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The OJIP fast fluorescence rise characterizes Graptophyllum species and their stress responses

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Abstract

Causes for rarity in plants are poorly understood. Graptophyllum reticulatum is an endangered endemic species, and it has three close relatives with different conservation status: the vulnerable G. ilicifolium, the rare G. excelsum, and the common G. spinigerum. Applied to the chlorophyll a fluorescence transient of leaves, the JIP test provides a Performance Index (PI) which quantifies the main steps in photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry including light energy absorption, excitation energy trapping, and conversion of excitation energy into electron flow. The PI is calculated from three components which depend on the reaction center density, the trapping efficiency, and the electron transport efficiency. PI was measured in the natural habitats of the four species and under artificially imposed environmental stresses in the glasshouse to determine whether conservation status was related to stress resilience. The results showed that soil type is unlikely to restrict the endangered G. reticulatum, vulnerable G. ilicifolium, or rare G. excelsum because PI was similar in plants grown in diverse soils in the glasshouse. Photoinhibition is likely to restrict the endangered G. reticulatum to shade habitats because PI was significantly reduced when plants were exposed to more than 15% ambient light in controlled experiments. Water availability may determine the location and distribution of the vulnerable G. ilicifolium and common G. spinigerum because PI was reduced more than 60% when plants were exposed to water stress. While the characteristics of their natural habitats correspond to and explain the physiological responses, there was no obvious relationship between conservation status and environmental resilience. PI can be used to monitor vigor and health of populations of plants in the natural habitat. In cultivation experiments PI responds to key environmental variables that affect the distribution of species with conservation significance.

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Abbreviations

ABS:

absorbance

C:

common

Chl:

chlorophyll

CS:

cross section

DI:

dissipation

E:

endangered

ET:

electron transport

Fm:

maximum fluorescence level

Fo:

minimal fluorescence level

Fv/Fm:

maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry

PEA:

Plant Efficiency Analyser

PI:

performance index on absorption basis

PPFD:

photosynthetic photon flux density

PQ:

plastoquinone

PSII:

photosystem II

QA :

primary electron acceptor of PSII

R:

rare

RC:

reaction center

RWC:

relative water content

TR:

trapping

V:

vulnerable

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Acknowledgments

This study represents part of Mr. Le Buu Thach’s PhD dissertation. His candidature is supported by a scholarship from the Vietnamese Ministry of Education. The authors wish most sincerely to thank Ms. Maree Cali (Mackay) and Mr. Rod Mackey (Rockhampton) for their help with accessing the field sites, and Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Services for permission to work on the species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Integrative Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Le Buu Thach, Susanne Schmidt & Christa Critchley

  2. Faculty of Science, Health & Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore D.C, QLD, 4558, Australia

    Alison Shapcott

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  1. Le Buu Thach
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  2. Alison Shapcott
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  3. Susanne Schmidt
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  4. Christa Critchley
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Correspondence to Christa Critchley.

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Thach, L.B., Shapcott, A., Schmidt, S. et al. The OJIP fast fluorescence rise characterizes Graptophyllum species and their stress responses. Photosynth Res 94, 423–436 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-007-9207-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-007-9207-8

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