Search

Increasing atmospheric [CO 2] is thought to contribute to changes in precipitation patterns, increasing heatwaves and severe drought scenarios. However, how the combination of elevated [CO 2] and progressive drought affect plant metabolism is poorly understood. Aiming to investigate the effects of this environmental condition on photosynthesis and specialized metabolites in leaves of Coffea arabica during the early growth, plants fertilized with ambient (a[CO 2]-400 ppm) and elevated (e[CO 2]-800 ppm) [CO 2] were exposed to well-watered (WW) or water-deficit (WD) regimes for 40 days. Over the 40-day-water-withdrawal, soil moisture, and leaf water potential decreased compared to WW-condition. Elevated [CO 2] stimulates CO 2 assimilation (A) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) even under WD. Drought condition slightly changed stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) regardless of [CO 2] compared to WW-plants. Total soluble amino acid concentration did not change significantly, while total phenolic compounds concentration decreased under e[CO 2] regardless of water regimes. The combination of e[CO 2]+WD increased the 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and caffeine amounts by 40-day when compared to a[CO 2]+WD plants. Altogether, these results suggest that e[CO 2] buffers mild-drought stress in young C. arabica by increasing A, iWUE and stimulating changes in the leaf contents of 5-CQA and caffeine.

Increasing atmospheric [CO 2] is thought to contribute to changes in precipitation patterns, increasing heatwaves and severe drought scenarios. However, how the combination of elevated [CO 2] and progressive drought affect plant metabolism is poorly understood. Aiming to investigate the effects of this environmental condition on photosynthesis and specialized metabolites in leaves of Coffea arabica during the early growth, plants fertilized with ambient (a[CO 2]-400 ppm) and elevated (e[CO 2]-800 ppm) [CO 2] were exposed to well-watered (WW) or water-deficit (WD) regimes for 40 days. Over the 40-day-water-withdrawal, soil moisture, and leaf water potential decreased compared to WW-condition. Elevated [CO 2] stimulates CO 2 assimilation (A) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) even under WD. Drought condition slightly changed stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) regardless of [CO 2] compared to WW-plants. Total soluble amino acid concentration did not change significantly, while total phenolic compounds concentration decreased under e[CO 2] regardless of water regimes. The combination of e[CO 2]+WD increased the 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and caffeine amounts by 40-day when compared to a[CO 2]+WD plants. Altogether, these results suggest that e[CO 2] buffers mild-drought stress in young C. arabica by increasing A, iWUE and stimulating changes in the leaf contents of 5-CQA and caffeine.

Photosynthesis involves the conversion of sunlight energy into stored chemical energy, which is achieved through electron transport along a series of redox reactions. Excess photosynthetic electron transport might be dangerous due to the risk of molecular oxygen reduction, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) over-accumulation. Avoiding excess ROS production requires the rate of electron transport to be coordinated with the capacity of electron acceptors in the chloroplast stroma. Imbalance between the donor and acceptor sides of photosystem I (PSI) can lead to inactivation, which is called PSI photoinhibition. We used a light-inducible PSI photoinhibition system in Arabidopsis thaliana to resolve the time dynamics of inhibition and to investigate its impact on ROS production and turnover. The oxidation state of the PSI reaction center and rates of CO 2 fixation both indicated strong and rapid PSI photoinhibition upon donor side/acceptor side imbalance, while the rate of inhibition eased during prolonged imbalance. PSI photoinhibition was not associated with any major changes in ROS accumulation or antioxidant activity; however, a lower level of lipid oxidation correlated with lower abundance of chloroplast lipoxygenase in PSI-inhibited leaves. The results of this study suggest that rapid activation of PSI photoinhibition under severe photosynthetic imbalance protects the chloroplast from over-reduction and excess ROS formation.

