干旱胁迫下荒漠植物红砂叶片抗氧化特性

以荒漠半荒漠地区优势种超旱生灌木红砂两年生植株为研究对象,测定了不同程度干旱胁迫下叶片膜脂过氧化和抗氧化特征参数,以探讨荒漠植物抗氧化系统对荒漠极端环境的适应机制.结果显示:红砂叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)含量随干旱胁迫加剧而显著增加,丙二醛(MDA)含量在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度的增加,可溶性蛋白含量随干旱胁迫的增加而显著降低;类胡萝卜素和脯氨酸含量在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性随干旱胁迫加剧而显著提高,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;过氧化物酶(POD)活性在中度干旱胁迫下显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低.研究表明,荒漠植物红砂叶片中胡萝卜素、脯氨酸、SOD和CAT在防御干旱引起的氧化胁迫中起到了显著保护作用, 而POD在重度干旱胁迫下没有起到积极保护作用.     

C4荒漠植物猪毛菜与木本猪毛菜的叶片解剖结构及光合生理特征

 为了比较C₄荒漠植物猪毛菜(Salsola collina)和木本猪毛菜(S. arbuscula)的抗旱结构和适应环境的光合作用特征, 在二者混生的群落中, 选择代表性植株, 采集叶片进行叶片解剖结构分析, 在自然条件下测定了二者叶片的气体交换参数。研究结果表明：猪毛菜叶片具表皮毛, 具有更发达的薄壁贮水组织;木本猪毛菜叶片具有更厚的角质层, 表皮下有1层下皮细胞, 其栅栏组织细胞较长, 排列更紧密。猪毛菜的净光合速率明显高于木本猪毛菜, 日平均值分别为21.5和15.7 μmol CO₂·m^–2·s^–1。猪毛菜的蒸腾速率也明显高于木本猪毛菜, 日平均值分别为14.9和10.2 mmol·m^–2·s^–1。猪毛菜和木本猪毛菜的水分利用效率的日平均值分别为1.39和1.53 μmol CO₂·mmol^–1 H₂O, 特别是在14:00时分别为1.61和2.30 μmol CO₂·mmol^–1 H₂O, 木本猪毛菜高出猪毛菜约42%。猪毛菜的光补偿点低于木本猪毛菜, 而光饱和点和光量子效率较高, 具有更低的CO₂补偿点。这表明：二者的旱生结构不同, 木本猪毛菜具有更显著的荒漠植物特征;在适于二者混生的环境下, 猪毛菜比木本猪毛菜的光合能力更强, 而木本猪毛菜的水分利用效率更高。     

应用稳定同位素技术分析华北部分地区第三代棉铃虫虫源性质

玉米等C₄植物被认为是华北Bt棉种植区内第三代棉铃虫最重要的天然庇护所,但尚缺乏直接证据。连续2a(2006-2007年)利用杨树把诱集棉铃虫成虫,进行碳稳定同位素比值的测定,并结合棉铃虫成虫捕获时间、虫源的数量比例等,评估C₄植物在华北第三代棉铃虫期间的庇护所功能。结果表明,第三代棉铃虫成虫来源于C₄植物(玉米)的为40.5%-56.8%,与C₃来源的数量上大体相当。但C₄来源的成虫羽化时间比C₃来源的个体明显滞后,呈现出先少后多的特点。结果提示,C₄植物确实是华北第三代棉铃虫重要的庇护所,但存在着时间上与C₃来源的成虫交配不同步而失效的风险;结果建议玉米等天然庇护所作物的种植不仅在面积上要足够,而且播种时间上要充分考虑C₄植物(玉米)来源的敏感棉铃虫个体的发育与C₃植物寄主来源个体的同步性。     

