PHOTOSYNTHETICA

Photosynthetica 2009, 47(2):271-276 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0042-3

Photosynthetic net O₂ evolution enhancement as a sign of acclimation to phosphorus deficiency in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves

B. Kozłowska-Szerenos^1,*, A. Jarosz¹, S. Maleszewski¹

¹ Institute of Biology, The University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland

Primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings cultivated for 14 days in a growth chamber on complete (control) and phosphate deficient (-P) Knop liquid medium were used for measurements. The -P leaves were smaller and showed an increased specific leaf area (SLA). Their inorganic phosphate (P_i) concentration was considerably lowered. They did not show any significant changes in chlorophyll (Chl) (a + b) concentration and in their net CO₂ assimilation rate when it was estimated under the conditions close to those of the seedlings growth. Light response curves of photosynthetic net O₂ evolution (P _NO₂) of the leaves for the irradiation range up to 500 μmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1 were determined, using the leaf-disc Clark oxygen electrode. The measurements were taken under high CO₂ concentration of about 1 % and O₂ concentrations of 21 % or lowered to about 3 % at the beginning of measurement. The results obtained at 21 % O₂ and the irradiations close to or higher than those used during the seedlings growth revealed the phosphorus stress suppressive effect on the leaf net O₂ evolution, however, no such effect was observed at lower irradiations. Other estimated parameters of P _NO₂ such as: apparent quantum requirement (QR_A) and light compensation point (LCP) for the control and -P leaves were similar. However, with a high irradiation and lowered O₂ concentration the rate of P _NO₂ for the -P leaves was markedly higher than that for the control, in relation to both the leaf area and leaf fresh mass. This difference also disappeared at low irradiations, but the estimated reduced QR_A values indicate, under those conditions, the increased yield of photosynthetic light reaction, especially in the -P leaves. The presented results confirm the suggestion that during the initial phase of insufficient phosphate feeding the acclimations in the light phase of photosynthesis, both structural and functional appear. They correspond, probably, to the increased energy costs of carbon assimilation under phosphorus stress, e.g. connected with raised difficulties in phosphate uptake and turnover and enhanced photorespiration. Under the experimental conditions especially advantageous for the dark phase of photosynthesis (saturating CO₂ and PAR, low O₂ concentration), those acclimations may be manifested as an enhancement of photosynthetic net O₂ evolution.

Additional key words: Mehler reaction; photosynthetic net O₂ evolution; Phaseolus vulgaris; phosphorus deficiency; photorespiration; quantum requirement

Received: September 18, 2008; Accepted: April 29, 2009; Published: June 1, 2009  Show citation