Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2015, Vol. 14 Issue (5): 856-863    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(14)60848-0
Physiology·Biochemistry·Cultivation·Tillage Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effects of potassium deficiency on photosynthesis and photoprotection mechanisms in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
 WANG Xiao-guang, ZHAO Xin-hua, JIANG Chun-ji, LI Chun-hong, CONG Shan, WU Di, CHEN Yan-qiu, YU Hai-qiu, WANG Chun-yan
1、College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, P.R.China
2、Institute of Crop Research, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, P.R.China
3、Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  Potassium is an important nutrient element requiring high concentration for photosynthetic metabolism. The potassium deficiency in soil could inhibit soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) photosynthesis and result in yield reduction. Research on the photosynthetic variations of the different tolerant soyben varieties should provide important information for high yield tolerant soybean breeding program. Two representative soybean varieties Tiefeng 40 (tolerance to K+ deficiency) and GD8521 (sensitive to K+ deficiency) were hydroponically grown to measure the photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco activity under different potassium conditions. With the K-deficiency stress time extending, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of GD8521 were significantly decreased under K-deficiency condition, whereas the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was significantly increased. As a contrast, the variations of Tiefeng 40 were almost little under K-deficiency condition, which indicated tolerance to K+ deficiency variety could maintain higher efficient photosynthesis. On the 25th d after treatment, the minimal fluorescence (F0) of GD8521 was significantly increased and the maximal fluorescence (Fm), the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/ Fm), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate of PSII (ETR) were significantly decreased under K+ deficiency condition. In addition, the Rubisco content of GD8521 was significantly decreased in leaves. It is particularly noteworthy that the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco content of Tiefeng 40 were unaffected under K+ deficiency condition. On the other hand, the non-photochemical quenching (qN) of Tiefeng 40 was significantly increased. The dry matter weight of Tiefeng 40 was little affected under K+ deficiency condition. Results indicated that Tiefeng 40 could avoid or relieve the destruction of PSII caused by exceeded absorbed solar energy under K-deficiency condition and maintain natural photosynthesis and plant growth. It was an essential physiological mechanism for low-K-tolerant soybean under K-deficiency stress.

Abstract  Potassium is an important nutrient element requiring high concentration for photosynthetic metabolism. The potassium deficiency in soil could inhibit soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) photosynthesis and result in yield reduction. Research on the photosynthetic variations of the different tolerant soyben varieties should provide important information for high yield tolerant soybean breeding program. Two representative soybean varieties Tiefeng 40 (tolerance to K+ deficiency) and GD8521 (sensitive to K+ deficiency) were hydroponically grown to measure the photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco activity under different potassium conditions. With the K-deficiency stress time extending, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of GD8521 were significantly decreased under K-deficiency condition, whereas the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was significantly increased. As a contrast, the variations of Tiefeng 40 were almost little under K-deficiency condition, which indicated tolerance to K+ deficiency variety could maintain higher efficient photosynthesis. On the 25th d after treatment, the minimal fluorescence (F0) of GD8521 was significantly increased and the maximal fluorescence (Fm), the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/ Fm), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate of PSII (ETR) were significantly decreased under K+ deficiency condition. In addition, the Rubisco content of GD8521 was significantly decreased in leaves. It is particularly noteworthy that the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and Rubisco content of Tiefeng 40 were unaffected under K+ deficiency condition. On the other hand, the non-photochemical quenching (qN) of Tiefeng 40 was significantly increased. The dry matter weight of Tiefeng 40 was little affected under K+ deficiency condition. Results indicated that Tiefeng 40 could avoid or relieve the destruction of PSII caused by exceeded absorbed solar energy under K-deficiency condition and maintain natural photosynthesis and plant growth. It was an essential physiological mechanism for low-K-tolerant soybean under K-deficiency stress.
Keywords:  soybean       potassium deficiency       photosynthesis       chlorophyll fluorescence       Rubisco content       dry matter weight  
Received: 31 March 2014   Accepted:
Fund: 

This work were supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271644), the Program for Liaoning Excellent Talents in University (LNET), China and the Tianzhu Mountian Scholars Support Plan of Shenyang Agricultural University, China.

