Abstract Detail

Physiological Section

Griffin-Nolan, Robert [1], Melcher, Peter [2].

The physiological responses of moss to greenlight.

The goal of this study was to determine if moss could use green light to power photosynthesis. Measurements were made on three species of moss (Dichodontium pellucidum (Schimp.),Amblystegium serpens (Schimp.), and Leucobryum albidum (Bird. ex P. Beauv)) collected from field sites that varied in their light conditions. We found that moss collected from the field could use green light to drive photosynthesis at rates similar to when exposed to red, blue, or full spectrum light (all measured at 100 umol m^-1s^-2). Mosses were also collected from the field and grown for three weeks under three light conditions: low and slightly higher full-spectrum light at 30 and 100 umol m^-1s^-2, respectively; and green light at 30 umol m^-1s^-2. We measured photosynthetic electron transport efficiency (ETR) using a LICOR 6400 leaf chamber Fluorometer. We found that mosses grown under only green light had similar ETR compared to plants grown under full spectrum light. From carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, we found that moss exhibit resource allocation plasticity when exposed to different light environments. These data support our hypothesis that moss can use green light to power photosynthesis but the degree to which they use green light to overcome respiratory demands depends on their light environment (e.g. sun vs. shade). The mechanism by which plants use green light to photosynthesize is unclear. However, the fact that mosses are able use green light for photosynthesis suggests that the mechanism evolved early on in land plant history.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Ithaca College, Biology Department, Center for Natural Sciences, 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
2 - Ithaca College, Biology Department, Center for Natural Sciences, 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States

Keywords:
Moss
green light
fluorescence
photosynthesis
bryophyte
shade
electron transport
photosystem efficiency
LICOR.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPS001
Abstract ID:73
Candidate for Awards:Physiological Section Best poster presentation,Physiological Section Physiological Section Li-COR Prize