干旱胁迫对3种不同光合类型荒漠植物叶绿体和线粒体超微结构的影响

以荒漠木本C_3植物天山猪毛菜、C_3-C_4中间型植物松叶猪毛菜、C_4植物木本猪毛菜为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验,设置正常供水和轻度、中度和重度干旱处理(土壤含水量分别为田间持水量的80%、60%、45%和35%),研究不同程度干旱胁迫对3种不同光合类型荒漠植物叶片超微结构的影响。结果表明:(1)正常水分条件下,叶肉细胞中各细胞器结构完整。(2)轻度干旱胁迫下,3种植物叶片超微结构未受损伤,无明显变化。(3)中度干旱胁迫下,天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶肉细胞壁界限不清晰,类囊体片层扩张且排列不紧密,不同之处在于,天山猪毛菜线粒体最先出现降解,内含物流失,而松叶猪毛菜线粒体外膜轮廓变形,嵴减少;木本猪毛菜线粒体无明显变化,叶绿体轻微扩张。(4)重度干旱胁迫下,天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶绿体受损且结构混乱,线粒体出现降解;木本猪毛菜叶绿体出现膨胀,线粒体外膜轮廓模糊,嵴减少且结构模糊不清楚。研究认为,不同程度干旱胁迫下木本猪毛菜叶绿体和线粒体的受损程度都最低;干旱胁迫下天山猪毛菜和松叶猪毛菜叶绿体的受损程度大致相似;松叶猪毛菜和木本猪毛菜线粒体对干旱胁迫的耐受力要比叶绿体强。     

外源SNP对干旱胁迫下不同马铃薯品种叶片抗氧化酶活性的影响

以正常水分状态、轻度干旱胁迫、中度干旱胁迫和重度干旱胁迫下的马铃薯抗旱品种‘底西瑞’和干旱敏感品种‘大西洋’ 植株为材料,于现蕾期采用0（对照）和0.01 mmol·L^-1 SNP分别喷施各处理植株,对不同处理下2个品种的植株形态、叶片超氧阴离子和H₂O₂含量以及抗氧化酶活性进行比较分析,探讨外源SNP对干旱状态下马铃薯的生理应答机制,为马铃薯的抗旱栽培提供新的技术理论支持。结果显示：（1）SNP喷施对重度水分胁迫下马铃薯植株的正常生长具有一定的保护作用。（2）在干旱胁迫条件下,马铃薯叶片POD活性在品种‘底西瑞’中增加而在品种‘大西洋’中降低,超氧阴离子含量和H₂O₂含量以及CAT和APX活性在各品种中均增加,但超氧阴离子含量和H₂O₂含量增加程度与胁迫程度无关。（3）抗旱品种‘底西瑞’在干旱胁迫下的超氧阴离子含量低于干旱敏感品种‘大西洋’,而其POD、CAT和APX活性则高于‘大西洋’; 0.01 mmol·L^-1SNP处理未改变马铃薯叶片中超氧阴离子和H₂O₂含量随土壤水分的变化趋势,但改变了‘大西洋’叶片中SOD、POD、CAT活性以及‘底西瑞’叶片中APX活性的变化趋势。（4）外源喷施0.01 mmol·L^-1SNP降低了‘底西瑞’在中度和重度胁迫下以及‘大西洋’在轻度和中度胁迫下超氧阴离子含量,提高了干旱胁迫下‘底西瑞’和‘大西洋’的POD和APX活性。研究表明,POD、CAT和APX可作为马铃薯水分胁迫下的应答以及品种抗旱性的筛选指标,外源SNP可通过诱导增强干旱胁迫下马铃薯的抗氧化酶活性来提高其抗旱性。     

4种幼树对二氧化硫胁迫的抗性生理响应

利用密闭环境控制室熏气处理,研究了不同浓度（自然状态和0.5、1.5、3.0 mg·L^-1）SO₂对盆栽巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木和茶树幼树叶片渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量的影响,并就各树种对SO₂的抗性进行综合评价。结果显示:（1）SO₂对4个树种叶片伤害程度表现为天竺桂<西蒙得木<巨桉<茶树。（2）SO₂胁迫显著增加了巨桉和西蒙得木叶片可溶性蛋白（SP）、可溶性糖（SS）和游离脯氨酸（Pro）3种渗透调节物质含量;SO₂胁迫对天竺桂叶片SP和SS含量无显著影响,且对Pro含量的促进作用也是在处理30 d后才体现出来;SO₂胁迫对茶树叶片SP含量无显著影响,使SS含量显著降低,而使Pro含量显著增加。（3）SO₂胁迫总体使巨桉和天竺桂抗氧化系统保护酶——超氧化物酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,但西蒙得木各指标表现不同,而使茶树抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量则全面下降。（4）巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木、茶树的最大净吸收S量依次为1.17、1.32、2.04、0.95 g·kg^-1。（5）通过隶属函数法综合7个生理指标得到的SO₂抗性综合排序为天竺桂>西蒙得木>巨桉>茶树,与叶片伤害程度表现一致。研究表明,植物抗氧化保护酶系统在4个树种抵抗SO₂胁迫调节机制中具有重要作用,其中天竺桂超高的基础POD活性可能是其抵抗SO₂伤害的关键机制之一。     