Corresponding Authors:  YU Hai-qiu,Tel/Fax: +86-24-88487135, E-mail: haiqiuyu@163.com;WANG Chun-yan, Tel/Fax: +86-10-82106721,E-mail: wangchunyan@caas.cn     E-mail:  haiqiuyu@163.com;wangchunyan@caas.cn
About author:  WANG Xiao-guang, E-mail: wxglyj@163com; ZHAO Xin-hua,E-mail: zxh0427@126.com;* These authors contributed equally to this study

Cite this article: 

WANG Xiao-guang, ZHAO Xin-hua, JIANG Chun-ji, LI Chun-hong, CONG Shan, WU Di, CHEN Yan-qiu, YU Hai-qiu, WANG Chun-yan. 2015. Effects of potassium deficiency on photosynthesis and photoprotection mechanisms in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 14(5): 856-863.

Abbasi M K, Tahir M M, Azam W, Abbs Z, Rahim N. 2012.Soybean yield and chemical composition in response tophosphorus-potassium nutrition in Kashmir. AgronomyJournal, 104, 1476-1484

Agata R, Mario R, Linda M. 2001. Enhanced osmotolerance ofa wheat mutant selected for potassium accumulation. PlantScience, 160, 441-448

Ao X, Guo X H, Zhu Q, Zhang H J, Wang H Y, Ma Z H, Han X R,Zhao M H , Xie F T. 2014. Effect of phosphorus fertilizationto P uptake and dry matter accumulation in soybean withdifferent P efficiencies. Journal of Integrative Agriculture,13, 326-334

Bednarz C W, Oosterhuis D M, Evans R D. 1998. Leafphotosynthesis and carbon isotope discrimination of cottonin response to potassium deficiency. Environmental andExperimental Botany, 39, 131-139

Bednarz C W, Oosterhuis D M. 1999. Physiological changesassociated with potassium deficiency in cotton. Journal ofPlant Nutrition, 22, 303-313

Bilger W, Björkman O. 1990. Role of the xanthophyllcycle in photoprotection elucidated by measurementsof light-induced absorbance changes, fluorescenceand photosynthesis in leaves of Hedera canariensis.Photosynthesis Research, 25, 173-185

Briantais J M, Comic G, Hodges M. 1998. The modificationof chlorophyll fluorescence of Chamydomonas reinhardtiiby photoinhibition and chloramphenicol addition suggestsa form of photosystem II less susceptible to degradation.FEBS Letters, 236, 226-230

Broadley M R, White P J. 2005. Plant Nutritional Genomics.Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, UK. pp. 22-65

Cakmak I. 2005. The role of potassium in alleviating detrimentaleffects of abiotic stresses in plants. Journal of Plant Nutritionand Soil Science, 168, 521-530

Cao M J, Yu H Q, Yan H K, Jiang C J. 2007. difference intolerance to potassium deficiency between two maize inbredlines. Plant Production Science, 10, 42-46

Chen J J, Warren H G. 2000. Morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of tomato roots associated with potassiumacquisitionefficiency. Horticultural Science, 83, 213-225

Coskun D, Britto D T, Kronzucker H J. 2014. The physiology ofchannel-mediated K+ acquisition in roots of higher plants.Physiologia Plantarum, 151, 305-312

Dannehl H, Wietoska H, Heckmann H, Godde D. 1996. Changesin D1 protein turnover and recovery of photo system IIactivity precede accumulation of chlorophyll in plants afterrelease from mineral stress. Planta, 199, 34-42

Degl’Innocenti E, Hafsi C, Guidi L, Navari-Izzo F. 2009. Theeffect of salinity on photosynthetic activity in potassiumdeficientbarley species. Jourmal of Plant Physiology, 166,1968-1981