Photosynthesis involves the conversion of sunlight energy into stored chemical energy, which is achieved through electron transport along a series of redox reactions. Excess photosynthetic electron transport might be dangerous due to the risk of molecular oxygen reduction, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) over-accumulation. Avoiding excess ROS production requires the rate of electron transport to be coordinated with the capacity of electron acceptors in the chloroplast stroma. Imbalance between the donor and acceptor sides of photosystem I (PSI) can lead to inactivation, which is called PSI photoinhibition. We used a light-inducible PSI photoinhibition system in Arabidopsis thaliana to resolve the time dynamics of inhibition and to investigate its impact on ROS production and turnover. The oxidation state of the PSI reaction center and rates of CO 2 fixation both indicated strong and rapid PSI photoinhibition upon donor side/acceptor side imbalance, while the rate of inhibition eased during prolonged imbalance. PSI photoinhibition was not associated with any major changes in ROS accumulation or antioxidant activity; however, a lower level of lipid oxidation correlated with lower abundance of chloroplast lipoxygenase in PSI-inhibited leaves. The results of this study suggest that rapid activation of PSI photoinhibition under severe photosynthetic imbalance protects the chloroplast from over-reduction and excess ROS formation.

In nature, plants are simultaneously challenged by biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the effects of these combined stresses for most crops. This work aimed to evaluate the responsed of the virus-resistant cowpea genotype BRS-Marataoã to the exposure of salt stress combined with CPSMV infection. Cowpea plants were exposed to 200 mM NaCl either simultaneously (SV plant group) or 24 h prior to the CPSMV infection [S(24 h)V plant group]. Physiological, biochemical, and proteomic analyses at 2 and 6 days post salt stress (DPS) revealed that cowpea significantly reprogrammed its cellular metabolism. Indeed, plant size, photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and internal CO 2 partial pressure) and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were reduced in S(24 h)V compared to SV. Moreover, accumulation of viral particles at 6 DPS in S(24 h)V was observed indicating that the salt stress imposed prior to virus infection favors viral particle proliferation. Proteomic analysis showed differential contents of 403 and 330 proteins at 2 DPS and 6 DPS, respectively, out of 733 differentially abundant proteins between the two plant groups. The altered leaf proteins are involved in energy and metabolism, photosynthesis, stress response, and oxidative burst. Biological significance: This is an original study in which a virus-resistant cowpea genotype (BRS-Marataoã) was (i) exposed simultaneously to 200 mM NaCl and inoculation with CPSMV (SV plant group) or (ii) exposed to 200 mM NaCl stress 24 h prior to inoculation with CPSMV [S(24 h)V plant group]. The purpose was to shed light on how this CPSMV resistant cowpea responded to the combined stresses. Numerous key proteins and associated pathways were altered in the cowpea plants challenged with both stresses, but unexpectedly, the salt stress imposed 24 h prior to CPSMV inoculation allowed viral proliferation, turning the cowpea genotype from resistant to susceptible

Mechanisms involving ammonium toxicity, excess light, and photosynthesis are scarcely known in plants. We tested the hypothesis that high NH 4 + supply in presence of high light decreases photosynthetic efficiency of rice plants, an allegedly tolerant species. Mature rice plants were previously supplied with 10 mM NH 4 + or 10 mM NO 3 − and subsequently exposed to 400 µmol m −2 s −1 (moderate light—ML) or 2000 µmol m −2 s −1 (high light—HL) for 8 h. HL greatly stimulated NH 4 + accumulation in roots and in a minor extent in leaves. These plants displayed significant delay in D1 protein recovery in the dark, compared to nitrate-supplied plants. These responses were related to reduction of both PSII and PSI quantum efficiencies and induction of non-photochemical quenching. These changes were also associated with higher limitation in the donor side and lower restriction in the acceptor side of PSI. This later response was closely related to prominent decrease in stomatal conductance and net CO 2 assimilation that could have strongly affected the energy balance in chloroplast, favoring ATP accumulation and NPQ induction. In parallel, NH 4 + induced a strong increase in the electron flux to photorespiration and, inversely, it decreased the flux to Rubisco carboxylation. Overall, ammonium supply negatively interacts with excess light, possibly by enhancing ammonium transport towards leaves, causing negative effects on some photosynthetic steps. We propose that high ammonium supply to rice combined with excess light is capable to induce strong delay in D1 protein turnover and restriction in stomatal conductance, which might have contributed to generalized disturbances on photosynthetic efficiency.

