Effects of thinning on the understory light environment of different stands and the photosynthetic performance and growth of the reforestation species Phoebe bournei

Light levels determine regeneration in stands and a key concern is how to regulate the light environment of different stand types to the requirements of the understory.In this study,we selected three stands typical in south China(a Cryptomeria japonica plantation,a Quercus acutissima plantation,and a mixed stand of both)and three thinning intensities to determine the best understory light environ-ment for 3-year-old Phoebe bournei seedlings.The canopy structure,understory light environment,and photosynthe-sis and growth indicators were assessed following thin-ning.Thinning improved canopy structure and understory light availability of each stand;species composition was the reason for differences in the understory light environ-ment.Under the same thinning intensity,the mixed stand had the greatest light radiation and most balanced spectral composition.P.bournei photosynthesis and growth were closely related to the light environment;all three stands required heavy thinning to create an effective and sustained understory light environment.In a suitable understory light environment,the efficiency of light interception,absorption,and use by seedlings was enhanced,resulting in a higher carbon assimilation the main limiting factor was stomatal conductance.As a shade-avoidance signal,red/far-red radia-tion is a critical factor driving changes in photosynthesis and growth of P.bournei seedlings,and a reduction increased light absorption and use capacity and height:diameter ratios.The growth advantage transformed from diameter to height,enabling seedlings to access more light.Our findings suggest that the regeneration of shade-tolerant species such as P.bournei could be enhanced if a targeted approach to thinning based on stand type was adopted.

Influence of the coupled-dipoles on photosynthetic performance in a photosynthetic quantum heat engine

Recent evidence suggests that the multiple charge-separation pathways can contribute to photosynthetic performance.In this work,the influence of coupled-dipoles on photosynthetic performance was investigated in a two-charge separation pathways quantum heat engine(QHE) model.And the population dynamics of the two coupled sites,j-V characteristics,and power involving this photosynthetic QHE model were evaluated for the photosynthetic performance.The results illustrate that the photosynthetic performance can be greatly enhanced but quantum interference is deactivated by the coupleddipoles between the two-charge separation pathways.However,the photosynthetic performance can also be promoted by the deactivated quantum interference owing to the coupled-dipoles.It is a novel role of the coupled-dipoles in the energy transport process of biological photosynthetic,and some artificial strategies may be motivated by this photosynthetic QHE model in the future.

Impacts of LED spectral quality on leafy vegetables:Productivity closely linked to photosynthetic performance or associated with leaf traits?

The success of growing vegetables indoors requires the most appropriate selection of lighting spectrum.This mini review discusses the impacts of LED spectral quality on different leafy vegetables with a focus on the studies of Chinese broccoli(Brassica alboglabra),ice plants(Mesembryanthem crystallinum)and lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.cv.Canasta).For each species,plants exposed to different spectral LED lights were all under the same light intensity and same photoperiod.Chinese broccoli grown under red(R):blue(B)-LED ratio of 84:16(16B)had the highest light-saturated photosynthetic CO_(2) assimilation rate(Asat)and stomatal conductance(gs sat)compared to plants grown under other R:B-LED ratios.It was also shown that 16B is the most appropriate selection for Chinese broccoli to achieve the highest shoot productivity with a rapid leaf number and leaf area development.The highest concentrations of photosynthetic pigments,soluble and Rubisco protein on a leaf area basis were also observed in 16B plants.The results conclusively affirmed that the highest productivity of Chinese broccoli grown under 16B is closely linked to the highest photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis.For ice plants grown under R:B-LED ratios of 90:10(10B),they had the highest shoot biomass with a faster leaf development compared to plants grown under other RB-LED combinations.However,there were no differences in Asat,gs sat,photosynthetic pigments,soluble and Rubisco proteins on a leaf area basis.In the case of lettuce plants,it was a surprise to observe that plants grown under 0B and 20G(20%green(G)-LED and 80%R-LED)had the highest shoot biomass,and largest total leaf area and light interception area but the lowest net maximal photosynthetic rate on a leaf area basis,compared to other plants.The combined RB-LED enhanced other photosynthetic parameters while 0B and 20G conditions had inhibitory effects on maximum quantum efficiency of PS II with lower photosynthetic pigments,total soluble protein and Rubisco protein.These results suggest that impacts of LED light quality on productivity of lettuce(L.sativa L.cv.Canasta)are closely linked to leaf traits not associated with photosynthetic performance on a leaf area basis.

