In the mitochondrial CMSII mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris photosynthetic activity remains higher than in the WT under persisting mild water stress

Photosynthetic responses to persisting mild water stress were compared between the wild type (WT) and the respiratory complex I mutant CMSII of Nicotiana sylvestris. In both genotypes, plants kept at 80% leaf-RWC (WT80 and CMSII80) had lower photosynthetic activity and stomatal/mesophyll conductances compared to well-watered controls. While the stomatal conductance and the chloroplastic CO2 molar ratio were similar in WT80 and CMSII80 leaves, net photosynthesis was higher in CMSII80. Carboxylation efficiency was lowest in WT80 leaves both, on the basis of the same internal and chloroplastic CO2 molar ratio. Photosynthetic and fluorescence parameters indicate that WT80 leaves were only affected in the presence of oxygen. Photorespiration, as estimated by electron flux to oxygen, increased slightly in CMSII80 and WT80 leaves in accordance with increased glycerate contents but maximum photorespiration at low chloroplastic CO2 was markedly lowest in WT80 leaves. This suggests that carbon assimilation of WT80 leaves is impaired by limited photorespiratory activity. The results are discussed with respect to a possible pre-acclimation of complex I deficient leaves in CMSII to drive photosynthesis and photorespiration at low CO2 partial pressure.