Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel

Photosynth Res. 2017 Apr;132(1):13-66. doi: 10.1007/s11120-016-0318-y. Epub 2016 Nov 4.

Abstract

Using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence many aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus can be studied, both in vitro and, noninvasively, in vivo. Complementary techniques can help to interpret changes in the Chl a fluorescence kinetics. Kalaji et al. (Photosynth Res 122:121-158, 2014a) addressed several questions about instruments, methods and applications based on Chl a fluorescence. Here, additional Chl a fluorescence-related topics are discussed again in a question and answer format. Examples are the effect of connectivity on photochemical quenching, the correction of F V /F M values for PSI fluorescence, the energy partitioning concept, the interpretation of the complementary area, probing the donor side of PSII, the assignment of bands of 77 K fluorescence emission spectra to fluorescence emitters, the relationship between prompt and delayed fluorescence, potential problems when sampling tree canopies, the use of fluorescence parameters in QTL studies, the use of Chl a fluorescence in biosensor applications and the application of neural network approaches for the analysis of fluorescence measurements. The answers draw on knowledge from different Chl a fluorescence analysis domains, yielding in several cases new insights.

Keywords: Area; Chl a fluorescence; Delayed fluorescence; Energy partitioning; Photochemical quenching.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Chlorophyll / chemistry*
  • Chlorophyll / metabolism*
  • Chlorophyll A
  • Crops, Agricultural
  • Cytochrome b6f Complex / metabolism
  • Cytochromes b6 / metabolism
  • Electron Transport
  • Fluorescence*
  • Herbicides / toxicity
  • Light
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex / metabolism
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / metabolism
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Temperature
  • Trees

Substances

  • Cytochromes b6
  • Herbicides
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Chlorophyll
  • Cytochrome b6f Complex
  • Chlorophyll A