An increase in water deficit has no impact on the photosynthetic capacity of field-grown Mediterranean plants

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Nogués ◽  
Leonor Alegre

In the Mediterranean, annual mean precipitation has continuously decreased over the last three years (by ca 36% in Barcelona), and the decrease has been dramatic during the summer (by ca 78 and 64% during July and August, respectively). The impact of increased drought on the photosynthetic capacity of Mediterranean vegetation is currently unknown. In this study, two native Mediterranean plants [rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.)] were grown outdoors and subjected to two water regimes (50 mm month–1 during the summer, or no supplementary water at all). Rosemary and lavender plants watered with 50 mm month–1 during the summer had higher relative leaf water content and water potential than non-watered plants. Changes in water status were accompanied by large decreases in parameters of gas exchange [i.e. the light-saturated rate of CO2 assimilation, the maximum velocity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylation by Rubisco and the capacity for RuBP] and of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence (i.e. the relative quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry and the efficiency of energy capture by open PSII reaction centres) during the summer, but no differences were found in any photosynthetic parameters for leaves subjected to the two water regimes. The drought-induced decreases in the relative quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry in rosemary and lavender plants were attributable to ‘downregulation’ of electron transport. Photodamage to PSII in the field appeared to be a later effect of drought in these plants. Photorespiration was not a major mechanism protecting the photosynthetic apparatus of these plants from photodamage in the field. After the autumn rainfall, photosynthetic capacity fully recovered. We conclude that rosemary and lavender are well adapted to drought, and that an increase in water deficit is unlikely to have a significant impact on the photosynthetic capacity of leaves.

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 497D-497
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Marler

Cycas micronesica is an arborescent cycad with sclerophyllous, long-lived compound leaves that are produced in synchronized pulses. The photosynthetic characteristics of leaves in two sequential cohorts of ≈2 and ≈11 months after leaf expansion were determined in this study. Fluorescence yield following 30-min of light exclusion or from leaves engaged in photosynthesis under ambient light was measured throughout several 24-h periods to determine maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry and quantum efficiency under ambient light. Maximum quantum efficiency was similar for the two cohorts throughout the nocturnal period. Maximum quantum efficiency and quantum efficiency under ambient light declined following exposure to daily direct sun but recovered quickly each afternoon. This daily decline was greater for the older cohort than the younger cohort. Net carbon dioxide assimilation (Pn) was also determined using gas exchange, and light saturated Pn of the older cohort was 75% to 85% of that for the younger cohort during the daily maximum at late morning. Pn of the older cohort increased more slowly in the morning and declined more rapidly in the afternoon than did Pn of the younger cohort. Apparent quantum yield determined by gas exchange was similar for the two cohorts in the absence of extended sun exposure. However, this characteristic declined during midday, and the decline was greater for the older cohort. These results indicate that photosynthetic capacity of older C. micronesica leaf cohorts remains high, and these older leaves may substantially contribute to the plant's overall carbon economy. However, the number of hours during the day in which these older leaves reach their photosynthetic capacity is less than for the younger leaves.


This study was aimed to find the effects of 28-epibrassinolide (28-EBL) and HBL on pigeon pea seedlings subjected to drought stress, either alone and supplemented with 28-EBL and HBL treatments. Supplementation of EBL alone also exhibited the significant improvement on chlorophyll content (44.3% of Chl a and 54.3 % of Chl b) than EBL under drought stress treatments compared to the control plants. Control plants receiving the EBL alone treatment showed the significant effect (by 36%) than the EBL under stress treatment (19.78%) compared to the control for carotenoid levels. supplementation of EBL exhibited the significant improvement of PN (36%; 0.0411, p≤0.05) over their individuals in comparison to control. application of EBL under unstressed was more effective (45%; 0.0341, p≤0.05) over stressed control than their individual applications in enhancing gS in control plants. Plants treated with HBL alone showed a marked increase in Ci (by 25.1%) compared to control plants. application of HBL and was also effective (41.2%; 0.0265, p≤0.05) over unstressed control than their individual applications in enhancing E in control plants. application of EBL and HBL considerably increased the Fv/Fm and ФPSII in comparison to unstressed control. Control plants treated with EBL exhibited the impact on RuBPcase activity (43.1%; 0.0411, p≤0.05) over stressed control than their individual applications over the control plants. application of EBL was more effective (66.7%; 0.0237, p≤0.05) over unstressed control than their individual applications in enhancing FBPase activity in control plants. Control plants treated with EBL and HBL was found to be less effective on the PGK activity by 66.2% (0.0112, p≤0.05) than their individuals (EBL by 163.9%) compared to control. EBL and HBL has a more significant effect than their individual applications on the improvement of leaf starch and sucrose concentrations in drought stressed and well-watered plants.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ping Yi ◽  
Ya-Li Zhang ◽  
He-Sheng Yao ◽  
Xiang-Juan Zhang ◽  
Hong-Hai Luo ◽  
...  

