Chlorophyll fluorescence
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Chlorophyll fluorescence is light re-emitted by chlorophyll molecules during return from excited to non-excited states and used as indicator of photosynthetic energy conversion in higher plants, algae and bacteria. Excited chlorophyll dissipates the absorbed light energy by driving photosynthesis (photochemical energy conversion), as heat in non-photochemical quenching or by emission as fluorescence radiation. As these processes are complementary processes analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence is an important tool in plant research with a wide spectra of applications.[1]
The Kautsky effect
Upon illumination of a dark-adapted leaf, there is a rapid rise in fluorescence from Photosystem II (PSII), followed by a slow decline. First observed by Kautsky et al., 1960, this is called the Kautsky Effect. This variable rise in chlorophyll fluorescence rise is due to photosystem II.[2] Fluorescence from photosystem I is not variable, but constant.[3]
The increase in fluorescence is due to PSII reaction centers being in a "closed" or chemically reduced state.[4] Reaction centers are "closed" when unable to accept further electrons. This occurs when electron acceptors downstream of PSII have not yet passed their electrons to a subsequent electron carrier, so are unable to accept another electron. Closed reaction centres reduce the overall photochemical efficiency, and so increases the level of fluorescence. Transferring a leaf from dark into light increases the proportion of closed PSII reaction centres, so fluorescence levels increase for 1–2 seconds. Subsequently, fluorescence decreases over a few minutes. This is due to; 1. more "photochemical quenching" in which electrons are transported away from PSII due to enzymes involved in carbon fixation; and 2. more "non-photochemical quenching" in which more energy is converted to heat.
Measuring fluorescence
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Usually the initial measurement is the minimal level of fluorescence, . This is the fluorescence in the absence of photosynthetic light.[5]
To use measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence to analyse photosynthesis, researchers must distinguish between photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching (heat dissipation). This is achieved by stopping photochemistry, which allows researchers to measure fluorescence in the presence of non-photochemical quenching alone. To reduce photochemical quenching to negligible levels, a high intensity, short flash of light is applied to the leaf. This transiently closes all PSII reaction centres, which prevents energy of PSII being passed to downstream electron carriers. Non-photochemical quenching will not be affected if the flash is short. During the flash, the fluorescence reaches the level reached in the absence of any photochemical quenching, known as maximum fluorescence .[5]
The efficiency of photochemical quenching (which is a proxy of the efficiency of PSII) can be estimated by comparing to the steady yield of fluorescence in the light and the yield of fluorescence in the absence of photosynthetic light . The efficiency of non-photochemical quenching is altered by various internal and external factors. Alterations in heat dissipation mean changes in . Heat dissipation cannot be totally stopped, so the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence in the absence of non-photochemical quenching cannot be measured. Therefore, researchers use a dark-adapted point () with which to compare estimations of non-photochemical quenching.[5]
Common fluorescence parameters
: Minimal fluorescence (arbitrary units). Fluorescence level when all antenna pigment complexes associated with the photosystem are assumed to be open (dark adapted).
: Maximal fluorescence (arbitrary units). Fluorescence level when a high intensity flash has been applied. All antenna sites are assumed to be closed.
: Minimal fluorescence (arbitrary units). Fluorescence level of illuminated sample which is lowered with respect to by non-photochemical quenching.
: Maximal fluorescence (arbitrary units). Fluorescence level of illuminated sample as induced by saturating pulses which temporarily close all PSII reaction centers.
: Terminal fluorescence (arbitrary units). Fluorescence quenching value at the end of the test.
: Half rise time from to .
Calculated parameters
is variable fluorescence. Calculated as = - .[6]
is the ratio of variable fluorescence to maximal fluorescence. Calculated as .[7] This is a measure of the maximum efficiency of PSII (the efficiency if all PSII centres were open). can be used to estimate the potential efficiency of PSII by taking dark-adapted measurements.
measures the efficiency of Photosystem II. Calculated as = .[8] This parameter measures the proportion of light absorbed by PSII that is used in photochemistry. As such, it can give a measure of the rate of linear electron transport and so indicates overall photosynthesis.
(photochemical quenching). Calculated as .[9] This parameter approximates the proportion of PSII reaction centres that are open.
Whilst gives an estimation of the efficiency, and tell us which processes which have altered the efficiency. Closure of reaction centers as a result of a high intensity light will alter the value of . Changes in the efficiency of non-photochemical quenching will alter the ratio .
