6533b820fe1ef96bd1279877

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Investigation on the Photosynthetic Membranes of Spruce Needles in Relation to the Occurrence of Novel Forest Decline II. The Content of QB-Protein, Cytochrome f, and P-700

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In order to obtain an insight into the damage of thylakoid membranes of spruce (Picea abies) trees with damage of varying intensity, investigations were performed on the content of Qв-protein, cytochrome f, and P-700 in chloroplasts of spruce needles from apparently healthy and from damaged trees. Needles from the second and third needle year and the seventh whorl were chosen. The investigations were carried out in 1986 on a 20 to 25-year-old spruce plantation in the Hunsriick mountains and on an 80-year-old spruce plantation in the Westerwald mountains. In damaged trees an unequivocal decrease in the content of Qв-protein, cytochrome f, and P-700 was found, even in needle groups that appear visibly green and healthy. The amount of cytochrome f decreased by 25% per dry weight (approximately to the same extent as chlorophyll); the content of Qв-protein and P-700, however, were more drastically reduced compared to the control trees (about 40% and 50%, respectively). These results of measuring the photosynthetic electron transport components imply that the thylakoid membranes are sites of early injurious effects.