Different Photosynthetic Response to High Light in Four Triticeae Crops

Abstract

Photosynthetic capacity is usually affected by light intensity in the field. In this study, photosynthetic characteristics of four different Triticeae crops (wheat, triticale, barley, and highland barley) were investigated based on chlorophyll fluorescence and the level of photosynthetic proteins under high light. Compared with wheat, three cereals (triticale, barley, and highland barley) presented higher photochemical efficiency and heat dissipation under normal light and high light for 3 h, especially highland barley. In contrast, lower photoinhibition was observed in barley and highland barley relative to wheat and triticale. In addition, barley and highland barley showed a lower decline in D1 and higher increase in Lhcb6 than wheat and triticale under high light. Furthermore, compared with the control, the results obtained from PSII protein phosphorylation showed that the phosphorylation level of PSII reaction center proteins (D1 and D2) was higher in barley and highland barley than that of wheat and triticale. Therefore, we speculated that highland barley can effectively alleviate photodamages to photosynthetic apparatus by high photoprotective dissipation, strong phosphorylation of PSII reaction center proteins, and rapid PSII repair cycle under high light.

UV-A Radiation Stimulates Tolerance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in Tomato Plants

“…The levels of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) are closely related to the photosynthetic capacity of higher plants under environmental stress. It has been shown that a high content of chlorophylls can allow the absorption of more light energy, and therefore result in a higher photosynthetic capacity [57]. In addition, the chlorophyll A/B ratio has also been used as an indicator of plant stress [58,59].…”