Applications of the Theory
PSII yield as a measure of photosynthesis
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Chlorophyll fluorescence appears to measure of photosynthesis, but this is an over-simplification. Fluorescence can measure the efficiency of PSII photochemistry, which can be used to estimate the rate of linear electron transport by multiplying by the light intensity. However, researchers generally mean carbon fixation when they refer to photosynthesis. Electron transport and CO2 fixation can correlate well, but may not correlate in the field due to processes such as photorespiration, nitrogen metabolism and the Mehler reaction.
- De Martino et al. (2007)[10] examined banana peel degreening after treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Many parameters were measured, including chlorophyll fluorescence since fluorescence is a measure of chloroplast photochemical efficiency. 1-MCP treatment was shown to delay the decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence. Greenness and photochemical efficiency decreased simultaneously after ethylene treatment, suggesting that changes in chlorophyll fluorescence were responsible for the patterns of de-greening. After 7 and 8 days, values of 1-MCP peel were ca. 3-fold the values of the other treatments, showing that 1-MCP treated fruit maintain their photochemical efficiency when the other treatment regimes do not.
Relating electron transport to carbon fixation
A powerful research technique is to simultaneously measure chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange to obtain a full picture of the response of plants to their environment. One technique is to simultaneously measure CO2 fixation and PSII photochemistry at different light intensities, in non-photorespiratory conditions. A plot of CO2 fixation and PSII photochemistry indicates the electron requirement per molecule CO2 fixed. From this estimation, the extent of photorespiration may be estimated. This has been used to explore the significance of photorespiration as a photoprotective mechanism during drought.
Fluorescence analysis can also be applied to understanding the effects of low and high temperatures.
- Sobrado (2008)[11] investigated gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence responses to high intensity light, of pioneer species and forest species. Midday leaf gas exchange was measured using a photosynthesis system, which measured net photosynthetic rate, gs, and intercellular CO2 concentration (). In the same leaves used for gas exchange measurements, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (initial, ; maximum, ; and variable, ) were measured using a fluorometer. The results showed that despite pioneer species and forest species occupying different habitats, both showed similar vulnerability to midday photoinhibition in sun-exposed leaves.
Measuring stress and stress tolerance
Chlorophyll fluorescence can measure most types of plant stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence can be used as a proxy of plant stress because environmental stresses, e.g. extremes of temperature, light and water availability, can reduce the ability of a plant to metabolise normally. This can mean an imbalance between the absorption of light energy by chlorophyll and the use of energy in photosynthesis.[12]
- Favaretto et al. (2010)[13] investigated adaptation to a strong light environment in pioneer and late successional species, grown under 100% and 10% light. Numerous parameters, including chlorophyll a fluorescence, were measured. A greater decline in under full sun light in the late-successional species than in the pioneer species was observed. Overall, their results show that pioneer species perform better under high-sun light than late- successional species, suggesting that pioneer plants have more potential tolerance to photo-oxidative damage.
- Neocleous and Vasilakakis (2009)[6] investigated the response of raspberry to boron and salt stress. An chlorophyll fluorometer was used to measure , and . The leaf chlorophyll fluorescence was not significantly affected by NaCl concentration when B concentration was low. When B was increased, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence was reduced under saline conditions. It could be concluded that the combined effect of B and NaCl on raspberries induces a toxic effect in photochemical parameters.
- Lu and Zhang (1999) studied heat stress in wheat plants and found that temperature stability in the Photosystem II of water-stressed leaves correlates positively to the resistance in metabolism during photosynthesis.[14]
Nitrogen Balance Index
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Because of the link between chlorophyll content and nitrogen content in leaves, chlorophyll fluorometers can be used to detect nitrogen deficiency in plants, by several methods.
Based on several years of research and experimentation, polyphenols can be the indicators of nitrogen status of a plant. For instance, when a plant is under optimal conditions, it favours its primary metabolism and synthesises the proteins (nitrogen molecules) containing chlorophyll, and few flavonols (carbon-based secondary compounds). On the other hand, in case of lack of nitrogen, we will observe an increased production of flavonols by the plant.[15]
The NBI (Nitrogen Balance Index) by Force-A, allows the assessment of nitrogen conditions of a culture by calculating the ratio between Chlorophyll and Flavonols (related to Nitrogen/Carbon allocation) .
