Grain Yield,Biomass Accumulation,and Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rice under Combined Salinity-Drought Stress

Simultaneous stresses of salinity and drought often coincide during rice-growing seasons in saline lands,primarily due to insufficient water resources and inadequate irrigation facilities.Consequently,combined salinity-drought stress poses a major threat to rice production.In this study,two salinity levels(NS,non-salinity;HS,high salinity)along with three drought treatments(CC,control condition;DJ,drought stress imposed at jointing;DH,drought stress imposed at heading)were performed to investigate their combined influences on leaf photosynthetic characteristics,biomass accumulation,and rice yield formation.Salinity,drought,and their combination led to a shortened growth period from heading to maturity,resulting in a reduced overall growth duration.Grain yield was reduced under both salinity and drought stress,with a more substantial reduction under the combined salinity-drought stress.The combined stress imposed at heading caused greater yield losses in rice compared with the stress imposed at jointing.Additionally,the combined salinity-drought stress induced greater decreases in shoot biomass accumulation from heading to maturity,as well as in shoot biomass and nonstructural carbohydrate(NSC)content in the stem at heading and maturity.However,it increased the harvest index and NSC remobilization reserve.Salinity and drought reduced the leaf area index and SPAD value of flag leaves and weakened the leaf photosynthetic characteristics as indicated by lower photosynthetic rates,transpiration rates,and stomatal conductance.These reductions were more pronounced under the combined stress.Salinity,drought,and especially their combination,decreased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase,catalase,and superoxide dismutase,while increasing the contents of malondialdehyde,hydrogen peroxide,and superoxide radical.Our results indicated a more significant yield loss in rice when subjected to combined salinity-drought stress.The individual and combined stresses of salinity and drought diminished antioxidant enzyme activities,inhibited leaf photosynthetic functions,accelerated leaf senescence,and subsequently lowered assimilate accumulation and grain yield.

Effects of paclobutrazol application on plant architecture,lodging resistance,photosynthetic characteristics,and peanut yield at different single-seed precise sowing densities

The key to high-yielding peanut cultivation is the optimization of agricultural production practices.Regulating single-seed precise sowing(SSPS)density and paclobutrazol(Pbz)application concentration are effective practices that increase peanut yield by improving plant architecture,lodging resistance,and photosynthetic characteristics.Therefore,we conducted a two-factor field optimization experiment for the sowing density(D1:1.95×10^(5)plants ha^(-1),D52:2.40×10plants ha^(-1),D3:2.85×10^(5)plants ha^(-1),and D4:3.30×10^(5)plants ha^(-1))and Pbzapplication concentration(P0:0 mg L^(-1)and P1:100 mg L^(-1)).The objective was to optimize agricultural production practices and provide a theoretical basis for highyielding peanut cultivation by evaluating the effects of sowing density and Pbzapplication on plant architecture,lodging resistance,photosynthetic characteristics,and yield.The results showed that at the same Pbzapplication concentration,increasing sowing density increased lodging percentage and reduced leaf photosynthetic capacity.At the same sowing density,Pbzapplication reduced lodging percentage by decreasing plant height(PH),improving lignin biosynthesis-related enzyme activities,and enhancing stem puncture strength(SPS)and breaking strength(SBS).The paclobutrazol-induced alterations in plant architecture and lodging resistance improved light transmission at the middle and bottom leaf strata,resulting in the increase in relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate(Pn)of leaves.Furthermore,D3P1treatment had the highest peanut yield among all treatments.In summary,the production strategy combining the sowing density of 2.85×10^(5)plants ha^(-1)with the application of100 mg L^(-1)Pbzwas found to be the optimal agricultural production practice for giving full play to production potential and achieving higher peanut yield.

Osmotic Regulation,Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Tree Peony(Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.)in Response to High-Temperature Stress

Tree peony(Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.)is a traditional Chinese flower,which prefers cool weather.However,high temperature in summer in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River restricts its growth and development.In this study,osmotic regulation,antioxidant enzyme activities,and photosynthetic characteristics of tree peony in response to high-temperature stress were investigated.The results showed that high-temperature stress had destroyed the cell membrane,manifested as the increased relative electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde content.Moreover,high-temperature stress led to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species,thereby,activating antioxidant enzyme activities.Also,photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters directly reflected the damage to the photosystem II reflection center under high-temperature stress.In addition,high-temperature stress led to stomatal closure and chloroplast damage.This study revealed the physiological responses of tree peony to high-temperature stress,laying a foundation for the promotion of tree peony in high-temperature areas and the improvement of high-temperature resistance.