曼地亚红豆杉对甲醛胁迫的生理响应

以一年生曼地亚红豆杉(Taxus media cv.hicksii)扦插苗为材料,采用密闭箱静态熏气法,研究不同甲醛（CH₂O）浓度(0、5、10、20和40 mg·m^-3)和熏气时间（1、3、5、7 d）对曼地亚红豆杉的生理响应。结果显示:（1）在5~20 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,曼地亚红豆杉叶片均无受害症状,在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O熏气1 d时,叶片开始出现受害症状,并随时间的延长逐渐加重;（2）随着CH₂O浓度的增加和熏气时间的延长,叶片MDA、Pro含量和相对电导率皆呈增加趋势,SS含量表现为先升后降,但仍显著高于对照;（3）在5 mg·m^-3CH₂O处理下,叶片SOD、CAT、PPO和GR作为第一道防线共同作用以清除过多的活性氧,其中PPO最为敏感;在10、20 mg·m^-3CH₂O处理下,SOD、POD、CAT、PPO、APX和GR共同作用加快对活性氧的清理;在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,各酶的活性均受到抑制,其中APX、PPO和GR活性显著低于对照,而SOD、POD和CAT活性仍显著高于对照。研究表明,在中低CH₂O浓度（5~20 mg·m^-3）处理下,曼地亚红豆杉主要通过合成渗透调节物质和活性氧自由基的酶促清除机制共同作用来适应逆境,在40 mg·m^-3CH₂O浓度下,APX、PPO、GR活性受到显著抑制,细胞膜过氧化程度加剧,植物叶片受到伤害;在CH₂O浓度低于20 mg·m^-3时,曼地亚红豆杉通过自身的应激保护系统来维持正常的生理活动,表现出较强的CH₂O耐受性。     

NO2胁迫下三角梅叶片形态解剖结构和最优光响应模型研究

植物的形态结构和光合作用能够反映植物对城市空气污染的响应特性。探究城市道路机动车尾气中的典型污染物NO₂气体,对植物叶片的生理光合响应特性。以二年生三角梅（Bougainvillea spectabilis）幼苗为对象,利用智能化人工熏气室模拟熏气（NO₂体积分数分别为0 μL/L （自然空气）、4 μL/L,8 μL/L,记作CK、T1、T2）,观察NO₂胁迫后三角梅的叶片形态、微观结构和光合特征。结果表明：（1）通过叶片形态观察发现,与CK相比,低浓度T1组叶片变化不明显,随着NO₂气体胁迫浓度的增加,高浓度T2组叶片逐渐出现失水、叶表面有明显的水渍状或烧灼状黄色斑点。（2）通过叶片微观结构解剖发现,高浓度NO₂胁迫后气孔皱缩程度增加,气孔开度减小;叶绿体结构变形,尤其是类囊体结构疏松,膨胀等变化。（3）叶片光合特性分析发现,T1和T2组的NO₂胁迫导致光饱和点（LSP）和最大净光合速率（P_nmax）下降、光补偿点（LCP）增加,表观量子效率（AQE）和暗呼吸速率（Rd）在4种光响应模型中变化规律存在一定的差异性。（4）4种光响应模型中,CK组决定系数（R²）越高,均方根误差（RMSE）越低,精度最高,尤以叶子飘等机理模型为最优,拟合效果最好,其次是直角双曲线模型。研究结果表明三角梅可通过自身的形态变化、调整光合特征参数,较好地适应不同浓度的NO₂,尤其是高浓度急性胁迫下,该研究结果有助于促进不同道路绿地三角梅的推广应用,对探究三角梅的景观效益和生态效益,揭示其对环境异质性的适应机制具有重要意义。     

