Modulation of the cytochrome b₆/f complex and photosystem I under growth-limiting light in Amaranthus hypochondriacus, an NAD-ME C₄ plant

Abstract

Highly characteristic responses of thylakoid membranes were observed in function and composition when fully developed plants of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. grown under light sufficient (2000 μ mol m^-2 s^-1) conditions were transferred to light limited conditions (650 μ mol m^-2 s^-1 and 200 μ mol m^-2 s^-1). The whole-chain, photosystem I and photosystem II electron transport rates were depressed in both bundle sheath and mesophyll thylakoids with remarkable differences between them in variation of rates under limiting light. The reduction in PSI electron transport in the mesophyll could be attributed to reduced PSI centres, while in the bundle sheath, a modulation of cytochrome b₆/f complex regulated the rates of PSI electron transport. The requirement for an unaltered number of PSI centres under limiting light in the bundle sheath is ascribed to operation of an energy-consuming C₄ pump.