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14 pages, 1231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leaf Photosynthesis and Its Temperature Response Are Different between Growth Stages and N Supplies in Rice Plants

by Miao Ye, Zhengcan Zhang, Guanjun Huang and Yong Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3885; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23073885 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1444

Leaf photosynthesis is highly correlated with CO₂-diffusion capacities, which are determined by both leaf anatomical traits and environmental stimuli. In the present study, leaf photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), mesophyll conductance (g_m) [...] Read more.

Leaf photosynthesis is highly correlated with CO₂-diffusion capacities, which are determined by both leaf anatomical traits and environmental stimuli. In the present study, leaf photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), mesophyll conductance (g_m) and the related leaf anatomical traits were studied on rice plants at two growth stages and with two different N supplies, and the response of photosynthesis to temperature (T) was also studied. We found that g_m was significantly higher at mid-tillering stage and at high N treatment. The larger g_m was related to a larger chloroplast surface area facing intercellular air spaces and a thinner cell wall in comparison with booting stage and zero N treatment. At mid-tillering stage and at high N treatment, g_m showed a stronger temperature response. The modelling of the g_m-T relationships suggested that, in comparison with booting stage and zero N treatment, the stronger temperature response of g_m was related to the higher activation energy of the membrane at mid-tillering stage and at high N treatment. The findings in the present study can enhance our knowledge on the physiological and environmental determinants of photosynthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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28 pages, 5613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low Light Increases the Abundance of Light Reaction Proteins: Proteomics Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown at High Planting Density

by Bin Zheng, Wei Zhao, Tinghu Ren, Xinghui Zhang, Tangyuan Ning, Peng Liu and Geng Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3015; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23063015 - 10 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2598

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is usually planted at high density, so most of its leaves grow in low light. Certain morphological and physiological traits improve leaf photosynthetic capacity under low light, but how light absorption, transmission, and transport respond at the proteomic [...] Read more.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is usually planted at high density, so most of its leaves grow in low light. Certain morphological and physiological traits improve leaf photosynthetic capacity under low light, but how light absorption, transmission, and transport respond at the proteomic level remains unclear. Here, we used tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics to investigate maize photosynthesis-related proteins under low light due to dense planting, finding increased levels of proteins related to photosystem II (PSII), PSI, and cytochrome b₆f. These increases likely promote intersystem electron transport and increased PSI end electron acceptor abundance. OJIP transient curves revealed increases in some fluorescence parameters under low light: quantum yield for electron transport (φE_o), probability that an electron moves beyond the primary acceptor Q_A⁻ (ψ_o), efficiency/probability of electron transfer from intersystem electron carriers to reduction end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side (δR_o), quantum yield for reduction of end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side (φR_o), and overall performance up to the PSI end electron acceptors (PI_total). Thus, densely planted maize shows elevated light utilization through increased electron transport efficiency, which promotes coordination between PSII and PSI, as reflected by higher apparent quantum efficiency (AQE), lower light compensation point (LCP), and lower dark respiration rate (R_d). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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15 pages, 1658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spectral Compositions of Light Changes Physiological Response of Chinese Cabbage to Elevated Ozone Concentration

by Andrzej Skoczowski, Jakub Oliwa, Iwona Stawoska, Magdalena Rys, Maciej Kocurek and Ilona Czyczyło-Mysza

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 2941; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23062941 - 09 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1817

Abstract

The effects of ozone combined with other environmental factors remain an important topic of the research, both in connection with climate change and the possibility of using modern solutions in horticulture. In our experiment, we compared the influence of ozone (100 ppb) on [...] Read more.

The effects of ozone combined with other environmental factors remain an important topic of the research, both in connection with climate change and the possibility of using modern solutions in horticulture. In our experiment, we compared the influence of ozone (100 ppb) on photosynthesis and changes in the pigment composition of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) leaves depending on the spectral composition of light. We used white LED light (WL), a combination of red + green + blue (RGBL) with a dominant red component and white +blue (WBL) with a dominant blue component in comparison with the classic sodium lamp lighting (yellow light—YL). The values of the parameters describing the light-dependent phase of photosynthesis and the parameters of the gas exchange, as well as non-photosynthesis pigment contents, show that the spectral composition strongly differentiates the response of Chinese cabbage leaves to ozone. In general, the efficiency of photochemical reactions was the highest in YL, but after O₃ fumigation, it decreased. In plants growing in WL and WBL, the increase of O₃ concentration stimulated light photosynthesis reactions and led to the enhancement of transpiration, stomatal conductance and intracellular CO₂ concentration. Changes in photosynthetic activity were accompanied by an increase in the content of anthocyanins and flavonols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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16 pages, 2695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Light Acclimation Mechanisms Deficient in a PsbS-Knockout Arabidopsis Mutant

