Stress-induced alteration of chlorophyll fluorescence polarization and spectrum in leaves of Alocasia macrorrhiza L. Schott

The value of intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence polarization, and the intensity in emission spectrum were investigated in leaf segments of Alocasia macrorrhiza under several stress conditions including different temperatures ( 25 - 50 degrees C), various concentrations of NaCl ( 0 - 250 mM), methyl viologen ( MV, 0 - 25 mu M), SDS ( 0 - 1.0%) and NaHSO3 ( 0 - 80 mu M). Fluorescence emission spectrum of leaves at wavelength regions of 500 - 800 nm was monitored by excitation at 436 nm. The value of fluorescence polarization ( P value), as result of energy transfer and mutual orientation between chlorophyll molecules, was determined by excitation at 436 nm and emission at 685 nm. The results showed that elevated temperature and concentrations of salt ( NaCl), photooxidant ( MV), surfactant ( SDS) and simulated SO2 ( NaHSO3) treatments all induced a reduction of fluorescence polarization to various degrees. However, alteration of the fluorescence spectrum and emission intensity of F-685 and F-731 depended on the individual treatment. Increase in temperature and concentration of NaHSO3 enhanced fluorescence intensity mainly at F-685, while an increase in MV concentration led to a decrease at both F-685 and F-731. On the contrary, NaCl and SDS did not cause remarkable change in fluorescence spectrum. Among different treatments, the negative correlation between polarization and fluorescence intensity was found with NaHSO3 treatments only. We concluded that P value being measured with intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence as probe in leaves is a susceptible indicator responding to changes in environmental conditions. The alteration of P value and fluorescence intensity might not always be shown a functional relation pattern. The possible reasons of differed response to various treatments were discussed.