Photosynthetica 2004, 42(2):187-192 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000040589.09614.a0

Effect of a Short Photoinhibition Stress on Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll a Fluorescence, and Pigment Contents of Different Maize Cultivars. Can a Rapid and Objective Stress Indicator be Found?

P. Lootens1, J. Van Waes1, L. Carlier1
1 Agricultural Research Centre, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Merelbeke, Belgium, e-mail

The effect of a short cold stress in combination with photoinhibition stress, similar to a low temperature and a high irradiance situation during early morning in the spring time, was examined on four maize cultivars common for Belgium, that differ in early vigour. After 1 h of 2 °C and 500 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1, quantum efficiency and maximum photosynthesis rate at saturating irradiance decreased on average by 11 and 8 %, respectively. For one cultivar, Magister, the decrease was the largest: by 23 and 10 %, respectively. For this cultivar it was combined with a decrease of the water vapour conductance after the stress. The decrease of Fv/F0 due to the cold/light stress was dependent on the cold tolerance (early vigour) of the cultivars. Fv/F0 changed with -45.5 and -40.2 % for the cultivars Ardiles and Banguy, respectively (cultivars with a less good early vigour) in comparison to -36.3 and -35.9 % for Fjord and Magister, which have a good early vigour. Also the ratio of total chlorophylls/total carotenoids changed in dependence on cold tolerance of the cultivars. For more cold tolerant cultivars, the relative amount of total carotenoids (x+c) was higher, indicating a higher protective state. Both the parameter Fv/F0 and the ratio of total chlorophylls to total carotenoids can be used to differentiate the cold tolerant cultivars from the cold non-tolerant ones. Fv/F0 has the advantage because its resolving power is larger and the measurement is less expensive than determination of the pigment ratio.

Additional key words: carotenoids; chilling stress; high irradiance; low temperature; Zea mays

Published: June 1, 2004  Show citation

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Lootens, P., Van Waes, J., & Carlier, L. (2004). Effect of a Short Photoinhibition Stress on Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll a Fluorescence, and Pigment Contents of Different Maize Cultivars. Can a Rapid and Objective Stress Indicator be Found? Photosynthetica, 42(2), 187-192. doi: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000040589.09614.a0
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