Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A solid-state, portable instrument for measurement of chlorophyll luminescence induction in plants

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A newly developed compact instrument is described for the measurement of chlorophyll luminescence induction in plants. The instrument operates with a pulsed light emitting diode (LED) as light source and a photodiode as luminescence detector. A special emitter-detector geometry provides for high irradiance of the sample and efficient collection of luminescence by the detector. With insertion of appropriate filters the same probe is also suited for measuring prompt chlorophyll fluorescence. The instrument shows considerable flexibility with respect to pulse frequency, relative lengths of light/dark intervals and luminescence sampling periods. Due to a selective amplifier system only that part of luminescence is processed which is induced by the individual excitation pulses. By this approach, the problem of “slow phase accumulation”, encountered with conventional phosphoroscopes, is eliminated. Some examples are given for system operation, demonstrating satisfactory performance in measurements with intact leaves and isolated chloroplasts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Amesz J and vanGorkom HJ (1978) Delayed fluorescence in photosynthesis. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 29:47–66

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bauer R and Wijnands MJG (1974) The inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by DBMIB and its restoration by p-phenylenediamines; studied by means of prompt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence of green algae. Z Naturforsch 29c:725–732

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bilger W and Schreiber U (1985) Chlorophyll-Lumineszenz als Indikator Hitze-induzierter Schädigung der Photosynthese in intakten Blättern. Mitteilungsband Botaniker-Tagung Wien 1984 (F. Ehrendorfer, Herausgeber), S. 154

  4. Govindjee and Jursinic PA (1979) Photosynthesis and fast changes in light emission by green plants. Photochemical and Photobiological Reviews. Vol 4, pp. 125–205. New York: Plenum Press

    Google Scholar 

  5. Itoh S (1977) Temperature dependencies of the rate of electron flow and of the formation of the high energy state in spinach chloroplasts and leaves. Plant & Cell Physiol 18:801–806

    Google Scholar 

  6. Itoh S and Murata N (1973) Correlation between delayed light emission and fluorescence of chlorophyll a in system II particles derived from spinach chloroplasts. Photochem photobiol 18:209–218

    Google Scholar 

  7. Krause GH and Weis E (1984) Chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool in plant physiology. II. Interpretation of fluorescence signals. Photosynth Res 5:139–157

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lavorel J (1975) Luminescence. In Govindjee, ed Bioenergetics of Photosynthesis. pp. 223–317. New York: Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lavorel J, Lavergne J and Etienne A-L (1982) A reflection on several problems of luminescence in photosynthetic systems. Photobiochem Photobiophys 3:287–314

    Google Scholar 

  10. Malkin S (1977) Delayed luminescence. In Barber J, ed Primary Processes of Photosynthesis. pp.349–431

  11. Malkin S and Barber J (1978) Induction patterns of delayed luminescence from isolated chloroplasts. I. Response of delayed luminescence to changes in the prompt fluorescence yield. Biochim Biophys Acta 502:524–541

    Google Scholar 

  12. Mar T, Brebner J and Roy G (1975) Induction kinetics of delayed light emission in spinach chloroplasts. Biochem Biophys Acta 376:345–353

    Google Scholar 

  13. Renger G and Schreiber U (1986) Practical applications of fluorometric methods to algae and higher plant research. In Govindjee, Amesz J and Fork DC (eds) Light emission by plants and bacteria. Academic Press, New York, in press

    Google Scholar 

  14. Schreiber U, Groberman L and Vidaver W (1975) Portable, solid-state fluorometer for the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence induction in plants. Rev Sci Instr 46:538–542

    Google Scholar 

  15. Strehler BL and Arnold W (1951) Light production by green plants. J Gen Physiol 34:809–820

    Google Scholar 

  16. Wraight CA and Crofts AR (1971) Delayed fluorescence and the high-energy state of chloroplasts. Eur J Biochem 19:386–397

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl Botanik I, Universität Würzburg, Mittlerer Dallenbergweg 64, D-87, Würzburg, F.R.G.

    Ulrich Schreiber & Ulrich Schliwa

Authors
  1. Ulrich Schreiber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ulrich Schliwa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schreiber, U., Schliwa, U. A solid-state, portable instrument for measurement of chlorophyll luminescence induction in plants. Photosynth Res 11, 173–182 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018275

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018275

Key words

Search

Navigation