Assessment of factual measurement times for chlorophyll-a fluorescence in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) clones

Cahyo AN, Murti RH, Putra ETS, Nuringtyas TR, Fabre D, Montoro P. 2021. Assessment of factual measurement times for chlorophyll-a fluorescence in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) clones. Biodiversitas 22: 3470-3477. Chlorophyll-a fluorescence is widely used to determine the stress tolerance levels of some plant species. Measurement of chlorophyll-a fluorescence is accurate if the duration of dark adaptation is well defined and optimal Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry/photosynthesis) is achieved. Leaf clips are usually used to darken the leaf prior to measurement. This procedure takes time and limits the use of chlorophyll-a fluorescence parameter in high-throughput screening of genetic populations. This study aimed to determine the most suitable time for the chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurement. This study was carried out on several rubbers (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) clones and consisted of two steps. The first step was conducting the measurements at five different times at night: at 7.30, 8.00, 8.30, 9.00, and 9.30 p.m. The second step was conducting the measurements at daytime, which consisted of two factors. The first factor was the measurement time, which was divided into two categories: 7.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. The second factor was the duration of dark adaptation using leaf clips, which consisted of nine levels: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 min. Additional treatment (measurement at 9.00 p.m. without using leaf clips to darken the leaf) was used as a control. This study revealed that a dark adaptation time of two hours after the sunset was long enough for the rubber leaves chlorophyll-a fluorescence transient to be measured without using leaf clips for the dark adaptation. If the measurement is conducted by 7.30 a.m., the clone RRIM 600, GT1, and SP 217 required 15 min of dark adaptation, whereas clone PB 260 required 60 min of dark adaptation. Furthermore, measurement of chlorophyll-a fluorescence in the afternoon is not recommended due to the potentially high microclimate fluctuation.

Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Transient and 2-Dimensional Electrophoresis Analyses Reveal Response Characteristics of Photosynthesis to Heat Stress in Malus. ‘Prairifire’

Flowering crabapples are a series of precious ornamental woody plants. However, their growth and development are inhibited in the subtropical regions due to the weak photosynthesis under high-temperature environment in the summer. Chlorophyll a fluorescence transient and 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analyses were conducted to investigate the response characteristics of photosynthesis under simulated 38 °C heat stress in leaves of Malus. ‘Prairifire’, a spring-red leaf cultivar of flowering crabapple with strong thermal adaptability. In the present study, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was significantly decreased during the heat shock process, which showed a similar trend to the stomatal conductance (Gs), indicating a sensitive stomatal behavior to heat stress. Moreover, an efficient reaction center in photosystem II (PSII), and a functionally intact oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) conferred strong photosynthetic adaptability under heat stress. The higher level of transketolase (TK) under 48-h heat shock treatment was considered a protective mechanism of photosynthetic apparatus. However, heat stress inhibited the functions of light harvesting complex II (LHCII), electron transport in PSII, and the levels of key enzymes in the Calvin cycle, which were considered as the reasons causing an increase in the proportion of non-stomatal restrictions.

Morphophysiological responses of Billbergia zebrina Lindl. (Bromeliaceae) in function of types and concentrations of carbohydrates during conventional in vitro culture

When propagated in vitro, explants receive all the nutrients needed for their growth, including carbohydrates, from the culture medium. However, it is not well understood how the type and concentration of carbohydrates can affect the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus (particularly photosystem II) of these plants. The aim was to assess the morphophysiological responses of Billbergia zebrina plants in function of sources and concentrations of carbohydrates during in vitro culture. Side shoots of plants previously established in vitro were individualized and transferred to a culture medium containing fructose, glucose or sucrose in four concentrations (0, 15, 30 or 45 g L−1). After growth for 55 days, the chlorophyll a fluorescence transient, leaf anatomy and growth were analyzed. The concentration and type of carbohydrate employed during in vitro culture did not decrease the photosynthetic apparatus performance. However, concentrations above 30 g L−1 led to anatomical modifications, revealing some degree of stress suffered by the plants. When grown in concentrations of 15 and 30 g L−1, irrespective of the carbohydrate used, the plants presented greater stomatal density. The supplementation of the culture medium with monosaccharides caused alterations in the development of the xylem vessels, such as increased number and diameter, allowing adjustment to the microenvironmental conditions. The in vitro conditions influenced the photosynthetic and anatomical responses of plants. The concentration interval from 15 to 30 g L−1 sucrose had a better effect by not causing large changes in the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus and anatomy of plants.

Photosynthetic activity of young Ricinus communis L. plants under conditions of flooded soil

Soil flooding is a stress condition that causes changes in hydric relationships and in the metabolism of crops, thereby affecting their productivity. To evaluate the effects of soil flooding on the chlorophyll a fluorescence transient, as well as gas exchange and Ricinus communis growth, young plants of the ‘AL Guarany 2002’ and ‘IAC Guarani’ cultivars, grown in a greenhouse, were subjected to flood conditions by maintaining a layer of water 2-3 cm above the soil. The stressed plants showed drastic reduction in net CO2 assimilation and growth variables. There was, however, an increase in performance index (PIABS e PITOTAL) at different moments of stress between the two cultivars. In general, R. communis plants possess mechanisms to protect the electron transport chain during a period of stress, without causing damage and reducing functionality. However, this is not enough to maintain photosynthetic activity owing to the decrease in stomatal conductance and intrinsic carboxylation efficiency, which affects biomass accumulation in stressed plants. In summary, this study found that the ‘AL Guarany 2002’ was found to be more sensitive to stress than the ‘IAC Guarani’ was.