Photosynthetic Characteristics of a Super High Yield Cultivar of Winter Wheat During Late Growth Period

The mechanism of high yield of winter wheat in the field at late growth period was investigated by measuring the photosynthetic characteristics of photosystem Ⅱ （PSⅡ） and xanthophylls cycle, which could provide physiological reference for breeding. Weimai 8 （W8）, a super high yield cultivar, and Lumai 14 （L14）, a control cultivar were object. The photosynthetic rate （Pn）, parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content were measured. The Pn, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII （Fv/Fm）, quantum yield of PSII electron transport （ΦPSⅡ）, efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PSII reaction centers （Fv＇/Fm＇）, and photochemical quenching coefficient （qP） were higher in Weimai 8 compared to that in Lumai 14, a commercial high yield cultivar. Furthermore, Weirnai 8 showed a lower non- photochemical quenching coefficient and a lower de-epoxidized ratio of the xanthophyll cycle pigments than of Lumai 14 at late growth period. At mature stage, chlorophyll content of different leaves decreased both in Weimai 8 and Lumai 14. Chlorophyll content in flag, second and third leaf from the top of plant decreased more in Lumai 14 than in Weimai 8. These results suggested that Weimai 8 had more antenna pigments to absorb light energy, and had higher photosynthetic capability and photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ. The yield of Weimai 8 was also higher than that of Lumai 14.

Effects of Formulated Fertilizer Synergist on Abscisic Acid Accumulation, Proline Content and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rice under Drought

To investigate the effects of formulated fertilizer synergist on the drought tolerance in rice, pot experiment was conducted to analyze the photosynthetic characteristics and the accumulation of abscisic acid （ABA） and proline in middle-season rice variety Peiliangyou 93. The synergist could improve the net photosynthetic rate, and coordination between the water loss and the CO2 absorption as well as reduce the harmful effect on photosynthetic process under drought conditions. Under drought, the ABA accumulated massively both in roots and leaves, while the ABA content in roots was far higher than that in leaves. The results indicate that synergist could increase the ABA accumulation, but reduce the proline accumulation in rice plant under drought.

Photosynthetic Characteristics and Ultrastructure of Chloroplast of Cucumber Under Low Light Density in Solar-Greenhouse

The photosynthetic characteristics and ultrastructure of chloroplast of cucumber in solar-greenhouse were studied. The result showed that the photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosyntheticability (A350), carboxylation efficiency, light saturation point and light compensation pointall declined remarkably under low light density, indicating that the photosynthetic characteristicsof cucumber were closely related to light environment. Under low light density, the minimalfluorescence (Fo), alterable fluorescence (Fv), photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ(Fv/Fm), steadyfluorescence in light (Fs), maximal fluorescence (Fm) and actual efficiency of PSⅡ(φPSⅡ)etcincreased, indicating that the photochemical activity and efficiency for solar energy transformationenhanced, thus the light proportion used to electron transport also increased. The chlorophylla, b, a/b and carotenoid of shading leaves decreased. However, the depressed extent of Chl a andChl a/b were obviously larger than that of Chl b. The number of chloroplast and starch grainin cucumber leaves descended, but that of grana and lamella increased as a shaded result. Thesize of chloroplast and starch grain of shading leaves minished.

Response of leaf photosynthetic characteristics of Syringa oblata and Syringa reticulata var.mandshurica to chilling stress

