Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Relation to Diurnal Changes of Three <I>Ficus species</I>

Abstract

Diurnal changes in chlorophyll fluorescence features in leaves of three Ficus species (F. nemoralis, F. roxburghii and F. racemosa) grown under nursery conditions were recorded in April 2003 by a portable Hansatech plant efficiency analyzer. Significant variations were observed on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters viz., Fo, Fv and Fm. Further, photochemical efficiency of photosystem (PS) II measured as Fv/Fm ratio, varied with species and with the time of observation. F. roxburghii and F. racemosa showed midday depression in Fv/Fm ratio at late noon hours (14:00 hr). However, in case of F. nemoralis mid-day depression was observed at 12:00 hr. It is therefore concluded that chlorophyll fluorescence features occurrence of mid-day depression in Fv/Fm ratio is species specific and not common phenomenon to all species.