Eco-physiological characteristics of Tetracentron sinense Oliv.saplings in response to different light intensities

The regeneration of Tetracentron sinense Oliv.is poor in the understory and in open areas due to the charac-teristics of natural regeneration of the species on forest edges and in gaps.It is unclear whether different light intensities in various habitats affect eco-physiological characteristics of saplings and their natural regeneration.In this study,the light intensity in T.sinense habitats was simulated by artificial shading(L1:100%NS(natural sunlight)in the open;L2:50%NS in a forest gap or edge;L3:10%NS in understory)to investigate differences in morphology,leaf structure,physiology,and photosynthesis of 2-year-old sap-lings,and to analyze the mechanism of light intensity on sapling establishment.Significant differences were observed in morphology(including leaf area,and specific leaf area)under different light intensities.Compared to L1 and L3,chloroplast structure in L2 was intact.With increasing time,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)activities in L2 became gradually higher than under the other light intensities,while malondialdehyde(MDA)content was opposite.Shading decreased osmoregulation substance contents of leaves but increased chlorophyll.The results suggest that light intensities significantly affect the eco-physiological characteristics of T.sinense saplings and they would respond most favorably at intermediate levels of light by optimizing eco-physiological characteristics.Therefore,50%natural sunlight should be created to promote saplings establishment and population recovery of T.sinense during in situ conservation,including sowing mature seeds in forest edges or gaps and providing appropriate shade protection for seedlings and saplings in the open.

Effects of different LEDs light spectrum on the growth,leaf anatomy,and chloroplast ultrastructure of potato plantlets in vitro and minituber production after transplanting in the greenhouse

Light spectrum plays an important role in regulating the growth and development of in vitro cultured potato(Solanum tuberosum L.) plantlets. The status of potato plantlets at the end of in vitro stage influences the minituber production after transplanting. With 100 μmol m^-2s^-1 total photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD), a light spectrum study of 100% red light emitting diodes(LEDs) light spectrum(RR), 100% blue LEDs light spectrum(BB), 65% red+35% blue LEDs light spectrum(RB), and 45% red+35% blue+20% green LEDs light spectrum(RBG) providing illumination at the in vitro cultured stage of potato plantlets for 4 weeks using fluorescent lamp as control(CK) was performed to investigate the effects of LEDs light spectrum on the growth, leaf anatomy, and chloroplast ultrastructure of potato plantlets in vitro as well as the minituber yield after 2 months transplanting in the greenhouse. Compared to CK, RB and RBG promoted the growth of potato plantlets in vitro with increased stem diameter, plantlet fresh weight, plantlet dry weight, and health index. Furthermore, BB induced the greatest stem diameter as well as the highest health index in potato plantlets in vitro. Root activity, soluble protein, and free amino acid were also significantly enhanced by BB, whereas carbohydrates were improved by RR. In addition, thickness of leaf, palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma was significantly increased by BB and RBG. Chloroplasts under BB and RBG showed well-developed grana thylakoid and stroma thylakoid. Unexpectedly, distinct upper epidermis with greatest thickness was induced and palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma were arranged neatly in RR. After transplanting in the greenhouse for 2 months, potato plantlets in vitro from BB, RB, and RBG produced high percentage of large size tuber. BB improved fresh and dry weights of the biggest tuber but decreased tuber number per plantlet. In addition, RBG increased tuber number as well as tuber fresh and dry weight slightly. Our results suggested monochromatic blue LEDs as well as combined red, blue or/and green LEDs light spectrum were superior to fluorescent lamp spectrum in micro-propagation of potato plantlets. Therefore, the application of RBG was suitable;BB and RB could be used as alternatives.

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.

Analysis of Chloroplast Ultrastructure,Photosystem Ⅱ Light Harvesting Complexes and Chlorophyll Synthesis in a Chlorophyll-Less Rice Mutant W2555

A comparative study on chloroplast ultrastructure and light harvesting complex of photosystem Ⅱ （LHC Ⅱ） was conducted between a new rice mutant （W2555） and its wild type （WT）. The chloroplasts of W2555 had less thylakoids and grana stacks compared with the wild type. There was no significant change in the composition of LHC Ⅱ polypeptide in W2555, while a decline had been noted in LHC Ⅱ content. Northern blot analysis with a specific cab gene probe showed no appreciable difference in the LHC Ⅱ mRNA level between the W2555and its wild type. The precursors of chlorophyll synthesis, 6-aminolevulinic acid （ALA） and porphobilinogen （PBG） were over accumulated in W2555, but the other precursors were all decreased. These results indicated that the decreased level of LHC Ⅱ in the mutant W2555 was attributed to the change of cab gene transcription, but a blockage in chlorophyll biosynthesis due to the formation of uroporphyrinogen Ⅲ （Urogen Ⅲ）.

