Effects of periodic photoinhibitory light exposure on physiology and productivity of Arabidopsis plants grown under low light

This work examined the long-term effects of periodic high light stress on photosynthesis, morphology, and productivity of low-light-acclimated Arabidopsis plants. Significant photoinhibition of Arabidopsis seedlings grown under low light (100 μmol photons m(−2) s(−1)) was observed at the beginning of the high light treatment (three times a day for 30 min at 1800 μmol photons m(−2) s(−1)). However, after 2 weeks of treatment, similar photosynthesis yields (F(v)/F(m)) to those of control plants were attained. The daily levels of photochemical quenching measured in the dark (qP(d)) indicated that the plants recovered from photoinhibition within several hours once transferred back to low light conditions, with complete recovery being achieved overnight. Acclimation to high light stress resulted in the modification of the number, structure, and position of chloroplasts, and an increase in the average chlorophyll a/b ratio. During ontogenesis, high-light-exposed plants had lower total leaf areas but higher above-ground biomass. This was attributed to the consumption of starch for stem and seed production. Moreover, periodic high light exposure brought forward the reproductive phase and resulted in higher seed yields compared with control plants grown under low light. The responses to periodic high light exposure of mature Arabidopsis plants were similar to those of seedlings but had higher light tolerance.