Smac/DIABLO在过氧化氢所致C2C12肌原细胞凋亡中的作用

为探讨Smac/DIABLO在过氧化氢(H₂O₂）所致C₂C₁₂肌原细胞凋亡中的作用,采用Hoechst 33258染色,观察H₂O₂ (0.5 mmol/L)处理C₂C₁₂肌原细胞不同时间后,细胞核形态学改变并计算凋亡核百分率,DNA抽提及琼脂糖电泳观察凋亡特征性梯状带,利用细胞成分分离后蛋白质印迹分析H₂O₂是否导致Smac/DIABLO从线粒体释放,采用Caspase检测试剂盒及蛋白质印迹分析Caspase-3和Caspase-9的活化,转染Smac/DIABLO基因,观察Smac/DIABLO过表达对H₂O₂所致的C₂C₁₂肌原细胞凋亡的影响.结果表明:H₂O₂处理1 h后,Smac/DIABLO从C₂C₁₂肌原细胞线粒体释放入胞浆,2 h更明显;H₂O₂处理4 h后,Caspase-3和Caspase-9活化,12 h达高峰;H₂O₂处理24 h后,C₂C₁₂肌原细胞显示特征性的凋亡形态改变,凋亡核百分率明显升高,DNA电泳出现明显“梯状”条带.与单纯过氧化氢损伤组相比,Smac/DIABLO高表达的C₂C₁₂肌原细胞经过氧化氢损伤组的Caspase-3和Caspase-9的活化、凋亡核百分率的升高、“梯状”条带的出现均更明显.结果表明,H₂O₂可导致Smac/DIABLO从C₂C₁₂肌原细胞线粒体释放,促进Caspase-9和Caspase-3的活化而促进细胞凋亡的发生.     

C3和C4植物光合途径的适应性变化和进化

 高等植物大多为C₃植物, C₄植物和景天酸代谢(Crassulacean acid metabolism, CAM)植物是由C₃植物进化而来的。C₄途径的多源进化表明, 光合途径由C₃途径向C₄途径的转变相对简单。该文分析研究了植物光合途径的进化前景, 指出C₄植物是从C₃植物进化而来的高光效种类, 且地质时期以来降低的大气CO₂浓度和升高的大气温度以及干旱和盐渍化是C₄途径进化的外部动力。C₃植物的C₄途径的发现说明植物的光合途径并非是一成不变的, C₃和C₄植物的光合特征具有极大的可塑性, 某些环境的变化会引起植物光合途径在C₃和C₄途径之间转变。C₃植物具有的C₄途径是环境调控的产物, 是对逆境的适应性进化结果, 因而光合途径的转变也适用于干旱地区植被的适应性生存机理研究。该文还利用国外最新的C₄光合进化模型介绍了植物在进化C₄途径中所经历的7个重要时期(从分子基础到形态基础、结构基础, 再到物质代谢水平、光合酶活水平, 直到C3和C4途径协调运转时期, 最后达到形态与功能最优化阶段), 并结合全球气候变化的特点对国内外相关领域的研究进行了分析, 总结了植物光合途径的适应性转变和进化的研究成果, 为今后的相关工作提出建议。     

The activities of PEP carboxylase and the C4 acid decarboxylases are little changed by drought stress in three C4 grasses of different subtypes

The C(4) photosynthetic pathway involves the assimilation of CO(2) by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and the subsequent decarboxylation of C(4) acids. The enzymes of the CO(2) concentrating mechanism could be affected under water deficit and limit C(4) photosynthesis. Three different C(4) grasses were submitted to gradually induced drought stress conditions: Paspalum dilatatum (NADP-malic enzyme, NADP-ME), Cynodon dactylon (NAD-malic enzyme, NAD-ME) and Zoysia japonica (PEP carboxykinase, PEPCK). Moderate leaf dehydration affected the activity and regulation of PEPC in a similar manner in the three grasses but had species-specific effects on the C(4) acid decarboxylases, NADP-ME, NAD-ME and PEPCK, although changes in the C(4) enzyme activities were small. In all three species, the PEPC phosphorylation state, judged by the inhibitory effect of L: -malate on PEPC activity, increased with water deficit and could promote increased assimilation of CO(2) by the enzyme under stress conditions. Appreciable activity of PEPCK was observed in all three species suggesting that this enzyme may act as a supplementary decarboxylase to NADP-ME and NAD-ME in addition to its role in other metabolic pathways.     

