Development and aging of photosynthetic apparatus of Vitis vinifera L. during growing season

The aim of this study was to examine the development and aging of chosen grapevine leaves in situ during the growing season (130 d) using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence measurements and determining the changes in pigment contents. During the course of photosystems development, the increase of Chl and decrease of anthocyanin contents in leaves was observed simultaneously. On 28th day, the maximum content of Chl and minimum content of anthocyanins was measured. However, the maximal photosynthetic performance was found one week later, when the content of Chl started to diminish. Our study proved that the achievement of maximal photosynthetic performance of each leaf took about quarter of organ life and this state lasted very shortly. In this work, we described and discussed for the first time the dynamics of Chl, anthocyanins, and flavonols combined with photosynthetic efficiency changes during the leaf life in situ

Review: Some physiological indices to be exploited as a crucial tool in plant breeding

This article is mainly addressed to plant physiologists and breeders. Nowadays, the cooperation between these two groups seems to be more important than ever before. Plant physiology offers better understanding of mechanisms and factors responsible for plant yielding. Thus, it might help to find proper traits for plant selection. Plant breeding proposes highly differentiated material for testing

Nanotechnology in improving photosynthesis under adverse climatic conditions: Cell to Canopy action

Climate change has a tremendous influence on plants all over the world, creating severe abiotic stress that alters crop growth and development, resulting in major productivity losses. Nanotechnology applications in plants have the potential to transform present plant production methods by allowing interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and plant responses, such as uptake, localization, and activity. Because of their tiny size, high surface area, absorption rate, effective catalysis of processes, and adequate reactive sites, nanoparticles (NPs) are being employed as an emerging tool to stimulate particular biochemical responses connected to plants and their eco-physiological output. NPs of various kinds are used as beneficial effectors in plants to mitigate the effects of abiotic stressors. This review focuses on the positive effects of nanoparticles/nanomaterials in plants, as well as their mode of action for overcoming a range of abiotic stresses

Fluorescence of chlorophyll as a tool to assess the degree of eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems on the example of ponds in the area of Raszyn commune

The currently available methods for the assessment of the eutrophication degree are expensive, time-consuming and require advanced laboratory equipment and knowledge. The aim of this work was to determine a simple and economically justified method of monitoring the effects of eutrophication of water in the agricultural area and linking the results of monitoring physicochemical parameters of water with chlorophyll fluorescence as a potential health risk on the basis of established alarm levels. The research was conducted in water reservoirs located in the rural area, differing in the intensity of exploitation of adjacent areas: located in the vicinity of intensively cultivated areas and in the protected area of ​​the nature reserve. The work determined the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus of algae and physicochemical properties of water. The studies have shown that the increase in the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity is associated with an raised biogenic load and an increased occurrence of chlorophyll-containing micro-fractions. The results indicate the possibility of using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to assess the degree of water eutrophication. The presented method can be used for a non-invasive, quick and precise assessment of the physiological status of water ecosystems in rural areas, particularly vulnerable to the eutrophication processes

Fluorescence of chlorophyll as a tool to assess the degree of eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems on the example of ponds in the area of Raszyn commune

The currently available methods for the assessment of the eutrophication degree are expensive, time-consuming and require advanced laboratory equipment and knowledge. The aim of this work was to determine a simple and economically justified method of monitoring the effects of eutrophication of water in the agricultural area and linking the results of monitoring physicochemical parameters of water with chlorophyll fluorescence as a potential health risk on the basis of established alarm levels. The research was conducted in water reservoirs located in the rural area, differing in the intensity of exploitation of adjacent areas: located in the vicinity of intensively cultivated areas and in the protected area of ​​the nature reserve. The work determined the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus of algae and physicochemical properties of water. The studies have shown that the increase in the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity is associated with an raised biogenic load and an increased occurrence of chlorophyll-containing micro-fractions. The results indicate the possibility of using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to assess the degree of water eutrophication. The presented method can be used for a non-invasive, quick and precise assessment of the physiological status of water ecosystems in rural areas, particularly vulnerable to the eutrophication processes

Misurare la vitalità delle piante per mezzo della fluorescenza della clorofilla

The book begins with a detailed description of the characteristics of the photosynthetic apparatus and the processes that take place there, to then present the general principles of fluorescence. After that, it gives a description of the characteristics of direct and modulated fluorescence and a presentation of the shared and distinctive parameters of these two techniques. Then a brief presentation is made of other innovative approaches to the analysis of fluorescence (Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging - CFI, P700 absorbance, delayed fluorescence) and the relative tools. An important part of the book comprises a description of the possible applications of fluorescence techniques for the analysis of various types of stress (aridity, strong light radiations, UV, high and low temperatures, salinity, weedkillers, pollution, etc.) and, consequently, their possible use in agriculture, forestry and to protect the environment

