The Lc petunia system, which displays enhanced, light-induced vegetative pigmentation, was used to investigate how high light affects anthocyanin biosynthesis, and to assess the effects of anthocyanin pigmentation upon photosynthesis. Lc petunia plants displayed intense purple anthocyanin pigmentation throughout the leaves and stems when grown under high-light conditions, yet remain acyanic when grown under shade conditions. The coloured phenotypes matched with an accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonols, as well as the activation of the early and late flavonoid biosynthetic genes required for flavonol and anthocyanin production. Pigmentation in Lc petunia only occurred under conditions which normally induce a modest amount of anthocyanin to accumulate in wild-type Mitchell petunia [Petunia axillaris×(Petunia axillaris×Petunia hybrida cv. ‘Rose of Heaven’)]. Anthocyanin pigmentation in Lc petunia leaves appears to screen underlying photosynthetic tissues, increasing light saturation and light compensation points, without reducing the maximal photosynthetic assimilation rate (Amax). In the Lc petunia system, where the bHLH factor Leaf colour is constitutively expressed, expression of the bHLH (Lc) and WD40 (An11) components of the anthocyanin regulatory system were not limited, suggesting that the high-light-induced anthocyanin pigmentation is regulated by endogenous MYB transcription factors.

The results suggest that barley seeds can take up sodium, allowing them to generate additional osmotic potential, absorb more water and germinate more rapidly in environments of lower water potential. This may have ecological implications, allowing halophytic species and varieties to out-compete glycophytes in saline soils.

Plant growth correlates with net carbon gain on a whole plant basis. Over the last several decades, the driving factors shaping plant morphology and performance have become increasingly clear. This review seeks to explore the importance of these factors for grass performance. Briefly, these fall into factors influencing photosynthetic rates directly, competition between plants in a canopy, and nutrient status and availability.

Shown here is the first evidence of the suppression of host photosynthesis by a facultative hemiparasitic plant, which has significant effects on total biomass production. Host identity is a significant factor in parasite success, with the forb Plantago lanceolata exhibiting apparent chemical as well as previously identified physical defences to parasitism. It is proposed that the electron transport rate (as denoted by Phi(PSII)) represents the limiting factor for biomass accumulation in this system, and that Plantago is able to suppress the growth of Rhinanthus by suppressing the electron transport rate.

Summary• A simple, improved model of Rubisco synthesis and degradation in cereal leaves is developed using data obtained over the leaf lifespan to return maximum likelihood values for Rubisco proteolysis and biosynthesis. It assumes that the time course of leaf Rubisco content can be described using a log-normal curve, and degradation of the Rubisco pool occurs exponentially.• Curve parameters give an insight into how Rubisco dynamics differ among treatments or genotypes; also, statistical analyses can be performed more easily, requiring fewer data and allowing more flexibility in sampling than previous studies.• Predicted patterns of synthesis correlate well with independent rbc gene transcript data. Rubisco degradation is a first-order decay process, and biosynthesis correlates with leaf elongation rates.• As Rubisco degradation takes place according to first-order kinetics, control of leaf Rubisco concentration must be exerted by adjustment of biosynthetic, rather than proteolytic, rates.