CHAPTER 12 MEASUREMENTS WITH THE MINI-PAM
8.3), such that together with every YIELD-value also the
corresponding values of PAR and temperature are entered into the
file of automatically stored data. When PAR is known, the apparent
rate of electron transport (ETR) is calculated (displayed as ...E).
For assessment of overall photosynthetic performance,
measurements in the steady-state are most informative. On the other
hand, additional information on the various partial reactions can be
obtained from analysis of so-called 'induction kinetics'. Upon a dark-
light transition, fluorescence yield displays a series of characteristic
transients, the so-called 'Kautsky effect', which reflect the whole
complexity of the process. The rapid transients contain information
on primary electron transport reactions, while the slow transients
reflect reactions at the level of enzyme regulation. Analysis of the
slow transients is greatly facilitated by use of the saturation pulse
method, which allows to distinguish between the contributions of
photochemical and non-photochemical quenching.
Since the introduction of the PAM Fluorometer in 1985, there has
been a boom in chlorophyll fluorescence research, at the basic as
well as at the applied level. This is reflected in a large number of
publications, due to which there has been considerable progress in
understanding of the indicator function of chlorophyll, of
photosynthesis as such, and of the regulation of photosynthesis under
stress conditions. The review articles, and the original papers cited
therein, which are listed in the Appendix (section 13.5) cover a
representative part of the work which so far was carried out. This
literature may be useful to become informed in more detail about
chlorophyll fluorescence and possible applications of the PAM
Fluorometer.
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