Syringa species not only have good ornamental properties but also play an important role in the landscaping and environmental purification of cities.To investigate the chilling stress resistance of Syringa oblata Lindl.and Syringa reticulata var.mandshurica and provide theoretical grounds for the practical cultivation of Syringa species,in vitro leaves were used to study photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters.After nine hours of chilling,decreasing rates of net photosynthesis,stomatal conductance,and transpiration in S.reticulata var.mandshurica leaves were significantly greater than that of the S.oblata,while intercellular CO2 concentrations in S.oblata leaves were higher than those in S.reticulata var.mandshurica.The quantum yield of PSII reaction center(APSII)declined in S.reticulata and light capture efficiency(Fv 0/Fm 0)was stable.However,reduction percentages of Fv 0/Fm 0,APSII,and Fv/Fm in S.oblata were significant higher than those of S.reticulata var.mandshurica.After nine hours of chilling,the relative variable fluorescence of VJ and VI of S.oblata increased and the increasing rate of VJ was greater than VI.In contrast,the change of VJ and VI in S.reticulata var.mandshurica leaves was relatively small.This suggests that chilling primarily damaged the electron transport process of QA to QB at the receptor site of the PSII reaction center.Photosynthetic capacity of S.oblata was more sensitive to chilling stress compared to S.reticulate var.mandshurica,which the limitations were mainly due to non-stomatal factors such as the decrease in electron transport efficiency,activity in the PSII reaction center,and the destruction of the photodamage defense system.

Studies on the Photosynthetic Characteristics andAssimilate's Accumulation and Transformation inHeavy Panicle Type of Rice

Using 18 indica rice varieties with different panicle weight, the photosynthetic characteristics and assimilate's accumulation and transformation in heavy panicle type of rice(HPT)were studied. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate of the flag leaf in HPT after heading was obviously higher than that in medium panicle type(MPT)and light panicle type(LPT). The reason for the high net photosynthetic rate in HPT was the increase of Rubisco activities and chlorophyll content, and keeping high assimilate ability to CO2 under high and low light intensity, high temperature and low CO2 content, and light midday depression and wide adaptability to environmental conditions. The high net photosynthetic rate of HPT might be also the results of its excellent stomatal characteristics and higher total quantity of stomatal opening degrees(stomatal density X stomatal opening degrees). There was a large amount of dry matter production after heading and obvious high assimilate's transformation to panicle in HPT.

Photosynthetic Characteristics and Heterosis in Transgenic Hybrid Rice with Maize Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase (pepc) Gene

Three F3 hybrids derived from the sterile rice lines Gang 46A, 776A and 2480A and the improved restorer line Shuhui 881 containing maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase （pepc） gene were used to analyze the effect of pepc gene on the heterosis and photosynthetic characteristics, while the F3 obtained by crossing Shuhui 881 with the above three sterile lines served as controls. The dynamics of photosynthetic characteristics in leaves of three F1 with pepc gene and their controls were determined at the initial-tillering, maxium-tillering, elongation, initial-heading, heading, maturity stages, and other different times after flag leaf fully expanded. The PEPCase activities of the three F1 with pepc gene increased significantly as compared with control plants during the whole developmental stages. Moreover, the net photosynthesis rate （Pn） also increased to certain extent. The data showed that PEPCase activity was significantly correlated to Pn with a correlation coefficient of 0.6081. The photosynthetic indexes of the three F1 with pepc gene were obviously superior to respective controls in apparent quantum efficiency, light compensation point and carboxylation efficiency, while the CO2 compensation point was lower than that of corresponding control. The Pn of the three F1 with pepc gene at light saturation point and CO2 saturation point was also higher than that of control plants. in addition, the three F1 with pepc gene had an average increase of 37.10% in grain yields per plant in comparison with control plants. The results indicated that the photosynthetic characteristics of hybrid rice containing pepc gene had been improved to some extent due to the introduction of pepc gene.

Photosynthetic characteristics and nitrogen distribution of large-spike wheat in Northwest China

The leaf photosynthesis and nitrogen（N） translocation in three large-spike lines and control cultivar（Xi＇nong 979） of winter wheat（Triticum aestivum L.） were studied in 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. The objectives of this study were to investigate the differences in the physiological characteristics of large-spike lines and control cultivar and identify the limiting factors that play a role in improving the yield of breeding materials. The average yield, grain number per spike, kernel weight per spike, and 1 000-kernel weight of the large-spike lines were 16.0, 26.8, 42.6, and 15.4%, respectively, significantly higher than those of control. The average photosynthetic rates（Pn） were not significant between the large-spike lines and control cultivar during the active growth period. The average PSII maximum energy conversion efficiency（Fv/Fm）, PSII actual quantum efficiency（Ф（PSII））, photochemical quenching coefficient（qP）, PSII reaction center activity（Fv′/Fm′） and water-use efficiency（WUE） of the large-spike lines were 1.0, 5.1, 3.6, 0.8, and 43.4%, respectively, higher than those of the control during the active growth stages. The N distribution proportions in different tissues were ranked in the order of grains〉culms＋sheathes〉rachis＋glumes〉flag leaves〉penultimate leaves〉remain leaves. This study suggested that utilization of the large-spike wheat might be a promising approach to obtain higher grain yield in Northwest China.