Demmig-Adams B, Adams W W, Heber U, Neimanis S, WinterK, Kruger A, Czygan F C, Bilger W, Bjorkman O. 1990.Inhibition of zeaxanthin formation and of rapid changes inradiationless energy dissipation by dithiothreitol in spinachand chloroplasts. Plant Physiology, 92, 293-301

Hermans C, Hammond J P, White P J, Verbruggen N. 2006.How do plants respond to nutrient shortage by biomassallocation? Trends Plant Science, 11, 610-617

Jiang C C, Chen F, Gao X Z, Lu J W, Wan K Y, Nian F Z, WangY H. 2008. Study on the nutrition characteristics of differentK use efficiency cotton genotypes to K deficiency stress.Agricultural Science in China, 7, 740-745

Jiang D A, Lu Q, Xue J M, Xie X M. 1992. Regulation ofpotassium nutrition to photosynthetic function and lightenergyabsorption of rice leaf. Acta Agriculturae UniversitatisZhejiangensis, 18, 25-29 (in Chinese)

Jiang D A, Lu Q, Weng X Y, Zhen B S, Xi H F. 2000. Regulationof Rubisco carboxylation activity and photosynthetic rate byRubisco activase during leaf senescence in rice. Journalof Zhejiang University (Agriculture & Life Sciences), 26,119-124 (in Chinese)

Jin J Y. 2012. Changes in the efficiency of fertiliser use inChina. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 92,1006-1009

Kanai S, Ohkura K, Adu-Gyamfi J J, Mohapatra P K, NguyenN T, Saneoka H, Fujita K. 2007. Depression of sink activityprecedes the inhibition of biomass production in tomatoplant subjected to potassium deficiency stress. Journal ofExperimental Botany, 58, 2917-2928

Lazár D. 1999. Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction. Biochimicaet Biophysica Acta-Bioenergetics, 1412, 1-28

Li C H, Sun H Y, Sun J, Li X T, Du Y X, Cao M J. 2011. Differenceof tolerance to low potassium in soybean varieties (lines).Journal of Shenyang Agricultrual University, 42, 649-653(in Chinese)

Li X Y, Mu C S, Lin J X, Wang Y, Li X J. 2014. Effect of alkalinepotassium and sodium salts on growth, photosynthesis,ions absorption and solutes synthesis of wheat seedlings.Experimental Agriculture, 50, 144-157

Lichtenthaler H K, Babani F. 2004. Light adaptation andsenescence of the photosynthetic apparatus. Changesin pigment composition chlorophyll fluorescenceparameters and photosynthetic activity. In: PapageoriouG, Govindjee, eds., Chlorophyll Fluorescence: A Signatureof Photosynthesis. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.pp. 713-736

Lichtenthaler H K. 1996. Vegetation stress: an introduction to the stress concept in plants. Journal of Plant Physiology,148, 4-14

Marschner H, Marschner P. 2012. Marschner’s Mineral Nutritionof Higher Plants. Elsevier, London, UK.

Maxwell K, Johnson G N. 2000. Chlorophyll fluorescence - Apractical guide. Journal of Experimental Botany, 51,659-668

Mäser P, Gierth M, Schroeder J I. 2002. Molecular mechanismsof potassium and sodium uptake in plants. Plant and Soil,247, 43-54

Mengel K, Kirkby E A. 2001. Principles of Plant Nutrition. KluwerAcademic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. p. 833.

