Effect of Methanol on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Flag Leaves of Winter Wheat

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching of PS II (qP), nonphotochemical quenching of PS II (NPQ), maximum activity of PS II (Fv/Fo) as well as electron transport rate (ETR), and quantum yield of PS II (ΦPS II) were measured on flag leaves of the winter wheat treated by methanol at different concentrations. The results revealed that photosynthesis was greatly improved by methanol, as indicated by higher photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance. The enhancement effect of methanol on photosynthesis was maintained for 3-4 days. Different methanol concentration treatments also increased intercellular CO2 concentration and transpiration rates. No significant decline was found in Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, and ΦPS II, which revealed no photoinhibition during methanol application in different methanol concentrations. Methanol showing no apparent inhibitory effects indicated higher potential photosynthetic capacity of flag leaves of winter wheat. However, the increase in photosynthesis was not followed by an increase in the photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm), and fluorescence parameters did not indicate an improvement in intercellular CO2 concentration and PS II photochemical efficiency compared with the control, thereby encouraging us to propose that lower leaf temperatures caused by applied methanol would reduce both dark respiration and photorespiration (most importantly), thus, increasing net CO2 uptake and photosynthetic rates.