To clarify the photoprotective mechanisms of cotton leaves under water deficit in the field, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence as well as the corresponding physiological responses were examined in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to evaluate electron flux distribution. With increasing water deficit, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) significantly decreased, the total electron flux through PSII [Je(PSII)] gradually decreased and the fraction of electron flux required to sustain CO2 assimilation [Je(PCR)] markedly declined. Simultaneously, the ratio of quantum efficiency of PSII [Φ(PSII)] to the quantum efficiency of CO2 fixation [Φ(CO2)] increased, accompanied by an increase in the alternative electron flux (Ja). The enhanced alternative electron flux of O2-dependent Ja(O2-dependent) indicated that electrons had been transported to O2 in the Mehler-peroxide reaction (MPR) and that the remaining alternative electron flux Ja(O2-independent) had been used for nitrate reduction, as indicated by an increase in nitrate reductase (NR) and glutathinone reductase (GR) activities. In addition, mild water deficit increased the proportion of electron flux for the photorespiratory carbon oxidation [Je(PCO)]. Water deficit significantly increased surperoxide radical production rate (O2–•) and hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in cotton leaves also increased under water deficit. Therefore, the Mehler-peroxidation reaction, photorespiration and nitrate reduction helped to dissipated excess light energy, being important photoprotective mechanisms for adapting the photosynthetic apparatus to mild and moderate water deficit in cotton.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Li ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Yujie Li ◽  
Shu Zhuang ◽  
Yongxiang Feng ◽  
...  

Recently, several reports have suggested that the growth and grain yield of wheat are significantly influenced by high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) because of it photosynthesis enhancing effects. Moreover, it has been proposed that plants with large carbon sink size will benefit more from CO2 enrichment than those with small carbon sink size. However, this hypothesis is yet to be test in winter wheat plant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2) conditions on the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in large ear-type (cv. Shanhan 8675; greater ear C sink strength) and small multiple ear-type (cv. Early premium; greater vegetative C source strength) winter wheat varieties. The experiment was conducted in a free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) facility, and three de-excitation pathways of the primary reaction of PSII of flag leaf at the anthesis stage were evaluated under two CO2 concentrations (ambient [CO2], ∼415 μmol⋅mol–1, elevated [CO2], ∼550 μmol⋅mol–1) using a non-destructive technique of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence. Additionally, the grain yield of the two varieties was determined at maturity. Although elevated CO2 increased the quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) of Shanhan 8675 (SH8675) flag leaves at the anthesis stage, the grain number per ear and 1,000-kernel weight were not significantly affected. In contrast, the ΦPSII of early premium (ZYM) flag leaves was significantly lower than that of SH8675 flag leaves at the anthesis stage, which was caused by an increase in the regulatory non-photochemical energy dissipation quantum (ΦNPQ) of PSII, suggesting that light energy absorbed by PSII in ZYM flag leaf was largely dissipated as thermal energy. The findings of our study showed that although SH8675 flag leaves exhibited higher C sink strength and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry at the anthesis stage, these factors alone do not ensure improved grain yield under eCO2 conditions.


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Oustric ◽  
Radia Lourkisti ◽  
Stéphane Herbette ◽  
Raphaël Morillon ◽  
Gilles Paolacci ◽  
...  

Current climatic upheavals reduce water availability which impacts the growth and fruit quality of plants. In citrus crops, scion/rootstock combinations are used to ensure high fruit production and quality and a stress tolerance/resistance. Our objective was to assess the effect on the clementine scion (C) under natural mild water deficit of (i) polyploid rootstocks by comparing the allotetraploid FlhorAG1 (C/4xFLs; trifoliate orange + Willowleaf mandarin) with its diploid parents, trifoliate orange (C/2xTOs), and Willowleaf mandarin (C/2xWLs), and with a diploid genotype used as reference (Carrizo citrange, C/2xCCs), (ii) rootstock propagation methods by comparing trifoliate orange seedling (C/2xTOs) with cutting (C/2xTOc). A mild water deficit observed under orchard conditions during the summer period (July–August) induced a significant change in yield (except in C/2xTOs), fruit size, and quality. C/2xCCs, C/2xTOs, and C/2xWLs appeared less affected by water deficit as indicated by their lower reduction of predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), relative water content (RWC), transpiration (E), and photosynthetic parameters (Pnet and gs). Their greater redox balance was probably due to their better antioxidant efficiency. Seedling rootstocks lead to a better adaptation of clementine scions to water deficit than cutting or allotetraploid rootstock. Improving the tolerance to water deficit requires taking into consideration the rootstock genotype, propagation method, and ploidy level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Jia ◽  
Ke Mao ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Xumei Jia ◽  
...  

