Evaluation of Chlorophyll Content and Fluorescence Parameters as Indicators of Drought Tolerance in Barley

Drought is a major abiotic stress that severely affects food production worldwide. Agronomic and physiological traits associated with drought tolerance are suitable indicators for selection of drought tolerance genotypes to reduce the impact of water deficit on crop yield in breeding program. The objective of this study was to identify indicators related to drought tolerance through analysis of photosynthetic traits in barley （Hordeum vulgare L.）. These traits included chlorophyll content, initial fluorescence （Fo）, maximum primary yield of photochemistry of photosystem Ⅱ （Fv /Fo） and maximum quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ （Fv/Fm）. Four genotypes （Tadmor, Arta, Morocco9-75 and WI2291） variable in drought tolerance were used to investigate the correlation between these traits and drought tolerance. The results reflected that all of these traits were affected negatively in the four genotypes at different levels of post-anthesis drought stress, but the decrease in drought tolerant genotypes was much less than that of drought sensitive genotypes. The results further revealed that the components of the photosynthetic apparatus could be damaged significantly in drought sensitive genotypes, while drought tolerant genotypes were relatively less affected. On the other hand, the values of chlorophyll content, Fo, Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm in drought tolerance genotypes were significantly higher than those in drought sensitive genotypes under drought stress. It was concluded that chlorophyll content, Fo, Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm could be considered as reliable indicators in screening barley germplasm for drought tolerance.

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Leaf Gas Exchange in Naked Oat

Naked oat（Avena nuda L.） was originated from China,where soil nitrogen（N） is low availability.The responses of chlorophyll（Chl.） fluorescence parameters and leaf gas exchange to N application were analysed in this study.After the N application rate ranged from 60 to 120 kg ha-1,variable fluorescence（F v）,the maximal fluorescence（F m）,the maximal photochemical efficiency（F v /F m）,quantum yield（Φ PS II） of the photosynthetic system II（PS II）,electron transport rate（ETR）,and photochemical quenching coefficient（qP） increased with N application level,however,non-photochemical quenching coefficient（qN） decreased.Moreover,there was no difference in initial fluorescence（F o） with further more N enhancement.The maximum net photosynthetic rate（P max）,apparent dark respiration rate（R d） and light saturation point（LSP） were improved with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 24-40 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer applied at jointing stage.Initial quantum yield（α） was decreased with 24 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.Flag-leaf net photosynthetic rate（P n） was significantly enhanced at the jointing and heading stages with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer; in addition,increased at grain filling stage of naked oat with 40-56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.90 kg N ha-1（50-70% as basal fertilizer and 30-50% as top dressing fertilizer） application is recommended to alleviate photodamage of photosystem and improve the photosynthetic rate in naked oat.

Effects of the Spatial Coupling of Water and Fertilizer on the Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters of Winter Wheat Leaves

Wheat is an important agricultural crop in the Loess region of China, where there is drought stress and low availability of soil nitrogen and phosphorus. Using a pulse modulation fluorometer, we studied the effects of water, nitrogen, and phosphorus on the kinetic parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence in winter wheat. The wheat was grown in layered columns of Eum-Orthic Anthrosol （Cinnamon soil）, with the water content and nutrient composition of each layer controlled. The results showed that the kinetic parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence were sensitive to water stress. The basic fluorescence （F0） of leaves was higher in the dry treatment （0-30 cm layer at 40-45% of field capacity, 30-90 cm at 75-80% of field capacity） compared to the wet treatment （entire soil column at 75-80% of field capacity）. The maximal fluorescence （Fm）, the variable fluorescence （Fv）, the photochemical efficiency （Fv/Fm） and potential activites （Fv/F0） of photosystem 2 （PS2） were significantly lower in the dry treatment. Although drought stress impaired PS2 function, this effect was significantly ameliorated by applying P or NP fertilizer, but not N alone. P application increased FJFm, both in well-watered and water stressed plants, especially when fertilizer was applied throughout the column or within the top 30 em of soil. A combined fertilizer improved photosynthesis in well watered plants, with Fm and F,fFm being the highest when fertilizer was applied throughout the columns. For drought stressed, plants FJFm was significantly greater when combined fertilizer was added within the top 30 cm of soil. We concluded that, when growing winter wheat in both arid and semi-arid parts of the Loess region of China, it is important to guarantee the nutrient supply in the top 30 cm of the soil.

