ISSN:
1399-3054
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Long-term fumigation with different mixtures of air pollutants, such as O3, NO2 and SO2, in combination with potassium deficiency in 4-year-old spruce trees shows clearly that the photosynthetic apparatus reacts very sensitively to environmental stress. Even when no change in photosynthetic oxygen evolution of the leaves was measurable, the content of D-1 protein in the reaction center of photosystem II already increased significantly at low stress conditions. With increasing concentrations of pollutants, the content of D-1 protein decreased considerably. This pattern was observed with all combinations of gases, although they differed in effectiveness. The most potent effect on the content of D-1 protein was found with a combined fumigation of SO2 plus NO2. Obviously, the ratio between synthesis and degradation of the D-1 protein is influenced by stress factors. However, the content of D-1 protein was not strongly correlated with photosynthetic oxygen evolution in whole needles nor with electron transport rate in isolated thylakoids. Under controlled potassium deficiency, effects similar to those observed upon ozone fumigation developed. The results suggest unspecific stress answers for the D-1 content and the photosynthetic reactions rather than specific responses.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1992.tb04762.x
