Effects of Eupatorium yellow vein virus infection on photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and chloroplast structure in leaves of Eupatorium makinoi during leaf development

Abstract

Infection of Eupatorium yellow vein geminivirus (EpYVV, formerly called tobacco leaf curl virus, TLCV) causes variegation in Eupatorium makinoi Kawahara et Yahara leaves. We examined changes in photosynthesis during leaf development to clarify what is the primary event when photosynthesis is suppressed in virus-infected E. makinoi leaves. The gas-exchange rate, leaf absorptance, chlorophyll (Chl) and nitrogen contents, leaf anatomy and chloroplast ultrastructure were compared between virus-infected and uninfected E. makinoi leaves at various developmental stages. These photosynthetic properties did not differ between infected and uninfected leaves when they were young. However, when expanded, infected leaves showed lower maximum quantum yield of photosynthetic CO2 uptake in the incident photosynthetically active photon fluence rate (PPFR), which was attributed to their lower Chl contents. The Chla / b ratio was higher and the grana had fewer thylakoids in the infected leaves, which are features common to Chl b-deficient mutants that have defects in Chl synthesis. Our results suggested that, in E. makinoi leaves, EpYVV infection primarily impairs Chl biosynthesis. Possible mechanisms of the suppression of photosynthesis in E. makinoi leaves by virus infection are discussed.

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl China Virus Impairs Photosynthesis in the Infected Nicotiana benthamiana with βC1 as an Aggravating Factor

“…2), manifesting the detrimental effect of βC1 in plant photosynthesis. Thus, our data are consistent with the previous findings in which βC1 was associated with reduced Chl amounts and development of yellowing symptoms (Bhattacharyya et al, 2015; Funayama-Noguchi and Terashima, 2006; Rong et al, 2018). …”

Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex. Poir Inoculated with a Nigerian Strain of Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus (MWMV): Lagenaria breviflora Isolate

“…Loss of chlorophyll in infected plants has been attributed to impaired chlorophyll synthesis (Funayama-Noguchi and Terashima, 2006). Goncalves et al (2005) attributed loss in chlorophyll to structural alternations in the photosynthetic apparatus while, Guo et al (2005) attributed loss to reduction in the activities of some enzymes associated with electron transport and photosynthesis.…”

Photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) plants to Citrus tristeza virus infection

“…Although there are some reports on photosynthetic performance after virus infection (Chia & He, ; Ryšlavà et al ., ; Funayama‐Noguchi & Terashima, ; Song et al ., ), until now there have been no investigations of photosynthetic responses of citrus plants to infection by CTV. The results of this study indicate that photosynthetic ability was reduced by CTV infection in Mexican lime plants, regardless of the virulence of the isolate used for infection.…”