Study on Matter Production and Population Photosynthetic Characteristics of High-yielding Spring Maize under Different Modes

In order to construct a good population structure, improve the light energy utilization ratio, and give a full play to the high-yielding potential of spring maize, the effects of maize variety, planting density and fertilizer management on matter production and population photosynthetic physiological indices of spring maize were investigated under three different modes （traditional mode, optimized mode and high- yielding mode）. The results showed that compared with those under the traditional mode, the yield of spring maize under the optimized mode and high-yielding mode was increased by 10.79% and 27.62%, respectively, and the barren tip length was reduced significantly. Among the three modes, the leaf area index （LA/）, leaf area duration （LAD）, dry matter accumulation （DMA） and crop growth rate （CGR） all ranked as high-yielding rnode＇s〉optimized mode＇s〉traditional mode＇s. In conclusion, optimized variety, appropriately increased planting density and strengthened fertilizer management are the key measures to obtain high yield of spring maize.

Biochemical and Physiological Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana Leaves to Moderate Mechanical Stimulation

Mechanical stimulation of plants can be caused by various abiotic and biotic environmental factors.Apart from the negative consequences,it can also cause positive changes,such as acclimatization of plants to stress conditions.Therefore,it is necessary to study the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying the response of plants to mechanical stimulation.Our aim was to evaluate the response of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to a moderate force of 5 N(newton)for 20 s,which could be compared with the pressure caused by animal movement and weather conditions such as heavy rain.Mechanically stimulated leaves were sampled 1 h after exposure and after a recovery period of 20 h.To study a possible systemic response,unstimulated leaves of treated plants were collected 20 h after exposure alongside the stimulated leaves from the same plants.The effect of stimulation was assessed by measuring oxidative stress parameters,antioxidant enzymes activity,total phenolics,and photosynthetic performance.Stimulated leaves showed increased lipid peroxidation 1 h after treatment and increased superoxide dismutase activity and phenolic oxidation rate after a 20-h recovery period.Considering photosynthetic performance after the 20-h recovery period,the effective quantum yield of the photosystem II was lower in the stimulated leaves,whereas photochemical quenching was lower in the unstimulated leaves of the treated plants.Nonphotochemical quenching was lower in the stimulated leaves 1 h after treatment.Our study suggested that plants sensed moderate force,but it did not induce pronounced change in metabolism or photosynthetic performance.Principal component analysis distinguished three groups–leaves of untreated plants,leaves analysed 1 h after stimulation,while stimulated and unstimulated leaves of treated plants analysed 20 h after treatment formed together the third group.Observed grouping of stimulated and unstimulated leaves of treated plants could indicate signal transduction from the stimulated to distant leaves,that is,a systemic response to a local application of mechanical stimuli.

The positive function of selenium supplementation on reducing nitrate accumulation in hydroponic lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.)

High nitrate(NO3-) in vegetables, especially in leaf vegetables poses threaten to human health. Selenium(Se) is an important element for maintaining human health, and exogenous Se application during vegetable and crop production is an effective way to prevent Se deficiency in human bodies. Exogenous Se shows positive function on plant growth and nutrition uptake under abiotic and/or biotic stresses. However, the influence of exogenous Se on NO3-accumulation in hydroponic vegetables is still not clear. In the present study, hydroponic lettuce plants were subjected to six different concentrations(0, 0.1, 0.5, 5, 10 and 50 μmol L–1) of Se as Na2 Se O3. The effects of Se on NO3-content, plant growth, and photosynthetic capacity of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.) were investigated. The results showed that exogenous Se positively decreased NO3-content and this effect was concentration-dependent. The lowest NO3-content was obtained under 0.5 μmol L–1 Se treatment. The application of Se enhanced photosynthetic capacity by increasing the photosynthesis rate(Pn), stomatal conductance(Cs) and the transpiration efficiency(Tr) of lettuce. The transportation and assimilation of NO3-and activities of nitrogen metabolism enzymes in lettuce were also analysed. The NO3-efflux in the lettuce roots was markedly increased, but the efflux of NO3-from the root to the shoot was decreased after treated with exogenous Se. Moreover, Se application stimulated NO3-assimilation by enhancing nitrate reductase(NR), nitrite reductase(Ni R), glutamine synthetase(GS) and glutamate synthase enzyme(GOGAT) activities. These results provide direct evidence that exogenous Se shows positive function on decreasing NO3-accumulation via regulating the transport and enhancing activities of nitrogen metabolism enzyme in lettuce. We suggested that 0.5 μmol L–1 Se can be used to reduce NO3-content and increase hydroponic lettuce yield.