Measure Chlorophyll Content
Gitelson (1999) states, "The ratio between chlorophyll fluorescence at 735 nm and the wavelength range 700nm to 710 nm, F735/F700 was found to be linearly proportional to the chlorophyll content (with determination coefficient, r2, more than 0.95) and thus this ratio can be used as a precise indicator of chlorophyll content in plant leaves."[16]
Chlorophyll fluorometers
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The development of fluorometers allowed chlorophyll fluorescence analysis to become a common method in plant research. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has been revolutionized by the invention of the Pulse-Amplitude-Modulation (PAM) technique [17][18] and availability of the first commercial modulated chlorophyll fluorometer PAM-101 (Walz, Germany). By modulating the measuring light beam (microsecond-range pulses) and parallel detection of the excited fluorescence the relative fluorescence yield (Ft) can be determined in the presence of ambient light. Crucially, this means chlorophyll fluorescence can be measured in the field even in full sunlight.[5]
Today, chlorophyll fluorometers are designed for measuring many different plant mechanisms. The measuring protocols: FV/FM and OJIP measure the efficiency of Photosystem II samples at a common and know dark adapted state. These protocols are useful in measuring many types of plant stress.[19] Bernard Genty’s light adapted measuring protocol ΔF/FM’, or Y(II), is an effective and sensitive way to measure plant samples under ambient or artificial lighting conditions.[20] However, since Y(II) values also change with light intensity, one should compare samples at the same light intensity unless light stress is the focus of the measurement. Y(II) can be more sensitive to some types of plant stress than FV/FM, such as heat stress.[21]
Other plant mechanism measuring protocols have also been developed. When a chloroplast absorbs light, some of the light energy goes to photochemistry, some goes to regulated heat dissipation, and some goes to unregulated heat dissipation.[22] Various chlorophyll fluorescence measuring parameters exist to measure all of these events. In the lake model, qL measures photochemical quenching, Y(NYO) measures plant regulated heat dissipation, and Y(NO) measures unregulated heat dissipation.[22] An older quenching protocol, called the puddle model, uses qP for photochemical quenching, qN for nonphotochemical quenching of both regulated and unregulated heat dissipation and NPQ for an estimate of nonphotochemical quenching.[23] NPQ has also been resurrected to the lake model mathematically.[24]
In addition, the parameters qE, and pNPQ have been developed to measure the photoprotective xanthophyll cycle.[25][26] qT is a measure of state transitions.[27] qM is a measure of chloroplast migration,[28] and qI is a measure of plant photoinhibition.[29]
At lower actinic light levels NPQ = qE+qT+qI [25]
At high actinic light levels NPQ = qE+qM=qI [28]
Some fluorometers are designed to be portable and operated in one hand.
Consistent further development into imaging fluorometers facilitate the visualization of spatial heterogeneities in photosynthetic activity of samples. These heterogeneities naturally occur in plant leaves for example during growths, various environmental stresses or pathogen infection. Thus knowledge about sample heterogeneities is important for correct interpretation of the photosynthetic performance of the plant sample. High performance imaging fluorometer systems provide options to analyze single cell/single chloroplast as well as sample areas covering whole leaves or plants.
Alternative approaches
LIF sensors
Techniques based on the Kautsky effect do not exhaust the variety of detection and evaluation methods based on the chlorophyll fluorescence. In particular, recent advances in the area of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) also provide an opportunity of developing sufficiently compact and efficient sensors for photophysiological status and biomass assessments. Instead of measuring the evolution of the total fluorescence flux, such sensors record the spectral density of this flux excited by strong monochromatic laser light pulses of nanoseconds duration. Requiring no 15- 20 min dark adaptation period (as is the case for the Kautsky effect methods[30]) and being capable to excite the sample from considerable distance, the LIF sensors can provide fast and remote evaluation.