Differences in Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters, Yield and Its Components Between Different Genotypes of Wheat Under Waterlogging Conditions at Anthesis

Waterlogging is one of the most factors limiting wheat production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain of China,especially in the middle and late stages of wheat.Wheat varieties‘Jingmai102’(JM102)and‘Yangmai158’(YM158)were planted to study the dynamic changes of photosynthetic characteristics in flag leaf and the influence of waterlogging at anthesis on the yield and components and dry matter accumulation and remobilization of winter wheat in above ground.The results showed that the SPAD values slightly increased at 1 day after anthesis(d),and then kept decreasing with the increase of waterlogging time.The decrease in SPAD value was more remarkably in YM158 than that in JM102.As for the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters,the photochemical efficiency(Fv/Fm),potential activity(Fv/Fo)of photosystem II,and electronic transmission(Fm/Fo)on photosystem II increased first and then decreased with the increase of waterlogging days after anthesis.The quantum ratio of heat dissipation(Fo/Fm)had a tendency opposite to that of Fv/Fm,and the change range of JM102 was lower than that of YM158.For the grain yield and components,waterlogging at anthesis decreased the dry weight of single stem,grain yield,1 000-kernel weight,spikelet per panicle,and harvest index,and the reduction of JM102 was smaller than that of YM158.As for the accumulation and remobilization of dry matter,the accumulation of dry matter after anthesis decreased significantly under waterlogging condition(WL),and the reduction of JM102 was smaller than that of YM158.In conclusion,waterlogging at anthesis significantly affected the photosynthetic characteristics,yield and components in both varieties,but different varieties exhibited different tolerances to waterlogging stress and YM158 was more sensitive to water stress than JM102.

Differences in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and water content in heteromorphic leaves of Populus euphratica from Inner Mongolia, China

We studied three typical heteromorphic leaves of Populus euphratica trees growing in the Wuhai region of Inner Mongolia,China,i.e.,lanceolate,broad-ovate and dentate broad-ovate leaves and mainly focused on the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and free water and bound water content.The results show that the values of Fm（maximal fluorescence yield）,Fv/Fm（maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSII） and Fv/F0（potential quantum efficiency of PSII） of lanceolate leaves were the least on young trees,while these parameters were the least on the ovate leaves of old trees.Compared with young trees,the free water content of heteromorphic leaves of old trees increased significantly,i.e.,by 78.94% in lanceolate leaves and in the leaves of broad-ovate and dentate broad-ovate by 10.99% and 10.60%,respectively.Correlation analysis showed that free water content is significantly related to Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 in young trees,while the relationship of total water content with Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 is positive in old trees.

Effects of Heat Stress during Seed Filling Stage on Brassica napus Seed Oil Accumulation and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics

As global temperature rise,the threat of heat stress to rapeseed production is becoming more obvious.Exploring the response characteristics of two important biological pathways,oil accumulation and photosynthesis,to heat stress during B.napus seed filling is helpful in the genetic improvement of heat-tolerant rapeseed.The effects of heat stress on seed oil accumulation and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of 29 B.napus germplasms with different oil content and environmental sensitivity,including 6 rapeseed varieties which exhibited environmentsensitive/insensitive and with high,medium or low oil content,were tested by whole plant heat stress or the in vitro silique culture system.Both assay exhibited similar trend on oil content of the rapeseed germplasms.The heat effect on the chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic parameters F_(v)/F_(m),ETR and Y(Ⅱ)were also consistent.Heat stress significantly decreased oil content,although there was abundant genetic variation on heat tolerance among the genotypes.Correlation analysis showed that the decrease rate of F_(v)/F_(m) of silique heat-stressed B.napus developing seed was positive correlative to the decrease rate of mature seed oil content of the whole plant heat-stressed rapeseed(R=0.9214,P-value<0.01).Overall,the results indicated that heat stress inhibited oil accumulation and photosynthesis in B.napus developing seed.The decrease rate of chlorophyll fluorescence parameter F_(v)/F_(m) of heat-stressed developing seed could be used as the index of heat tolerant rapeseed identification.Further,two heat insensitive rapeseed varieties with high oil content were identified.

