CHANGES IN SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF CHLOROPHYLL DURING GREENING OF BARLEY LEAVES

Abstract— In order to study the formation of photochemical systems in the early phase of greening of barley leaves, we examined the changes in chlorophyll (Chl) spectral components of the absorption spectrum of greening tissues using a curvc analysis method. Peak positions of the fourth-derivative spectrum were changing during the first 30 min of illumination hut became stable thereafter. Results of curve analysis showed that about half of the spectral components of mature leaves were already found at 30 min after onset of illumination, and the rest appeared by 4 h. After 30 min the half widths of some spectral componcnts changed slightly. The 683 nm form of Chl a of the photosystem 11 (PSII) core was present after 30 min of illumination and increased up to 2 h, followed by a decrease. The 641 nm form of Chl u of photosystem I (PSI) appeared at 30 min and increased until 2.5 h. The 699 nm form of Chl a also appeared at 1.5 h. The 640 nm form of Chl b appeared at 2 h, while the 649 nm Chl b form was found earlier (1.5 h). Both components were increasing with prolonged time of illumination. Finally, the 704 nm form of Chl a characteristic of the PSI peripheral antenna appeared at 4 h of greening. Ruorescence of PSI and PSII began to appear at 1 and 2 h, respectively. These spectral changes were discussed in relation to the formation of chlorophyll-protein complexes and the development of photochemical activities.     

Water movement in a plant sample by neutron beam analysis as well as positron emission tracer imaging system

We present water imaging of a plant sample both by neutron beam and positron emission tracer imaging system (PETIS). The former method provided static water profile in a plant sample as well as that in the vicinity of a root imbedded in soil. Not only X-ray film but also CT method using a cooled CCD camera is presented. Through non-destructive water image in an X-ray film, root development as well as 2-dimensional water movement toward the root was analyzed. Spatial water image was constructed from 180 CT projection images, taken at an interval of one degree while rotating the sample, through a CCD camera. In the case of a soybean root, there was a water gradient toward a root in soil and gave minimum value at about 1 mm far from the surface of a root. The water absorbing part in a root was gradually shifted downward with the root development. We also present real time water movement by PETIS, where water was labeled with a positron emitting nuclide, ¹⁵O. The transportation of ¹⁵O-water within a plant was relatively slow and water uptake was observed only at the lowest internode, between a root and the first leaf, during 20-minute measurement.