Studying the Physiological Reactions of C4 Grasses in Order to Select Them for Cultivation on Marginal Lands

One of the problems of sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) is the competition between food production and biomass production. For this reason, marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions have been proposed for non-food crops in recent years. To this end, a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on crop development and yield is needed. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of soil water availability on selected morphological, physiological and growth characteristics of four C4 grass species (Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus sinensis and Spartina pectinate) growing under different water and fertilizer conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with four grass species, three different water rates (100, 85 and 70%) and three fertilizer rates (270, 180 and 90 kg NPK ha−1). The study showed that water stress, regardless of plant species, increased the chlorophyll content index without affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Water stress significantly decreased plant fresh and dry mass, shoot number and length, and shoot/leaf ratio. The response to water deficit depended on the plant species. Miscanthus sinensis was the most sensitive to water deficit and Spartina pectinate the most tolerant (reduction in dry mass of 41.5% and 18%, respectively). Water stress (85% and 70%) reduced the number and the length of shoots without affecting the average diameter of shoots of the tested grasses, resulting in a significant reduction in biomass production of plants grown under optimal conditions with mineral NPK fertilization (180 kg NPK ha−1). Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed the highest dry matter under the worst growing conditions (70% and 90 NPK) and therefore could be recommended for cultivation on marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions. It should be emphasized that the high yield of this species was not due to the photosynthetic efficiency, but better growth stem parameters (length and number). It appears that, for long-term agricultural land management, it is preferable to determine fertilizer rates for each crop species based on soil water availability. It should also be emphasized that increasing the yield of potential lignocellulosic crops for energy purposes while reducing environmental impact appears to be one of the viable answers to the difficulties of conventional energy production

Studying the Physiological Reactions of C₄ Grasses in Order to Select Them for Cultivation on Marginal Lands

One of the problems of sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) is the competition between food production and biomass production. For this reason, marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions have been proposed for non-food crops in recent years. To this end, a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on crop development and yield is needed. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of soil water availability on selected morphological, physiological and growth characteristics of four C4 grass species (Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus sinensis and Spartina pectinate) growing under different water and fertilizer conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with four grass species, three different water rates (100, 85 and 70%) and three fertilizer rates (270, 180 and 90 kg NPK ha−1). The study showed that water stress, regardless of plant species, increased the chlorophyll content index without affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Water stress significantly decreased plant fresh and dry mass, shoot number and length, and shoot/leaf ratio. The response to water deficit depended on the plant species. Miscanthus sinensis was the most sensitive to water deficit and Spartina pectinate the most tolerant (reduction in dry mass of 41.5% and 18%, respectively). Water stress (85% and 70%) reduced the number and the length of shoots without affecting the average diameter of shoots of the tested grasses, resulting in a significant reduction in biomass production of plants grown under optimal conditions with mineral NPK fertilization (180 kg NPK ha−1). Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed the highest dry matter under the worst growing conditions (70% and 90 NPK) and therefore could be recommended for cultivation on marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions. It should be emphasized that the high yield of this species was not due to the photosynthetic efficiency, but better growth stem parameters (length and number). It appears that, for long-term agricultural land management, it is preferable to determine fertilizer rates for each crop species based on soil water availability. It should also be emphasized that increasing the yield of potential lignocellulosic crops for energy purposes while reducing environmental impact appears to be one of the viable answers to the difficulties of conventional energy production

Salt stress affects mineral nutrition in shoots and roots and chlorophyll a fluorescence of tomato plants grown in hydroponic culture

Salt stress is considered one of the major constraints limiting plant growth. Here, tomato plants were grown in hydroponic culture with two salt sodium chloride concentrations (S1 = 2.8 dS m−1 and S2 = 4.8 dS m−1). Under salt treatment, a significant decrease in chlorophyll content index and shoot and root dry weight were observed. We found that copper (Cu) was accumulated significantly in the shoot and sodium (Na) was significantly accumulated in the root. Furthermore, a significant nutrient imbalance indicated by a decrease in phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake was measured. These decreases were accompanied by an increase in Na and Cu contents. A decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence yield was also observed indicating an inhibition at photosystem I acceptor sites. It seems that the downregulation of the electron transport between photosystem II and photosystem II under salt stress could be due to an imbalance in nutrient uptake