Genome-wide Association Analysis of Fast Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters in Maize

Fast chlorophyll fluorescence parameters are widely used to characterize the photosynthetic efficiency of plants. In this study, a genome-wide association analysis was used to detect key single-nueleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） associated with fast chlorophyll fluorescence parameters using more than 560 000 SNPs in a maize panel consisting of 404 inbred lines. In four fidd environments, 41 SNPs were detected to be associated with five fast chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including ABS/CS0, ET0/CS0, TR0/ABS, ET0/TR0 and Pies. Among these identified SNPs, 8, 6, 18, 4 and 5 were significantly associated with ET0/TR0, ABS/ CS0, TR0/ABS, ET0/CS, and Plcs, respectively. These SNPs will help to discover genes for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, better understand the genetic basis of photosynthesis, and assist in developing marker-assisted selection breeding programs in maize.

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Response of Persimmon Plants under Salt Stress

[Objectives]To study the photosynthetic response mechanism of persimmon seedlings to salt stress.[Methods]The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Diospyros virginiana and Diospyros lotus seedlings under 4%salt stress were studied by pot culture salt control method,including the minimal fluorescence(F_(0)),maximum fluorescence(F_(m)),potential activity of PS II(F_(v)/F_(0)),maximum photochemical efficiency of PS II(F_(v)/F_(m)),electron transport rate(ETR),actual photochemical efficiency of PS II(Y II),and photochemical quenching coefficient(q_(p)).[Results]Under 4%salt stress,the maximum fluorescence(F_(m)),maximum photochemical efficiency of PS II(F v/F m),and photochemical quenching coefficient(q_(p))of two persimmon plants decreased with time.The potential activity of PS II(F_(v)/F_(0)),actual photochemical efficiency of PS II(Y_(II)),and electron transport rate(ETR)decreased under salt stress.[Conclusions]This study indicates that the PS II reaction center in the persimmon leaves was damaged and the electron transport at the acceptor side was damaged under salt stress.It is expected to lay a foundation for the analysis of salt-tolerance mechanism of persimmon plants.

Varietal differences in photosynthetic characters and chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics parameters among intergeneric progeny derived from Oryza×Sorghum, its parents, and hybrid rice

A comparative study on the photosynthetic parameters among intergeneric progenies derived from Oryza sativa L.× Sorghum vulgare L. , its maternal parent Gui 630 and commercial 3-line hybrid rice Shanyou 63 in pot experiment in greenhouse was conducted. The morphological and photosynthetic characters of canopy leaves and chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic pm'mneters including Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, photochemical quenching coefficient and non-photochemical coefficient of canopy leaves of 3 varieties were measured. The results showed the progeny, Yuanyou 1, derived from an intergeneric cross of rice and sorghum possesses better canopy spatial architecture with thicker, heavier and bigger canopy leaf than its maternal parent Gui 630.Higher photosynthetic rate due to higher chlorophyll content, higher primary energy transformation efficiency,potential of PSII and non-photochemieal quenching coefficient (qE) were also measured in Yuanyou 1. These explain partly why the intergeneric progeny has higher biomass production, and better tolerance to adverse conditions and higher field yields even under stress conditions.

Effect of low-nitrogen stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of maize cultivars with different low-nitrogen tolerances

