Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in the field

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A newly developed portable chlorophyll fluorometer in combination with a special leaf clip holder was used for assessing photosynthetic activity of attached sun leaves of Fagus sylvatica and Cucurbita pepo under field conditions. During diurnal time courses, fluorescence yield, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) incident on the leaf plane, and leaf temperature were measured and quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PS II), apparent relative electron transport rates, and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) calculated. In both species, quantum efficiency followed closely the incident PPFD and no hysteresis could be observed during the day. Apparent electron transport rate showed light saturation above a PPFD of 700 μmol m−2 s−1 in F. sylvatica, while in C. pepo no saturation was visible up to 1400 μmol m−2 s−1. NPQ was closely correlated to excessive PPFD calculated from the PS II quantum yield. Maximal NPQ observed was 3.3 Although the beech leaf was exposed for a considerable time to PPFD values of 1400–1500 μmol m−2 s−1 and leaf temperatures between 30 and 35°C, no obvious signs for sustained photodamage could be observed. The data demonstrate the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to analyse photosynthetic performance under field conditions with minimal disturbance of the plant. Potential error sources due to the geometry of the leaf clip holder used are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams WW III, Diaz M, Winter K (1989) Diurnal changes in photosynthetic efficiency, the reduction state of Q, radiationless energy dissipation, and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching in cacti exposed to natural sunlight in northern Venezuela. Oecologia 80: 553–561

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker NR, Bowyer JR (1994) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis. Bios Scientific, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilger W, Björkman O (1990) Role of the xanthophyll cycle in photoprotection elucidated by measurements of light-induced absorbance changes, fluorescence and photosynthesis in leaves of Hedera canariensis. Photosynth Res 25:173–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O, Demmig B (1987) Photon yield of O2 evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at 77 K among vascular plants of diverse origins. Planta 170:489–504

    Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O, Demmig-Adams B (1994) Regulation of photosynthetic light energy capture, conversion, and dissipation in leaves of higher plants. In: Schulze ED, Caldwell MM (eds) Ecophysiology of photosynthesis. (Ecological Studies, vol 100) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 17–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O, Schäfer C (1989) A gas exchange-fluorescence analysis of photosynthetic performance of a cotton crop under highirradiance stress (extended abstract) Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 323: 309–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolhar-Nordenkampf HR, Long SP, Baker NR Öquist G, Schreiber U, Lechner EG (1989) Chlorophyll fluorescence as a probe of the photosynthetic competence of leaves in the field: a review of current instrumentation. Funct Ecol 3: 497–514

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury M, Baker NR (1981) Analysis of the slow phases of the in vivo fluorescence induction curve. Changes in the redox state of photosystem II electron acceptors and fluorescence emission from photosystem I and II. Biochim Biophys Acta 63: 542–551

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler W (1978) Energy distribution in the photochemical apparatus of photosynthesis. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 29: 345–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Critchley C (1994) D1 protein turnover: response to photodamage or regulatory mechanism? In: Baker NR, Bowyer JR (eds) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis. Bios Scientific, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Demmig B, Björkman O (1987) Comparison of the effect of excessive light on chlorophyll fluorescence (77 K) and photon yield of O2 evolution in leaves of higher plants. Planta 171: 171–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Demmig B, Winter K (1988) Light response of CO2 assimilation, reduction state of Q and radiationless energy dissipation in intact leaves. Aust J Plant Physiol 15: 151–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz K-J, Schreiber U, Heber U (1985) The relationship between the redox state of QA and photosynthesis in leaves at various carbon dioxide, oxygen and light regimes. Planta 166: 219–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards GE, Baker NR (1993) Can CO2 assimilation in maize be predicted accurately from chlorophyll fluorescence analysis? Photosynth Res 37: 89–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates DM (1980) Biophysical ecology. Springer, New York Heidelberg Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Genty B, Briantais JM, Baker NR (1989) The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim Biophys Acta 990: 87–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Huner NPA, Öquist G, Hurry VM, Krol M, Falk S, Griffith M (1993) Photosynthesis, photoinhibition and low temperature acclimation in cold tolerant plants. Photosynth Res 37: 19–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson GN, Young AJ, Scholes JD, Horton P (1993) The dissipation of excess excitation energy in British plant species. Plant Cell Environ 16: 673–679

