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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2002; 4(3): 384-391
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32340
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Performance and Photosynthetic Ecophysiology of Three Photo-Types of Dioscorea zingiberensis under Differing Light Intensities

H. M. Li 1 , P. He 2 , M. Veste 3 , K. Neudorf 3
  • 1 Institute of Ecology, Jishou University, Hunan, P.R. China
  • 2 Central South Forestry University, 412006 Hunan, P.R. China
  • 3 Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, P.O. Box 100131, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

December 20, 2001

March 11, 2002

Publication Date:
20 June 2002 (online)

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Abstract

The performance and photosynthetic ecophysiology of three photo-types of Dioscorea zingiberensis were studied. The three types are designated DzTL, DzTM and DzTH, according to their adaptation to low (LL), medium (ML) and high (HL) light intensities, respectively. Under LL (23 - 55 μmol m-2 s-1) and simulated natural light (SNL), DzTM grows well with increased longevity, and green leaves which are unspotted; while its leaves became small, light yellow and short-lived under HL (550 - 850 μmol m-2 s-1). In contrast, under LL the leaves of DzTH were very large, spotted, light yellow and short-lived; while they were small, green and long-lived under HL. Under HL, DzTH had a much higher chlorophyll content than DzTM. Under LL, DzTM and DzTL had a higher Chl content than DzTH. Among the three types, DzTM had the highest peroxidase activity. DzTL had a higher electron transport rate (ETR), maximal quantum yield (MQY) and effective quantum yield (EQY) than DzTH and DzTL under LL, while DzTH had higher ETR, MQY and EQY than the other two types under ML and HL. Therefore, three different photo-types can be characterized according to their adaptation to LL, ML and HL: DzTL, DzTM and DzTH, respectively.

Abbreviations

Chl: chlorophyll

DCMU: 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea

DCPiP: 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol sodium salt dihydrate

DzTH: Dioscorea zingiberensis high light intensity type

DzTL: D. zingiberensis low light intensity type

DzTM: D. zingiberensis medium light intensity type

EQY: effective quantum yield

ETR: electron transport rate

HL: high light intensity

HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography

LL: low light intensity

MDA: malondialdehyde

ML: medium light intensity

MQY: maximal quantum yield

MV: methyl viologen

SNL: simulated natural light

PAR: photosynthetically active radiation

POD: peroxidase

PSI: photosystem one

PSII: photosystem two

Rubisco: ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

WETC: whole electron transport chain

Key words

Dioscorea zingiberensis - photo-type - electron transport rate - light intensity - quantum yield - photosynthesis

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H. M. Li

Institute of Ecology
Jishou University

416000 Hunan
P.R. China

Email: titanli@yahoo.com

Section Editor: M. C. Ball