Effect of Light Intensity on Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics and Accumulation of Flavonoids in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun. (Fagaceae)

The active compounds in herb drugs are mainly secondary metabolites, which are greatly influenced by external conditions. Particularly, light intensity has a great influence on the photosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites. In this study, the light intensity was changed, and the influence of the light intensity on leaf photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activity and flavone contents of Lithocarpus litseifoliusp (Hance) Chun. was discussed. The results showed that (1) L. litseifolius is a typical heliophyte. As the light intensity decreased, the contents of chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b) and total chlorophyll (Chl a + b) all increased. However, the Chl a/b ratio gradually decreased. The daily variation of net photosynthetic rate changed from a double-peak curve under natural light to single-peak curve under 20% full light two shading nets. (2) As the light intensity decreased, the SOD and POD activities and the soluble proteins content decreased in the leaves. In contrast, the malondialdehyde content increased. (3) The flavone content was the highest in leaves at one shading nets 60% of full light, and the lowest occurred in leaves at two shading nets 20% of full light. A comprehensive analysis indicated that an appropriate shading could induce shade tolerance in the leaves of L. litseifolius, which promoted the accumulation of flavonoids. L. litseifolius should be planted in the lower position of sunny slope or the upper position of shady slope to increase the content of flavone in the leaves.

Study on the Photosynthetic Characteristics in Spring Maize (Zea mays L.)of Different Quality Type

common maize synthetic rate（ Photosynthetic characteristics were probed by sweet maize, waxy maize, high starch maize and The results revealed that leaf area index （LAI）, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content,photo-PR） showed single peak curve at the whole growth stage. The stages of peak were different according to different varieties. NEAUS4 had the lowest peak and while SIDAN 19 had the highest among all stages. Ratio of chlorophyll a to b was low at seedling stage, reached the peak atjointing stage and then declined. SIDAN 19 had the lower level at the last stages.

Modified non-rectangular hyperbola equation with plant height for photosynthetic light-response curves of Potentilla anserina and Elymus nutans at various growth phases in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China

The non-rectangular hyperbola(NRH)equation is the most popular method that plots the photosynthetic light-response(PLR)curve and helps to identify plant photosynthetic capability.However,the PLR curve can't be plotted well by the NRH equation at different plant growth phases due to the variations of plant development.Recently,plant physiological parameters have been considered into the NRH equation to establish the modified NRH equation,but plant height(H),an important parameter in plant growth phases,is not taken into account.In this study,H was incorporated into the NRH equation to establish the modified NRH equation,which could be used to estimate photosynthetic capability of herbage at different growth phases.To explore photosynthetic capability of herbage,we selected the dominant herbage species Potentilla anserina L.and Elymus nutans Griseb.in the Heihe River Basin,Northwest China as the research materials.Totally,twenty-four PLR curves and H at different growth phases were measured during the growing season in 2016.Results showed that the maximum net photosynthetic rate and the initial slope of PLR curve linearly increased with H.The modified NRH equation,which is established by introducing H and an H-based adjustment factor into the NRH equation,described better the PLR curves of P.anserina and E.nutans than the original ones.The results may provide an effective method to estimate the net primary productivity of grasslands in the study area.

Effects of Copper-based Nutritional Foliar Fertilizers on Photosynthetic Characteristics,Yield and Disease Control Efficiency of Cotton

