Quantitative Effects of Pigmentation on the Re ‐absorption of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Energy Partitioning in leaves

This study comparatively examined spectroscopic features, photosynthetic parameters and energy partitioning in plants ofFittonia albivenis cv. Agyroneuraand Fittonia albivenis cv. Verschaffeltii with different pigmentation.Fittonia albivenis cv. Verschaffeltii, rich in anthocyanins, presented lower values than the green variety (cv. Agyroneura) for several parameters: the ratio chlorophyll a/b, the carotenoid content, the heat dissipation by non ‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) and the energy dependent component of the quantum yield of NPQ. Additionally, the red plant displayed higher resistance to water shortage. The spectral distribution of the chlorophylla fluorescence, free from distortions due to light reabsorption processes, was obtained for both varieties by application of a physical model previously developed in our group. From this modeling, a higher ratio photosystem II/photosystem I was inferred for the red variety, in agreement with the screening effect of anthocyanins. From a thorough analysis of the fluorescence, the different operating strategies adopted by these plants with dissimilar pigmentation could be elucidated. These strategies were related to the photosystem stoichiometry, the distribution of the absorbed energy and the dissipation  of heat under increasing light intensities.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Source: Photochemistry and Photobiology - August 12, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Brian Ospina Calvo, Maria Gabriela Lagorio Tags: Research Article Source Type: research