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In situ evidence that chilling in the light does not cause uncoupling of photophosphorylation or detachment of coupling factor in chilling-sensitive plants

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Abstract

The potential involvement of impaired photophosphorylation in the chilling sensitivity of photosynthesis in warm climate plant species has been a topic of investigation for more than two decades. With recent advances in the analysis of photosynthetic energy transduction in intact leaves, experiments are now possible that either address or avoid important uncertainties in the significance and interpretation of earlier in vitro work. Nevertheless, different laboratories using different techniques to analyze the effects of chilling in the light on photophosphorylation in intact cucumber (Cucumis sativus) leaves have come to very different conclusions regarding the role of impaired ATP formation capacity in the inhibition of net photosynthesis. In order to evaluate these discrepancies and bring this issue to a final resolution, in this investigation, we have made a detailed analysis of the decay of the flash-induced electrochromic shift and changes in chlorophyll fluorescence yield in cucumber leaves before, during and after a 5 h light-chill at chill temperatures of between 4 and 10°C. We feel that our findings address the major discrepancies in both data and interpretation as well as provide convincing evidence that photophosphorylation is not disrupted in cucumber leaves during or after light and chilling exposure. It follows that impaired photophosphorylation is not a contributing element to the inhibition of net photosynthesis that is widely observed in warm climate plants as a result of chilling in the light.

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Abbreviations

CF:

chloroplast coupling factor or CF1CF0-ATP synthase

ΔA518 :

flash-induced electrochromic absorbance change measured at 518 nm

DCCD:

N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

ΔμH + :

transmembrane electrochemical potential of hydrogen ions

‡Ψ:

the electrical charge component of ΔμH +

‡pH:

the hydrogen ion concentration component of ΔμH +

F0 and Fm :

the yields of chlorophyll fluorescence from dark-adapted material when all Photosystem II centers are open (F0) or closed (Fm)

F0' and Fm':

F0 and Fm measured in light-adapted material

Fs :

steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence yield in light-adapted material

QA :

primary quinone electron acceptor of Photosystem II

PPFD:

photosynthetic photon flux density

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Author notes

  1. Kevin Oxborough

    Present address: Biology Department, University of Essex, CO4 3SQ, Colchester, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photosynthesis Research Unit of USDA/ARS, 61801-3838, Urbana, IL, USA

    Donald R. Ort

  2. Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, 61801-3838, Urbana, IL, USA

    Kevin Oxborough & Donald R. Ort

  3. Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, 61801-3838, Urbana, IL, USA

    Donald R. Ort

Authors
  1. Kevin Oxborough
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  2. Donald R. Ort
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Oxborough, K., Ort, D.R. In situ evidence that chilling in the light does not cause uncoupling of photophosphorylation or detachment of coupling factor in chilling-sensitive plants. Photosynth Res 43, 93–105 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042966

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042966

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