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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
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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: 

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