Premium
Photoperiod and light quality effects on rate of dark respiration and on photosynthetic capacity in developing seedlings of Chenopodium rubrum
Author(s) -
Tsala G.,
Frosch S.,
Bonzon M.,
Bergfeld R.,
Kossmann I.,
Greppin H.,
Wagner E.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1985.tb01894.x
Subject(s) - respiration , phytochrome , photosynthesis , darkness , photoperiodism , chloroplast , biology , respiration rate , botany , far red , photosynthetic capacity , acclimatization , compensation point , light intensity , horticulture , red light , transpiration , biochemistry , optics , physics , gene
Development and acclimation of energy transduction were studied in seedlings of Chenopodium rubrum L. ecotype selection 184 (50° 10′ N; 105° 35′ W) in response to photomorphogenic and photoperiodic treatments. Dark respiration and photosynthetic capacity [nmol O 2 (pair of cotyledons) −1 h −1 ] were measured with an oxygen electrode. Changes in chloroplast ultrastructure were analyzed concomitantly. After germination, seedlings were grown at constant temperature either in darkness or in continuous light (white, red, far‐red and blue) or were subjected to diurnal cycles of light/dark or changes in light quality. Dark respiration was low in far‐red light treated seedlings. In red light treated seedlings dark respiration was high and the mean value did not depend on fluence rate or photoperiod. Blue light stimulated transitorily and modulated dark respiration in photoperiodic cycles. Photosynthetic capacity was reduced by far‐red light and increased by red light. In response to blue light photosynthetic capacity increased, with indications of a requirement for continuous energy input. Phytochrome and a separate blue light receptor seemed to be involved. In continuous red light a clear cut circadian rhythm of dark respiration was observed. Blue light had a specific effect on chloroplast structure.