COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN C3 (WHEAT) AND C4 (MAIZE) PLANTS.

Effects of fluoride (F) on photosynthetic activity of maize and wheat plants were studied by analyzing chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence induction kinetics. The results revealed that F affects the overall primary photochemistry by inhibiting the number of active reaction centres (RC) of Photosystem II (PSII). However, the efficiency of each of the active RC is not affected. As compared to wheat (C3 plant), photosynthesis of maize (C4 plant) was relatively more inhibited by F toxicity. Results from the present investigation strongly indicate that the most significantly changed Chl a fluorescence parameters could be used as an efficient tool for the diagnosis of F toxicity in maize. The present findings may be helpful to select suitable crops in F endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]