Interaction of Photoprotective and Acclimation Mechanisms in Ulva rigida (Chlorophyta) in Response to Diurnal Changes in Solar Radiation in Southern Chile.

Species of the genus Ulva (Chlorophyta) are regarded as opportunistic organisms, which efficiently adjust their metabolism to the prevailing environmental conditions. In this study, changes in chlorophyll-a fluorescence-based photoinhibition of photosynthesis, electron transport rates, photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant metabolism were investigated during a diurnal cycle of natural solar radiation in summer (for 12 h) under two treatments: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR: 400-700 nm) and PAR+ ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280-700 nm). In the presence of PAR alone, Ulva rigida showed dynamic photoinhibition, and photosynthetic parameters and pigment concentrations decreased with the intensification of the radiation. On the other hand, under PAR+UV conditions a substantial decline up to 43% was detected and an incomplete fluorescence recovery, also, P-I curve values remained low in relation to the initial condition. The phenolic compounds increased their concentration only in UV radiation treatments without showing a correlation with the antioxidant activity. The enzimatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased over 2-fold respect at initial values during the onset of light intensity. In contrast, catalase (CAT) increased its activity rapidly in response to the radiation stress to reach maxima at 10 a.m. and decreasing during solar. The present study suggests that U. rigida is capable of acclimating to natural radiation stress relies on a concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that act at different times of the day and under different levels of environmental stress.

Physiological acclimation of Lessonia spicata to diurnal changing PAR and UV radiation: differential regulation among down-regulation of photochemistry, ROS scavenging activity and phlorotannins as major photoprotective mechanisms.

Intertidal macroalgae are constantly subjected to high variations in the quality and quantity of incident irradiance that can eventually generate detrimental effect on the photosynthetic apparatus. The success of these organisms to colonize the stressful coastal habitat is mainly associated with the complexity of their morphological structures and the efficiency of the anti-stress mechanisms to minimize the physiological stress. Lessonia spicata (Phaeophyceae), a brown macroalga, that inhabits the intertidal zone in central-southern Chile was studied in regard to their physiological (quantum yield, electron transport rate, pigments) and biochemical (phlorotannins content, antioxidant metabolism, oxidative stress) responses during a daily light cycle under natural solar radiation. Major findings were that F v/F m, photosynthetic parameters (ETRmax, alpha, E k) and pigments in L. spicata showed an inverse relationship to the diurnal changes in solar radiation. Phlorotannins levels and antioxidant activity showed their highest values in treatment that included UV radiation. There was an increase in SOD and APX in relation at light stress, with a peak in activity between 5.2 and 10.1 W m-2 of biologically effective dose. The increase in peroxidative damage was proportional to light dose. These results indicated that different light doses can trigger a series of complementary mechanisms of acclimation in L. spicata based on: (i) down-regulation of photochemistry activity and decrease in concentration of photosynthetic pigments; (ii) induction of phenolic compounds with specific UV-screening functions; and (iii) reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity via complementary repair of the oxidative damage through increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and potentially increased amounts of phenolic compounds.

Manganese toxicity and UV-B radiation differentially influence the physiology and biochemistry of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivars.

Manganese (Mn2+) toxicity or UV-B radiation and their individual effects on plants have been documented previously. However, no study about the combined effect of these stresses is available. We evaluated the individual and combined effects of excess Mn2+ and UV-B radiation on physiological and biochemical parameters in two highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars differing in resistance to Mn toxicity (Brigitta (resistant) and Bluegold (sensitive)). Plants grown in Hoagland nutrient solution were subjected to the following treatments: 2µM MnCl2 (control), 500µM MnCl2 (toxic Mn2+), UV-B radiation (a daily dose of 94.4kJm-2), and the combined treatment (toxic Mn2++UV-B) for 30 days. In both cultivars, the Mn2++UV-B treatment caused a more negative effect on net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), the photochemical parameters of PSII and the chl a/b ratio than the treatments with toxic Mn2+ or UV-B alone. However, Brigitta showed also a better acclimation response in Pn and gs than Bluegold at the end of the experiment. The Mn2++UV-B treatment inhibited growth, enhanced radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase activity, and increased the concentration of total UV-absorbing compounds, phenols and anthocyanins, mainly in Bluegold. In conclusion, Mn-resistant Brigitta showed a better acclimation response and greater resistance to the combined stress of Mn2+ toxicity and UV-B exposure than the Mn-sensitive Bluegold. An increased concentration of photoprotective compounds and enhanced resistance to oxidative stress in Brigitta could underpin increased resistance to the combined stress.