Mg deficiency induces photo-oxidative stress primarily by limiting CO2 assimilation and not by limiting photosynthetic light utilization.

Photosynthetic processes within chloroplasts require substantial amounts of magnesium (Mg). It is suggested that the minimum Mg concentration for yield and dry matter (DM) formation is 1.5 mg g-1 DM. Yet, it was never clarified whether this amount is required for photosynthetic processes as well. The aim of this study was to determine how varying Mg concentrations affect the photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotective responses. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown under four different Mg supplies (1, 0.05, 0.025 and 0.015 mM Mg) for 21 days to investigate the photosynthetic and photoprotective responses to Mg deficiency. Leaf Mg concentrations, CO2 assimilation, photosystem II efficiency, electron transport rate, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, and the pigment composition were analyzed. Our data indicate that CO2 assimilation is more sensitive to the reduction of tissue Mg concentrations than photosynthetic light reactions. Moreover, supply with the two lowest Mg concentrations induced photo-oxidative stress, as could be derived from increased expression of ROS scavengers and an increased pool size of the xanthophyll cycle pigments. We hypothesize, that the reduction of CO2 assimilation is a critical determinant for the increase of photo-oxidative stress under Mg deficiency.

Minimum magnesium concentrations for photosynthetic efficiency in wheat and sunflower seedlings.

Photosynthetic processes in the chloroplast depend on the abundance of magnesium (Mg) in relatively high amounts; hence chloroplasts might react more sensitive to Mg-deficiency than other physiological processes within other organelles. Most authors suggest a critical Mg concentration to be 1.5 mg g-1 DM for biomass and yield formation. However, it is not yet elucidated whether this value also applies to photosynthetic processes. The present study focused on the response of photosynthetic processes to different Mg tissue concentrations. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plants were grown hydroponically for 10 days with 8 different levels of Mg supply (1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.1, 0.075, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01 mM Mg). Specific leaf mass, SPAD values, assimilation rate, Fv/Fm, electron transport rate and photochemical and non-photochemical quenching parameters were determined on youngest mature leaves. Tissue Mg concentrations decreased with lowering Mg supply to lowest concentrations of 0.7 mg g-1 DM in wheat leaves, but photosynthetic capacity was not affected. In sunflower leaves, lowest Mg concentrations of 0.56 mg g-1 DM were achieved and a diminished photosynthetic capacity was observed. The study shows that a Mg tissue concentration of 1.5 mg g-1 DM did not induce a negative effect on the photosynthetic capacity of wheat and sunflower leaves under our experimental conditions and hence, the critical Mg concentration for photosynthetic processes might be lower than for biomass and yield formation.