Nitrogen(N)is a critical element for plant growth and productivity that influences photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence.We investigated the effect of low-N stress on leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of maize cultivars with difference in tolerance to low N levels.The low-N tolerant cultivar ZH311 and low-N sensitive cultivar XY508 were used as the test materials.A field experiment(with three N levels:N0,0 kg ha–1;N1,150 kg ha–1;N2,300 kg ha–1)in Jiyanyang,Sichuan Province,China,and a hydroponic experiment(with two N levels:CK,4 mmol L–1;LN,0.04 mmol L–1)in Chengdu,Sichuan Province,China were conducted.Low-N stress significantly decreased chlorophyll content and rapid light response curves of the maximum fluorescence under light(Fm′),fluorescence instable state(Fs),non-photochemical quenching(qN),the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry under dark-adaption(Fv/Fm),potential activity of PSII(Fv/Fo),and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII(ΦPSII)of leaves.Further,it increased the chlorophyll(Chl)a/Chl b values and so on.The light compensation point of ZH311 decreased,while that of XY508 increased.The degree of variation of these indices in low-N tolerant cultivars was lower than that in low-N sensitive cultivars,especially at the seedling stage.Maize could increase Chl a/Chl b,apparent quantum yield and light saturation point to adapt to N stress.Compared to low-N sensitive cultivars,low-N tolerant cultivars maintained a higher net photosynthetic rate and electron transport rate to maintain stronger PSII activity,which further promoted the ability to harvest and transfer light.This might be a photosynthetic mechanism by which low-N tolerant cultivar adapt to low-N stress.

Effect of Low Light on the Characteristics of Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence During Leaf Development of Sweet Pepper

Low light stress is one of the main limiting factors which influence the production of sweet pepper under protected cultivation in China. In this experiment, two genotypes of sweet pepper, ShY （low light-tolerant genotype） and 20078 （low light-sensitive genotype）, were used to study the effects of low light （photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD was 75- 100 umol m-2 s-1, control 450-500 umol m-2 s-1） on photosynthesis during leaf development. The result indicated that under low light chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate （PN）, photosynthetic apparent quantum efficiency （Фi） and carboxylation efficiency （CE） of sweet pepper leaves increased gradually and decreased after reaching the maximum levels. The time to reach the peak values for all the above parameters was delayed, whereas the light compensation point （LCP） decreased gradually along with leaf expansion. The decrease in maximum quantum yield of PS II （Fv/Fm） was not observed at any stages of the leaf development under low light condition, but the actual PS II efficiency under irradiance （ФPS II） was lower accompanied by an increased non-photochemical quenching （NPQ） in young and/or old leaves compared with mature leaves. The antenna thermal dissipation （D） was a main way of heat dissipation when young leaves received excessive light energy, while the decline in photosynthetic function in senescence leaf was mostly owing to the decrease in carbon assimilation capacity, followed by a significantly increased allocation of excessive energy （Ex）. Compared with 20078, ShY could maintain higher PN, ФPS II and lower QA reduction state for a longer time during leaf development. Thus, in ShY photosynthetic efficiency and the activity of electron transport of PS II were not significantly affected due to low light stress.

玉米光合突变体hcf136(high chlorophyll fluorescence 136)的转录组分析

玉米是典型的C_4作物,其光合作用由花环结构的两种细胞(叶肉细胞和维管束鞘细胞)共同完成。玉米hcf136(high chlorophyll fluorescence 136)突变体叶肉细胞叶绿体不能形成基粒从而丧失了PSII活性,但维管束鞘细胞的叶绿体发育不受影响,是研究玉米C_4光合机理的好材料。本研究利用转录组测序(RNA-Seq)技术,通过对高光和低光下野生型和hcf136突变体不同叶片部位进行转录组分析发现,PSII相关基因的转录未发生明显差异,表明PSII复合体的缺失是非转录水平变化所引起。此外,突变体中淀粉合成受阻,糖降解、糖转运及Cu^(2+)转运等代谢过程加剧,且一些转录因子表达发生显著变化。该结果对进一步深入研究玉米HCF136基因的功能提供了参考。

Early stage toxicity of excess copper to photosystem II of Chlorella pyrenoidosa–OJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis

Acute toxicity of excess Cu on the photosynthetic performance of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was examined by using chlorophyll a fluorescence transients and JIP-test after exposure to elevated Cu concentrations for a short time period. High Cu concentration resulted in a significant suppression in photosynthesis and respiration. The absorption flux （ABS/RC） per PSII reaction center increased with increasing Cu concentration, but the electron transport flux （ET0/RC） decreased. Excess Cu had an insignificant effect on the trapping flux （TR0/RC）. The decline in the efficiency, with which a trapped exciton can move an electron into the electron transport chain further than QA-（Ψ0）, the maximal quantum yield of primary photochemistry （φP0）, and the quantum yield of electron transport （φE0） were also observed. The amount of active PSII reaction centers per excited cross section （RC/CS） was also in consistency with the change of photosynthesis when cells were exposed to excess Cu concentration. JIP-test parameters had a good linear relationship with photosynthetic O2 evolution. These results suggested that the decrease of photosynthesis in exposure to excess Cu may be a result of the inactivation of PSII reaction centers and the inhibition of electron transport in the acceptor side.

Effect of Light Quality on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Strawberry Leaves

The photosynthetic characteristics of strawberry (Fragariaananassa Duch. cv. Toyonoka)leaves under illumination of identical light intensity(55-57% natural light) withdifferent light quality were studied. It was showed that the chlorophyll content,maximal photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ(Fv/Fm), Fm/Fo, amount of inactive PSⅡreactioncenters (Fi-Fo) and rate of QA reduction were positively correlated with the red-light/blue-light ratios, but the chlorophyll (a/b) ratios were negatively correlated withthem. Carotenoid content of the leaves was maximum under the blue film, than under greenfilm, red film, white film and yellow film, and negatively correlated with the red/far-red ratios. The apparent quantum yield (AQY), photorespiratory rate (Pr) and carboxylationefficiency (CE) were also strongly affected by light quality. The photosynthetic rate(Pn) in strawberry leaves under green film was significantly lower than under all otherfilm. Our results suggested that light quality is an essential factor regulating thedevelopment of PSⅡ, and phytochrome and an independent blue light photoreceptor,possibly a cryptochrome, can regulate photosynthetic performance.

Effect of Methanol on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Flag Leaves of Winter Wheat

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, photochemical efficiency of PS II （Fv/Fm）, photochemical quenching of PS II （qP）, nonphotochemical quenching of PS II （NPQ）, maximum activity of PS II （Fv/Fo） as well as electron transport rate （ETR）, and quantum yield of PS II （ФPS II） were measured on flag leaves of the winter wheat treated by methanol at different concentrations. The results revealed that photosynthesis was greatly improved by methanol, as indicated by higher photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance. The enhancement effect of methanol on photosynthesis was maintained for 3-4 days. Different methanol concentration treatments also increased intercellular CO2 concentration and transpiration rates. No significant decline was found in Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, and ФPS II, which revealed no photoinhibition during methanol application in different methanol concentrations. Methanol showing no apparent inhibitory effects indicated higher potential photosynthetic capacity of flag leaves of winter wheat. However, the increase in photosynthesis was not followed by an increase in the photosynthetic activity （Fv/Fm）, and fluorescence parameters did not indicate an improvement in intercellular CO2 concentration and PS II photochemical efficiency compared with the control, thereby encouraging us to propose that lower leaf temperatures caused by applied methanol would reduce both dark respiration and photorespiration （most importantly）, thus, increasing net CO2 uptake and photosynthetic rates.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Level on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics in Flag Leaf of Super Hybrid Rice at Late Growth Stage

To compare the effects of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer at six different levels on the flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of super hybrid rice, a field fertilization experiment was conducted with super hybrid rice Y Liangyou 1 as a test material. The photosynthetic electron transport rate （ETR）, effective quantum yield （EQY）, photochemical quenching coefficient （qp）, and non-photochemical quenching coefficient （NPQ） of flag leaves were measured at the initial heading, full heading, 10 d after full heading and 20 d after full heading stages. Results showed that the values of ETR, EQY and qp increased with rice development from initial heading to 20 d after full heading, whereas the NPQ decreased. During the measured stages, ETR, EQY and qp increased initially and then decreased as nitrogen application amount increased, but they peaked at different nitrogen fertilizer levels. The maximum ETR and EQY values appeared at the treatment of 135 kg/hm2 N. In conclusion, the optimum nitrogen amount for chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of super hybrid rice was 135-180 kg/hm2.

