. To assess alternative explanations for the observed photosynthetic response, additional seedlings were variously root pruned, shaded, drought stressed or deprived of fertilizer in combination with debudding. Foliar gas exchange rates and carbohydrate concentrations, xylem water potential and current-year growth were measured on three occasions spanning the shoot extension period. In addition, growth, foliar concentrations of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic rate at different CO2 concentrations were determined 1 month after shoot extension ceased. Debudded seedlings had higher photosynthetic rates than budded seedlings, and the difference increased as the growing season progressed. We observed no evidence that debudding increased photosynthetic rate by improving water relations or by reducing foliar carbohydrate concentrations. Debudding increased foliar concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and chlorophyll, as well as quantum yield and photochemical quenching as determined by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Therefore, we conclude that debudding increased the photosynthetic rate by increasing the allocation of nutrients to 1-year-old foliage, thereby enhancing the amount or activity, or both, of photosynthetic enzymes, as well as increasing chlorophyll concentration.     

Effects of soil moisture regimes on growth and photosynthesis of the riparian plant Bolboschoenus planiculmis

Plants distributed in riparian regions experience frequent episodes of flooding and drought between years, and hence, riparian plants need to be floodand drought-tolerant. Riparian plants possess various traits to survive flooding, while their sensitivity to drought has received less attention. To investigate the growth and photosynthetic responses of a riparian species (Bolboschoenus planiculmis) to flooding and drought, plants of this species were subjected to 60-d flooding or drought stress under greenhouse conditions. Growth and photosynthetic traits were measured at the end of the treatments. As well, we determined the efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus in mature leaves. Plants of B. planiculmis adequately adjusted their growth and photosynthetic traits under both flooding and drought conditions. Flooding did not affect the above-ground growth of B. planiculmis. Increased growth of roots and rhizomes and the generation of new tubers suggested a high ability of below-ground lateral growth by capturing resources under flooding conditions. Enhanced photosynthetic capacity, retained leaf pigment concentrations and chlorophyll a fluorescence capacity indicated photosynthetic adaptation to flooding. In contrast, drought significantly decreased the above-ground growth of B. planiculmis, especially the leaves, thereby minimizing water loss due to transpiration. Its increased root to shoot ratio and "phalanx" asexual propagation pattern might enhance soil water uptake ability. Although the functional leaves of B. planiculmis could retain their leaf pigment concentrations, as well as photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence, the total biomass of plants decreased, which may be a consequence of the reduced leaf area, suggesting adverse effects by drought. Therefore, both growth and photosynthetic responses of B. planiculmis are likely to contribute to the ability of this species to thrive in riparian regions, but remain susceptive to drought.     

Photosynthetic decline and pigment loss during autumn foliar senescence in western larch (Larix occidentalis)

We measured needle pigment content and photosynthetic rates of 1-year-old western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) during autumn foliar senescence. Chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (xanthophyll + b-carotene) contents of needles declined 11 and 17%, respectively, before CO(2) assimilation rate began to decline. Chlorophyll a/b ratio, Chl/carotenoid ratio, photochemical efficiency (F(v)/F(m)), and photochemical quenching did not begin to decline until late in senescence. Internal CO(2)/ambient CO(2) did not change during needle yellowing. In seedlings in warmed soil (average 3 degrees C above natural conditions), the decline in needle chlorophyll content was delayed by 10 days and the decline in CO(2) assimilation rate was delayed by 5 days, compared with seedlings in soil at ambient temperature. In seedlings exposed to an extended 16-h photoperiod, the decline in needle chlorophyll content was delayed by 32 days, and the decline in CO(2) assimilation rate was delayed by 21 days, compared with seedlings exposed to natural day lengths. In addition to delaying the onset of needle senescence, the treatments affected the sequence of events during senescence. Differences among treatment groups provide evidence that the onset of pigment loss and photosynthetic decline and the sequence of events during needle senescence are affected by soil temperature and day length.