Physiological responses of macroalga Gracilaria lemaneiformis(Rhodophyta) to UV-B radiation exposure

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet-Bradiation(UVBR) on Gracilaria lemaneiformis,a commercial red macroalga and an important source of agar. To study the in-vitro effect of UVBR on G. lemaneiformis,this plant was cultivated and exposed to photosynthetically active radiation(PAR) at 40 μmol photons/(m2 ·s) and enhanced UVBR(0,0.36,0.72,1.08,1.44,and 1.80 k J/(m 2 ·d)) for 13 days. The samples were processed for histochemical analysis,and the growth rate,photosynthetic pigment contents,photosynthetic performance,reactive oxygen species levels,membrane permeability,malonyl dialdehyde contents and antioxidant capacity of G. lemaneiformis were investigated. After 13 days of exposure to PAR+UVBR,G. lemaneiformis showed photodamage and photoinhibition of photosynthetic pigments(chlorophylla and phycoerythrin),leading to a decreased photosynthetic efficiency. Further,there was a corresponding decrease in the relative growth rates and depigmentation and partial necrosis of the apical segments were noted after exposure to PAR+UVBR. Additionally,UVBR induced excess production of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide,eliciting a marked cellular membrane damage and antioxidative response.

Differential physiological responses of the coastal cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 to elevated pCO2 at lag, exponential,and stationary growth phases

We studied the effects of expected end-of-the-century p CO_2(1000 ppm)on the photosynthetic performance of a coastal marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.PCC7002 during the lag,exponential,and stationary growth phases.Elevated p CO_2significantly stimulated growth,and enhanced the maximum cell density during the stationary phase.Under ambient p CO_2conditions,the lag phase lasted for 6 days,while elevated p CO_2shortened the lag phase to two days and extended the exponential phase by four days.The elevated p CO_2increased photosynthesis levels during the lag and exponential phases,but reduced them during the stationary phase.Moreover,the elevated p CO_2reduced the saturated growth light(Ik)and increased the light utilization efficiency(α)during the exponential and stationary phases,and elevated the phycobilisome:chlorophyll a(Chl a)ratio.Furthermore,the elevated p CO_2reduced the particulate organic carbon(POC):Chl a and particulate organic nitrogen(PON):Chl a ratios during the lag and stationary phases,but enhanced them during the exponential phase.Overall,Synechococcus showed differential physiological responses to elevated p CO_2during different growth phases,thus providing insight into previous studies that focused on only the exponential phase,which may have biased the results relative to the effects of elevated p CO_2in ecology or aquaculture.

Microclimate control to increase productivity and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables in a cost-effective manner

Food security is one of the key global challenges in this century.In Singapore,our research team has been using novel aeroponic technology to produce fresh vegetables since 1997.Aeroponic systems allow for year-round production of not only tropical,but also sub-tropical and temperate fresh vegetables,by simply cooling the roots suspended in aeroponic systems while the aerial parts grow under tropical ambient environments.It has also been used to investigate the impacts of root-zone CO_(2)on vegetables by enriching root-zone CO_(2)while their aerial portions were subjected to constant atmospheric CO_(2).To compensate for the lack of available land,Singapore also needs to develop a farming system that can increase productivity per unit land area by many-fold.Over the past 10 years,my research team has established a commercially viable LED integrated vertical aeroponic farming system to grow different leafy vegetables under different LED spectra,intensities,and durations in the tropical greenhouse.The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase shoot production and rate of shoot production of leafy vegetables by increasing light intensity and extending the photoperiod under effective LED lighting.Furthermore,temperate vegetable crops such as lettuce were able to acclimate to high light intensity under supplementary LED lights to natural sunlight in the greenhouse.Supplementary LED lightings promote both leaf initiation and expansion with increased photosynthetic pigments,higher Cyt b6f and Rubisco protein contents on a per area basis and thus improve photosynthetic capacity and enhance productivity.Plants sense and respond to changes in their immediate environments(microclimate),manipulating the root zone temperature(RZT)and water supply will impact not only their growth and development but also their nutritional quality.Our on-going research aims to investigate if the nutritional quality of leafy vegetables could be improved under suboptimal RZT and mild water deficit through deficit irrigation.If substantial energy and water savings in urban farming can be achieved without substantial yield penalty but with higher nutritional quality,the amount of water and energy saved can bring substantial benefits to society.