by Young Nam Yang, Thi Thuy Linh Le, Ji-Hye Hwang, Ismayil S. Zulfugarov, Eun-Ha Kim, Hyun Uk Kim, Jong-Seong Jeon, Dong-Hee Lee and Choon-Hwan Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2695; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23052695 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2271

Abstract

The photosystem II PsbS protein of thylakoid membranes is responsible for regulating the energy-dependent, non-photochemical quenching of excess chlorophyll excited states as a short-term mechanism for protection against high light (HL) stress. However, the role of PsbS protein in long-term HL acclimation processes [...] Read more.

The photosystem II PsbS protein of thylakoid membranes is responsible for regulating the energy-dependent, non-photochemical quenching of excess chlorophyll excited states as a short-term mechanism for protection against high light (HL) stress. However, the role of PsbS protein in long-term HL acclimation processes remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the role of PsbS protein during long-term HL acclimation processes in wild-type (WT) and npq4-1 mutants of Arabidopsis which lack the PsbS protein. During long-term HL illumination, photosystem II photochemical efficiency initially dropped, followed by a recovery of electron transport and photochemical quenching (qL) in WT, but not in npq4-1 mutants. In addition, we observed a reduction in light-harvesting antenna size during HL treatment that ceased after HL treatment in WT, but not in npq4-1 mutants. When plants were adapted to HL, more reactive oxygen species (ROS) were accumulated in npq4-1 mutants compared to WT. Gene expression studies indicated that npq4-1 mutants failed to express genes involved in plastoquinone biosynthesis. These results suggest that the PsbS protein regulates recovery processes such as electron transport and qL during long-term HL acclimation by maintaining plastoquinone biosynthetic gene expression and enhancing ROS homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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20 pages, 4072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Epigenetic Reaction of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to the Foliar Application of Silicon under Soil Salinity Conditions

by Barbara Stadnik, Renata Tobiasz-Salach and Marzena Mazurek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1149; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23031149 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1944

Abstract

Soil salinity is an important environmental factor affecting physiological processes in plants. It is possible to limit the negative effects of salt through the exogenous application of microelements. Silicon (Si) is widely recognized as an element improving plant resistance to abiotic and biotic [...] Read more.

Soil salinity is an important environmental factor affecting physiological processes in plants. It is possible to limit the negative effects of salt through the exogenous application of microelements. Silicon (Si) is widely recognized as an element improving plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of foliar application of Si on the photosynthetic apparatus, gas exchange and DNA methylation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown under salt stress. Plants grown under controlled pot experiment were exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soil at a concentration of 200 mM, and two foliar applications of Si were made at three concentrations (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). Measurements were made of relative chlorophyll content in leaves (CCl), gas exchange parameters (C_i, E, g_s, and P_N), and selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀, PI and RC/ABS). Additionally, DNA methylation level based on cytosine methylation within the 3′CCGG 5′ sequence was analyzed. Salinity had a negative effect on the values of the parameters examined. Exogenous application of Si by spraying leaves increased the values of the measured parameters in plants. Plants treated with NaCl in combination with the moderate (0.1%) and highest (0.2%) dose of Si indicated the lowest methylation level. Decrease of methylation implicated with activation of gene expression resulted in better physiological parameters observed in this group of barley plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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18 pages, 3634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combining Heat Stress with Pre-Existing Drought Exacerbated the Effects on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Rise Kinetics in Four Contrasting Plant Species

by Lingling Zhu, Wei Wen, Michael R. Thorpe, Charles H. Hocart and Xin Song

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10682; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms221910682 - 01 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

Although drought and high temperature are two main factors affecting crop productivity and forest vegetation dynamics in many areas worldwide, little work has been done to describe the effects of heat combined with pre-existing drought on photochemical function in diverse plant species. This [...] Read more.

