Plants

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18 pages, 2679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Low Light on Photosynthetic Performance of Tomato Plants—Ailsa Craig and Carotenoid Mutant Tangerine

by Maya Velitchkova, Martin Stefanov and Antoaneta V. Popova

Plants 2023, 12(16), 3000; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12163000 - 20 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168

The effects of a five-day treatment with low light intensity on tomato plants—Ailsa Craig and tangerine mutant—at normal and low temperatures and after recovery for three days under control conditions were investigated. The tangerine tomato, which has orange fruits, yellowish young leaves, and [...] Read more.

The effects of a five-day treatment with low light intensity on tomato plants—Ailsa Craig and tangerine mutant—at normal and low temperatures and after recovery for three days under control conditions were investigated. The tangerine tomato, which has orange fruits, yellowish young leaves, and pale blossoms, accumulates prolycopene rather than all-trans lycopene. We investigated the impact of low light at normal and low temperatures on the functioning and effectiveness of photosynthetic apparatuses of both plants. The photochemical activities of Photosystem I (PSI) and Photosystem II (PSII) were assessed, and the alterations in PSII antenna size were characterized by evaluating the abundance of PSII-associated proteins Lhcb1, Lhcb2, CP43, and CP47. Alterations in energy distribution and interaction of both photosystems were analyzed using 77K fluorescence. In Aisla Craig plants, an increase in thylakoid membrane fluidity was detected during treatment with low light at a low temperature, while for the tangerine mutant, no significant change was observed. The PSII activity of thylakoids from mutant tangerine was more strongly inhibited by treatment with low light at a low temperature while low light barely affected PSII in Aisla Craig. The obtained data indicated that the observed differences in the responses of photosynthetic apparatuses of Ailsa Craig and tangerine when exposed to low light intensity and suboptimal temperature were mainly related to the differences in sensitivity and antenna complexes of PSII. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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16 pages, 1860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant-Growth Promoting Microbes Change the Photosynthetic Response to Light Quality in Spinach

by Luca Vitale, Ermenegilda Vitale, Silvana Francesca, Christian Lorenz and Carmen Arena

Plants 2023, 12(5), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051149 - 03 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1770

Abstract

In this study, the combined effect of plant growth under different light quality and the application of plant-growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) was considered on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) to assess the influence of these factors on the photosynthetic performance. To pursue this goal, [...] Read more.

In this study, the combined effect of plant growth under different light quality and the application of plant-growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) was considered on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) to assess the influence of these factors on the photosynthetic performance. To pursue this goal, spinach plants were grown in a growth chamber at two different light quality regimes, full-spectrum white light (W) and red-blue light (RB), with (I) or without (NI) PGPM-based inoculants. Photosynthesis-light response curves (LRC) and photosynthesis-CO₂ response curves (CRC) were performed for the four growth conditions (W-NI, RB-NI, W-I, and RB-I). At each step of LRC and CRC, net photosynthesis (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), C_i/C_a ratio, water use efficiency (WUE_i), and fluorescence indexes were calculated. Moreover, parameters derived from the fitting of LRC, such as light-saturated net photosynthesis (P_Nmax), apparent light efficiency (Q_pp), and dark respiration (R_d), as well as the Rubisco large subunit amount, were also determined. In not-inoculated plants, the growth under RB- regime improved P_N compared to W-light because it increased stomatal conductance and favored the Rubisco synthesis. Furthermore, the RB regime also stimulates the processes of light conversion into chemical energy through chloroplasts, as indicated by the higher values of Q_pp and P_Nmax in RB compared to W plants. On the contrary, in inoculated plants, the P_N enhancement was significantly higher in W (30%) than in RB plants (17%), which showed the highest Rubisco content among all treatments. Our results indicate that the plant-growth-promoting microbes alter the photosynthetic response to light quality. This issue must be considered when PGPMs are used to improve plant growth performance in a controlled environment using artificial lighting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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10 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Colored LED Lights: Use One Color Alone or with Others for Growth in Hedyotis corymbosa In Vitro?

by Anh Tuan Le, In-Lee Choi, Gyung-Deok Han, Ho-Min Kang, Dae Ho Jung, Won-Pyo Park, Mehtap Yildiz, Thuong Kiet Do and Yong Suk Chung

Plants 2023, 12(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010093 - 24 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1618

Abstract

In recent years, light-emitting diode (LED) technology has been applied to improve crop production and induce targeted biochemical or physiological responses in plants. This study investigated the effect of different ratios of blue 450 nm and red 660 nm LEDs on the overall [...] Read more.

