Inhibition of Photosynthesis in Whole Tomato Plants Following Chilling in the Light: The Role of Enzymes of the Photosynthetic Carbon Reduction Cycle

Certain plants which are accustomed to growing under temperate conditions show a distinct inhibition of function when subjected to brief periods at temperatures that are well below the optimal growing point but above freezing. Photosynthesis is often the first physiological process that displays a loss of activity following a low temperature exposure, and damage is exacerbated when low temperatures are sustained in the presence of high light intensities. Under normal growing conditions, the component processes of whole plant photosynthesis appear to be balanced in such a way that it is unlikely that any single biochemical reaction is ever a sole limiting factor to photosynthesis or to growth. However, after a plant has been subjected to a stress, a lesion may develop in one step, creating a dominant limiting factor. It is the aim of this study to discover the nature of inhibition of photosynthesis and thence localize the essential biochemical processes that may be specifically weakened during chilling in the light.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Sassenrath, Gretchen Frances

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ort, Donald R.

• Biology, General

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8908824

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/77652