[Photosynthesis of five magnolia species in Nanjing City in winter and spring].

The photosynthesis and fluorescence characteristics of five magnolia ornamental species naturally distributed in various subtropical areas were studied in Nanjing City in winter and spring. The results showed that the diurnal changes of net photosynthetic rate (P(n)) and water use efficiency (WUE) of test species in winter were different from those in spring. The diurnal integral values of P(n), apparent quantum yield (AQY) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) were lower in winter than in spring, and the F(o) was higher, while the F(v)/F(m) F(v)/F(o) phi PS II, F(v)'/F(m)', ETR, qP and NPQ were lower in winter than in spring. The differences among the five species were remarkable, among which, Parakmeria lotungensis and Michelia platypetala mainly distributed in middle-subtropical area had higher diurnal integral values of P(n), AQY, CE and LSP, but lower value of LCP than other species in winter and spring. Their F(v)/F(m), F(v)/F(o),phi PS II, F(v)'/F(m)', ETR, qP and NPQ were also higher, indicating that they had higher photosynthetic capacity and wider ecological ranges of light adaptability. Manglietia insignis and Michelia wilsonii mainly distributed in southern subtropical area had lower photosynthetic capacity, and their fluorescence parameters were also lower in winter. Grey correlation analysis showed the main factors affecting the P(n) of test magnolia species in winter were T(a) and PAR.

Promotion of 5-aminolevulinic acid on photosynthesis of melon (Cucumis melo) seedlings under low light and chilling stress conditions.

When melon seedlings (Cucumis melo L. Ximiya No. 1) were cultured in a growth chamber with about 150 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) photon flux density, the leaf photosynthetic ability reduced dramatically as leaf position decreased from the top. The application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) solutions significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (P(n)) as well as apparent quantum yield (AQY), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and stomata conductance (G(s)). After irrigation with 10 ml of ALA solution (10 mg l(-1) or 100 mg l(-1)) per container filled with approximately 250 g clean sand for 3 days, the leaf P(n) was about 40-200% higher than that of controls, and AQY, CE and G(s) increased 21-271%, 55-210% and 60-335%, respectively. Furthermore, ALA treatments increased leaf chlorophyll content and soluble sugar levels, as well as the rate of dark respiration, but decreased the rate of respiration under light. On the other hand, after melon seedlings that had been cultured in the chamber suffered chilling at 8 degrees C for 4 h and then recovered at 25-30 degrees C for 2 and 20 h, the P(n) of the water-irrigated plants was only 12-18% and 37-47%, respectively, compared with the initial P(n) before chilling treatment. If the seedlings underwent the same treatment but with ALA (10 mg l(-1)), the respective P(n) was 22-38% and 76-101%, compared with that of the control before chilling stress. If chilling was prolonged for 6 h, the ALA-pre-treated plants only showed a few symptoms in the leaf margins whereas all water-irrigated plants died, which suggested that ALA presumably promoted chilling tolerance of the plants under low light.