Heat stress is a major production constraint of sunflower worldwide. Therefore, various populations (parental, F1, F2, F3, and plant progenies) of sunflower were screened for leaf gas-exchange traits with the objectives to formulate selection criteria of heat resistance and development of heat-resistant lines. Initial screening and F2 seeds exposed to heat stress (45°C) resulted in the development of an adapted F2 population that showed leaf gas-exchange and morphological traits better than the unadapted population. Correlation coefficients of traits were partitioned into direct and indirect effects via a path analysis technique to determine the cause of their relationship with a basic parameter such as a reproductive head mass (HM). Path analysis showed a positive direct effect of leaf temperature (Tleaf) (0.32) on HM and also an indirect effect (0.77) of the transpiration rate (E) on HM. Moreover, Tleaf showed high heritability estimates. Tleaf was used to select superior plants within the F2 population. This selection brought about an improvement in the net photosynthetic rate (PN) and E as it was indicated from progeny performance and realized heritability. Progenies selected on the basis of Tleaf also showed an increase in achene yield and heat resistance over unselected F3 progenies and a commercial hybrid. and T. Kalyar ... [et al.].
Dehydration affects the photosynthetic apparatus. The impact of dehydration on photosynthesis was assessed in twelve Mediterranean species representing different growth forms. Rapid and slow dehydration experiments were conducted to (1) compare the impact of water stress among species and growth forms, (2) rank species according to their drought tolerance. Rapid dehydration reduced the electron transport up to PSI, the reduction being linearly related to leaf relative water content (RWC), except for the deciduous species. Specific energy fluxes per reaction center and maximum photochemical activity of PSII remained relatively stable until 10-30% RWC. The modification pattern of the studied parameters was similar for all the growth forms. Slow rehydration increased specific energy fluxes and decreased quantum yields. The dehydration pattern was similar among growth forms, while the recovery pattern was species-specific. Drought tolerance ranking through drought factor index was relatively modified with the integrated biomarker response method.
Variations in leaf gas-exchange characteristics, leaf pigment content, and other important leaf traits were investigated in seven wild Oryza species, five hybrids, and five improved varieties. The significant variations were observed in photosynthetic pigment contents amongst different species of Oryza. The mean chlorophyll (Chl) content was higher in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids), while O. eichengeri showed the lowest Chl content. The mean carotenoid (Car) content in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids) was higher than in other wild rice species. O. eichengeri and O. barthii had significantly lower Car contents than other rice species. Significant differences were noticed in the rate of photosynthesis (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), specific leaf mass (SLM), and leaf thickness amongst different Oryza species. The mean PN was the highest in O. nivara followed by O. eichengeri. The mean PN was the lowest in O. glumaepatula, which was lower than that of cultivated varieties and hybrids of O. sativa. High rates of photosynthesis were observed in O. nivara (ACC. No. CR 100097), O. rufipogon (ACC.No. CR 100267), and O. nivara (ACC.No. CR 100008). The O. nivara and O. rufipogon genotypes with high PN might be used in rice improvement programmes for an increase of leaf photosynthesis in rice. Multiple correlations performed between different gas-exchange characteristics and other physiological traits revealed that the rate of photosynthesis was not dependent on the leaf pigment content or the leaf thickness. A strong positive correlation between PN and the PN/Ci ratio, which represents the carboxylation efficiency, indicated that the observed variation in PN was not based on pigment content or other leaf traits. and T. V. Kiran ... [et al.].
Leaf traits have long been recognized as influential factors in the acquisition and processing of resources by plants. However, there is less knowledge of between-species variations in seasonal changes in leaf traits and trait interrelationships. Therefore, we examined variations in leaf area (LA), dry biomass (DM), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf gas-exchange parameters in one non-native and seven native tree species under field environmental conditions, in a karst area in China subjected to desertification. Measurements were taken three times during the growing season. The results show that the seven native trees had higher LA, DM, and water-use efficiency (WUE) than the non-native Cinnamomum camphora. In contrast, all the native tree species except Ligustrum lucidum had lower photosynthetic rates (PN) than the non-native species. In all species, the relationship between LA and DM was less variable than the relationship between SLA and LA. However, leaves of the non-native C. camphora and native species Sterculia lanceolata, Cleidiocarpon cavalerei and Cyclobalanopsis glauca were highly sensitive to seasonal conditions, leaves of Sapindus mukorossi and Ligustrum lucidum were less sensitive to seasonal changes, and leaves of Syzygium cumini and Cephalomappa sinensis were insensitive. An understanding of leaf traits will aid the selection of suitable species for land restoration. and L.-Y. Wei ... [et al.].