Rice is one of the world's most important crops and an excellent model system for understanding the interaction between genes and environmental changes. However, its productivity is often challenged by abiotic stresses, which results in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Glutathione peroxidases are part of the mechanism by which plants face oxidative stress. These enzymes can control redox homeostasis and also play a role in redox signaling. Here, we investigate the role of rice GPX3 in plant responses to salt stress using OsGPX3-RNAi silenced rice plants (GPX3s). Our results indicate that GPX3s plants are more sensitive to salinity showing decreased biomass, CO 2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO 2 partial pressure. Moreover, these plants present significant damage to photosystem II activity and decline in chlorophyll content. Salt stress induced ROS accumulation in both non-transformed (NT) and GPX3s plants, indicating that GPX3s sensibility to salt stress was not due to the significant impairment in redox equilibrium. Together, these results show GPX3 importance in rice to achieve salt stress tolerance via an independent ROS-scavenger mechanism. Moreover, it also provides new light into the cross-talk between chloroplasts and mitochondria, suggesting a novel role to this enzyme beyond its role as ROS-scavenger.

Rice is one of the world's most important crops and an excellent model system for understanding the interaction between genes and environmental changes. However, its productivity is often challenged by abiotic stresses, which results in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Glutathione peroxidases are part of the mechanism by which plants face oxidative stress. These enzymes can control redox homeostasis and also play a role in redox signaling. Here, we investigate the role of rice GPX3 in plant responses to salt stress using OsGPX3-RNAi silenced rice plants (GPX3s). Our results indicate that GPX3s plants are more sensitive to salinity showing decreased biomass, CO 2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO 2 partial pressure. Moreover, these plants present significant damage to photosystem II activity and decline in chlorophyll content. Salt stress induced ROS accumulation in both non-transformed (NT) and GPX3s plants, indicating that GPX3s sensibility to salt stress was not due to the significant impairment in redox equilibrium. Together, these results show GPX3 importance in rice to achieve salt stress tolerance via an independent ROS-scavenger mechanism. Moreover, it also provides new light into the cross-talk between chloroplasts and mitochondria, suggesting a novel role to this enzyme beyond its role as ROS-scavenger.

In nature, plants are simultaneously challenged by biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the effects of these combined stresses for most crops. This work aimed to evaluate the responsed of the virus-resistant cowpea genotype BRS-Marataoã to the exposure of salt stress combined with CPSMV infection. Cowpea plants were exposed to 200 mM NaCl either simultaneously (SV plant group) or 24 h prior to the CPSMV infection [S(24 h)V plant group]. Physiological, biochemical, and proteomic analyses at 2 and 6 days post salt stress (DPS) revealed that cowpea significantly reprogrammed its cellular metabolism. Indeed, plant size, photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and internal CO 2 partial pressure) and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were reduced in S(24 h)V compared to SV. Moreover, accumulation of viral particles at 6 DPS in S(24 h)V was observed indicating that the salt stress imposed prior to virus infection favors viral particle proliferation. Proteomic analysis showed differential contents of 403 and 330 proteins at 2 DPS and 6 DPS, respectively, out of 733 differentially abundant proteins between the two plant groups. The altered leaf proteins are involved in energy and metabolism, photosynthesis, stress response, and oxidative burst. Biological significance: This is an original study in which a virus-resistant cowpea genotype (BRS-Marataoã) was (i) exposed simultaneously to 200 mM NaCl and inoculation with CPSMV (SV plant group) or (ii) exposed to 200 mM NaCl stress 24 h prior to inoculation with CPSMV [S(24 h)V plant group]. The purpose was to shed light on how this CPSMV resistant cowpea responded to the combined stresses. Numerous key proteins and associated pathways were altered in the cowpea plants challenged with both stresses, but unexpectedly, the salt stress imposed 24 h prior to CPSMV inoculation allowed viral proliferation, turning the cowpea genotype from resistant to susceptible

