• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1403-1413
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• 2013

The effects of cadmium ions ($Cd^{2+}$) on the Chl a fluorescence of Ricciocarpos natans were investigated in order to determine whether Chl fluorescence can be used as a biomarker to estimate the physiological responses of plants to cadmium stress. In all plants treated with $Cd^{2+}$, the image of Fv/Fm, which represents the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, changed as the $Cd^{2+}$ concentration increased, when treated for 48 h or more. Changes of ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $Q_P$ images were recognized even at 10 ${\mu}M$ $Cd^{2+}$. The Chl a O-J-I-P fluorescence transient was also affected even at 10 ${\mu}M$ $Cd^{2+}$. The fluorescence yield decreased considerably in steps J, I and P in plants treated with $Cd^{2+}$, although a typical polyphasic rise was observed in non-treated plants. The Chl fluorescence parameters, Fm, Fv/Fo, Sm, SFIabs, PIabs and ETo/CS, decreased as the $Cd^{2+}$ concentration increased, while the Mo and Kn parameters increased. Peroxidase activity decreased significantly and catalase activity increased as the $Cd^{2+}$ concentration increased. Because of its sensitivity to $Cd^{2+}$ Ricciocarpos natans is useful in experiments investigating the responses of plants to cadmium exposure. Several parameters (Fm, Fv/Fo, Sm, SFIabs, PIabs, ETo/CS, Mo and Kn) can be applied to determine quantitatively the physiological states of plants under cadmium stress.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.98-106
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• 2012

The chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic $CO_2$ fixation capacity of leaves from three major crop trees found on Jeju Island, Camellia sinensis L., Camellia japonica L., and Citrus unshiu M., were analyzed. The photosynthetic $CO_2$ fixation rate of C. sinensis was similar to that of C. unshiu, and much higher than that of C. japonica which belongs to the same genus. Stomatal conductance in the three species was high at dawn and low during daytime. The intercellular $CO_2$ concentration of the three species was also high at dawn and decreased at midday. The transpiration rate showed an opposite trend from the intercellular $CO_2$ concentration. The photochemical efficiencies of PSII (Fv/Fm) in C. sinensis were slightly lower at midday compared to the level at dawn and/or dusk. The decline in Fv/Fm of C. sinensis at midday was much smaller than that of C. japonica. These results indicate that C. sinensis is better acclimated to high levels of radiation under natural conditions in late summer, although its PSII reaction center was inhibited by strong radiation. Of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in the species, the RC/CS decreased significantly while the ABS/RC, TRo/RC, ETo/RC, and DIo/RC increased significantly at midday in late summer. However, C. unshiu did not show significant changes in these values depending on the time of day. Among the three species, the daily $CO_2$ fixation rate in C. sinensis ($320.1mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) was the highest, followed by that of C. unshiu ($292.5mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) and C. japonica ($244.8mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$). Thus, C. sinensis may be a valuable crop tree in terms of the uptake of $CO_2$ under natural field conditions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2000

In this study the disassembly process of chlorophyII (ChI)protein complexes of a stay-green mutant (ore10 of Arabidopsis thaliana) was investigated during the dark incubation of detached leaves. During this dark-induced senescence (DIS), the Chi loss was delayed in the mutant, while the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) or Fv/Fm was accelerated when compared with the wild type (WT) leaves. This indicates that the decrease in Fv/Fm is a separate process and not causally-linked to the degradation of Chi during DIS of Arabidopsis leaves. In the native green gel electrophoresis of the Chi-protein complexes, which was combined with an additional twodimensional SDS-PAGE analysis, the delayed senescence of this mutant was characterized by the appearance of an aggregate at 1 d or 2 d, as well as very stable light harvesting complex II (LHCII) trimers until 5 d after the start of DIS. The polypeptide composition of the aggregates varied during the whole DIS at 5 d. Dl protein appeared to be missing in the aggregates. This result supports the idea of a faster depletion of functional PSH in the mutants compared with WT, as suggested by the earlier reduction of Fv/Fm and the stable Chl a/b ratio in the mutants. At 5 d, the WT leaves also often showed aggregates, but the polypeptide composition was different from those of ore10. The results presented suggest that the formation of aggregates, or stable LHCII trimers in the stay-green mutants, is a way to structurally protect Chi-protein complexes from serious proteolytic degradation. Detailed disassembly processes of Chi-protein complexes in WT and ore10 mutants are discussed.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2001

