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Species-specific acclimation to strong shade modifies susceptibility of conifers to photoinhibition

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Abstract

Photoinhibitory processes in the photosynthetic apparatus of the seedlings of Abies alba (Mill.), Picea abies (Karst.), and Pinus mugo (Turra) growing under strong shade (5 % of full solar irradiance) or full irradiance conditions were investigated in winter and spring using chlorophyll a fluorescence techniques. The extent of photoinhibition in needles as indicated by a decrease in maximum quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) depended on species, air temperature and acclimation to the light environment. Unexpectedly, shade-tolerant Abies alba was less affected by low-temperature photoinhibition compared to the other species. Fv/Fm recovered with increasing air temperature. During winter, the seedlings of Picea abies growing in shade showed higher Fv/Fm than those from full light. Non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence (NPQ) measured at the same levels of actinic light was higher in needles acclimated to full light except for Abies alba in February. Photosynthetic performance in term of ETR (apparent electron transfer rate) was also higher in full light-acclimated needles. In April, at ambient temperature, recovery of PS II efficiency from the stress induced by illumination with saturating light was faster in the needles of Picea abies than in those of Abies alba. The shade-acclimated needles of Abies alba and Picea abies showed greater down-regulation of PS II induced by high light stress.

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Abbreviations

ETR:

apparent electron transport rate (µmol m−2 s−1)

ETRmax :

maximum value of ETR

Fv/Fm :

maximum quantum yield of photosytem II photochemistry

Fm :

maximum fluorescence yield

F’m :

maximum fluorescence in the light

F0 :

minimum fluorescence yield

Fs :

steady-state fluorescence yield

NPQ:

non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence

PPFD:

photosynthetic photon flux density (µmol m−2 s−1)

PPFDsat :

saturation level of photosynthetic photon flux density

PSII:

photosystem II

ΦPSII :

quantum yield of PSII photochemistry

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, August Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Pozna, ul. Wojska Polskiego 69, 60-625, Pozna, Poland

    Piotr Robakowski

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  1. Piotr Robakowski
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Robakowski, P. Species-specific acclimation to strong shade modifies susceptibility of conifers to photoinhibition. Acta Physiol Plant 27, 255–263 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-005-0001-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-005-0001-y

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