Nonmonotonic redox conversions of P700 in leaves irradiated with far-red light originate from variable contributions of several alternative electron transport pathways during the induction period

The origin of nonmonotonic changes in the redox state of P700, the primary electron donor of PSI, was investigated on predarkened barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves exposed to far-red light. To accomplish this, the relaxation kinetics of absorbance changes at 830 nm, reflecting the dark reduction of P700(+), were measured at different stages of the induction curve. The onset of far-red light resulted in rapid oxidation of P700, which was followed by its partial reduction and subsequent slow oxidation of P700 to a steady-state level. This steady-state level was usually attained within 10 s under far-red light. The relative contribution of the slow kinetic component of P700(+) reduction decreased in parallel with the transient photoreduction of P700(+) and increased upon a subsequent stage of P700 photooxidation. The contribution of the middle component to the dark reduction of P700' increased monotonically with the length of far-red light irradiation. The relative amplitude of the fast component of P700(+) reduction increased sharply during the first 3 s of irradiation and decreased upon longer light exposures. The rates of fast and slow components of dark reduction of P700(+) remained constant upon illumination of dark-adapted leaves with far-red light for I s and longer periods. Thus, nonmonotonic changes in the redox state of P700 in barley leaves exposed to far-red light reflect variable contributions of few alternative electron transport pathways characterized by different rates of electron donation to PSI. The results show the principle possibility of switching-over between alternative pathways of PSI-related electron transfer within one complex of this photosystem. Such switching may occur irrespective of active operation or inhibition of ferredoxin-dependent electron transport.