The deteriorative effect of ultraviolet-B(UV-B) radiation on photosynthesis was assessed by the simultaneous measurement of O$_2$ evolution and chlorophyll(Chl) fluorescence in green pepper. UV-B was given at the intensity of 1 W$.$m$\^$-2/, a dosage often encountered in urban area of Seoul in Korea, to detached leaves. Both Pmax and quantum yield of O$_2$ evolution was rapidly decreased, in a parallel phase, with increasing time of UV-B treatment. Chl fluorescence parameters were also significantly affected. Fo was increased while both Fm and Fv were decreased. Photochemical efficiency of PSII(Fv/Fm) was also declined, although to a lesser extent than Pmax. Both qP and NPQ were decreased similarly with increasing time of UV-B treatment. However, PS I remained stable. The addition of lincomycin prior to UV-B treatment accelerated the decline in Fv/Fm to some extent, suggesting that D1 protein turnover may play a role in overcoming the harmful effect of UV-B. The amount of photosynthetic pigments was less affected than photosynthetic response in showing decline in Chl a and carotenoids after 24 h-treatment. Presumptive flavonoid contents, measured by changes in absorbance at 270 nm , 300 nm and 330nm, were all increased by roughly 50% after 8 h-treatment. Among antioxidant enzymes, activities of catalase and peroxidase were steadily increased until 12h of UV-B treatment whereas ascorbate perxidase, dehydroascorvate reductase and glutathione reductase did not show any significant change. The results indicate that deteriorative effect of UV-B on photosynthesis precedes the protection exerted by pigment synthesis and antioxidant enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2008

Ionizing radiation causes many alterations in photosynthetic machineries. However, there is no information about effects of ionizing radiation on the development of photosynthetic machineries in plants. We investigated the greening of etiolated mung bean seedlings after gamma-irradiation of 50 to 300 Gy. The irradiation inhibited seedling growth with great dependence on the radiation dose. In particular, growth of stems was more affected than that of hypocotyls. Irradiated leaves showed inhibition in growth, aberration in morphology, and yellowing in color depending on the radiation dose. Contents of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophylls and carotenoids were significantly decreased in the irradiated leaves. The apparent electron transport rate for photosynthesis, ETR, was similarly changed depending on the radiation dose. However, the maximal photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II (PSII), Fv/Fm, was little affected by the irradiation. Moreover, the 50-Gy seedlings maintained the control level of light saturating for photosynthesis and showed slightly higher Fv/Fm values in spite of significant decreases in the photosynthetic pigment content and ETR. These results suggest that the inhibition of the overall photosynthetic capacity couldn’t be causally relatqaed with the repression in the initial development of irradiated seedlings and that the overall photosynthetic machineries can develop and work to some extent as a concerted system for photosynthesis even after exposure to acute doses of ionizing radiation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.500-509
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• 2014

To prevent freezing of the road by fallen snow, Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer is used to very often and it can be harmful to roadside trees. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer on growth and physiological traits of Acer triflorum according to different concentration of $CaCl_2$. We measured growth, chlorophyll contents, gas exchangement characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral nutrition concentration in plant and soil. The experimental group was composed of four treatments including 0mM(control), 9mM(0.5 %), 18mM(1.0 %), 54mM(3.0 %). Before germinating new shoot, the dissolution of $CaCl_2$ was irrigated twice interval of a week. At 30 days after treatment, all treatments decreased total cholorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) with increasing concentration of $CaCl_2$ and especially, they significantly reduced in 3.0 % treatment. In contrast, chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with an increase of $CaCl_2$ concentration and water use efficiency increased in 1.0 % and 3.0 % treatments. At 50 days after treatment, all treatments were decreased in chl a, chl b, total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, photosynthetic capacity, photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) and quantum yield of photosystem II(${\Phi}_{PSII}$) compared with control and 3.0 % treatments were withered. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ were accumulated in leaves and soil, which inhibited water absorption and electron transport and it caused the reduction of height growth rate more than 50 %. Although there was a little difference according to time and $CaCl_2$ concentration, all treatments decreased in growth rate and physiological activity slowed down. As time passed, these results got worse. Therefore we need to take a measure earlier in order to minimize damage of trees.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze photochemical activity of nursery seedlings under drought stress, using chlorophyll fluorescence reaction analysis. Young nursery seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.), were grown under drought stress for 8 days. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence reaction (OJIP) and parameters, were performed to evaluate photochemical fluctuation in nursery seedlings under drought stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence reaction analysis showed maximal recorded fluorescence (P) decreased from the 5 day after treatment in tomato seedlings, while an amount of chlorophyll fluorescence increased at the J-I step. Thus, physiological activity was reduced. In cucumber seedlings, maximal recorded fluorescence (P) and maximal variable fluorescence ($F_V$) lowered from the 4 day after treatment, and chlorophyll fluorescence intensity of J-I step increased. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameter analysis showed electron transfer efficiency of PSII and PSI were significantly inhibited with decreasing $ET2_O/RC$ and $RE1_O/RC$ from the 5 day after treatment, in tomato seedlings and from the 4 day after treatment, in cucumber seedlings. $ET2_O/RC$ and $PI_{ABS}$ significantly changed. In conclusion, 6 indices such as $F_V/F_M$, $DI_O/RC$, $ET2_O/RC$, $RE1_O/RC$, $PI_{ABS}$ and $PI_{TOTAL}ABS$ were selected for determining drought stress in nursery seedlings. Drought stress factor index (DFI) was used to evaluate whether the crop was healthy or not, under drought stress. Cucumber seedlings were less resistant to drought stress than tomato seedlings, in the process of drought stress.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.506-515
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• 2003