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooten O van, Snel JFH (1990) The use of chlorophyll fluorescence nomenclature in plant stress physiology. Photosynth Res 25: 147–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH, Weis E (1991) Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 42: 313–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH, Somersalo S, Zumbusch E, Weyers B, Laasch H (1990) On the mechanism of photoinhibition in chloroplasts. Relationship between changes in fluorescence and activity of photosystem. II. J Plant Physiol 136: 472–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Long SP, Humphries S, Falkowski PG (1994) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in nature. Annu Rev Plant Phys Plant Mol Biol 45:633–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlow M (1987) Light stress at high temperature. In: Kyle DJ Osmond CB, Arntzen CJ (eds) Photoinhibition. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 89–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Markgraf T, Berry JA (1990) Measurement of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching. Correction for turnover of PS II during steady state photosynthesis. In: Baltscheffsky M (ed) Current research in photosynthesis, vol 4. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 279–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberhuber W, Dai Z-Y, Edwards GE (1993) Light dependence of quantum vields of photosystem II and CO2 fixation in C3 and C4 plants. Photosynth Res 35:265–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Quick WP, Horton P (1984) Studies on the induction of chlorophyll fluorescence in barley protoplasts. II. Resolution of fluorescence quenching by redox state and the transthylakoid pH gradient. Proc R Soc Lond B 220:374–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Bilger W (1987) Assessment of stress effects on plant leaves by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant response to stress—functional analysis in Mediterranean ecosystems. (NATO Advanced Science Institute series) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 27–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Bilger W (1993) Progress in chlorophyll fluorescence research: major developments during the past years in retrospect. In: Behnke H-D, Lüttge U, Esser K, Kadereit JW, Runge M (eds) Progress in botany, vol 54. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 151–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Schliwa U, Bilger W (1986) Continuous recording of photochemical and non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching with a new type of modulation fluorometer. Photosynth Res 10:51–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Bilger W, Neubauer C (1994) Chlorophyll fluorescence as a non-intrusive indicator for rapid assessment of in vivo photosynthesis. In: Schulze ED, Caldwell MM (eds) Ecophysiology of photosynthesis. (Ecological Studies, vol 100) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 49–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeter B, Green TGA, Seppelt RD, Kappen L (1992) Monitoring photosynthetic activity of crustose lichens using a PAM-2000 fluorescence system. Oecologia 92:457–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze ED, Caldwell MM (1994) Ecophysiology of photosynthesis. (Ecological Studies, vol 100) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Seaton GGR, Walker DA (1990) Chlorophyll fluorescence as a measure of photosynthetic carbon assimilation. Proc R Soc Lond B 242:29–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Weis E, Berry JA (1987) Quantum efficiency of photosystem II in relation to “energy”-dependent quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim Biophys Acta 894:198–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter K, Lesch M (1992) Diurnal changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence and carotenoid composition in Opuntia ficus-indica, a CAM plant, and in three C3 species in Portugal during summer. Oecologia 91:505–510

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften der Universität Würzburg, Mittlerer Dallenbergweg 64, D-97082, Würzburg, Germany

    Wolfgang Bilger, Ulrich Schreiber & Michael Bock

Authors
  1. Wolfgang Bilger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ulrich Schreiber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael Bock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F.-C. Czygan on the occasion of his 60th birthday

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bilger, W., Schreiber, U. & Bock, M. Determination of the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in the field. Oecologia 102, 425–432 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341354

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341354

Key words

Search

Navigation