[Objectives] The effects of copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics,yield,accumulation and distribution of trace elements in various organs,disease prevention effect and soil enzyme activity were studied,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the application of foliar fertilizers in cotton production. [Methods]Through two years of field experiments,six treatments were set in total,namely spraying water( CK),traditional Bordeaux mixture( BDM),Kocide 2000( KCD),copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CF),iron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFFe),and zinc-boron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFZnB). Randomized block arrangement was adopted. Chlorophyll content in leaves was measured at each growth stage of the cotton. Photosynthetic characteristics of leaves were measured at the peak bolling stage. Plants were sampled at initial boll opening stage. The whole plant was divided into root,stem,leaf and cotton boll parts,in which the total copper,total zinc,total iron contents and accumulations were determined. Soil samples were collected from each plot,followed by the determination of soil enzyme activity. Disease index was investigated at bud,flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stage. [Results]( 1) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD could significantly improve chlorophyll content of cotton leaves,and the CFFe treatment had the highest increase up to13. 30%,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which was 11. 40% higher than the CK; and photosynthetic rate,stomata conductance and transpiration rate could be improved significantly,and the CFFe treatment showed the highest photosynthetic rate,which increased by 26. 35% compared with the CK,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which increased by 17. 96% compared with CK; and intercellular CO2 concentration was significantly reduced.( 2) Spraying BDM,KCD,CF,CFFe and CFZnB can significantly increase total copper content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total copper content in the stem part of the CFZnB treatment; the CFZnB and CFFe treatments can significantly increase total zinc content and accumulation in various cotton organs; and spraying CFFe,CFZnB and CF can significantly increase total iron content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total iron content in the stem part of the CF treatment).( 3)Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF,KCD and BDM greatly reduced the disease index at flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stages.( 4) The CFZnB and CFFe treatments had the highest soil urease activity,which was 7. 14% higher than that of the CK,but the difference from the CK was not significant; the catalase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the BDM treatment; and the sucrase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the CK.( 5) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD significantly improved lint yield of cotton,and the CFZnB treatment showed the highest yield increase up to 12. 34%,followed by the CFFe treatment,with an increase in the range of 8. 77%-10. 20%. [Conclusions]Copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers have dual functions of disease control and prevention and plant nutrition and health care,and not only can significantly increase cotton yield,but also has certain disease prevention effect.It is recommended to use copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers.

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat after Rice

In the present study, appropriate nitrogen(N) application mode in Jianghan Plain was explored by investigating the effects of different N applications on the photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaves and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE) in a wheat cultivar Zhengmai 9023. Nitrogen was top-dressed before sowing, before winter, and during the jointing stage, at different ratios:1:1:0(N1), 1:0:1(N2), 2:1:1(N3), 1:1:1(N4), and 0:0:1(N5), under the same amount of total N(180 kg/hm^2) during the growing season. No nitrogen fertilizer was used in the control(N0). Results showed that the SPAD values and photosynthetic rate(Pn) of different treatments in flag leaves increased initially and then decreased around the anthesis stage. The two indices in N1 and N5 treatments decreased rapidly after flowering, whereas those in N2, N3, and N4 treatments maintained at high levels for a long period after anthesis. Thus, reasonable nitrogen application could retard the decline of SPAD and Pn after anthesis.N4 and N1 treatments showed large dry matter accumulation. In decreasing order of crop yield, the treatments were: N4 >N1 >N3 >N5 >N2 >N0. The effective panicle number and grain number per spike of N2 were significantly lower than those of other treatments, and there was no significant difference among other treatments. No significant correlation was found between nitrogen application and 1 000-grain weight in this experiment. The nitrogen accumulation, agronomic efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer,nitrogen uptake and use efficiency of above-ground parts, nitrogen uptake and use efficiency of grain of N4 treatment were higher than those of other treatments, but the nitrogen harvest index of N4 was at a low level. In summary, N4 treatment is the most suitable nitrogen application mode in wheat after rice.

Effects of drought and heat on the productivity and photosynthetic characteristics of alpine meadow plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine meadow plants,adapted to humid and cold environments,are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as drought and heat.However,the physiological responses of individual alpine meadow species to drought and heat stress remain unclear.In this study,four representative species of typical functional groups in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were selected as experimental materials.Heat(H1,H2),drought(D1,D2),and combined stress(D1H1,D2H2)treatments were implemented to reveal the biomass and physiological characteristics’response to a constant drought and heat environment.Our results showed that the leaf water content(LWC)of Kobresia humilis and Poa annua increased significantly under heat stress and the compound stress(P<0.05).The effect of a single factor on LWC was greater than that of multiple factors.The aboveground biomass(AGB)of Oxytropis ochrocephala and Saussurea pulchra decreased significantly under compound stress(P<0.05).The response patterns of the net photosynthetic rate(Pn)and transpiration rate(Tr)of K.humilis and P.annua under various stress treatments were similar;as were those of O.ochrocephala and S.pulchra.The stomatal conductance(Gs)variation in K.humilis,P.annua,O.ochrocephala,and S.pulchra were the same under three kinds of stress treatments.The photosynthetic characteristics were more sensitive to the effects of composite than those of single factors.The drought×heat×species treatment had a significant influence on various indexes except on height(Ht)and the belowground biomass(BGB)(P<0.01).Within a certain range,daytime temperature(DT)promoted the Ht and increased the LWC of the plants,while it inhibited their AGB and intercellular CO2 concentration(Ci).The Pn,Tr,and Gs were more sensitive to soil moisture than to DT.The results help improve understanding of the physiological response regularity of representative alpine meadow plant species to continuous drought and high temperature conditions at the species level,and provided experimental data and theoretical basis to identify the decisive factors of stress response.