Direct and selective small-molecule inhibition of photosynthetic PEP carboxylase: New approach to combat C4 weeds in arable crops

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is a key enzyme of C₄ photosynthesis. Besides, non-photosynthetic isoforms of PEPC are found in bacteria and all types of plants, although not in animals or fungi. A single residue in the allosteric feedback inhibitor site of PEPC was shown to adjust the affinity of the photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic isoforms for feedback inhibition by metabolites of the C₄ pathway. Here, we applied computational screening and biochemical analyses to identify molecules that selectively inhibit C₄ PEPC, but have no effect on the activity of non-photosynthetic PEPCs. We found two types of selective inhibitors, catechins and quinoxalines. Binding constants in the lower μM range and a strong preference for C₄ PEPC qualify the quinoxaline compounds as potential selective herbicides to combat C₄ weeds.     

Relationship between allocation of absorbed light energy in PSII and photosynthetic rates of C3 and C4 plants

Two C₃ dicotyledonous crops and five C₄ monocotyledons treated with three levels of nitrogen were used to evaluate quantitatively the relationship between the allocation of absorbed light energy in PSII and photosynthetic rates (P _N) in a warm condition (25–26°C) at four to five levels [200, 400, 800, 1,200 (both C₃ and C₄) and 2,000 (C₄ only) μmol m⁻² s⁻¹] of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). For plants of the same type (C₃ or C₄), there was a linear positive correlation between the fraction of absorbed light energy that was utilized in PSII photochemistry (P) and P _N, regardless of the broad range of their photosynthetic rates due to species-specific effect and/or nitrogen application; meanwhile, the fraction of absorbed light energy that was dissipated through non-photochemical quenching (D) showed a negative linear regression with P _N for each level of PPFD. The intercept of regression lines between P and P _N of C₃ and C₄ plants decreased, and that between D and P _N increased with increasing PPFD. With P and D as the main components of energy dissipation and complementary to each other, the fraction of excess absorbed light energy (E) was unchanged by P _N under the same level of PPFD. At the same level of P _N, C₄ plants had lower P and higher D than C₃ plants, due to the fact that C₄ plants with little or no photorespiration is considered a limited energy sink for electrons. Nevertheless there was a significant negative linear correlation between D and P when data from both C₃ and C₄ plants at varied PPFD levels was merged. The slope of regression lines between P and D was 0.85, indicating that in plants of both types, most of the unnecessary absorbed energy (ca. 85%) could dissipate through non-photochemical quenching, when P was inhibited by low P _N due to species-specific effect and nitrogen limitation at all levels of illumination used in the experiment.     

Evidence for a C4 NADP-ME photosynthetic pathway in Vetiveria zizanioides Stapf

ABSTRACT

Leaf anatomy (light and transmission electron microscopy), immunogold localization of Rubisco, photosynthetic enzyme activities, CO₂ assimilation and stomatal conductance were studied in Vetiveria zizanioides Stapf., a graminaceous plant native to tropical and subtropical areas, and cultivated in temperate climates (Northwestern Italy). Leaves possess a NADP-ME Kranz anatomy with bundle sheath cells containing chloroplasts located in a centrifugal position. Dimorphic chloroplasts were also observed; they are agranal and starchy in the bundle sheath and granal starchless in the mesophyll cells. Rubisco immunolocalization studies indicate that this enzyme occurs solely in the bundle sheath chloroplasts. Pyruvate-orthophosphate dikinase, NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME), PEP-carboxykinase and NAD-dependent malic enzyme (NAD-ME) activities were determined. Enzyme activity and some kinetic properties of NADP-ME and NADP-MDH as well as CO₂ compensation point and stomatal conductance values were calculated indicating a NADP-ME C₄ photosynthetic pathway. Biochemical and structural results indicate that V. zizanioides belongs to the C₄ NADP-ME variant. This plant appears to be well adapted to the varying environmental conditions typical of temperate climates, by retaining high enzyme activities and a low CO₂ compensation point.     

