Photosynthetic response of barley plants to soil flooding

Abstract

72 to 120 h of soil flooding of barley plants (Hordeum vulgate L. cv. Alfa) led to a noticeable decrease in the rates of CO2 assimilation and transpiration, and in chlorophyll and dry mass contents. Stomatal conductance decreased following flooding without appreciable changes in the values of intercellular CO2 concentrations. A drop in the activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and of the photorespiratory enzymes phosphoglycollate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.18) and glycollate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1) was observed, while the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) increased in all flooded plants. Flooding of barley plants caused an increase in proline content and in leaf acidity.