Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on the photosynthetic characteristics of bamboo (Indocalamus barbatus McClure) seedlings under acid rain stress

The effects of the exogenous application of nitric oxide (NO, in the form of sodium nitroprusside, SNP) on the diurnal variation in photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, light response curve and the net assimilation of CO2 against intercellular CO2 concentration (A-Ci) curve parameters were investigated in the leaves of bamboo (Indocalamus barbatus McClure) exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR, pH 3.0) stress. According to the results of the diurnal variation in photosynthesis, foliar applications of 100–400 mg/L SNP effectively inhibited the decrease in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) as a result of non-stomatal factors, and mitigated midday depression under acid rain stress. The mitigating effect was most pronounced at 400 mg/L SNP. However, at higher concentrations of SNP (700 and 1000 mg/L), the mitigating effect became weak and even counterproductive. The results of the chlorophyll content, light response and A-Ci curve parameters suggested that the regulating role of NO against acid rain in the photosynthetic processes occurs through improving not only the efficiency of the light-harvesting and the activity of photosynthetic apparatus, but also the absorption of CO2 and the availability of CO2 for photosynthesis. The results of the chlorophyll fluorescence investigation further indicated that NO protected PSII activity from the damage of acid rain toxicity by enhancing the electron transport activity and photochemical efficiency, especially concerning the increase in the proportion of PSII open reaction centers. Furthermore, NO induced an increase in photorespiration (Rp), rather than an increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), to dissipate the excessive excitation energy, which provided some protection to the photosynthetic apparatus under acid rain stress.