Variations in leaf gas-exchange characteristics, PSII activity, leaf pigments, and tuber yield were investigated in seven wild and one cultivated species of Dioscorea from Koraput, India, in order to find out their overall adaptability to the environment. The leaf photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, water-use efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, and photosynthetic pigments were significantly higher in some wild species compared to the cultivated species. In addition, some wild species showed better photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching, and electron transport rate in comparison to cultivated one. Furthermore, leaf dry matter accumulation and tuber yield was also higher in some wild species compared to the cultivated species. Taken together, the wild species, such as D. oppositifolia, D. hamiltonii, and D. pubera, showed the superior photosynthetic efficiency compared to the cultivated D. alata and they could be used for future crop improvement programs., B. Padhan, D. Panda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The present research was conducted to assess physiological responses of ‘Malas-e-Saveh’ (Malas) and ‘Shishe-Kab’ (Shishe) pomegranates to water of different salt content and electrical conductivity (1.05, 4.61, and 7.46 dS m-1). Both cultivars showed a reduced trunk length due to salinity. Relative water content and stomatal conductivity of both cultivars were significantly reduced under salt stress, but ion leakage increased. In both cultivars, total chlorophyll (Chl) and carbohydrates decreased with rise in salinity, while proline accumulation increased. With salinity increment, the Chl fluorescence parameters (maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII and effective quantum yield of PSII) declined significantly in both cultivars, with higher reduction observed in Shishe. Generally, more Na+ accumulated in shoots and more Cl- was observed in leaves. Cl- accumulation increased by salinity in leaves of Malas, but it was reduced in Shishe. The K+/Na+ ratio in leaves decreased in both cultivars by salinity increment. Malas was less affected by osmotic effects of NaCl, but it accumulated more Cl- in its leaves. Thus, Malas might be more affected by negative effects of salinity., M. Khayyat, A. Tehranifar, G. H. Davarynejad, M. H. Sayyari-Zahan., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Haloxylon ammodendron, Calligonum mongolicum, Elaeagnus angustifolia, and Populus hosiensis had different adaptations to limited water availability, high temperature, and high irradiance. C. mongolicum used water more efficiently than did the other species. Because of low transpiration rate (E) and low water potential, H. ammodendron had low water loss suitable for desert conditions. Water use efficiency (WUE) was high in E. angustifolia, but high E and larger leaf area made this species more suitable for mesic habitats; consequently, this species is important in tree shelterbelts. P. hosiensis had low WUE, E, and photosynthesis rates, and therefore, does not prosper in arid areas without irrigation. High irradiances caused photoinhibition of the four plants. The decrease of photochemical efficiency was a possible non-stomata factor for the midday depression of C. mongolicum. However, the species exhibited different protective mechanisms against high irradiance under drought stress. H. ammodendron and C. mongolicum possessed a more effective antioxidant defence system than E. angustifolia. These three species showed different means of coping with oxidative stress. Hence an enzymatic balance is maintained in these plants under adverse stress conditions, and the concerted action of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactive oxygen species scavenging mechanisms is vital to survive adverse conditions. and J. R. Gong ... [et al.].
Among various epiphytic ferns found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, we studied Vittaria lineata (L.) Smith (Polypodiopsida, Pteridaceae). Anatomical characterization of the leaf was carried out by light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. V. lineata possesses succulent leaves with two longitudinal furrows on the abaxial surface. We observed abundant stomata inside the furrows, glandular trichomes, paraphises, and sporangia. We examined malate concentrations in leaves, relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence in control, water-deficient, and abscisic acid (ABA)-treated plants. Plants subjected to drought stress (DS) and treated by exogenous ABA showed significant increase in the malate concentration, demonstrating nocturnal acidification. These findings suggest that V. lineata could change its mode of carbon fixation from C3 to the CAM pathway in response to drought. No significant changes in RWC were observed among treatments. Moreover, although plants subjected to stress treatments showed a significant decline in the contents of Chl a and b, the concentrations of carotenoids were stable. Photosynthetic parameters obtained from rapid light curves showed a significant decrease after DS and ABA treatments., B. D. Minardi, A. P. L. Voytena, M. Santos, Á. M. Randi., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Responses to drought were studied using two maize inbred lines (B76 and B106) and a commercial maize hybrid (Zea mays L. cv. Silver Queen) with differing resistance to abiotic stress. Maize seedlings were grown in pots in controlled environment chambers for 17 days and watering was withheld from one half the plants for an additional 11 days. On the final treatment date, leaf water potentials did not differ among genotypes and were -0.84 and -1.49 MPa in the water sufficient and insufficient treatments, respectively. Greater rates of CO2 assimilation were retained by the stress tolerant maize inbred line, B76, in comparison to the other two genotypes 11 days after watering was withheld. Rates of CO2 assimilation for all three genotypes were unaffected by decreasing the measurement O2 concentration from 21 to 2% (v/v). Activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), and NADP malate dehydrogenase were inhibited from 25 to 49% by the water deficiency treatment. Genotypic differences also were detected for the activities of NADP-ME and for PEPC. Changes of transcript abundance for the three C4 pathway enzymes also varied among watering treatments and genotypes. However, examples where transcripts decreased due to drought were associated with the two stress susceptible genotypes. The above results showed that enzymes in the C4 photosynthetic pathway were less inhibited by drought in stress tolerant compared to stress susceptible maize genotypes., R. Sicher, J. Bunce, J. Barnaby, B. Bailey., and Obsahuje bibliografii