Structural and biochemical bases of photorespiration in C<Subscript>4</Subscript> plants: quantification of organelles and glycine decarboxylase

In C₄ plants, photorespiration is decreased relative to C₃ plants. However, it remains unclear how much photorespiratory capacity C₄ leaf tissues actually have. We thoroughly investigated the quantitative distribution of photorespiratory organelles and the immunogold localization of the P protein of glycine decarboxylase (GDC) in mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cells of various C₄ grass species. Specific differences occurred in the proportions of mitochondria and peroxisomes in the BS cells (relative to the M cells) in photosynthetic tissues surrounding a vein: lower in the NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) species having poorly formed grana in the BS chloroplasts, and higher in the NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) species having well developed grana. In all C₄ species, GDC was localized mainly in the BS mitochondria. When the total amounts of GDC in the BS mitochondria per unit leaf width were estimated from the immunogold labeling density and the quantity of mitochondria, the BSs of NADP-ME species contained less GDC than those of NAD-ME or PCK species. This trend was also verified by immunoblot analysis of leaf soluble protein. There was a high positive correlation between the degree of granal development (granal index) in the BS chloroplasts and the total amount of GDC in the BS mitochondria. The variations in the structural and biochemical features involved in photorespiration found among C₄ species might reflect differences in the O₂/CO₂ partial pressure and in the potential photorespiratory capacity of the BS cells.Abbreviations BS Bundle sheath - GDC Glycine decarboxylase - M Mesophyll - NAD-ME NAD-malic enzyme - NADP-ME NADP-malic enzyme - PCK Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase     

Occurrence of C3 and C4 photosynthesis in cotyledons and leaves of Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae)

Most species of the genus Salsola (Chenopodiaceae) that have been examined exhibit C₄ photosynthesis in leaves. Four Salsola species from Central Asia were investigated in this study to determine the structural and functional relationships in photosynthesis of cotyledons compared to leaves, using anatomical (Kranz versus non-Kranz anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure) and biochemical (activities of photosynthetic enzymes of the C₃ and C₄ pathways, ¹⁴C labeling of primary photosynthesis products and ¹³C/¹²C carbon isotope fractionation) criteria. The species included S. paulsenii from section Salsola, S. richteri from section Coccosalsola, S. laricina from section Caroxylon, and S. gemmascens from section Malpigipila. The results show that all four species have a C₄ type of photosynthesis in leaves with a Salsoloid type Kranz anatomy, whereas both C₃ and C₄ types of photosynthesis were found in cotyledons. S. paulsenii and S. richteri have NADP- (NADP-ME) C₄ type biochemistry with Salsoloid Kranz anatomy in both leaves and cotyledons. In S. laricina, both cotyledons and leaves have NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) C₄ type photosynthesis; however, while the leaves have Salsoloid type Kranz anatomy, cotyledons have Atriplicoid type Kranz anatomy. In S. gemmascens, cotyledons exhibit C₃ type photosynthesis, while leaves perform NAD-ME type photosynthesis. Since the four species studied belong to different Salsola sections, this suggests that differences in photosynthetic types of leaves and cotyledons may be used as a basis or studies of the origin and evolution of C₄ photosynthesis in the family Chenopodiaceae.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Differential sensitivity of C3 and C4 turfgrass species to increasing atmospheric vapor pressure deficit

Temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) effects on turfgrass growth are almost always confounded in experiments because VPD commonly is substantially increased in elevated-temperature treatments. The objective of this study as to examine specifically the influence of VPD on transpiration response of four ‘warm-season’ (C₄) and four ‘cool-season’ (C₃) turfgrasses to increasing VPD at a stable temperature (29.3 ± 1.5 °C). Although transpiration rates were noticeably lower in C₄ grasses, transpiration rates increased linearly in response to increasing VPD across the range of 0.8–3.0 kPa. In contrast, transpiration rates of C₃ increased sharply with increasing VPD across the range of low VPDs, but became constrained at higher VPDs (>1.35 kPa). Restricted transpiration rate at elevated VPD was most evident in Agrostis palustris and Lolium perenne. Assuming restricted transpiration rates reflect a limitation on leaf CO₂ uptake, these results indicate that the commonly observed decline in growth of C₃ (and success of C₄) grasses at elevated temperature may include a sensitivity to elevated VPD.     