Although drought and high temperature are two main factors affecting crop productivity and forest vegetation dynamics in many areas worldwide, little work has been done to describe the effects of heat combined with pre-existing drought on photochemical function in diverse plant species. This study investigated the biophysical status of photosystem II (PSII) and its dynamic responses under 2-day heat stress during a 2-week drought by measuring the polyphasic chlorophyll fluorescence rise (OJIP) kinetics. This study examined four contrasting species: a C3 crop/grass (wheat), a C4 crop/grass (sorghum), a temperate tree species (Fraxinus chinensis) and a tropical tree species (Radermachera sinica). Principal component analysis showed that the combination of heat and drought deviated from the effect of heat or drought alone. For all four species, a linear mixed-effects model analysis of variance of the OJIP parameters showed that the deviation arose from decreased quantum yield and increased heat dissipation of PSII. The results confirmed, in four contrasting plant species, that heat stress, when combined with pre-existing drought, exacerbated the effects on PSII photochemistry. These findings provide direction to future research and applications of chlorophyll fluorescence rise OJIP kinetics in agriculture and forestry, for facing increasingly more severe intensity and duration of both heat and drought events under climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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13 pages, 1913 KiB

Open AccessReview

Integration of Light and Auxin Signaling in Shade Plants: From Mechanisms to Opportunities in Urban Agriculture

by Xiulan Xie, Hao Cheng, Chenyang Hou and Maozhi Ren

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3422; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23073422 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3009

Abstract

With intensification of urbanization throughout the world, food security is being threatened by the population surge, frequent occurrence of extreme climate events, limited area of available cultivated land, insufficient utilization of urban space, and other factors. Determining the means by which high-yielding and [...] Read more.

With intensification of urbanization throughout the world, food security is being threatened by the population surge, frequent occurrence of extreme climate events, limited area of available cultivated land, insufficient utilization of urban space, and other factors. Determining the means by which high-yielding and high-quality crops can be produced in a limited space is an urgent priority for plant scientists. Dense planting, vertical production, and indoor cultivation are effective ways to make full use of space and improve the crop yield. The results of physiological and molecular analyses of the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana have shown that the plant response to shade is the key to regulating the plant response to changes in light intensity and quality by integrating light and auxin signals. In this study, we have summarized the major molecular mechanisms of shade avoidance and shade tolerance in plants. In addition, the biotechnological strategies of enhancing plant shade tolerance are discussed. More importantly, cultivating crop varieties with strong shade tolerance could provide effective strategies for dense planting, vertical production, and indoor cultivation in urban agriculture in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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17 pages, 2966 KiB

Open AccessReview

Distinct Cold Acclimation of Productivity Traits in Arabidopsis thaliana Ecotypes

by Barbara Demmig-Adams, Stephanie K. Polutchko, Christopher R. Baker, Jared J. Stewart and William W. Adams III

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(4), 2129; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23042129 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

Improvement of crop climate resilience will require an understanding of whole-plant adaptation to specific local environments. This review places features of plant form and function related to photosynthetic productivity, as well as associated gene-expression patterns, into the context of the adaptation of Arabidopsis [...] Read more.

Improvement of crop climate resilience will require an understanding of whole-plant adaptation to specific local environments. This review places features of plant form and function related to photosynthetic productivity, as well as associated gene-expression patterns, into the context of the adaptation of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes to local environments with different climates in Sweden and Italy. The growth of plants under common cool conditions resulted in a proportionally greater emphasis on the maintenance of photosynthetic activity in the Swedish ecotype. This is compared to a greater emphasis on downregulation of light-harvesting antenna size and upregulation of a host of antioxidant enzymes in the Italian ecotype under these conditions. This differential response is discussed in the context of the climatic patterns of the ecotypes’ native habitats with substantial opportunity for photosynthetic productivity under mild temperatures in Italy but not in Sweden. The Swedish ecotype’s response is likened to pushing forward at full speed with productivity under low temperature versus the Italian ecotype’s response of staying safe from harm (maintaining redox homeostasis) while letting productivity decline when temperatures are transiently cold. It is concluded that either strategy can offer directions for the development of climate-resilient crops for specific locations of cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Photosynthesis to Abiotic Stresses)

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