- Application of the LIF technique to the assessment of drought stress in cork oak (Quercus suber) and maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) on the basis of chlorophyll emission ratio I685/I740 is described in Ref.[31] Recently the LIF sensing technique was harnessed to address the role of pPLAIIα protein in the protection of the photosynthetic metabolism during drought stress using genetically modified Arabidopsis plants.[32]
- In 2011, Vieira et al. applied a compact low-cost LIF sensor[33] (built around a frequency-doubled solid-state Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and a specially modified commercial miniature fiber optic spectrometer Ocean Optics USB4000) to study intertidal microphytobenthos communities. Chlorophyll emission enabled the researchers to adequately assess the surface biomass and track migratory rhythms of epipelic benthic microalgae in muddy sediments.[34]
See also
- integrated fluorometer for gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves
- non-photochemical quenching
References
- ↑ Lu, Congming; Zhang, Jianhua (July 1999). "Effects of Water Stress on Photosystem II Photochemistry and Its Thermostability in Wheat Plants" (PDF). Oxford Journals. Retrieved http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/336/1199.full.pdf. Check date values in:
|access-date=
(help) - ↑ Zhu X-G., Govindjee, Baker N.R., deSturler E., Ort D.R., Long S.P. (2005) Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics in leaves predicted from a model describing each discrete step of excitation energy and electron transfer associated with Photosystem II Planta (2005) 223: 114–133 DOI 10.1007/s00425-005-0064-4
- ↑ Zhu X-G., Govindjee, Baker N.R., deSturler E., Ort D.R., Long S.P. (2005) Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics in leaves predicted from a model describing each discrete step of excitation energy and electron transfer associated with Photosystem II Planta (2005) 223: 114–133 DOI 10.1007/s00425-005-0064-4
- ↑ Zhu X-G., Govindjee, Baker N.R., deSturler E., Ort D.R., Long S.P. (2005) Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics in leaves predicted from a model describing each discrete step of excitation energy and electron transfer associated with Photosystem II Planta (2005) 223: 114–133 DOI 10.1007/s00425-005-0064-4
- 1 2 3 4 "Chlorophyll fluorescence—a practical guide" (PDF). Jxb.oxfordjournals.org. 2000-04-01. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- 1 2 "Effects of Boron and Salinity on Red Raspberry in Vitro - International Journal of Fruit Science". Informaworld.com. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ Kitajima M, Butler WL (1975). "Quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and primary photochemistry in chloroplasts by dibromothymoquinone.". Biochim Biophys Acta. 376: 105–115. doi:10.1016/0005-2728(75)90209-1.
- ↑ Genty B, Briantais J-M, Baker NR (1989). "The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence.". Biochem Biophys Acta. 990: 87–92. doi:10.1016/s0304-4165(89)80016-9.
- ↑ Schreiber U, Schliwa U, Bilger W. "Continuous recording of photochemical and non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching with a new type of modulation fluorometer.". Photosynth Res. 10: 51–62. doi:10.1007/bf00024185.
- ↑ De Martino; et al. (2007). "Abstract:Preliminary investigation into the uneven ripening of banana peel after 1-MCP treatment". SpringerLink. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6014-4_53.
- ↑ Sobrado (2008). "Leaf characteristics and diurnal variation of chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of the ‘bana’ vegetation of the amazon region" (PDF).
- ↑ "Plant Stress Biology". Personalpages.manchester.ac.uk. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ Favaretto; et al. (2011). "Differential responses of antioxidant enzymes in pioneer and late-successional tropical tree species grown under sun and shade conditions". Environmental and Experimental Botany. 70: 20–28. doi:10.1016/j.envexpbot.2010.06.003.
- ↑ Lu, Congming, and Jianhua Zhang. "Effects of Water Stress on Photosystem II Photochemistry and Its Thermostability in Wheat Plants." Journal of Experimental Botany No. 336, Pp. 1199–1206, July 1999 Effects of Water Stress on Photosystem II Photochemistry and Its Thermostability in Wheat Plants 50.336 (1999): 1199-206. Oxfordjournals.org. Oxford Journals. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
- ↑ A. Cartelat; Z.G. Cerovic; Y. Goulas; S. Meyer; C. Lelarge; J.-L. Prioul; A. Barbottin; M.-H. Jeuffroy; P. Gate; G. Agati; I. Moya (2005). "Optically assessed contents of leaf polyphenolics and chlorophyll as indicators of nitrogen deficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)". Field Crops Research. Field Crops Research Volume 91, Issue 1, pages 35-49. 91: 35–49. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2004.05.002.
- ↑ Gitelson, Anatoly A; Buschmann, Claus; Lichtenthaler, Hartmut K (1999). "The Chlorophyll Fluorescence Ratio F735/F700 as an Accurate Measure of the Chlorophyll Content in Plants". Remote Sensing of Environment. 69 (3): 296–302. doi:10.1016/S0034-4257(99)00023-1.
- ↑ Schreiber U, Bilger W,and Schliwa U (1986). "Continuous recording of photochemical and non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching with a new type of modulation fluorometer". Photosynth. Res. 10: 51–62. doi:10.1007/bf00024185.
- ↑ Schreiber, Ulrich (1986). "Detection of rapid induction kinetics with a new type of high-frequency modulated chlorophyll fluorometer". Photosynth. Res. 9: 261–272. doi:10.1007/bf00029749.