AbstractWater deficit is one of the major limiting factors for apple (Malus domestica) production on the Loess Plateau, a major apple cultivation area in China. The identification of genes related to the regulation of water use efficiency (WUE) is a crucial aspect of crop breeding programs. As a conserved degradation and recycling mechanism in eukaryotes, autophagy has been reported to participate in various stress responses. However, the relationship between autophagy and WUE regulation has not been explored. We have shown that a crucial autophagy protein in apple, MdATG8i, plays a role in improving salt tolerance. Here, we explored its biological function in response to long-term moderate drought stress. The results showed that MdATG8i-overexpressing (MdATG8i-OE) apple plants exhibited higher WUE than wild-type (WT) plants under long-term moderate drought conditions. Plant WUE can be increased by improving photosynthetic efficiency. Osmoregulation plays a critical role in plant stress resistance and adaptation. Under long-term drought conditions, the photosynthetic capacity and accumulation of sugar and amino acids were higher in MdATG8i-OE plants than in WT plants. The increased photosynthetic capacity in the OE plants could be attributed to their ability to maintain optimal stomatal aperture, organized chloroplasts, and strong antioxidant activity. MdATG8i overexpression also promoted autophagic activity, which was likely related to the changes described above. In summary, our results demonstrate that MdATG8i-OE apple lines exhibited higher WUE than WT under long-term moderate drought conditions because they maintained robust photosynthesis, effective osmotic adjustment processes, and strong autophagic activity.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Marino Costa-Santos ◽  
Nuno Mariz-Ponte ◽  
Maria Celeste Dias ◽  
Luísa Moura ◽  
Guilhermina Marques ◽  
...  

Plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to current agrochemicals. This study evaluated the impact of three Bacillus spp. (5PB1, 1PB1, FV46) and one Brevibacillus sp. (C9F) on the important crop tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using the model cv. ‘MicroTom’. The effects of these isolates were assessed on (a) seedlings’ growth and vigor, and (b) adult potted plants. In potted plants, several photosynthetic parameters (chlorophylls (a and b), carotenoids and anthocyanins contents, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, net CO2 photosynthetic rate, and intercellular CO2 concentration, and on chlorophyll fluorescence yields of light- and dark-adapted leaves)), as well as soluble sugars and starch contents, were quantified. Additionally, the effects on redox status were evaluated. While the growth of seedlings was, overall, not influenced by the strains, some effects were observed on adult plants. The Bacillus safensis FV46 stimulated the content of pigments, compared to C9F. Bacillus zhangzhouensis 5PB1 increased starch levels and was positively correlated with some parameters of the photophosphorylation and the gas exchange phases. Interestingly, Bacillus megaterium 1PB1 decreased superoxide (O2−) content, and B. safensis FV46 promoted non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, increasing total phenol content levels. These results, conducted on a model cultivar, support the theory that these isolates differently act on tomato plant physiology, and that their activity depends on the age of the plant, and may differently influence photosynthesis. It would now be interesting to analyze the influence of these bacteria using commercial cultivars.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1333-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbern Tagesson ◽  
Jonas Ardö ◽  
Bernard Cappelaere ◽  
Laurent Kergoat ◽  
Abdulhakim Abdi ◽  
...  

Abstract. It has been shown that vegetation growth in semi-arid regions is important to the global terrestrial CO2 sink, which indicates the strong need for improved understanding and spatially explicit estimates of CO2 uptake (gross primary production; GPP) in semi-arid ecosystems. This study has three aims: (1) to evaluate the MOD17A2H GPP (collection 6) product against GPP based on eddy covariance (EC) for six sites across the Sahel; (2) to characterize relationships between spatial and temporal variability in EC-based photosynthetic capacity (Fopt) and quantum efficiency (α) and vegetation indices based on earth observation (EO) (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), renormalized difference vegetation index (RDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and shortwave infrared water stress index (SIWSI)); and (3) to study the applicability of EO upscaled Fopt and α for GPP modelling purposes. MOD17A2H GPP (collection 6) drastically underestimated GPP, most likely because maximum light use efficiency is set too low for semi-arid ecosystems in the MODIS algorithm. Intra-annual dynamics in Fopt were closely related to SIWSI being sensitive to equivalent water thickness, whereas α was closely related to RDVI being affected by chlorophyll abundance. Spatial and inter-annual dynamics in Fopt and α were closely coupled to NDVI and RDVI, respectively. Modelled GPP based on Fopt and α upscaled using EO-based indices reproduced in situ GPP well for all except a cropped site that was strongly impacted by anthropogenic land use. Upscaled GPP for the Sahel 2001–2014 was 736 ± 39 g C m−2 yr−1. This study indicates the strong applicability of EO as a tool for spatially explicit estimates of GPP, Fopt and α; incorporating EO-based Fopt and α in dynamic global vegetation models could improve estimates of vegetation production and simulations of ecosystem processes and hydro-biochemical cycles.


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