Growth, gas exchange, leaf nitrogen and carbohydrate concentrations in NAD‐ME and NADP‐ME C4 grasses grown in elevated CO2

Plants with the C₄ photosynthetic pathway have predominantly one of three decarboxylation enzymes in their bundle sheath cells. Within the grass family (Poaceae) bundle sheath leakiness to CO₂ is purported to be lowest in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malic enzyme (NADP-ME, EC 1.1.1.40) group, highest in the NAD-ME (EC 1.1.1.39) group and intermediate in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK, EC 4.1.1.32) group. We investigated the hypothesis that growth and photosynthesis of NAD-ME C₄ grasses would respond more to elevated CO₂ treatment than NADP-ME grasses. Plants were grown in 8-1 pots in growth chambers with ample water and fertilizer for 39 days at a continuous CO₂ concentration of either 350 or 700 µl l^?1. NAD-ME species included Bouteloua gracilis Lag. ex Steud (Blue grama), Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. (Buffalo grass) and Panicum virgatum L. (Switchgrass) and the NADP-ME species were Andropogon gerardii Vittman (Big bluestem), Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash (Little bluestem), and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash (Indian grass). Contrary to our hypothesis, growth of the NADP-ME grasses was generally greater under elevated CO₂ (significant for A. gerardii and S. nutans), while none of the NAD-ME grasses had a significant growth response. Increased leaf total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) was associated with greater growth responses of NADP-ME grasses. Decreased leaf nitrogen in NADP-ME species grown at elevated CO₂ was found to be an artifact of TNC dilution. Assimilation (A) vs intercellular CO₂ (C_i) curves revealed that leaf photosynthesis was not saturated at 350 µl l^?1 CO₂ in any of these C₄ grasses. Assimilation of elevated CO₂-grown A. gerardii was higher than in plants grown in ambient CO₂. In contrast, B. gracilis grown in elevated CO₂ displayed lower A, a trait more commonly reported in C₃ plants. Photosynthetic acclimation in B. gracilis was not related to leaf TNC or nitrogen concentrations, but A:C_i curves suggest a reduction in activity of both phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39). Some adaptation of stomatal functioning was also seen in B. gracilis and A. gerardii leaves grown in elevated CO₂. Our study shows that C₄ grasses have the capacity for increased growth and photosynthesis under elevated CO₂ even when water and nutrients are non-limiting. While it was the NADP-ME species which had significant responses in the present study, we have previously reported significant growth increases in elevated CO₂ for B. gracilis.     

Drought Induces Oxidative Stress and Enhances the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Growing Rice Seedlings

When rice seedlings grown for 10 and 20 days were subjected to in vitro drought stress of −0.5 and −2.0 MPa for 24 h, an increase in the concentration of superoxide anion (O₂^.−), increased level of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in the concentration of total soluble protein and thiols was observed in stressed seedlings compared to controls. The concentration of H₂O₂ as well as ascorbic acid declined with imposition of drought stress, however glutathione (GSH) concentration declined only under severe drought stress. The activities of total superoxide dismutases (SODs) as well as ascorbate peroxidase (APX) showed consistent increases with increasing levels of drought stress, however catalase activity declined. Mild drought stressed plants had higher guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and chloroplastic ascorbate peroxidase (c-APX) activity than control grown plants but the activity declined at the higher level of drought stress. The activities of enzymes involved in regeneration of ascorbate i.e. monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) were higher in drought stressed plants compared to controls. Results suggest that drought stress induces oxidative stress in rice plants and that besides SOD, the enzymes of ascorbate-glutathione cycle, which have not been studied in detail earlier under stressful conditions, appear to function as important component of antioxidative defense system under drought stress.