Under optimal conditions, most of the light energy is used to drive electron transport. However, when the light energy exceeds the capacity of photosynthesis, the overall photosynthetic efficiency drops down. The present study investigated the effects of high light on rice photooxidation-prone mutant 812HS, characterized by a mutation of leaf photooxidation 1 gene, and its wild type 812S under field conditions. Our results showed no significant difference between 812HS and 812S before exposure to high sunlight. However, during exposure to high light, shoot tips of 812HS turned yellow and their chlorophyll (Chl) content decreased. Transmission electron microscopy showed that photooxidation resulted in significant damage of chloroplast ultrastructure. It was confirmed also by inhibited photophosphorylation and reduced ATP content. The decreased coupling factor of ATP, Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities also verified these results. Further, significantly enhanced activities of antioxidative enzymes were observed during photooxidation. Malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and the superoxide generation rates also increased. Chl a fluorescence analysis found that the performance index and maximum quantum yield of PSII declined on August 4, 20 days after high-light treatment. Net photosynthetic rate also decreased and substomatal CO2 concentration increased in 812HS at the same time. In conclusion, our findings indicated that excessive energy triggered the production of toxic reactive oxygen species and promoted lipid peroxidation in 812HS plants, causing severe damage to cell membranes, degradation of photosynthetic pigments and proteins, and ultimately inhibition of photosynthesis.
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