The JIP test, based on fast chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics and derived parameters, is a dependable tool for studying photosynthetic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. We extracted additional information from the whole OJIP and the normalized variable fluorescence (Vt) transient curve using first and second-order derivatives to visualize and localize points of landmark events. To account for light-induced variations in the fluorescence transient, we present a time-adjusted JIP test approach in which the derivatives of the transient curve are used to determine the exact timing of the J and I steps instead of fixed time points. We compared the traditional JIP test method with the time-adjusted method in analyzing fast ChlF measurements of silver birch (Betula pendula) in field conditions studying diurnal and within-crown variation. The time-adjusted JIP test method showed potential for studying ChlF dynamics, as it takes into account potential time shifts in the occurrence of J and I steps. The exact occurrence times of J and I steps and other landmark events coincided with the times of significant differences in fluorescence intensity. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were linearly related to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at different times of day, and the values obtained by the time-adjusted JIP test showed a stronger linear regression than the traditional JIP test. For fluorescence parameters having significant differences among different times of day and crown layers, the time-adjusted JIP test resulted in more clear differences than the traditional JIP test. Diurnal ChlF intensity data indicated that differences between the southern and northern provenance were only evident under low light conditions. Taken together, our results emphasize the potential relevance of considering the time domain in the analysis of the fast ChlF induction.

• Keywords
• Betula pendula, Chlorophyll fluorescence, Diurnal variation, JIP test, Photosynthesis, Within-tree variation,
• MeSH
• Betula * MeSH
• Chlorophyll MeSH
• Fluorescence MeSH
• Photosynthesis MeSH
• Plant Leaves MeSH
• Trees * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Chlorophyll MeSH

In nature, plants are often confronted with wide variations in light intensity, which may cause a massive carbon loss and water waste. Here, we investigated the response of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance to fluctuating light among ten rice genotypes and their influence on plant acclimation and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi). Significant differences were observed in photosynthetic induction and stomatal kinetics across rice genotypes. However, no significant correlation was observed between steady-state and non-steady-state gas exchange. Genotypes with a greater range of steady-state and faster response rate of the gas exchange showed stronger adaptability to fluctuating light. Higher stomatal conductance during the initial phase of induction had little effect on the photosynthetic rate but markedly decreased the plant WUEi. Clarification of the mechanism influencing the dynamic gas exchange and synchronization between photosynthesis and stomatal conductance under fluctuating light may contribute to the improvement of photosynthesis and water-use efficiency in the future.

• Keywords
• fluctuating light, gas exchange, intrinsic water-use efficiency, non-steady state, steady state,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH