Changes in activity of energy dissipating mechanisms in wheat flag leaves during senescence

Excitation energy dissipation, including the xanthophyll cycle, during senescence in wheat flag leaves grown in the field was investigated at midday and in the morning. With progress of senescence, photosynthesis (Pn) and actual PSII photochemical efficiency (PhiPSII) decreased markedly at midday. The decrease in extent of Pn was greater than that of PhiPSII. However, there was no significant decline in Pn and PhiPSII observed in the morning, except in leaves 60 days after anthesis. The kinetics of xanthophyll cycle activity, thermal dissipation (NPQ), and q (f) observed at midday during senescence exhibited two distinct phases. The first phase was characterized by an increase of xanthophyll cycle activity, NPQ, and q (f) during the first 45 days after anthesis. The second phase took place 45 days after anthesis, characterized by a dramatic decline in the above parameters. However, the qI, observed both at midday and in the morning, always increased along with senescence. A larger proportion of NPQ insensitive to DTT (an inhibitor of the de-epoxidation of V to Z) was also observed in severely senescent leaves. In the morning, only severely senescent leaves showed higher xanthophyll cycle activity, NPQ, q (f), and qI. It was demonstrated that, at the beginning of senescence or under low light, wheat leaves were able to dissipate excess light energy via NPQ, depending on the xanthophyll cycle. However, the xanthophyll cycle was insufficient to protect leaves against photodamage under high light, when leaves became severely senescent. The ratio of (Fj - Fo)/(Fp - Fo) increased gradually during the first 45 days after anthesis, but dramatically increased 45 days after anthesis. We propose that another photoprotection mechanism might exist around reaction centres, activated in severely senescent leaves to protect leaves from photodamage.