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Changes in photosynthesis, fluorescence, and nitrogen metabolism of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) in response to exogenous glutamic acid

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

Photosynthesis, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, and nitrogen metabolism of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.), subjected to exogenous L-glutamic acid (GLA) (200 mg l−1, 400 mg l−1, and 800 mg l−1) that possibly affect secondary metabolic regulation, were measured. The results indicated that photosynthetic and fluorescence characteristics of hawthorn exhibited positive responses to the application of GLA. Different concentrations of GLA caused an increase in Chl content, net photosynthetic rate (P N) and stomatal conductance (g s) as well as transpiration rate (E), and improved the carboxylation efficiency (CE), apparent quantum yield (AQY) and maximum carboxylation velocity of Rubisco (Vcmax). Application of GLA could also enhance the maximum ratio of quantum yields of photochemical and concurrent non-photochemical processes in PSII (Fv/F0), the maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), the probability that an absorbed photon will move an electron into the electron transport chain beyond QA (ΦEo) as well as the performance index on absorption basis (PIABS), but decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration (C i) and the minimal fluorescence (F0). Application of GLA also induced an increase in nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) and glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) activities, and increased the soluble protein content, leaf nitrogen (N) content and N accumulation in leaves as well as the plant biomass. However, the effects were different among different concentrations of GLA, and 800 mg l−1 GLA was better. This finding suggested that application of GLA is recommended to improve the photosynthetic capacity by increasing the light energy conversion and CO2 transfer as well as the photochemical efficiency of PSII, and enhanced the nitrogen metabolism and growth and development of plants.

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Abbreviations

ABS:

absorption flux

AQY:

apparent quantum yield

C a :

atmosphere CO2 concentration

CE:

carboxylation efficiency

C i :

intercellular CO2 concentration

Chl:

chlorophyll

E :

transpiration rate

ET0/RC:

electron transport efficiency per reaction center

F0 :

minimal fluorescence of dark adapted state

Fm :

maximal fluorescence at dark-adapted state

Fv :

variable fluorescence

Fv/F0 :

maximum ratio of quantum yields of photochemical and concurrent non-photochemical processes in PSII

Fv/Fm :

maximal quantum yield of PSII

g s :

stomatal conductance

GLA:

L-glutamic acid

GLA200 :

GLA concentration of 200 mg l−1

GLA400 :

GLA concentration of 400 mg l−1, and GLA800 — GLA concentration of 800 mg l−1

GS:

glutamine synthetase

Ls :

stomatal limitation value

NR:

nitrate reductase

PIABS :

performance index on absorption basis

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

PSII:

photosystem II

QA :

primary quinone electron acceptor of PSII

RC:

reaction centers

Vcmax :

maximum carboxylation velocity of Rubisco

ΦEo :

the probability that an absorbed photon will move an electron into the electron transport chain beyond QA

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Acknowledgements

Financial assistance from the National Ecosystem Observation and Network-building Research projects (No: 2005DKA10300) and from the Foundational Conditions Platform of National Science and Technology projects of China (2007DKA21002-29) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 110161, Shenyang, P.R. China

    C. Yu, D. G. Lv, S. J. Qin, L. Yang, H. Y. Ma & G. C. Liu

  2. Cash Crops Institute, Hubei Academy of Agricultural sciences, 430064, Wuhan, P.R. China

    C. Yu

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  1. C. Yu
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  2. D. G. Lv
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Correspondence to D. G. Lv.

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Yu, C., Lv, D.G., Qin, S.J. et al. Changes in photosynthesis, fluorescence, and nitrogen metabolism of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) in response to exogenous glutamic acid. Photosynthetica 48, 339–347 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-010-0044-1

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