The initiation of elongation growth during long-term low-temperature stay of spring-type oilseed rape may trigger loss of frost resistance and changes in photosynthetic apparatus.

The aim of the present investigation was to determine if the loss of frost resistance observed in spring-type oilseed rape during winter may be the effect of the tendency to start elongation growth during the prolonged low-temperature stay. Interactions between elongation growth rate, properties of photosynthetic apparatus and frost resistance were studied under these conditions in spring and winter cultivars of oilseed rape. Both spring and winter cultivars of oilseed rape reached the maximal frost resistance after 6 weeks at +5 degrees C. Photosynthetic apparatus of both cultivars acclimated to functioning in cold. The resistance of winter type plants remained unchanged at the end of the experiment (10 weeks) whereas spring-type plants lost the maximal resistance in subsequent weeks. It was preceded in the 7th week of low-temperature stay by acceleration of elongation growth without an increase in dry matter accumulation. A gradual loss of photosynthetic activity was also observed during this period. It was manifested as a decrease in antenna trapping efficiency, photochemical and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching and actual quantum yield of PSII without affecting apparent quantum yield of PSII. At the 70th day of the experiment, a decrease in CO(2) exchange and dry matter accumulation were even observed. The possible relationships between growth rate and functioning of photosynthetic apparatus are discussed.