Green light reversal of blue-light-stimulated stomatal opening is found in a diversity of plant species

Abstract

Reversal by green light of blue-light-stimulated stomatal opening was found across a number of plant species, including leguminous and nonleguminous dicots and grass and nongrass monocots. Simultaneous exposure to equal fluence rates of blue and green light resulted in ∼50% reversal of normal blue light opening. Complete reversal occurred when the fluence rate of green light was approximately twice that of blue light. These results suggest that blue-green reversibility of stomatal opening is a basic photobiological property of guard cells. The blue-green reversibility of stomatal opening has been hypothesized to ensue from the cycling of two interconvertible, isomeric forms of the blue-light photoreceptor, zeaxanthin. Testing of blue-green reversibility could provide a valuable diagnostic tool for zeaxanthin-mediated blue-light photoperception.