Low nitrogen stress regulates chlorophyll fluorescence in coordination with photosynthesis and Rubisco efficiency of rice.

Nitrogen (N) is the basis of plant growth and development and, is considered as one of the priming agents to elevate a range of stresses. Plants use solar radiations through photosynthesis, which amasses the assimilatory components of crop yield to meet the global demand for food. Nitrogen is the main regulator in the allocation of photosynthetic apparatus which changes of the photosynthesis (Pn) and quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of the plant. In the present study, dynamics of the photosynthetic establishment, N-dependent relation with chlorophyll fluorescence attributes and Rubisco efficacy was evaluated in low-N tolerant (cv. CR Dhan 311) and low-N sensitive (cv. Rasi) rice cultivars under low-N and optimum-N conditions. There was a decrease in the stored leaf N under low-N condition, resulting in the decreased Pn and Fv/Fm efficiency of the plants through depletion in the activity and content of Rubisco. The Pn and Fv/Fm followed the parallel trend of leaf N content during low-N condition along with depletion of intercellular CO2 concentration and overall conductance under low-N condition. Photosynthetic saturation curve cleared abrupt decrease of effective quantum yield in the low-N sensitive rice cultivar than the low-N tolerant rice. Also, the rapid light curve highlighted the unacclimated regulation of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching in the low-N condition. The low-N sensitive rice cultivar triumphed non-photochemical quenching, whereas the low-N tolerant rice cultivar rose gradually during the light curve. Our study suggested that the quantum yield is the key limitation for photosynthesis in low-N condition. Regulation of Rubisco, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching may help plants to grow under low-N level.

Adaptive responses of mature giant chloroplasts in the deep-shade lycopod Selaginella erythropus to prolonged light and dark periods.

Deep-shade plants have adapted to low-light conditions by varying morphology and physiology of cells and chloroplasts, but it still remains unclear, if prolonged periods of high-light or darkness induce additional modifications in chloroplasts' anatomy and pigment patterns. We studied giant chloroplasts (bizonoplasts) of the deep-shade lycopod Selaginella erythropus in epidermal cells of mature fully developed microphylls and subjected them to prolonged darkness and high-light conditions. Chloroplast size and ultrastructure were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Physiological traits were studied by pigment analyses, photosynthetic performance of photosystem II, and formation of reactive oxygen species. Results show that (a) thylakoid patterns and shape of mature bizonoplasts vary in response to light and dark conditions. (b) Prolonged darkness induces transitory formation of prolamellar bodies, which so far have not been described in mature chloroplasts. (c) Photosynthetic activity is linked to structural responses of chloroplasts. (d) Photosystem II is less active in the upper zone of bizonoplasts and more efficient in the grana region. (e) Formation of reactive oxygen species reflects the stress level caused by high-light. We conclude that during prolonged darkness, chlorophyll persists and even increases; prolamellar bodies form de novo in mature chloroplasts; bizonoplasts have spatial heterogeneity of photosynthetic performance.

Does cobalt antagonize P limitation effects on photosynthetic parameters on the freshwater microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae), or does P limitation acclimation antagonize cobalt effects? More questions than answers.

Phosphorus (P; macronutrient) and cobalt (Co; micronutrient) are essential for algal healthy metabolism. While P provides energy, Co is a co-factor of several enzymes and component of B12 vitamin. However, in concentrations higher or lower than required, P and Co alter algal metabolism, impacting physiological processes (e.g., growth and photosynthesis), usually in a harmful way. In the environment, algae are exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously and studies evaluating the algal response to the combination of macronutrient limitation and micronutrient excess are still scarce. We assessed the effects of P limitation and Co excess, isolated and combined, in Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae), in terms of growth, pigments production, and photosynthetic parameters. Except for the photochemical quenching (qP) and the efficiency in light capture (α) under P limitation, all parameters were affected by both stressors, isolated and combined. Under P limitation, chlorophyll a was the most sensitive parameter; while excess of Co affected most the photoprotective mechanisms of algae, altering the non-photochemical quenchings qN and NPQ, influencing the light use and dissipation of heat by algae. The combination of two stressors resulted in a significant decrease in algal growth, with synergistic responses in growth and pigments production, and antagonism in the photosynthetic parameters. We suggest that algal metabolism was altered during P limitation acclimation and the excess of Co was used in a beneficial way by P-limited algae in photosynthesis, resulting in the well-functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus in the combination of both stressors. However, more studies are needed to understand which mechanisms are involved in this adaptation which resulted in antagonism in photosynthetic processes and synergism in growth and pigments production.