Mechanisms involving ammonium toxicity, excess light, and photosynthesis are scarcely known in plants. We tested the hypothesis that high NH 4 + supply in presence of high light decreases photosynthetic efficiency of rice plants, an allegedly tolerant species. Mature rice plants were previously supplied with 10 mM NH 4 + or 10 mM NO 3 − and subsequently exposed to 400 µmol m −2 s −1 (moderate light—ML) or 2000 µmol m −2 s −1 (high light—HL) for 8 h. HL greatly stimulated NH 4 + accumulation in roots and in a minor extent in leaves. These plants displayed significant delay in D1 protein recovery in the dark, compared to nitrate-supplied plants. These responses were related to reduction of both PSII and PSI quantum efficiencies and induction of non-photochemical quenching. These changes were also associated with higher limitation in the donor side and lower restriction in the acceptor side of PSI. This later response was closely related to prominent decrease in stomatal conductance and net CO 2 assimilation that could have strongly affected the energy balance in chloroplast, favoring ATP accumulation and NPQ induction. In parallel, NH 4 + induced a strong increase in the electron flux to photorespiration and, inversely, it decreased the flux to Rubisco carboxylation. Overall, ammonium supply negatively interacts with excess light, possibly by enhancing ammonium transport towards leaves, causing negative effects on some photosynthetic steps. We propose that high ammonium supply to rice combined with excess light is capable to induce strong delay in D1 protein turnover and restriction in stomatal conductance, which might have contributed to generalized disturbances on photosynthetic efficiency.

Aims: Understanding mechanisms underlying N use efficiency (NUE) after luxury consumption and nitrate deprivation is crucial to crop productivity. The aim was to elucidate the importance of photosynthesis, assimilatory nitrate reduction and N-reserve remobilization to NUE in cotton. Methods: Plants were exposed to three conditions in nutrient solution: (a) previous exposure to high nitrate supply (10 mM) for long-term (8 days); (b) nitrate deprivation (NO 3 − withdrawal) for 8 days followed by (c) an early N-deficiency for 4 days. Results: Plants supplied with nitrate excess were able to display increment in shoot NUE related to dry matter gain, whereas photosynthetic N use efficiency did not change, evidencing that excess N per se was not able to improve CO 2 assimilation. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was crucial to remobilize stored nitrate through deprivation phase and free amino acids, total proteins, and chlorophylls were also essential to N-remobilization. High NUE was important to kept high root growth rates throughout deprivation and early deficiency phases. Despite the great decrease in chlorophyll content, PSII and PSI activities were kept stable until the onset of early N-deficiency, when cotton plants displayed high shoot NUE. Conclusions: These responses are closely associated with high NR activity and sustaining of photosynthesis, which contribute to N-homeostasis in different nutritional regimes.

Spraying sucrose inhibits photosynthesis by impairing Rubisco activity and stomatal conductance (gs), whereas increasing sink demand by partially darkening the plant stimulates sugarcane photosynthesis. We hypothesized that the stimulatory effect of darkness can offset the inhibitory effect of exogenous sucrose on photosynthesis. Source-sink relationship was perturbed in two sugarcane cultivars by imposing partial darkness, spraying a sucrose solution (50 mM) and their combination. Five days after the onset of the treatments, the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and the initial slope of A-Ci curve (k) were estimated by measuring leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Photosynthesis was inhibited by sucrose spraying in both genotypes, through decreases in Vcmax, k, gs and ATP production driven by electron transport (Jatp). Photosynthesis of plants subjected to the combination of partial darkness and sucrose spraying was similar to photosynthesis of reference plants for both genotypes. Significant increases in Vcmax, gs and Jatp and marginal increases in k were noticed when combining partial darkness and sucrose spraying compared with sucrose spraying alone. Our data also revealed that increases in sink strength due to partial darkness offset the inhibition of sugarcane photosynthesis caused by sucrose spraying, enhancing the knowledge on endogenous regulation of sugarcane photosynthesis through the source-sink relationship.

Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) causes significant losses in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) production. In this present study biochemical, physiological, and proteomic analysis were done to identify pathways and defense proteins that are altered during the incompatible interaction between the cowpea genotype BRS-Marataoã and CPSMV. The leaf protein extracts from mock- (MI) and CPSMV-inoculated plantlets (V) were evaluated at 2 and 6 days post-inoculation (DPI). Data support the assumptions that increases in biochemical (high hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary compounds) and physiological responses (high photosynthesis index and chlorophyll content), confirmed by label-free comparative proteomic approach, in which quantitative changes in proteasome proteins, proteins related to photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, regulation factors/RNA processing proteins were observed may be implicated in the resistance of BRS-Marataoã to CPSMV. This pioneering study provides information for the selection of specific pathways and proteins, altered in this incompatible relationship, which could be chosen as targets for detailed studies to advance our understanding of the molecular, physiological, and biochemistry basis of the resistance mechanism of cowpea and design approachs to engineer plants that are more productive.

Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) causes significant losses in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) production. In this present study biochemical, physiological, and proteomic analysis were done to identify pathways and defense proteins that are altered during the incompatible interaction between the cowpea genotype BRS-Marataoã and CPSMV. The leaf protein extracts from mock- (MI) and CPSMV-inoculated plantlets (V) were evaluated at 2 and 6 days post-inoculation (DPI). Data support the assumptions that increases in biochemical (high hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary compounds) and physiological responses (high photosynthesis index and chlorophyll content), confirmed by label-free comparative proteomic approach, in which quantitative changes in proteasome proteins, proteins related to photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, regulation factors/RNA processing proteins were observed may be implicated in the resistance of BRS-Marataoã to CPSMV. This pioneering study provides information for the selection of specific pathways and proteins, altered in this incompatible relationship, which could be chosen as targets for detailed studies to advance our understanding of the molecular, physiological, and biochemistry basis of the resistance mechanism of cowpea and design approachs to engineer plants that are more productive.

Spraying sucrose inhibits photosynthesis by impairing Rubisco activity and stomatal conductance (gs), whereas increasing sink demand by partially darkening the plant stimulates sugarcane photosynthesis. We hypothesized that the stimulatory effect of darkness can offset the inhibitory effect of exogenous sucrose on photosynthesis. Source-sink relationship was perturbed in two sugarcane cultivars by imposing partial darkness, spraying a sucrose solution (50 mM) and their combination. Five days after the onset of the treatments, the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and the initial slope of A-Ci curve (k) were estimated by measuring leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Photosynthesis was inhibited by sucrose spraying in both genotypes, through decreases in Vcmax, k, gs and ATP production driven by electron transport (Jatp). Photosynthesis of plants subjected to the combination of partial darkness and sucrose spraying was similar to photosynthesis of reference plants for both genotypes. Significant increases in Vcmax, gs and Jatp and marginal increases in k were noticed when combining partial darkness and sucrose spraying compared with sucrose spraying alone. Our data also revealed that increases in sink strength due to partial darkness offset the inhibition of sugarcane photosynthesis caused by sucrose spraying, enhancing the knowledge on endogenous regulation of sugarcane photosynthesis through the source-sink relationship.

Photosynthetic modulation by sugars has been known for many years, but the biochemical and molecular comprehension of this process is lacking. We studied how the exogenous sucrose supplied to leaves could affect sugar metabolism in leaf, sheath and stalk and inhibit photosynthesis in four-month old sugarcane plants. Exogenous sucrose 50 mM sprayed on attached leaves strongly impaired the net CO2 assimilation (PN) and decreased the instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (PN/Ci), suggesting that the impairment in photosynthesis was caused by biochemical restrictions. The photosystem II activity was also affected by excess sucrose as indicated by the reduction in the apparent electron transport rate, effective quantum yield and increase in non-photochemical quenching. In leaf segments, sucrose accumulation was related to increases in the activities of soluble acid and neutral invertases, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase, whereas the contents of fructose increased and glucose slightly decreased. Changes in the activities of sucrose hydrolyzing and synthesizing enzymes in leaf, sheath and stalk and sugar profile in intact plants were not enough to identify which sugar(s) or enzyme(s) were directly involved in photosynthesis modulation. However, exogenous sucrose was able to trigger down-regulation in the Rubisco abundance, activation state and enzymatic activity. Despite the fact that PN/Ci had been notably decreased by sucrose, in vitro activity and abundance of PEPCase did not change, suggesting an in vivo modulation of this enzyme. The data reveal that sucrose and/or other derivative sugars in leaves inhibited sugarcane photosynthesis by down-regulation of Rubisco synthesis and activity. Our data also suggest that sugar modulation was not exerted by a feedback mechanism induced by the accumulation of sugars in immature sugarcane stalk.