Six barley varieties that showed different degree of drought tolerance were grown with and without drought stress treatment (control), and investigated for the temporal changes in growth and several physiological traits after drought treatment. Soil water potential was -0.05 ㎫ at the initial stage of drought treatment and dropped to -0.29 ㎫ at 19 days after withholding irrigation. Soil water potential (SWP) maintained at -0.05 ㎫ in the control. The dry weight (DW) under the drought treatment were reduced compared to the control as follows: Dicktoo-S (short awn), 69% ; Dicktoo-L (long awn), 70%; Dicktoo-T (tetra), 86%; Dongbori-1, 69%; Suwonssalbori-365, 55% and Tapgolbori, ,37%. Dicktoo lines and Dongbori-1 were more tolerant than Suwonssalbori-365 and Tapgolbori. Leaf relative water contents (RWC) and leaf water potential (LWP) decreased obviously under the drought condition, the decrease being greater especially in the less drought-tolerant barley genotypes. Dongbori-1 and Dicktoo-L in drought treatment showed net photosynthesis of 38% and 17% compared to the control, respectively, and the other four genotypes much lower photosynthesis of 1.1% to 7.0%. Stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, and the photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of PS II were reduced by drought treatment, the reduction being greater in drought-sensitive genotypes. The drought-tolerant genotypes had greater osmotic adjustment (OA) capacity under water stress. Thus, the decrease of RWC and LWP was lower and the turgor pressure conservation capacity was higher under water stress in drought-tolerant genotypes. Drought-tolerant genotypes showed less decrease of photosynthesis because stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance and the ratio (Fv/Fm) of the variable to maximal fluorescence of drought-resistant genotype was decreased less in the drought stress condition. In conclusion, the drought-tolerant genotypes had better water conservation capacity through efficient OA, and this led to the lower decrease of photosynthesis and growth in water stress condition.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2016

The effects of elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ on photosynthesis and growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. pekinensis) were investigated to predict productivity in highland cropping in an environment where $CO_2$ levels are increasing. Vegetative growth, based on fresh weight of the aerial part, and leaf characteristics (number, area, length, and width) of Chinese cabbage grown for 5 weeks, increased significantly under elevated $CO_2$ ($800{\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$) compared to ambient $CO_2$ ($400{\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$). The photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance ($g_s$), and water use efficiency (WUE) increased, although the transpiration rate (E) decreased, under elevated atmospheric $CO_2$. The photosynthetic light-response parameters, the maximum photosynthetic rate ($A_{max}$) and apparent quantum yield (${\varphi}$), were higher at elevated $CO_2$ than at ambient $CO_2$, while the light compensation point ($Q_{comp}$) was lower at elevated $CO_2$. In particular, the maximum photosynthetic rate ($A_{max}$) was higher at elevated $CO_2$ by 2.2-fold than at ambient $CO_2$. However, the photosynthetic $CO_2$-response parameters such as light respiration rate ($R_p$), maximum Rubisco carboxylation efficiency ($V_{cmax}$), and $CO_2$ compensation point (CCP) were less responsive to elevated $CO_2$ relative to the light-response parameters. The photochemical efficiency parameters ($F_v/F_m$, $F_v/F_o$) of PSII were not significantly affected by elevated $CO_2$, suggesting that elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ will not reduce the photosynthetic efficiency of Chinese cabbage in highland cropping. The optimal temperature for photosynthesis shifted significantly by about $2^{\circ}C$ under elevated $CO_2$. Above the optimal temperature, the photosynthetic rate (A) decreased and the dark respiration rate ($R_d$) increased as the temperature increased. These findings indicate that future increases in $CO_2$ will favor the growth of Chinese cabbage on highland cropping, and its productivity will increase due to the increase in photosynthetic affinity for light rather than $CO_2$.