Müller P, Li X P, Niyogi K K. 2001. Non-photochemicalquenching: a response to excess light energy. PlantPhysiology, 125, 1558-1566

Peasles D E, Moss D N. 1966. Photosynthesis in K- and Mgdeficientmaize leaves. Soil Science, 30, 220-223

Pervez H, Ashraf M, Makhdum M I. 2004. Influence ofpotassium nutrition on gas exchange characteristicsand water relations in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).Photosynthetica, 42, 251-255

Pettigrew W T. 2008. Potassium influences on yield andquality production for maize, wheat, soybean and cotton.Physiologia Plantarum, 133, 670-681

Qu C X, Liu C, Gong X L, Li C X, Hong M M, Wang L, Hong F S.2012. Impairment of maize seedling photosynthesis causedby a combination of potassium deficiency and salt stress.Environmental and Experimental Botany, 75, 134-141

Römheld V, Kirkby E. 2010. Research on potassium inagriculture: needs and prospects. Plant Soil, 335, 155-180

Schnettger B, Critchley C, Santore U J. 1994. Relationshipbetween photo inhibition of photosynthesis, D1 proteinturnover and chloroplast structure: Effect of proteinsynthesis. Plant Cell Environment, 17, 55-64

Schreiber U, Bilger W, Neubauer C. 1995. Chlorophyllfluorescence as a nonintrusive indicator for rapid assessmentof in vivo photosynthesis. In: Schulze E D, Caldwell M M,eds., Ecophysiology of Photosynthesis. Springer-Verlag,Berlin. pp. 49-70

Sharkey T D, Savitch L V, Butz N D. 1991. Photometric methodfor routine determination of Kcat and carbamylation ofRubisco. Photosynth Research, 28, 41-48

Sun J, Li C H, Sun H Y, Cao M J, Wang X G. 2011. The effectof low potassium stress on growth and development ofdifferent soybean genotypes. Chinese Journal of SoilScience, 42, 431-434 (in Chinese)

Wang X L, Yu H Q, Liu N, Yi B, Cao M J. 2012. Physiologicalcharacteristics of delaying leaf senescence in maize inbredlines tolerant to potassium deficiency. Acta AgronomicaSinica, 38, 1672-1679 (in Chinese)

Wang Y, Wu W H. 2013. Potassium transport and signaling inhigher plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 64, 451-476

Yin X, Vyn T J. 2004. Critical leaf potassium concentrationsfor yield and seed quality of conservation-till soybean. SoilScience Society of America Joutnal, 68, 1626-1634

Zhao D, Oosterhuis D M, Bednarz C W. 2001. Influenceof potassium deficiency on photosynthesis, chlorophyllcontent, and chloroplast ultrastructure of cotton plants.Photosynthetica, 39, 103-109
[1] YANG Hong-jun, YE Wen-wu, YU Ze, SHEN Wei-liang, LI Su-zhen, WANG Xing, CHEN Jia-jia, WANG Yuan-chao, ZHENG Xiao-bo. Host niche, genotype, and field location shape the diversity and composition of the soybean microbiome[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(8): 2412-2425.
[2] WANG Xing-long, ZHU Yu-peng, YAN Ye, HOU Jia-min, WANG Hai-jiang, LUO Ning, WEI Dan, MENG Qing-feng, WANG Pu. Irrigation mitigates the heat impacts on photosynthesis during grain filling in maize [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(8): 2370-2383.
[3] XU Yan-xia, ZHANG Jing, WAN Zi-yun, HUANG Shan-xia, DI Hao-chen, HE Ying, JIN Song-heng. Physiological and transcriptome analyses provide new insights into the mechanism mediating the enhanced tolerance of melatonin-treated rhododendron plants to heat stress[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(8): 2397-2411.
[4] DING Yong-gang, ZHANG Xin-bo, MA Quan, LI Fu-jian, TAO Rong-rong, ZHU Min, Li Chun-yan, ZHU Xin-kai, GUO Wen-shan, DING Jin-feng. Tiller fertility is critical for improving grain yield, photosynthesis and nitrogen efficiency in wheat[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(7): 2054-2066.
[5] XU Lei, ZHAO Tong-hua, Xing Xing, XU Guo-qing, XU Biao, ZHAO Ji-qiu.

Model fitting of the seasonal population dynamics of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, in the field [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(6): 1797-1808.