Photosynthetic modulation by sugars has been known for many years, but the biochemical and molecular comprehension of this process is lacking. We studied how the exogenous sucrose supplied to leaves could affect sugar metabolism in leaf, sheath and stalk and inhibit photosynthesis in four-month old sugarcane plants. Exogenous sucrose 50 mM sprayed on attached leaves strongly impaired the net CO2 assimilation (PN) and decreased the instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (PN/Ci), suggesting that the impairment in photosynthesis was caused by biochemical restrictions. The photosystem II activity was also affected by excess sucrose as indicated by the reduction in the apparent electron transport rate, effective quantum yield and increase in non-photochemical quenching. In leaf segments, sucrose accumulation was related to increases in the activities of soluble acid and neutral invertases, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase, whereas the contents of fructose increased and glucose slightly decreased. Changes in the activities of sucrose hydrolyzing and synthesizing enzymes in leaf, sheath and stalk and sugar profile in intact plants were not enough to identify which sugar(s) or enzyme(s) were directly involved in photosynthesis modulation. However, exogenous sucrose was able to trigger down-regulation in the Rubisco abundance, activation state and enzymatic activity. Despite the fact that PN/Ci had been notably decreased by sucrose, in vitro activity and abundance of PEPCase did not change, suggesting an in vivo modulation of this enzyme. The data reveal that sucrose and/or other derivative sugars in leaves inhibited sugarcane photosynthesis by down-regulation of Rubisco synthesis and activity. Our data also suggest that sugar modulation was not exerted by a feedback mechanism induced by the accumulation of sugars in immature sugarcane stalk.

The relationships between salt tolerance and photosynthetic mechanisms of excess energy dissipation were assessed using two species that exhibit contrasting responses to salinity, Ricinus communis (tolerant) and Jatropha curcas (sensitive). The salt tolerance of R. communis was indicated by unchanged electrolyte leakage (cellular integrity) and dry weight in leaves, whereas these parameters were greatly affected in J. curcas. The leaf Na+ content was similar in both species. Photosynthesis was intensely decreased in both species, but the reduction was more pronounced in J. curcas. In this species biochemical limitations in photosynthesis were more prominent, as indicated by increased Ci values and decreased Rubisco activity. Salinity decreased both the Vcmax (in vivo Rubisco activity) and Jmax (maximum electron transport rate) more significantly in J. curcas. The higher tolerance in R. communis was positively associated with higher photorespiratory activity, nitrate assimilation and higher cyclic electron flow. The high activity of these alternative electron sinks in R. communis was closely associated with a more efficient photoprotection mechanism. In conclusion, salt tolerance in R. communis, compared with J. curcas, is related to higher electron partitioning from the photosynthetic electron transport chain to alternative sinks.

The relationships between salt tolerance and photosynthetic mechanisms of excess energy dissipation were assessed using two species that exhibit contrasting responses to salinity, Ricinus communis (tolerant) and Jatropha curcas (sensitive). The salt tolerance of R. communis was indicated by unchanged electrolyte leakage (cellular integrity) and dry weight in leaves, whereas these parameters were greatly affected in J. curcas. The leaf Na+ content was similar in both species. Photosynthesis was intensely decreased in both species, but the reduction was more pronounced in J. curcas. In this species biochemical limitations in photosynthesis were more prominent, as indicated by increased Ci values and decreased Rubisco activity. Salinity decreased both the Vcmax (in vivo Rubisco activity) and Jmax (maximum electron transport rate) more significantly in J. curcas. The higher tolerance in R. communis was positively associated with higher photorespiratory activity, nitrate assimilation and higher cyclic electron flow. The high activity of these alternative electron sinks in R. communis was closely associated with a more efficient photoprotection mechanism. In conclusion, salt tolerance in R. communis, compared with J. curcas, is related to higher electron partitioning from the photosynthetic electron transport chain to alternative sinks.