Effects of mechanical wounding, current application and heat treatment on chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment composition in tomato plants

Chlorophyll fluorescence quenching parameters and pigment content of wild-type tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Moneymaker) mere analyzed upon mechanical mounding, current application and heat treatment. Upon all stimuli the non-photochemical quenching increased significantly in local and systemic tissue. Vice versa, the photochemical quenching decreased. Total chlorophyll content remained almost constant, zeaxanthin content increased 5-6-fold, antheraxanthin content rose also, violaxanthin and neoxanthin on the other hand decreased significantly. These data indicate a similarity of processes on the level of photosynthesis and pigment composition that are induced by light-stress and those induced by mechanical mounding, current application and heat treatment, which all lead to an inhibition of photosynthesis.