Induction of a Transient Enhancement of Low Level Chemiluminescence in Intact Leaves by Anaerobic Treatment

Abstract

Abstract— Intrinsic low level chemiluminescence of dark adapted intact leaves exhibits a transient enhancement of light emission when ambient air is replaced with an anaerobic atmosphere. Re establishing aerobic conditions gives rise to a complex kinetic behavior of the light emission in the post‐anoxic phase. Metabolic changes within the leaf are suggested to be responsible for this phenom enon, where intactness of the leaf is found to be of crucial importance. Leaf homogenate showed nearly oxygen independent chemiluminescence. In contrast, low level chemiluminescence of UV‐light damaged leaves and of chloroplast preparations was inhibited by oxygen depletion. Spectral analyses of the ultraweak light emission from the intact leaf indicates that in both aerobic and anaerobic cases, the source of the ultraweak light is the same. The similarity to the spectrum of delayed fluorescence also obtained from the leaf suggests that chlorophyll is the light emitting species.

Ozone- and UV-stress detected by photon emission of plants

“…In green plant tissues there is an indication that chlorophyll, acting as an efficient acceptor of energy from endogenous excited species (Bohne et al 1986), is the dominant source of UPE (Hideg et al 1990). The similarity of DL-and UPE-spectra from intact leaves also supports this assumption (Roschger et al 1992). UPE is temperature-dependent and shows a nonlinear response (Slawinski & Popp 1987).…”

“…On the basis of previous investigations (Roschger et al 1992), we measured the kinetics of UPE from spruce and duckweed during deoxygenation (argon treatment) and reoxygenation (air treatment) and after UV-irradiation and ozone treatment. On the basis of previous investigations (Roschger et al 1992), we measured the kinetics of UPE from spruce and duckweed during deoxygenation (argon treatment) and reoxygenation (air treatment) and after UV-irradiation and ozone treatment.…”

“…UPE is temperature-dependent and shows a nonlinear response (Slawinski & Popp 1987). Anoxic and post-anoxic induced UPE show a characteristic kinetic behaviour (Roschger et al 1992).…”

“…UV-induced damage in hibiscus leaves results in a continuous rise of UPE over several days (Panagopoulos et al 1989). For instance, UV-C-irradiated leaves showed a strong inhibition of UPE under anaerobic treatment which rises up again on restoring aerobic condition (Roschger et al 1992). For instance, UV-C-irradiated leaves showed a strong inhibition of UPE under anaerobic treatment which rises up again on restoring aerobic condition (Roschger et al 1992).…”

Ultraweak photon emission from herbivory-injured maize plants

“…In plants, ultraweak luminescence has been emitted in response to environmental changes and stress, such as temperature changes [15], salt stress [13], drought damage [14], pathogenic fungus attack [10], and herbivorous mite infection [8].…”