A chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of photosynthetic efficiency, quantum yield and photon energy dissipation in PSII antennae of Lactuca sativa L. leaves exposed to cinnamic acid

This study investigated the effects of cinnamic acid (CA) on growth, biochemical and physiological responses of Lactuca sativa L. CA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) treatments decreased plant height, root length, leaf and root fresh weight, but it did not affect the leaf water status. CA treatment (1.5 mM) significantly reduced Fv, Fm, photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) photochemistry in L. sativa. The photochemical fluorescence quenching (qP) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were reduced after treatment with 1.5 mM CA. Fraction of photon energy absorbed by PS II antennae trapped by “open” PS II reaction centers (P) was reduced by CA (1.5 mM) while, portion of absorbed photon energy thermally dissipated (D) and photon energy absorbed by PSII antennae and trapped by “closed” PSII reaction centers (E) was increased. Carbon isotope composition ratios (δ13C) was less negative (−27.10) in CA (1.5 mM) treated plants as compared to control (−27.61). Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) and ratio of intercellular CO2 concentration (ci/ca) from leaf to air were also less in CA treated plants. CA (1.5 mM) also decreased the leaf protein contents of L. sativa as compared to control.

► Cinnamic acid (CA) decreased plant height and root length of Lactuca sativa.
► CA (1.5 mM) decreased photosynthetic efficiency, quantum yield of PSII photochemistry.
► Photon energy absorbed by PSII antennae trapped by “open” PSII was reduced by CA.
► Carbon isotope discrimination and ci/ca were less in CA treated plants.
► CA also decreased the leaf protein contents in L. sativa at 1.5 mM concentration