Comparisons of Photosynthetic Characteristics in Relation to Lint Yield Among F_1 Hybrids, Their F_2 Descendants and Parental Lines of Cotton

We compared the photosynthetic characteristics in relation to yield of two F1 cotton hybrids（Shiza 2-F1 and Xinluzao 43-F1）, their parental lines（NT2, H2 and 4-14） and their F2 descendants at different growth and development stages. The two F1 exhibited heterobeltiosis in net photosynthetic rate（Pn） by 8.1-52.1%, canopy apparent photosynthetic rate（CAP） by 8.2-57.6% and canopy respiration rate（CR） by 3.0-78.7% during the growing season. They also exhibited mid-parent heterosis by 2.0-5.2% in leaf chlorophyll content（SPAD） during the late growth and development stages. Regression analysis showed that both parents contributed to increase in Pn, SPAD and CAP in the F1. A low CR in the F1 matched a low CR of the parental line. Photosynthetic characteristics in the F2 were mainly dependent upon the magnitude and degeneration rate of the F1. Mid-parent heterosis in CAP and in CR during the late growth and development stage reduced the degeneration of the F2. Average dry matter accumulation was 10.7-34.7% higher in the parental lines of Xinluzao 43-F1 than in the parental lines of Shiza 2-F1. Heterobeltiosis in dry matter accumulation was 7.0-23.1% greater for Xinluzao 43-F1 than for Shiza 2-F1. Dry matter accumulation in the F1 was affected by either the dry matter accumulation of parents or heterobeltiosis. Dry matter accumulation in the F2 was mainly influenced by dry matter accumulation in the F1. The yields of the two F1 were 39.1-46.3% higher than their respective parents and 26.4-45.9% higher than that of the conventional cultivar Xinluzao 33. The yields of the two F2 were 9.2-12.8% higher than the parents and 14.9-27.4% higher than that of Xinluzao 33. The photosynthetic production and yield of the F1 and F2 were higher than that of their parents. The increases in Pn and CAP of the F1 and F2 were dependent on the photosynthetic characteristics of their parents. It is thus concluded that the photosynthetic performance, light use efficiency and yield of the F1 can be improved by using at least one parent with low CR, but high CAP, Pn and SPAD. This strategy might also improve the value of the F2.

Photosynthetic Characteristics and Antioxidative Metabolism of Flag Leaves in Responses to Nitrogen Application During Grain Filling of Field-Grown Wheat

A two-factorial experiment was conducted with two wheat cultivars, SN1391 (large spike and large grain) and GC8901 (multiple spike and medium grain), and two nitrogen (N) application rates (12 and 24 g N m-2), to investigate the responses of photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidative metabolism to nitrogen rates in flag leaves of field-grown wheat during grain filling. The results showed that the content of N and chlorophyll (Chl) in wheat flag leaves decreased after anthesis and the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), effective quantum yield of PS II (ΦPS II), efficiency of excitation capture by open PS II reaction centers (Fv′/Fm′), and photochemical quenching coefficient (qp) began to decrease at 14 days after anthesis. However, the maximal efficiency of PS II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) decreased slightly until the late period of senescence and the nonphotochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) increased during flag leaves’ senescence. As a result, a conflict came into being between absorption and utilization to light energy in flag leaves during senescence, which might accelerate the senescence of flag leaves. Compared with GC8901, the lower plant population of SN1391 during grain filling was helpful to maintain the higher content of photosynthetic pigment, activity of PS II, and Pn in flag leaves during senescence. The delayed decrease in antioxidative enzyme activity and the lower degree of membrane lipid peroxidation in the senescing leaves of SN1391 were beneficial to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, which lead to the prolonged duration of CO2 assimilation. With the increase of N application, the Chl content of SN1391 flag leaves and the efficiency of excitation captured by open PS II centers increased. At the same time, the thermal dissipation in SN1391 flag leaves at high N (HN) treatment decreased and ΦPS II improved greatly, which were favorable to the increase of Pn. The SOD, POD, CAT and APX activities in the flag leaves of SN1391 increased markedly at HN treatment, indicating that these enzymes could clean more active oxygen and decrease the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation. In this way, the ability of SN1391 to protect photosynthetic apparatus was improved with the increase of N. In the HN treatment, the decreased activity of PS II and increased thermal dissipation resulted in the decline of Pn in flag leaves of GC8901. Meanwhile, the decreased antioxidative enzyme activities and the increased degree of membrane lipid peroxidation had indirect and unfavorable influences on CO2 assimilation. This implied that the conflict between absorption and utilization to energy in senescing leaves was an important reason which induced and accelerated the senescence of wheat leaves in the field. The photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidative metabolism of flag leaves during grain filling were markedly different among wheat cultivars. The effects of nitrogen rate on the photosynthetic and senescent characteristics of flag leaves also varied with wheat cultivars.

