Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Quality Control: Standardize Methods

To reduce uncertainty and variability in fluorescence measurement, standard protocols/procedures should be used. Factors to control include:

1. Dark adaption duration
2. Optic fiber distance and angle (portable fluorometers with exposed optic fiber)
3. Light settings for steady state fluorescence within a certain range
4. Fluorometer max and min fluorescence sensitivity
5. Time of the day (in the field for plants, in the field or lab for algae)
6. When working with plants, choose plants randomly in the population and examine 3 leaves in each plant
7. Measure leaves with comparable pigment composition; avoid senescing leaves
8. Reference point: dark adapted, non stressed (would not expect any heat dissipation, but if present it would affect F_m); in the field, measured as predawn F_m
9. Abiotic variables when working in the field (e.g., air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity)

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