The effect of NaCl in the culture medium on growth, photosynthesis and cell content of chlorophyll, K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in Euglena gracilis was studied. O2 production, quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), the non‐photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (qN) and the chlorophyll alb ratio all diminished by 0.2 M NaCl. Respiration and chlorophyll a and b increased, whereas the photochemical quenching (qp) of chlorophyll fluorescence was not affected by 0.2 M NaCl. Salt stress also induced an increase in cell volume and in K+ and Na+ concentrations, but decreased the concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+. Except for a protective effect on O2 production, additional Ca2+ in the culture medium did not attenuate the salt effect on the parameters measured. The addition of HCO3− restored the PSII quantum yield of O2 production in cells grown in high salt. Salt stress promoted a decrease in the apparent rate of quinone A (QA) reduction and an apparent obstruction of QB reduction, which were not prevented by excess HCO3−; the addition of 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) did not increase chlorophyll fluorescence in salt‐grown cells. These results indicate that photosynthesis in Euglena grown under salt stress exhibits: (1) diminution of the HCO3− dependent water‐splitting activity of PSII; (2) inhibition of the electron transfer at the quinone pool level; (3) probable increase in thylakoid stacking (as indicated by the effect on the chlorophyll alb ratio); and (4) dissipation of the H+ gradient across the thylakoid membranes (as indicated by the decrease of qN).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.