Regulation of Photosynthesis in the Time of Global Warming

Dear Colleagues,

Plants regularly absorb light energy in excess because of fluctuations in light intensities and temperature regimes that exceed the capacity for photosynthetic capture and use. When photosynthetic and photorespiratory carbon metabolism cannot utilize absorbed light optimally and effectively, it can lead to the rapid increase of energy dissipation as heat and fluorescence, to rapid foliar temperature increase, and to the inhibition of photosynthesis. Thus, plants have evolved several quenching, dissipation, and avoidance mechanisms of excess energy that protect the photosynthetic apparatus and simultaneously ensure conditionally optimal photosynthesis, growth, and development.

In a naive picture, photochemistry, chlorophyll fluorescence, and heat losses are in direct competition with each other. Consequently, it has been suggested that a rate increase in one of the processes should result in rate reductions of the other ones. The exact mechanism that enables plants to regulate and balance the rates of these processes under various light and temperature conditions has not yet been clarified. Moreover, foliar heat production due to energy dissipation during photosynthesis and its inhibition is barely considered in the mechanism of photoinhibition. Studying these mechanisms is of critical importance for understanding the impact of light and temperature variations on plants’ performance and productivity in different climate conditions, especially during times of global warming.

The present Special Issue of Cells aims to summarize some of the newest advances in regulation of photosynthesis and its inhibition. We aim to highlight the key involvement of energy dissipation process as a regulator of acclimation and stress defense responses, including reviews focused on the specific induction of cross-tolerance in plants. On the other hand, we want to examine the cellular mechanisms that lie behind the processes of repair and the recovery of functionality of photosynthetic foliar tissue in the context of high light, heat, and drought stresses.

Prof. Dr. Stanislaw Karpinski
Guest Editor

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• cross-tolerance to stresses
• chlorophyll fluorescence decay
• photosynthesis and photoinhibition
• photosystem II energy quenching and dissipation
• retroactive signals and cis- and trans-regulatory elements
• reactive oxygen species and hormones
• systemic acquired acclimation