[6] GAO Hua-wei, YANG Meng-yuan, YAN Long, HU Xian-zhong, HONG Hui-long, ZHANG Xiang, SUN Ru-jian, WANG Hao-rang, WANG Xiao-bo, LIU Li-ke, ZHANG Shu-zhen, QIU Li-juan. Identification of tolerance to high density and lodging in short petiolate germplasm M657 and the effect of density on yield-related phenotypes of soybean[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(2): 434-446.
[7] QU Zheng, LI Yue-han, XU Wei-hui, CHEN Wen-jing, HU Yun-long, WANG Zhi-gang. Different genotypes regulate the microbial community structure in the soybean rhizosphere[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(2): 585-597.
[8] JIANG Hui, GAO Ming-wei, CHEN Ying, ZHANG Chao, WANG Jia-bao, CHAI Qi-chao, WANG Yong-cui, ZHENG Jin-xiu, WANG Xiu-li, ZHAO Jun-sheng. Effect of the L-D1 alleles on leaf morphology, canopy structure and photosynthetic productivity in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(1): 108-119.
[9] GAO Hua-wei, SUN Ru-jian, YANG Meng-yuan, YAN Long, HU Xian-zhong, FU Guang-hui, HONG Hui-long, GUO Bing-fu, ZHANG Xiang, LIU Li-ke, ZHANG Shu-zhen, QIU Li-juan. Characterization of the petiole length in soybean compact architecture mutant M657 and the breeding of new lines[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(9): 2508-2520.
[10] ZHANG Hua, WU Hai-yan, TIAN Rui, KONG You-bin, CHU Jia-hao, XING Xin-zhu, DU Hui, JIN Yuan, LI Xi-huan, ZHANG Cai-ying. Genome-wide association and linkage mapping strategies reveal genetic loci and candidate genes of phosphorus utilization in soybean[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(9): 2521-2537.
[11] ZOU Jia-nan, ZHANG Zhan-guo, KANG Qing-lin, YU Si-yang, WANG Jie-qi, CHEN Lin, LIU Yan-ru, MA Chao, ZHU Rong-sheng, ZHU Yong-xu, DONG Xiao-hui, JIANG Hong-wei, WU Xiao-xia, WANG Nan-nan, HU Zhen-bang, QI Zhao-ming, LIU Chun-yan, CHEN Qing-shan, XIN Da-wei, WANG Jin-hui. Characterization of chromosome segment substitution lines reveals candidate genes associated with the nodule number in soybean[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(8): 2197-2210.
[12] LI Si-ping, ZENG Lu-sheng, SU Zhong-liang. Wheat growth, photosynthesis and physiological characteristics under different soil Zn levels[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(7): 1927-1940.
[13] PAN Wen-jing, HAN Xue, HUANG Shi-yu, YU Jing-yao, ZHAO Ying, QU Ke-xin, ZHANG Ze-xin, YIN Zhen-gong, QI Hui-dong, YU Guo-long, ZHANG Yong, XIN Da-wei, ZHU Rong-sheng, LIU Chun-yan, WU Xiao-xia, JIANG Hong-wei, HU Zhen-bang, ZUO Yu-hu, CHEN Qing-shan, QI Zhao-ming. Identification of candidate genes related to soluble sugar contents in soybean seeds using multiple genetic analyses[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(7): 1886-1902.
[14] LIU Chen, TIAN Yu, LIU Zhang-xiong, GU Yong-zhe, ZHANG Bo, LI Ying-hui, NA Jie, QIU Li-juan. Identification and characterization of long-InDels through whole genome resequencing to facilitate fine-mapping of a QTL for plant height in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(7): 1903-1912.
[15] HUI Fang, XIE Zi-wen, LI Hai-gang, GUO Yan, LI Bao-guo, LIU Yun-ling, MA Yun-tao. Image-based root phenotyping for field-grown crops: An example under maize/soybean intercropping[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(6): 1606-1619.
No Suggested Reading articles found!