Photosystem II energy use, non-photochemical quenching and the xanthophyll cycle in Sorghum bicolor grown under drought and free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) conditions

A. B. Cousins, N. R. Adam, G. W. Wall, B. A. Kimball, P. J. Pinter, M. J. Ottman, S. W. Leavitt, A. N. Webber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that elevated atmospheric CO2 (Ca) will alleviate over-excitation of the C4 photosynthetic apparatus and decrease non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) during periods of limited water availability. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was monitored in Sorghum bicolor plants grown under a free-air carbon-dioxide enrichment (FACE) by water-stress (Dry) experiment. Under Dry conditions elevated Ca increased the quantum yield of photosystem II (øPSII) throughout the day through increases in both photochemical quenching coefficient (qp) and the efficiency with which absorbed quanta are transferred to open PSII reaction centres (Fv′/Fm′). However, in the well-watered plants (Wets) FACE enhanced øPSII only at midday and was entirely attributed to changes in Fv′/Fm′. Under field conditions, decreases in øPSII under Dry treatments and ambient Ca corresponded to increases in NPQ but the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll pool (DPS) showed no effects. Water-stress did not lead to long-term damage to the photosynthetic apparatus as indicated by øPSII and carbon assimilation measured after removal of stress conditions. We conclude that elevated Ca enhances photochemical light energy usage in C4 photosynthesis during drought and/or midday conditions. Additionally, NPQ protects against photo-inhibition and photodamage. However, NPQ and the xanthophyll cycle were affected differently by elevated Ca and water-stress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1551-1559
Number of pages9
JournalPlant, Cell and Environment
Volume25
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2002

Keywords

  • C photosynthesis
  • CO enrichment
  • Chlorophyll fluorescence
  • Water-stress
  • Xanthophyll cycle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Plant Science

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