Role of fluorescence approaches to understand functional traits of photosynthesis

Abstract

Chlorophyll a fluorescence is a fast, non-invasive, non-destructive tool. Plant responses of the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves and plants can be measured in real time using digital imaging, and this gives the opportunity through analysis of the data to understand more about the growth and developmental processes of plants as they adapt and respond to the changes in the environment. Chlorophyll a fluorescence fulfils the criteria to be used in high-throughput (HTP) screening, as long as fundamental rules are being taken care of like good plant preparation and proper use of measuring protocols. Four parameters derived from fluorescence measurements that can be used for HTP screening of plants are being discussed because these parameters can be used as functional traits of photosynthesis. Selecting plants on these properties will offer possibilities in improving the crop yield at field conditions and in greenhouses.