Participation of the g = 1.9 and g = 1.82 EPR forms of the semiquinone-iron complex, QA-.Fe2+ of photosystem II in the generation of the Q and C thermoluminescence bands, respectively.

Following illumination at 200 K, the charge recombination reactions and the origin of the thermoluminescence (TL) bands appearing at about 0 degree C (Q band) and +50 degrees C (C band) in the glow curve were investigated by comparative TL and EPR measurements in DCMU-treated photosystem II particles. Decay half-time measurements carried out at -25 degrees C and +25 degrees C, respectively, suggest that the S2 state (multi-line signal) undergoes charge recombination with the g = 1.9 form of the semiquinone-iron complex, QA-.Fe2+, resulting in the appearance of the Q band, and that the g = 1.82 form of QA-.Fe2+ back-reacts with the oxidized tyrosine, YD+ (Signal IIs), accounting for the generation of the C band.