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End product feedback effects on photosynthetic electron transport

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Abstract

The inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport when starch and sucrose synthesis limit the overall rate of photosynthesis was studied inPhaseolus vulgaris L. andXanthium strumarium L. The starch and sucrose limitation was established by reducing photorespiration by manipulation of the partial pressure of O2 and CO2. Chlorophylla fluorescence quenching, the redox state of Photosystem I (estimated by the redox status of NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase), and the intermediates of the xanthophyll cycle were investigated. Non-photochemical fluorescence quenching increased, NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase remained at 100% activity, and the amount of violaxanthin decreased when starch and sucrose synthesis limited photosynthesis. In addition, O2-induced feedback caused a decrease in photochemical quenching. These results are consistent with a downward regulation of photosynthetic electron transport during end product feedback on photosynthesis. When leaves were held in high CO2 for 4 hours, the efficiency of Photosystem II was reduced when subsequently measured under low light. The results indicate that the quantum efficiency of open Photosystem II centers was reduced by the 4 hour treatment. We interpret the results to indicate that feedback from starch and sucrose synthesis on photosynthetic electron transport stimulates mechanisms for dissipating excess light energy but that these mechanisms do not completely protect leaves from long-term inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport capacity.

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Abbreviations

MDH:

malate dehydrogenase

p(CO2):

partial pressure of CO2

p(O2):

partial pressure of O2

PFD:

photon flux density

PS I:

Photosystem I

PS II:

Photosystem II

qN :

non-photochemical quenching

qP :

photochemical quenching

RuBP:

ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

rubisco:

RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase

Fo :

initial fluorescence yield of dark-adapted leaves

Fm :

maximal fluorescence yield of dark-adapted leaves

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Natal, 4001, Durban, South Africa

    Norman W. Pammenter

  2. Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, 53706, Madison, WI, USA

    Francesco Loreto & Thomas D. Sharkey

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  1. Norman W. Pammenter
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  2. Francesco Loreto
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  3. Thomas D. Sharkey
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Pammenter, N.W., Loreto, F. & Sharkey, T.D. End product feedback effects on photosynthetic electron transport. Photosynth Res 35, 5–14 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02185407

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02185407

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