In recent years, light-emitting diode (LED) technology has been applied to improve crop production and induce targeted biochemical or physiological responses in plants. This study investigated the effect of different ratios of blue 450 nm and red 660 nm LEDs on the overall plant growth, photosynthetic characteristics, and total triterpenoid production in the leaves of Hedyotis corymbosa in vitro plants. The results showed that a high proportion of blue LED lights had a positive effect on enhancing photosynthesis and the overall biomass. In addition, blue LED lights were shown to be more effective in controlling the production of the total triterpenoid content compared with the red LED lights. Moreover, it was also found that plants grown under a high proportion of red LEDs exhibited reduced photosynthetic properties and even induced damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, which indicated that the blue or red LED lights played contrary roles in Hedyotis corymbosa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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11 pages, 29389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Complementary Photostimulation of Seeds and Plants as an Effective Tool for Increasing Crop Productivity and Quality in Light of New Challenges Facing Agriculture in the 21st Century—A Case Study

by Agnieszka Klimek-Kopyra and Tomasz Czech

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1649; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131649 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1336

Abstract

Climate change has prompted the search for new methods for improving agricultural practices for legume crops. The aim of the study was to test an innovative method of complementary photostimulation of seeds and plants aimed to improve the quantitative and qualitative features of [...] Read more.

Climate change has prompted the search for new methods for improving agricultural practices for legume crops. The aim of the study was to test an innovative method of complementary photostimulation of seeds and plants aimed to improve the quantitative and qualitative features of soybean (Glycine hispida L. (Merr.)) yield. Complementary photostimulation of plants was shown to positively affect the yield and chemical composition of soybeans, significantly increasing the content of protein and fat in seeds of the Merlin cultivar. Significant positive effects compared to the control were obtained following irradiation of seeds and plants for 3 s (the shorter of the analyzed exposure times). The results clearly indicate the need to improve the proposed new HUGO (High Utility for Optimal Growth) technology to optimize soybean yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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14 pages, 2600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light Interception, Photosynthetic Performance, and Yield of Oil Palm Interspecific OxG Hybrid (Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés x Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) under Three Planting Densities

by Hernán Mauricio Romero, Stephany Guataquira and Diana Carolina Forero

Plants 2022, 11(9), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091166 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2690

Abstract

Environmental conditions are crucial for crops’ growth, development, and productivity. One of the most important physiological factors associated with the production of crops is the use of solar radiation for the photosynthesis process, which determines the amount of assimilates available for crop growth [...] Read more.

Environmental conditions are crucial for crops’ growth, development, and productivity. One of the most important physiological factors associated with the production of crops is the use of solar radiation for the photosynthesis process, which determines the amount of assimilates available for crop growth and yield. Three age classes (4, 6, and 14 years) and three planting densities (143, 128, and 115 palms ha⁻¹) were evaluated in a commercial interspecific Elaeis Oleifera x Elaeis guineensis hybrid Coari x La Mé. The light interception patterns and the photosynthetic performance were determined. Measurements were taken of the leaf area, the number of leaves, and incident and photosynthetically transmitted active radiation. Also, photosynthetic rates, light, and yield were measured. The canopy extinction coefficient (Kc) was estimated using the Monsi and Saeki model. Under the evaluated conditions, the average Kc value for 4-year-old palms was 0.44; for the 6-year-old group of palms, the average value was 0.40, and 0.32 for the 14-year-old palms, with coefficients of determination (R²) greater than 0.8. A pattern associated with the age of the crop was observed, where the Kc decreased in groups of adult palms. The results showed increased Kc as the planting density decreased. No statistically significant differences were observed between planting densities or ages in the light and CO₂ curves regarding photosynthesis. The leaf level in which the measurement was made influenced photosynthesis. Thus, the highest values of the photosynthesis parameters were observed in leaf 17. The crop yield tended to stabilize 8 years after planting under 143 and 128 palms per hectare, but 14 years after planting, the Fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production was still growing under 115 palms per hectare. The results showed that, up to year 14 after planting, the highest cumulative yield was achieved with 115 palms per hectare. This was partly caused by a sharp decline in production observed under 128 palms per hectare, which could indicate that in the long production cycle of the OxG hybrids, the 115-palms-per-hectare planting density would result in higher cumulative FFB production. Furthermore, the results showed that the optimum planting density for the hybrids of the present study would be 120 palms ha⁻¹, corresponding to a planting distance of 9.8 m between plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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9 pages, 492 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Potential Use of Colored LED Lights to Increase the Production of Bioactive Metabolites Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam

by Anh Tuan Le, Ju-Kyung Yu, Gyung-Deok Han, Thuong Kiet Do and Yong-Suk Chung

Plants 2022, 11(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11020225 - 15 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2203

Abstract

Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam is a wild herb that is used in traditional Indian, Chinese, and African medicine. Light-emitting diode (LED) technology is paving the way to enhance crop production and inducing targeted photomorphogenic, biochemical, or physiological responses in plants. This study examines [...] Read more.

Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam is a wild herb that is used in traditional Indian, Chinese, and African medicine. Light-emitting diode (LED) technology is paving the way to enhance crop production and inducing targeted photomorphogenic, biochemical, or physiological responses in plants. This study examines the efficiency of H. corymbosa (L.) Lam production under blue 450 nm and red 660 nm LED lights for overall plant growth, photosynthetic characteristics, and the contents of metabolite compounds. Our research showed that blue LED lights provided a positive effect on enhancing plant growth and overall biomass. In addition, blue LED lights are more effective in controlling the production of sucrose, starch, total phenolic compounds, and total flavonoid compared to red LED lights. However, blue and red LED lights played essential but different roles in photosynthetic characteristics. Our results showed the potential of colored LED light applications in improving farming methods and increasing metabolite production in herbs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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12 pages, 1900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study of Temporal Changes in Pigments and Optical Properties in Sepals of Helleborus odorus and H. niger from Prebloom to Seed Production

by Mateja Grašič, Maja Dacar and Alenka Gaberščik

Plants 2022, 11(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010119 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1579

Abstract

Helleborus niger is an evergreen species, while H. odorus is an herbaceous understorey species. They both develop flowers before the forest canopy layer closes. Their sepals remain after flowering and have multiple biological functions. To further elucidate the functions of sepals during flower [...] Read more.

Helleborus niger is an evergreen species, while H. odorus is an herbaceous understorey species. They both develop flowers before the forest canopy layer closes. Their sepals remain after flowering and have multiple biological functions. To further elucidate the functions of sepals during flower development, we examined their optical and chemical properties, and the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in the developing, flowering, and fruiting flowers. Sepals of the two species differed significantly in the contents of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins, but less in the UV-absorbing substances’ contents. Significant differences in photosynthetic pigment contents were also revealed within different developmental phases. The sepal potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II was high in all developmental phases in H. odorus, whereas in H. niger, it was initially low and later increased. In the green H. odorus sepals, we obtained typical green leaf spectra with peaks in the green and NIR regions, and a low reflectance and transmittance in the UV region. On the other hand, in the white H. niger sepals in the developing and flowering phases, the response was relatively constant along the visible and NIR regions. Pigment profiles, especially chlorophylls, were shown to be important in shaping sepal optical properties, which confirms their role in light harvesting. All significant parameters together accounted for 44% and 34% of the reflectance and transmittance spectra variability, respectively. These results may contribute to the selection of Helleborus species and to a greater understanding of the ecological diversity of understorey plants in the forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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16 pages, 1146 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

LED and HPS Supplementary Light Differentially Affect Gas Exchange in Tomato Leaves

by Onofrio Davide Palmitessa, Aina E. Prinzenberg, Elias Kaiser and Ep Heuvelink

Plants 2021, 10(4), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040810 - 20 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3279

Abstract

Using light emitting diodes (LED) instead of conventionally used high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps as a supplemental light source in greenhouses results in a higher efficacy (µmol light per J electricity) and makes it possible to customize the light spectrum. To explore the [...] Read more.

Using light emitting diodes (LED) instead of conventionally used high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps as a supplemental light source in greenhouses results in a higher efficacy (µmol light per J electricity) and makes it possible to customize the light spectrum. To explore the effects of LED and HPS on gas exchange, thermal relations, photosynthesis, and water status of young tomato plants, seven genotypes were grown in a greenhouse under LED (95% red, 5% blue) or HPS lamps in four experiments differing in the fraction of lamp light over natural light. HPS lights emit a broader spectrum of red (40%), green–yellow (50%), blue (5%), and far-red (5%) and a substantial amount of infrared radiation (heat). Young tomato plants grown under LED showed lower leaf temperature and higher stomatal density, stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (E) than plants grown under HPS; this may be due to the different supplemental light spectrum. The young plants grown under LED tended to have increased photosynthetic capacity. Furthermore, the water stress indices CWSI and I_G, which were obtained using thermal imaging, were positively correlated with gas exchange-derived g_s and E, putting forward the use of thermal imaging for the phenotyping of transpiration. Under LED light, photosynthetic gas exchange was generally increased, which agreed with the water stress indices. The extent of this increase was genotype-dependent. All differences between LED and HPS were smaller in the experiments where the fraction of lamp light over natural light was smaller. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Response: Adaptation to Extremes, Phenotypic Plasticity and Plant Competition)

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