Photochemical activity, spectral properties, and structure of chloroplasts in leaves of Pisum sativum L. under iron deficit and root anaerobiosis

A combined effect of iron deficit and root anaerobiosis on the biochemical composition, functional activity, and structure of chloroplasts in pea leaves was studied. These factors are shown to affect the chlorophyll accumulation, causing leaf chlorosis. Iron deficit makes itself evident in the chlorosis of top leaves. In the case of root anaerobiosis, chlorosis damages lower plant layers. The destructive effects are summarized under the influence of both factors. The light-harvesting complexes of photosystems are reduced to a greater degree under iron deficit; under root anaerobiosis, complexes of reaction centers of photosystem I and II are reduced. Nevertheless, even under the combined effect of these factors, all pigment-protein complexes and their functional activities are preserved in yellow leaves. The ultrastructure of chloroplasts is gradually reduced in the course of developing chlorosis. In the begging, intergranal sites of thylakoids are destroyed, which is typical for iron deficit, then granal sites are broken. However, even in yellow and almost white leaves, small thylakoids capable of forming stacking and small grana of 2-3 thylakoids are preserved. The destructive effects are summarized due to different mechanisms of action of iron deficit and root anaerobiosis on the structure and function of leaves under their combined effect.