Chlorophyll Fluorescence

• Measures entire plants, leaves, fruits, algae and other samples; samples up to 400 mm in height, Z-axis adjustment to measurement distance of 170 mm
• Camera with exceptional sensitivity
• High-power pulsed LED light source for uniform illumination under intense excitation light, NIR and IR light sources allow for the measurement of leaf absorptance and the calculation of photosynthetic photosystem II electron transfer rates
• Automatic calculation of Fo, Fo', Fm, Fm', Fv, Fv'/Fm', Fv/Fm, Fv', Ft, ΦPSII, qN, qP, ETR, etc.; free software upgrades (Windows OS)
• GLP protocol enables presetting, recording of experimental data for comprehensive documentation and analysis; multi-user login

Optional

• GPF Imaging module

Chlorophyll fluorescence is a phenomenon that occurs when chlorophyll molecules absorb light energy during photosynthesis and re-emit some of this energy as fluorescent light. The process involves the excitation of the chlorophyll molecules by the absorbed photons, resulting in the excitation of electrons to higher energy states within the chlorophyll molecule. When these excited electrons return to their ground state, excess energy is released in the form of fluorescence. Main steps in the mechanism of chlorophyll fluorescence include:

1. Light absorption: Chlorophyll molecules in the chloroplasts of plant cells absorb light energy, primarily in the red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. Excitation of electrons: Absorbed photons excite electrons within the chlorophyll molecules, causing them to move to higher energy levels. The excited electrons are in an unstable, high-energy state and tend to return to their ground state.
3. Fluorescence emission: As the excited electrons return to their ground state, they release excess energy in the form of fluorescent light, typically in the red and far red regions of the spectrum. 

The efficiency of this process, known as quantum yield, provides information about the physiological state of the plant and its ability to use the absorbed light energy for photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll fluorescence serves as a highly valuable tool in various scientific and applied plant sciences, including agricultural, forestry and environmental monitoring applications, providing insight into the photosynthetic efficiency and overall health of plants. Some key applications include:

1. Efficiency of photosynthesis: It helps researchers understand how environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature and nutrient availability affect the photosynthetic performance of plants. 
2. Stress detection on photosystem II: Chlorophyll fluorescence is sensitive to stresses such as drought, pathogens or nutrient deficiency. Abnormal fluorescence patterns can indicate physiological stress in plants, allowing early detection and intervention. Indeed, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has developed into one of the most powerful and widely used techniques to study the effect of stresses on the photosynthetic process. In particular, the Fv/Fm ratio has been largely used as a sensitive indicator of plant photosynthetic performance. Decreases of this index are indicative of the reduction of photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, namely photoinhibition. 
3. Crop and environmental monitoring: In agriculture, chlorophyll fluorescence is used to monitor crop health and optimise crop management practices. It provides real-time information on the impact of environmental conditions on crop performance. Chlorophyll fluorescence is used to assess the "health" of natural ecosystems and to monitor the impact of environmental changes, including drought and pollution, on plant communities incl. algae.
4. Biotechnology and breeding: Researchers use chlorophyll fluorescence to screen and select plants with desirable photosynthetic traits. This helps to develop crop varieties with improved stress tolerance and overall performance.