In Vivo Measurement of Plant Vitality by the Fluorescence Transient

The chlorophyll fluorescence combined with the O-J-I-P transients were examined in the leaves of the crinum plants (Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum BAK.), in order to satisfy the demand for rapid in vivo measurement of vitality, and to apply easily to approach questions of economical interest concerning the plant vitality. The photosynthetic efficiency, Fv/Fm, of crinum plants dramatically decreased depending on temperature drop in winter. In summer, the Fv/Fm values was lower in day time than at dawn and night, suggesting that photosynthetic efficiency is chronically photoinhibited in day time. In winter, there was no prominent diurnal fluctuations of Fv/Fm values. However, based on the O-J-I-P transient, PI$\_$NO/ and SFI$\_$NO/ dramatically increased at noon in summer, and $\psi$o/(1-$\psi$o) diurnally fluctuated in winter. These results indicated that vitality indexes such as PI$\_$NO/, SFI$\_$NO/ and $\psi$o/(1-$\psi$o) can be used as the indicators for in vivo measurement of environmental stresses.