Photosynthetic response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 to zinc toxicity.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element but can lead to water contamination and ecological deterioration when present in excessive amounts. Therefore, investigating the photosynthetic response of microalgae to Zn stress is of great significance. In this study, we assessed the photosynthetic responses of neutrophilic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and acidophilic Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 to Zn exposure for 96 h. The specific growth rate (µ), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The results demonstrated that Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 was much more tolerant to Zn than C. reinhardtii, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 225.4 mg/L and 23.4 mg/L, respectively. The µ and Chl-a content of C. reinhardtii decreased in the presence of 15 mg/L Zn, whereas those of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 were unaffected by as high as 100 mg/L Zn. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that the regulation of energy dissipation, including non-photochemical quenching, played a crucial role in Zn stress resistance for both Chlamydomonas strains. However, in the case of C. reinhardtii, non-photochemical quenching was inhibited by 5 mg/L Zn in the first 48 h, whereas for Chlamydomonas sp. 1710, it remained unaffected under 100 mg/L Zn. Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 also exhibited a 20 times stronger capacity for regulating the electron transfer rate than C. reinhardtii under Zn stress. The light energy utilization efficiency (α) of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 had the most highly non-linear correlation with µ, indicating the energy utilization and regulation process of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 was well protected under Zn stress. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the photosystem of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 is much more resilient and tolerant than that of C. reinhardtii under Zn stress.

Phenoplate: An innovative method for assessing interacting effects of temperature and light on non-photochemical quenching in microalgae under chemical stress.

Rapid light curves are one of the most widely used methods for assessing the physiological state of photosynthetic organisms. While the method has been applied in a range of physiological studies over the last 20 years, little progress has been made in adapting it for the new age of multi-parametric phenotyping. In order to advance research that is aimed at evaluating the physiological impact of multiple factors, the Phenoplate was developed: a simultaneous assessment of temperature and light gradients. It was used to measure rapid light curves of three marine microalgae across a temperature gradient and altered phosphate availability. The results revealed that activation of photoprotective mechanisms occurred with high efficiency at lower temperatures, and relaxation of photoprotection was negatively impacted above a certain temperature threshold in Tetraselmis sp. It was observed that Thalassiosira pseudonana and Nannochloropsis oceanica exhibited two unique delayed non-photochemical quenching signatures: in combinations of low light with low temperature, and darkness with high temperature, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the Phenoplate approach can be used as a rapid and simple tool to gain insight into the photobiology of microalgae.

Rapid Light-Response Curve of Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Terrestrial Plants: Relationship to CO2 Exchange among Five Woody and Four Fern Species Adapted to Different Light and Water Regimes.

