Effects of cadmium on photosynthesis of Schima superba young plant detected by chlorophyll fluorescence

Chu, Jingjing; Zhu, Fan; Chen, Xiaoyong; Liang, Huizi; Wang, Renjie; Wang, Xuxu; Huang, Xinhao

doi:10.1007/s11356-018-1294-x

Research Article
Published: 01 February 2018

Effects of cadmium on photosynthesis of Schima superba young plant detected by chlorophyll fluorescence

Jingjing Chu¹,
Fan Zhu¹,
Xiaoyong Chen^1,2,
Huizi Liang¹,
Renjie Wang¹,
Xuxu Wang¹ &
Xinhao Huang¹

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 25, pages 10679–10687 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Contamination by heavy metals has become a serious environmental pollution issue today due to its potential threat to plant, wildlife, and human health. Photosynthesis, a process in which light energy is used to produce sugar and other organic compounds, is sensitive to heavy metals. In the present study, the response of photosynthetic process and carbon assimilation of Schima superba was investigated under cadmium (Cd) stress. Three Cd concentrations (0, 300, and 600 mg kg⁻¹) were used designated as control (CK), low Cd (L₁), and high Cd treatment (L₂) of plants. Results showed that photosystem II (PSII) acceptor and donor side electron transport were more easily blocked in treatment compared to control, and L₂ have more significant changes than L₁. A substantial decrease of 820 nm reflection curve absorption was observed both in L₁ and L₂ treatments. Special energy fluxes showed significant difference between the control group and the treated group, which indicated that low concentration Cd stress can cause decrease in quantum yield of PSII in plants studied. Non-stomatal factors resulted in a decrease in net photosynthetic rate and a decrease in photosystem activity. Our results suggested that Cd can damage structure and function of the photosynthesis of S. superba young plants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank “948” introduction project of The State Bureaucracy of Forestry (2014-4-62) and Nature Science Foundation of Hunan Provincial Innovative Research Team (2013) for the financial support. We are also grateful to the journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research editor and two anonymous reviewers for their critical reviewing and suggestions of the manuscript.

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National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Forest Ecological Technology in Southern China, College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, People’s Republic of China
Jingjing Chu, Fan Zhu, Xiaoyong Chen, Huizi Liang, Renjie Wang, Xuxu Wang & Xinhao Huang
College of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, Chicago, IL, 60466, USA
Xiaoyong Chen

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Jingjing Chu
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Fan Zhu
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Xiaoyong Chen
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Huizi Liang
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Renjie Wang
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Xuxu Wang
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Xinhao Huang
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Correspondence to Fan Zhu.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Chu, J., Zhu, F., Chen, X. et al. Effects of cadmium on photosynthesis of Schima superba young plant detected by chlorophyll fluorescence. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 10679–10687 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1294-x

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Received: 19 August 2017
Accepted: 15 January 2018
Published: 01 February 2018
Issue Date: April 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1294-x

Keywords

Cadmium
PSI
PSII
CO₂ assimilation
Chlorophyll fluorescence
Schima superba