Study on Chloroplast Ultrastructure in Different Color Period of Euphorbia pulcherrima

By the observation of chloroplast ultrastructure in different period of bract colors of Euphorbia pulcherrima, the paper studied the change of chloroplast ultrastructural in the transition process of bract colors, identified the relationship between E.pulcherrima color change and the chloroplast ultrastructure to provide theorical bases for the cultivation management and further study of E. pulcherrima. Ultrastructural study showed that in the process of change from green to red, the chloroplast of bracts disintegrated gradually, lamellar structure was destroyed gradually, and the content of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells was also reduced gradually. When bracts color resumed to turn green gradually, the content of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells was also increased gradually.

Construction and modification of chloroplast ultrastructure of a special albino rice mutant W25 during the seedling greenish process

W25 was a gamma-irradiation induced albinorice mutant line, which only expressed in thespecial temperatures (see figure). At 30 Cand 35 C, the seedling leaves of W25 showedgreenish or normal green, but they exhibitedalbino at 25℃, which could be greenish afterthe fourth leaf extension and recovered to be

Comparison of Photosynthetic Adaptability Between Kobresia humilis and Polygonum viviparum on Qinghai Plateau

The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Kobresia humilis Serg. and Polygonum viviparum L. grown at two different altitudes (3?200 m, 3?980 m) were measured and the ultrastructure of chloroplasts were observed for studying the photosynthetic adaptability of plants to the influences of stress conditions in alpine environment. Rfd _values, the vitality index, in leaves of K. humilis and P.viviparum grown at 3?980 m were higher than those at 3?200 m. The higher ratio of F v/F o and F v/F m in leaves of K. humilis and P.viviparum indicated that the rate of photosynthetic conversion of light energy increased at higher altitude. Ratios of F v/F o and F v/F m and Rfd _values in K.humilis were higher than that in P.viviparum grown at the same altitude. There were more irregular chloroplasts in leaves of both species grown at higher altitude. Many irregular chloroplasts such as swollen thylakoid, deformed chloroplast envelope, were observed in P.viviparum grown at 3?980 m, but few in K. humilis . These results were discussed in relation to the photosynthetic adaptability of alpine plants and the different adaptive competence between K.humilis and P.viviparum .

Increased grain yield with improved photosynthetic characters in modern maize parental lines

The grain yield of maize has increased continuously in past decades, largely through hybrid innovation, cultivation tech-nology, and in particular, recent genetic improvements in photosynthesis. Elite inbred lines are crucial for innovating new germplasm. Here, we analyzed variations in grain yield and a series of eco-physiological photosynthetic traits after anthesis in sixteen parental lines of maize (Zea mays L.) released during three different eras (1960s, 1980s, 2000s). We found that grain yield and biomass signiifcantly increased in the 2000s than those in the 1980s and 1960s. Leaf area, chlorophyl , and soluble protein content slowly decreased, and maintained a higher net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and improved stomatal conductance (Gs) after anthesis in the 2000s. In addition, the parental lines in the 2000s obtained higher actual photo-chemistry efifciency (ФPSI ) and the maximum PSII photochemistry efifciency (Fv/Fm), which largely improved light partition-ing and chlorophyl lfuorescence characteristic, including higher photochemical and photosystem II (PSII) reaction center activity, lower thermal energy dissipation in antenna proteins. Meanwhile, more lamel ae per granum within chloroplasts were observed in the parental lines of the 2000s, with a clear and complete chloroplast membrane, which wil greatly help to improve photosynthetic capacity and energy efifciency of ear leaf in maize parental lines. It is concluded that grain yield increase in modern maize parental lines is mainly attributed to the improved chloroplast structure and more light energy catched for the photochemical reaction, thus having a better stay-green characteristic and stronger photosynthetic capac-ity after anthesis. Our direct physiological evaluation of these inbred lines provides important information for the further development of promising maize cultivars.

Eco-physiological mechanisms of Caragana korshinskii Kom. adaptation to extreme drought stress: Leaf abscission and maintaining stem chloroplast integrity

In order to study the eco-physiological mechanisms of C. korshinskii adaptation to extreme drought stress, we investigated the variations of water content in soil, leaves, and stems, the chlorophyll a and b and the carotenoid content in leaves and stems, as well as changes of chloroplast ultrastructure in 2-year-old C. korshinskii specimens during a progressive soil drought process （by ceasing watering until all leaves were shed） and a subsequent rehydmtion process. During the dehydration process, the chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents in the leaves decreased, as did the carotenoid content in the stems. During the 4-day rehydration process, the chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents in the leaves and stems increased and gradually returned to normal levels. During ongoing drought stress, chloroplasts in the leaves broke away from cell walls and appeared in the center of cells. Under severe drought stress, the mesophyll ultrastmcture and chloroplast configuration in leaves were irreversibly disturbed, as mani- fested by the inner and outer membranes being destroyed; the thylakoid system disintegrated, the starch grain disappeared, and parts of cell tissue were dismantled into debris. However, the mesophyll ultrasWacture and chloroplast configuration in the stems remained complete. This indicates that C. korshinskii utilizes leaf abscission to reduce the surface area to avoid damage from ex- treme drought stress, and maintains chloroplast integrity and a considerable amount of chlorophyll to enable a rapid recovery of photosynthesis under the rehydration process.

