State adaptations in the cyanobacterium Synechcoccus 6301 (PCC): Dependence on light intensity or spectral composition?

A profile of high light to intense self-shading conditions was constructed using a white light source and cultures of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6301; this profile approximates to a natural self-shading gradient of decreasing light intensity and PS II/PS I excitation ratio. Samples of S.6301 were placed along this profile and allowed to state adapt. To separate the effects of light intensity and wavelength on state adaptation, samples were also placed in a shade profile produced by a white light source and neutral density filters. After adaptation, samples were fixed in their resulting state by the addition of glutaraldehyde, and fluorescence measurements were made at 35° C or -160 °C. It is concluded: 1. Under conditions of deep shade (<5 μmol m(-2)s(-1) PAR) and weak shade (>200 μmol m(-2)s(-1) PAR), cells adapt to a low PS II fluorescence state (state 2); in moderate shade (20-60 μmol m(-2)s(-1)PAR) cells adapt to a high PS II fluorescence state (state 1). We suggest these findings provide evidence for the operation of different factors on the control of state adaptations in cyanobacteria; one set operates at low light and another at high light intensities. 2. Under conditions of self-shading, there is little evidence to support the contention that state adaptations in cyanobacteria are produced by wavelength-dependent changes in the PS II/PS I excitation ratio, instead, it appaers they are produced by changes in the intensity of incident irradiation. 3. The observed fluorescence changes do not appear to involve major changes in the phycobilisome sensitisation of PS II and PS I. Instead, it appears that these changes are effected by alterations in Φ(F) of PS II (i.e. changes in PS II excitation density caused by alterations in the rate constants controlling spillover to PS I, photochemistry, fluorescence emission or thermal deactivation.