Abstract
The response of a number of species to high light levels was examined to determine whether chlorophyll fluorescence from photosystem (PS) II measured at ambient temperature could be used quantitatively to estimate the photon yield of O2 evolution. In many species, the ratio of the yield of the variable (FV) and the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (FM) determined from leaves at ambient temperature matched that from leaves frozen to 77K when reductions in FV/FM and the photon yield resulted from exposure of leaves to high light levels under favorable temperatures and water status. Under conditions which were less favorable for photosynthesis, FV/FM at ambient temperature often matched the photon yield more closely than FV/FM measured at 77K. Exposure of leaves to high light levels in combination with water stress or chilling stress resulted in much greater reductions in the photon yield than in FV/FM (at both ambient temperature and 77K) measured in darkness, which would be expected if the site of inhibition was beyond PSII. Following chilling stress, FV/FM determined during measurement of the photon yield in the light was depressed to a degree more similar to that of the depression of photon yield, presumably as a result of regulation of PSII in response to greatly reduced electron flow.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Abbreviations
- Fo :
-
yield of instantaneous fluorescence
- FM :
-
yield of maximum fluorescence
- FV :
-
yield of variable fluorescence
- PFD:
-
photon flux density (400–700 nm)
- PSI (II):
-
photosystem I (II)
References
Adams, W.W., III (1987) Photosynthetic acclimation and photoinhibition of CAM plants in response to different light environments. PhD thesis, Australian National University, Canberra
Adams, W.W., III, Osmond, C.B. (1988) Internal CO2 supply during photosynthesis of sun and shade grown CAM plants in relation to photoinhibition. Plant Physiol. 86, 117–123
Adams, W.W., III, Winter, K., Lanzl, A. (1989) Light and the maintenance of photosynthetic competence in leaves of Populus balsamifera L. during short-term exposures to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide. Planta 177, 91–97
Adams, W.W., III, Winter, K., Schreiber, U., Schramel, P. (1990) Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics in relationship to changes in pigment and elemental composition of leaves of Platanus occidentalis L. during autumnal leaf senescence. Plant Physiol. (in press)
Ben, G.-Y., Osmond, C.B., Sharkey, T.D. (1987) Comparisons of photosynthetic responses of Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus to chronic and acute water stress in sun and shade. Plant Physiol. 84, 476–482
Björkman, O. (1987) Low temperature chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves and its relationship to photon yield of photosynthesis in photoinhibition. In: Topics in photosynthesis, vol. 9: Photoinhibition, pp. 123–144, Kyle, D.J., Osmond, C.B., Arntzen, C.J., eds. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Björkman, O., Demmig, B. (1987) Photon yield of O2 evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at 77K among vascular plants of diverse origins. Planta 170, 489–504
Butler, W.L. (1977) Chlorophyll fluorescence: a probe for electron transfer and energy transfer. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, vol. 5: Photosynthesis I, pp. 149–167, Trebst, A., Avron, M., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Demmig, B., Björkman, O. (1987) Comparison of the effect of excessive light on chlorophyll fluorescence (77K) and photon yield of O2 evolution in leaves of higher plants. Planta 171, 171–184
Demmig B., Winter, K., Krüger, A., Czygan, F.-C. (1987) Photoinhibition and zeaxanthin formation in intact leaves. A possible role of the xanthophyll cycle in the dissipation of excess light energy. Plant Physiol. 84, 218–224
Demmig-Adams, B., Adams, W.W., III, Winter, K., Meyer, A., Schreiber, U., Pereira, J.S., Krüger, A., Czygan, F.-C, Lange, O.L. (1989a) Photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, photon yield of O2 evolution, photosynthetic capacity, and carotenoid composition during the midday depression of net CO2 uptake in Arbutus unedo growing in Portugal. Planta 177, 377–387
Demmig-Adams, B., Winter, K., Krüger, A., Czygan, F.-C. (1989b) Light response of CO2 assimilation, dissipation of excess excitation energy, and zeaxanthin content of sun and shade leaves. Plant Physiol. 90, 881–886
Demmig-Adams, B., Winter, K., Krüger, A., Czygan, F.-C. (1989c) Zeaxanthin and the induction and relaxation kinetics of the dissipation of excess excitation energy in leaves in 2% O2, 0% CO2. Plant Physiol. 90, 887–893
Garber, M.P. (1977) Effect of light and chilling temperatures on chilling-sensitive and chilling-resistant plants. Plant Physiol. 59, 981–985
Genty, B., Briantais, J.-M., Baker, N.R. (1989) The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 990, 87–92
Horton, P., Lee, P. (1983) Stimulation of a cyclic electron-transfer pathway around photosystem II by phosphorylation of chloroplast thylakoid proteins. FEBS Lett. 162, 81–84
Kitajima, M., Butler, W.L. (1975) Quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and primary photochemistry in chloroplasts by dibromothymoquinone. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 376, 105–115
Powles, S.B., Björkman, O. (1982) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis: effect on chlorophyll fluorescence at 77K in intact leaves and in chloroplast membranes of Nerium oleander. Planta 156, 97–107
Powles, S.B., Berry, J.A., Björkman, O. (1983) Interaction between light and chilling temperature on the inhibition of photosynthesis in chilling-sensitive plants. Plant Cell Environ. 6, 117–123
Schreiber, U., Neubauer, C. (1987) The polyphasic rise of chlorophyll fluorescence upon onset of strong continuous illumination. II. Partial control by the photosystem II donor side and possible ways of interpretation. Z. Naturforsch. 42c, 1255–1264
Schreiber, U., Schliwa, U., Bilger, W. (1986) Continuous recording of photochemical and non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence with a new type of modulation fluorometer. Photosynth. Res. 10, 51–62
Virgin, H.I. (1954) The distortion of fluorescence spectra in leaves by light scattering and its reduction by infiltration. Physiol. Plant. 7, 560–570
Weis, E. (1985) Chlorophyll fluorescence at 77K in intact leaves: characterization of a technique to eliminate artifacts related to self-absorption. Photosynth. Res. 6, 73–86
Wendler, J., Holzwarth, A.R. (1987) State transitions in the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus probed by time-resolved chlorophyll fluorescence spectroscopy and global data analysis. Biophys. J. 52, 717–728
Wong, S.C. (1979) Elevated atmospheric partial pressures of CO2 and plant growth. Oecologia 44, 68–74
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinchaft. W.W.A. gratefully acknowledges the support of Fellowships from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung. We also thank Maria Lesch for plant maintenance.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adams, W.W., Demmig-Adams, B., Winter, K. et al. The ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence from photosystem II, measured in leaves at ambient temperature and at 77K, as an indicator of the photon yield of photosynthesis. Planta 180, 166–174 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193991
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193991