0000000000164490
AUTHOR
Vicente I. Deltoro
Changes in net photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and xanthophyll cycle interconversions during freeze-thaw cycles in the Mediterranean moss Leucodon sciuroides
The tolerance to freezing and thawing of Leucodon sciuroides, a moss growing in mountainous areas of the Mediterranean (south-east Spain), was investigated by means of CO2 gas exchange, modulated chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and pigment analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Evidence is presented for freezing-induced decreases in CO2 fixation that enhance non-radiative dissipation of absorbed light energy, a process which protects the photosynthetic apparatus. The photosynthetic apparatus of L. sciuroides remained fully recuperable after freezing, as indicated by the recovery of photosynthetic CO2 fixation and Chl fluorescence parameters to pre-freezing values during thawin…
Effects of SO2 fumigations on photosynthetic CO2 gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and antioxidant enzymes in the lichens Evernia prunastri and Ramalina farinacea
The effects of elevated gaseous SO2 concentrations in the lichens Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach. were investigated by means of gas exchange, modulated chlorophyll fluorescence analysis and antioxidant enzyme assays. The response to SO2 of the studied species differed markedly. Net photosynthetic rates were more adversely affected in E. prunastri than in R. farinacea. In addition, processes dependent on thylakoid membrane integrity such as PSII-mediated electron flow and nonphotochemical quenching were reduced to a greater extent by exposure to SO2 in E. prunastri. Moreover, the ability to reoxidize the quinone pool was lower in this species. Finally, the activi…
Determination ofl-Ascorbic Acid and Total Ascorbic Acid in Vascular and Nonvascular Plants by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) procedure for the determination of l-ascorbic acid (AA) and total ascorbic acid (TAA, as the sum of AA and dehydroascorbic acid) in vascular plants, lichens, bryophytes, and liverworts is described. The samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and extracted with 2% metaphosphoric acid. To determine AA, an aliquot was directly injected in a fused-silica capillary. The determination of TAA was performed upon its reduction with dl-homocysteine at pH 7. The background electrolyte contained 60 mM sodium chloride, 60 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 1 x 10(-4)% hexadimetrine bromide, and NaOH up to pH 7. The procedure was rapid and highly reproducible; the limi…
Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic CO 2 assimilation and xanthophyll cycle interconversions during dehydration in desiccation-tolerant and intolerant liverworts
The interactions among water content, chlorophyll a fluorescence emission, xanthophyll interconversions and net photosynthesis were analyzed during dehydration in desiccation-tolerant Frullania dilatata (L.) Dum. and desiccation-intolerant Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks) Dum. Water loss led to a progressive suppression of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in both species. Their chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at low water content were: low photosynthetic quantum conversion efficiency, high excitation pressure on photosystem II and strong non-photochemical quenching. However, dissipation activity was lower in P. endiviifolia and was not accompanied by a rise in the concentration of de-…
Acclimation Potential to High Irradiance of Two Cultivars of Watermelon
The acclimation potential to high irradiance of two cultivars of watermelon, Reina de Corazones and Toro, calculated as the ratio of sun vs. shade activities of O2− and H2O2 scavenging enzymes and non-radiative energy dissipation, was similar. However, Reina de Corazones exhibited a higher capacity in absolute terms for photoprotection (harmless dissipation of absorbed light energy at PS 2 and ascorbate and O2− and H2O2 scavenging enzymes) suggesting a larger resistance of this cultivar to high irradiance. This could be seen as smaller decreases in fruit productivity and in lower oxidative injury as probed by malondialdehyde content in sun plants of Reina de Corazones than in Toro plants. A…