Red and Blue Lights Significantly Affect Photosynthetic Properties and Ultrastructure of Mesophyll Cells in Senescing Grape Leaves

Light quality significantly affects photosynthetic efficiency in plants. The mechanisms for how light quality affects photosynthesis in grape is poorly understood. Therefore, to investigate the effects of different light qualities on chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthesis efficiency, two grape cultivars ‘Italia'(slower speed of leaf senescence) and ‘Centennial Seedless'(faster speed of leaf senescence) grown under protected and delayed conditions were used. The three treatments, replicated three times, were control(no supplemental lighting), red light and blue light. Chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and the ratio of F_v/F_m significantly increased in red light relative to the control. The opposite trend was observed in blue light in the early phase of leaf senescence. At later stages, physiological indexes were gradually higher than that of control, resulting in a delay in leaf senescence. Compared to the control, red and blue light both significantly increased the chlorophyll a/b ratio. Electron microscopy showed that blue light caused severe damage to the fine structure of chloroplasts at early stages of leaf senescence, but effects at later stages of leaf senescence became less severe compared to the control. The degradation of chloroplast ultrastructure was apparently delayed in red light throughout the experimental timeframe compared to other treatments. In this experiment, ‘Italia' showed higher chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, ratios of F_v/F_m, chlorophyll a/b and better preserved chloroplast ultrastructure relative to ‘Centennial Seedless', resulting in a slower rate of leaf senescence.

Effects of Glycerol on the Fluorescence Spectra and Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Phaeodactylum tricornutum(Bacillariophyta)

Responses of the photosynthetic activity of Phaeodactylum tricornutum （Bacillariophyta） to organic carbon glycerol were investigated. The growth rate, photosynthetic pigments, 77 K fluorescence spectra, and chloroplast ultrastructure of P. tricornutum were examined under photoautotrophic, mixotrophic, and photoheterotrophic conditions. The results showed that the specific growth rate was the fastest under mixotrophic conditions. The cell photosynthetic pigment content and values of Chl a/Chl c were reduced under mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. The value of carotenoid/Chl a was enhanced under mixotrophic conditions, but was decreased under photoheterotrophic conditions. In comparison with photoautotrophic conditions, the fluorescence emission peaks and fluorescence excitation peaks were not shifted. The relative fluorescence of photosystem （PS） Ⅰ and PS Ⅱ and the values of F685/F710 and F685/F738 were decreased. Chloroplast thylakoid pairs were less packed under mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. There was a strong correlation between degree of chloroplast thylakoid packing and the excitation energy kept in PS Ⅱ. These results suggested that the PS Ⅱ activity was reduced by glycerol under mixotrophic conditions, thereby leading to repression of the photosynthetic activity.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 4 Is a Salicylic Acid-Independent Regulator of Growth But Not of Photosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways regulate signal transduction from different cellular com- partments and from the extracellular environment to the nucleus in all eukaryotes. One of the best-characterized MAPKs in Arabidopsis thaliana is MPK4, which was shown to be a negative regulator of systemic-acquired resistance. The mpk4 mutant accumulates salicylic acid （SA）, possesses constitutive expression of pathogenesis-related （PR） genes, and has an extremely dwarf phenotype. We show that suppression of SA and phylloquinone synthesis in chloroplasts by knocking down the IC51 gene （by crossing it with the icsl mutant） in the mpk4 mutant background did not revert mpk4-impaired growth. However, it did cause changes in the photosynthetic apparatus and severely impaired the quantum yield of pho- tosystem Ih Transmission microscopy analysis revealed that the chloroplasts＇ structure was strongly altered in the mpk4 and mpk4/icsl double mutant. Analysis of reactive oxygen species （ROS）-scavenging enzymes expression showed that suppression of SA and phylloquinone synthesis in the chloroplasts of the mpk4 mutant caused imbalances in ROS homeo- stasis which were more pronounced in mpk4/icsl than in mpk4. Taken together, the presented results strongly suggest that MPK4 is an ROS/hormonal rheostat hub that negatively, in an SA-dependent manner, regulates immune defenses, but at the same time positively regulates photosynthesis, ROS metabolism, and growth. Therefore, we concluded that MPK4 is a complex regulator of chloroplastic retrograde signaling for photosynthesis, growth, and immune defenses in Arabidopsis.