Effects of soil drought stress on photosynthetic gas exchange traits and chlorophyll fluorescence in Forsythia suspensa

To clarify the changes in plant photosynthesis and mechanisms underlying those responses to gradually increasing soil drought stress and reveal quantitative relationships between photosynthesis and soil moisture,soil water conditions were controlled in greenhouse pot experiments using 2-year-old seedlings of Forsythia suspensa（Thunb.） Vahl. Photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence variables were measured and analyzed under 13 gradients of soil water content. Net photosynthetic rate（PN）, stomatal conductance（gs）, and water-use efficiency（WUE） in the seedlings exhibited a clear threshold response to the relative soil water content（RSWC）. The highest PNand WUEoccurred at RSWCof51.84 and 64.10%, respectively. Both PNand WUEwere higher than the average levels at 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04%. When RSWCdecreased from 51.84 to 37.52%,PN, gs, and the intercellular CO2 concentration（Ci）markedly decreased with increasing drought stress; the corresponding stomatal limitation（Ls） substantially increased, and nonphotochemical quenching（NPQ） also tended to increase, indicating that within this range of soil water content, excessive excitation energy was dispersed from photosystem II（PSII） in the form of heat, and the reduction in PNwas primarily due to stomatal limitation.While RSWCdecreased below 37.52%, there were significant decreases in the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry（Fv/Fm） and the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry（UPSII）, photochemical quenching（qP）, and NPQ; in contrast, minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state（F0） increased markedly. Thus,the major limiting factor for the PNreduction changed to a nonstomatal limitation due to PSII damage. Therefore, an RSWCof 37.52% is the maximum allowable water deficit for the normal growth of seedlings of F. suspensa, and a water content lower than this level should be avoided in field soil water management. Water contents should be maintained in the range of 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04% to ensure normal function of the photosynthetic apparatus and high levels of photosynthesis and efficiency in F.suspensa.

Cadmium and lead effects on chlorophyll fluorescence,chlorophyll pigments and proline of Robinia pseudoacacia

Heavy metal contamination is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting physiological activities of plants.We investigated the effects of cadmium（Cd） and lead（Pb） on chlorophyll fluorescence（Fv/Fm,Fo,and Fm）,photosynthetic pigments（chlorophyll a and b）,and proline in one-year-old seedlings of Robinia pseudoacacia.The seedlings were treated twice over a period of 10 days with Cd and Pb at concentrations of 0,250,500,1000 and2000 mg L-1.Saline solution containing Cd and Pb was sprayed on the leaves.Chlorophyll and proline contents were measured after 10 days.Chlorophyll fluorescence of R.pseudoacacia was affected slightly by high concentrations（1000,2000 mg L-1） of Cd and Pb.Chlorophyll a and a/b increased at 1000 and 2000 mg L-1of Cd and proline content of leaves was similar in all treatments of Cd and Pb.Our results indicated that photosynthetic sensitivity of R.pseudoacacia to Cd and Pb contamination was weak.Photosystem II chlorophyll pigments were not damaged by Pb and Cd stress.We conclude that chlorophyll fluorescence along with chlorophyll and proline contents are useful indicators of Cd and Pb stresses in R.pseudoacacia which widely planted in urban polluted regions in Iran.

Responses of chlorophyll fluorescence and nitrogen level of Leymus chinensis seedling to changes of soil moisture and temperature

Controlled experiment of Leymus chinensis seedlings grown in the environmental growth chambers at 3 soil moisture levels and 3 temperature levels was conducted in order to improve the understanding how leaf photosynthetic parameters will respond to climatic change. The results indicated that soil drought and high temperature decreased the photochemical efficiency of photosystem(F v/F m), the overall photochemical quantum yield of PSII(yield), the coefficient of photochemical fluorescence quenching(q\-P), but increased the coefficient of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching(q\-N). Severe soil drought would decrease F v/F m and yield by 3.12% and 37.04% under 26℃ condition, respectively, and 6.60% and 73.33% under 32℃ condition, respectively, suggesting that higher temperature may enhance the negative effects of soil drought. All the soil drought treatments resulted in the decline in leaf nitrogen content. There was no significant effect of temperature on leaf nitrogen level, but higher temperature significantly reduced the root nitrogen content and the ratio of root nitrogen to leaf nitrogen, indicating the different strategies of adaptation to soil drought and temperature. It was also implied that higher temperature would enhance the effect of soil drought on leaf photosynthetic capacity, decrease the adaptability of Leymus chinensis to drought.