The rapid light response of electron transport rate (ETRR), obtained from chlorophyll fluorescence parameters by short illumination periods (10-30 s) at each light level, can provide a rapid and easy measurement of photosynthetic light response in plants. However, the relationship between ETRR and the steady-state light response of CO2 exchange rate (AS) of terrestrial plants has not been studied in detail. In this study, we compared the ETRR and AS for five woody and four fern species with different light and/or water adaptations. Under well-watered conditions, a constant temperature (25 °C) and with stomatal conductance (gs) not being a main limiting factor for photosynthesis, ETRR and AS were closely related, even when merging data for regression analysis for a species grown under different light conditions and measured under different light intensity and air humidity. However, when Alnus formosana was treated with low soil water and air humidity, because of the decrease in AS mainly due to stomatal closure, the ETRR-AS relation was not so close. In addition, at both 100 and 2000 µmol m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), ETRR and AS were significantly correlated within a plant group (i.e., woody plants and ferns) regardless of the broad difference in AS due to different species or environmental factors. The results indicate that the relationship between the ETRR and AS is varied by species. We concluded that 1) ETRR could reflect the variation in AS at each irradiance level within a species under well-watered conditions and 2) ETRR at 100 µmol m-2 s-1 PPFD (as the efficiency of light capture) or 2000 µmol m-2 s-1 PPFD (as a maximum photosynthetic parameter) could be used to compare the photosynthetic capacity within a plant group, such as woody plants and ferns.

Photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of six macroalgae species in seaweed beds of Gouqi Island, Zhejiang, China.

The study of photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of algae is important for the analy-sis of photosynthesis and carbon sequestration of algae. In July 2017, six common species of macroalgae found in Gouqi seaweed beds were collected, including Ulva pertusa, Cladophora stimpsonii, Grateloupia livida, Sargassum thunbergii, Polysiphonia urceolata, and Hizikia fusifarme. In the field, the maximal quantum yieids of photosystem2(Fv/Fm) and rapid curves (RLCs) were mea-sured by using pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer (Diving-PAM). The results showed that the measured maximal quantum yields of U. pertusa, C. stimpsonii, G. livida, S. thunbergii, P. urceolata, and H. fusiforme were 0.702, 0.704, 0.457, 0.618, 0.421 and 0.567, respectively. The Fv'/Fm' of six species were in order of C. stimpsonii>U. pertusa>S. thunbergii＞H. fusiforme＞G. livida＞P. urceolata. The difference between each species and significant difference was found in U. pertusa, C. stimpsonii, and H. fusiforme. H. fusiforme, S. thunbergii and U. pertusa had higher Pm and α than other species, indicating their higher photosynthetic capacity and better adaptation in higher light condition. However, G. livida had higher α but lower Ik, indicating G. livida had higher photosynthetic capacity in low light condition. In a word, differences of photosynthetic capacity and light intense tolerance between the three phyla of macroalgae were found and we suggested H. fusiforme, S. thunbergii and U. pertusa had stronger photosynthetic capacity and light intense tolerance. Our results could provide theoretical basis for the seaweed bed conservation and carbon sequestration of macroalgae.

Characterization of Co-Cultivation of Cyanobacteria on Growth, Productions of Polysaccharides and Extracellular Proteins, Nitrogenase Activity, and Photosynthetic Activity.

Cyanobacteria as biofertilizers are benefit to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and reestablish the ecological system in soil. In general, several strains of cyanobacteria were involved in the biofertilizers. The co-cultivation of cyanobacteria were characterized on growth profile, production of polysaccharides and extracellular proteins, nitrogenase activity, and photosynthetic activity for three selected N2-fixing cyanobacteria, Anabaena cylindrica (B1611 and F243) and Nostoc sp. (F280). After eight-day culture, the highest dry weights were obtained in F280 pure culture and co-cultivation of B1611 and F280. Higher production of extracellular proteins and cell-bonding polysaccharides (CPS) were observed in co-cultivations compared with pure culture. The highest released polysaccharides (RPS) contents were obtained in pure culture of F280 and co-cultivation of F280 and F243. Galactose and glucose were major components of CPS and RPS in all samples. Trehalose was a specific component of RPS in F280 pure culture. Based on the monosaccharide contents of CPS and RPS, F280 was the dominant species in the related treatments of co-cultivation. The nitrogenase activities in all treatments exhibited a sharp rise at the late stage while a significant decrease existed when three cyanobacteria strains were mixed. Photosynthetic activities for all treatments were determined with rapid light curve, and the related parameters were estimated.