Abstract. Cold acclimation of Scots pine did not affect the susceptibility of photosynthesis to photoinhibition. Cold acclimation did however cause a suppression of the rate of CO 2 uptake, and at given light and temperature conditions a larger fraction of the photosystem II reaction centres were closed in cold-acclimated than in nonacclimated pine. Therefore, when assayed at the level of photosystem II reaction centres, i.e. in relation to the degree of photosystem closure, cold acclimation caused a significant increase in resistance to photoinhibition, at given levels of photosystem II closure the resistance to photoinhibition was higher after cold acclimation. This was particularly evident in measurements at 20 ~ C. The amounts and activities of the majority of analyzed active oxygen scavengers were higher after cold acclimation. We suggest that this increase in protective enzymes and compounds, particularly superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate of the chloroplasts, enables Scots pine to avoid excessive photoinhibition of photosynthesis despite partial suppression of photosynthesis upon cold acclimation. An increased capacity for light-induced de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin upon cold acclimation may also be of significance. Key words:

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Two cultivars of lamb's lettuce (Valerianella sp L. cvs. Valgros et Vit) and one cultivar of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L. cv. Martine RZ Fl) were subjected to supplemental lighting treatments provided by high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS, PL 90, P.L. Lighting Systems). The PAR level was 50 μmol– m–2· s–1. Seedlings were subjected to three photoperiods (natural, 12, and 16 h). The experiment was conducted from Jan. until Apr. 1994. The fresh weight of plants grown under supplemental light was higher than plants grown under natural light. Nitrate concentration was lower in the leaves of plants grown under supplemental light while nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was increased. The cultivar Valgros was more productive than Vit, but accumulated more nitrates. At harvest, the fresh weight of Valgros plants grown under 12- and 16-h photoperiods were 30% and 50% higher, respectively, than those grown under natural photoperiod. The fresh weight of Vit grown under 16 h of supplemental light was 30% higher than under natural photoperiod. The lowest nitrate concentrations in plants were obtained under a 16-h photoperiod and the highest NRA were obtained with the same treatment. Compared to that obtained under natural photoperiod, the fresh weight of spinach shoots was 40% higher when seedlings were lighted for 12 h and almost 100% under 16 h. The lowest nitrate accumulation in spinach was found for plants grown under 16 h supplemental lighting.

Tomato production represents >70% of all greenhouse vegetables produced in Quebec, Canada. To obtain high yields and high quality fruit, an adequate control of greenhouse environmental characteristics, including the vapor pressure deficit (VPD), is necessary. Our study examines four VPD treatments (0.5 kPa day and night, 0.8 kPa day and night, 0.8 kPa day 0.5 kPa night, and automatic VPD management according to transpiration) and three photoperiods [12 h, 14 h, and variable-12 h (summer) 16 h (winter)] on growth, yield, and photosynthetic capacity of tomato plants. Greenhouse temperature was maintained at 22C day/18C night. Pure CO2 was injected into the greenhouse to maintain a constant atmospheric concentration of 800 ppm throughout the experiment. Growth, yield, and leaf mineral composition were determined monthly for each treatment during the experiment. The photosynthetic rate of the 5th and 10th leaves also were measured in addition to the content of chlorophyll a and b. Our results indicated an increase in total yield and photosynthetic rate under a VPD of 0.8 kPa during day and night. An increase in leaf mineral concentration also was noted in plants grown under high VPD. Differences in yield and photosynthetic capacity were not found between the three photoperiods studied. However, there was a tendency to have higher yields under longer photoperiods.

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An aseptic gas exchange and hydroponic system (AGEHS) has been developed in an attempt for characterization of physiological requirements for photoautotrophic growth in vitro and alleviation of the needs for ex vitro acclimatization. The AGEHS monitors and controls several parameters relevant to plant growth. Shootlets of Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. cv. Envy were treated with flow of air or CO2‐enriched air under controlled relative humidity, elevated photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and hydroponic irrigation. After 15 days of treatment, plantlets gained more than 3 times as much dry weight as those from a conventional culture tube treatment. This study shows that it is possible to favour photoautotrophic growth when elevated PPFD, enhanced air‐exchange and hydroponic medium flow are provided concurrently. This enhancement is achievable through careful increments of light quanta, balanced with increments of humidified air flow and/or CO2 content in air which seem to be necessary to avoid potential photoinhibition and premature water exhaustion from gelled media.