Effects of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Red and Blue Light on the Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of <i>Momordica charantia</i>L.

With andromonoecious Momordica charantia L. (bitter gourd) as material, three light qualities (50 μmol·m-2·s-1) including white LED light (WL), blue monochromatic light (B, 465 nm), and red monochromatic light (R, 650 nm) were carried out to investigate their effects on seed germination, physiological and biochemical parameters, sex differentiation and photosynthetic characteristics of bitter gourd. The results showed that compared to the WL treatment, the R treatment significantly promoted seed germination, seedling height elongation and soluble sugar content, the B treatment significantly increased seedling stem diameter, reducing sugar content and soluble protein content, the R and B treatments both significantly reduced sucrose content, but their POD activity showed no significant difference. Compared with the R treatment, the B treatment significantly increased the total female flower number and female flower nod ratio in 30 nods of main stems. The study of photosynthetic characteristics found that the R and B treatments could effectively increase the stomatal conductance (GS) of leaves, significantly improved the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) compared to the WL treatment, and the effect of the B treatment was better. Compared to the R and WL treatments, the B treatment increased the maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax), apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) and light saturation point (LSP), and reduced the dark respiration rate (Rd) and light compensation point (LCP) of the leaves. Fit light response curves showed that the adaptability and utilization of weak light in bitter gourd were middle or below, but it showed higher adaptability and utilization of strong light. Thus, it suggests that Momordica charantia is a typical sun plan with lower Rd. In summary, it is concluded that blue light has a positive effect on the seed germination, seedling growth, sex differentiation and improving the photosynthetic performance, and this will lay the foundation for artificially regulating optimum photosynthesis using specific LEDs wavelength, and help to elucidate the relationship how light quality influences the sex differentiation of plant.

Characteristics of Photosynthetic Fluorescence of Dominant Submerged Plants in Nanjishan Wetland of Poyang Lake in Winter

Based on the investigation of the species and frequency of submerged plants in Nanjishan Wetland of Poyang Lake in the winter of 2013,chlorophyll contents and photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of the dominant submerged plants were studied using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging method. The results indicate that the major submerged plants of Nanjishan Wetland in Poyang Lake in winter included Hydrilla verticillata,Vallisneria natans,Najas minor,Potamogeton pectinatus,Nymphoides peltatum,Myriophyllum verticillatum and so on,and the dominant species were mainly H. verticillata and V. natans in different submerged plant communities. The chlorophyll content of H. verticillata is higher than that of V.natans,and the photosynthesis intensity of H. verticillata is stronger than that of V. natans. The value of Ca / Cb of H. verticillata is not large,which shows that the light-harvesting capacity of H. verticillata＇s chlorophyll is considerable in different sampling sites. The highest value of QY-max of V.natans is up to 0. 732,while the lowest value is only 0. 465; the highest value of QY-max of H. verticillata is 0. 677,while the lowest value is 0. 556.All values of QY-max of the submerged plants were lower than 0. 8,which shows that the submerged plants in Nanjishan Wetland of Poyang Lake may be subjected to certain external stress,which indicates that the external stress might cause some damage for the PSII reaction centers.