- ↑ Baker N. R., Oxborough K., (2004) Chlorophyll fluorescence as a probe of photosynthetic productivity. From Chapter 3, “Chlorophyll a Fluorescence a Signature of Photosynthesis”, edited by George Papaqeorgiou and Govindjee, published by Springer 2004, PO Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pages 66-79
- ↑ Genty B., Briantais J. M. & Baker N. R. (1989) The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 990, 87-92
- ↑ Haldimann P, & Feller U. (2004) Inhibition of photosynthesis by high temperature in oak (Quercus pubescens L.) leaves grown under natural conditions closely correlates with a reversible heat dependent reduction of the activation state of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.
- 1 2 Kramer D. M., Johnson G., Kiirats O., Edwards G. (2004) New fluorescence parameters for determination of QA redox state and excitation energy fluxes. Photosynthesis Research 79: 209-218
- ↑ van Kooten O, Snel J (1990) The use of chlorophyll fluorescence nomenclature in plant stress physiology. Photosynth Res 25: 147–150
- ↑ Klughammer C., and Schreiber U. (2008) PAM Application notes 2008 1:27 -35
- 1 2 Muller P., Xiao-Ping L., Niyogi K. (2001) Non-Photochemical Quenching. A Response to Excess Light Energy. Plant Physiology 125, 1558-1556
- ↑ Ruban A.V., Murchie E.H. (2012) Assessing the photoprotective effectiveness of non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching: A new approach Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1817 (2012) 977–982
- ↑ Ruban A.V., Johnson M.P., (2009) Dynamics of higher plant photosystem cross-section associated with state transitions. Photosynthesis Research 2009 99:173-183
- 1 2 Cazzaniga S, Osto L.D., Kong S-G., Wada M., Bassi R., (2013) “Interaction between avoidance of photon absorption, excess energy dissipation and zeaxanthin synthesis against photooxidative stress in Arabidopsis”, The Plant Journal, Volume 76, Issue 4, pages 568–579, November 2013 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12314
- ↑ Lichtenthaler H. K., Babani F. (2004) Light Adaption and Senescence of the Photosynthetic Apparatus. Changes in Pigment Composition, Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Photosynthetic Activity. From Chapter 28, “Chlorophyll a Fluorescence a Signature of Photosynthesis”, edited by George Papaqeorgiou and Govindjee, published by Springer 2004,PO Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands, page 716
- ↑ Handy PEA: Continuous Excitation Plant Efficiency Analyser (PDF). Norfolk: Hansatech Instruments. 2012. p. 2.
- ↑ Lavrov; et al. (2012). "Water stress assessment of cork oak leaves and maritime pine needles based on LIF spectra". Optics and Spectroscopy. Springer. 112 (2): 271–279. doi:10.1134/S0030400X12020166.
- ↑ Silvestre et al. Contribution of pPLAIIα to drought tolerance using genetically modified arabidopsis plants: II. Effects on photosynthetic metabolism. Int. Meeting Prog. Plant Symposium of the SEB: Oxidative stress and cell death in plants: mechanisms and implications, Florence, Italy, 26–28 June 2013, p. 5
- ↑ Utkin; et al. (2013). "Compact low-cost detector for in vivo assessment of microphytobenthos using laser induced fluorescence". Optics and Spectroscopy. Springer. 114 (3): 471–477. doi:10.1134/S0030400X13030259.
- ↑ Vieira; et al. (2011). "Effects of intertidal microphytobenthos migration on biomass determination via laser-induced fluorescence". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 432: 45–52. doi:10.3354/meps09157.
External links
- Lazár (1999). "Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics. 1412: 1–28. doi:10.1016/s0005-2728(99)00047-x.
- Lazár (2006). "The polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence rise measured under high intensity of exciting light". Functional Plant Biology. 33: 9–30. doi:10.1071/fp05095.
- Lazár (2015). "Parameters of photosynthetic energy partitioning". Journal of Plant Physiology. 175: 131–147. doi:10.1016/j.jplph.2014.10.021.
- Kalaji; et al. (2012). "Experimental in vivo measurements of light emission in plants: a perspective dedicated to David Walker". Photosynthesis Research. 114: 69–96. doi:10.1007/s11120-012-9780-3.
- Maxwell, K.; Johnson, GN (2000). "Chlorophyll fluorescence--a practical guide". Journal of Experimental Botany. 51 (345): 659–68. doi:10.1093/jexbot/51.345.659. PMID 10938857.
- Murchie and Lawson (2013). "Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis: a guide to good practice and understanding some new applications.". Journal of Experimental Botany. 64 (13): 3983–3998. doi:10.1093/jxb/ert208.