Dynamic changes in pigment contents and photosynthetic characteristics of grains of black-grained and yellow-grained oat （Avena sativa）

doi:10.11686/cyxb2025028

Abstract

Abstract:

The aim of this work was to analyze and compare the changes in photosynthetic characteristics and pigment contents in grains between black-grained and yellow-grained oat （Avena sativa） during grain development. We monitored the dynamic changes in photosynthetic traits and the contents of photosynthetic pigments， anthocyanins， and melanin， as well as the activities of anthocyanin-synthesizing enzymes， in grains of black-grained and yellow-grained oat from heading to maturity. The results show that the lemma colors of the two oat types significantly diverged during development. Starting from 20 days after heading， the lemma of yellow-grained oats gradually turned yellow， while that of black-grained oats turned black. These patterns of color development were highly consistent with the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins and melanin. During the mid-development stage （20-30 days after heading）， compared with black-grained oats， the yellow-grained oats had significantly higher （P<0.01） contents of photosynthetic pigments and higher net photosynthetic rate （P_n）， stomatal conductance， and transpiration rate. However， at the flowering and milky ripening stages， the daily P_n of yellow-grained oats showed a bimodal pattern with a distinct “midday depression” phenomenon. In contrast， black-grained oat grains began to accumulate anthocyanins and melanin continuously from 15 days after heading. By maturity， the anthocyanin and melanin contents of black-grained oats were 83.96% higher and 39.8-times higher， respectively， than those of yellow-grained oats. In black-grained oats， the daily pattern of P_n was unimodal without photoinhibition. Structural equation modeling indicated that grain color had the greatest comprehensive impact on P_n， with photosynthetic pigments positively affecting the photosynthetic rate and anthocyanins and melanin negatively affecting it. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for breeding new oat varieties with strong adaptability and high photosynthetic efficiency.

Key words: oat, palea, photosynthetic characteristics, pigment, photoinhibition, photoprotection

Ze-long HU, Guo-ling LIANG, Wen-hui LIU, Wen-hu WANG. Dynamic changes in pigment contents and photosynthetic characteristics of grains of black-grained and yellow-grained oat （Avena sativa）[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2025, 34(12): 145-156.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig.1 Dynamic changes in lemma color during the development of different colored oat kernels

Fig.2 Photosynthetic pigment changes in lemma during the development of different colored oat kernels

Fig.3 Change in the content of anthocyanin and melanin in the lemma during the development of different colored oat kernels

Fig.4 Changes in the activity of enzymes related to the synthesis of anthocyanin in the lemma during the development of different colored oat kernels

Fig.5 Dynamic changes in photosynthetic parameters in the lemma during the development of different colored oat kernels

Fig.6 Daily variation in photosynthetic parameters in the lemma of different colored oat kernels during heading stage

Fig.7 Daily variation in photosynthetic parameters in the lemma of different colored oat kernels during flowering stage

Fig.8 Daily variation in photosynthetic parameters in the lemma of different colored oat kernels during milk stage

Fig.9 Analysis of factors affecting net photosynthetic rate in oat lemma

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