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Photosynthetic properties of Quercus × hispanica Lam. and Q. suber L. under harsh Central European winter conditions

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

In search for new forestation tree species for future Central European climate conditions, Mediterranean evergreen oak taxa are investigated for their summer drought- and winter frost-hardiness. Here we report on the winter performance of the photosynthetic apparatus of Quercus × hispanica Lam. and its evergreen parental species Q. suber L. under extraordinary harsh winter conditions. Both taxa showed a strong decline of photosystem II (PSII) quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) with a concomitant increase in the deepoxidation state (DES) of the xanthophyll pigments depending on (severe) frost events during winter, and these parameters significantly correlated with minimum air temperatures during periods of chronic photoinhibition at mid-winter, but not at the onset of winter in response to the first frost nights. Fv/Fm and DES correlated with each other in both taxa throughout the winter.

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Abbreviations

A:

antheraxanthin

CFLSI5:

cumulative frost- and light stress index of 5 preceding days

DES:

deepoxidation state

F0 :

minimal fluorescence of the dark-adapted state

Fm :

maximal fluorescence of the dark-adapted state

Fv :

variable fluorescence

PSII:

photosytem II

qE :

energy-dependent chlorophyll fluorescence quenching

Tmin :

minimum temperature

V:

violaxanthin

Z:

zeaxanthin

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Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to the Palmengarten of the City of Frankfurt (Dr. C. Bayer) for giving access to the Quercus specimens. This research was partly funded by the LOEWE programme of the State of Hesse through the Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt, Germany

    V. Holland & W. Brüggemann

  2. Department of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Siesmayerstr. 70B, D-60323, Frankfurt, Germany

    W. Brüggemann

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  1. V. Holland
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  2. W. Brüggemann
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Correspondence to W. Brüggemann.

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Holland, V., Brüggemann, W. Photosynthetic properties of Quercus × hispanica Lam. and Q. suber L. under harsh Central European winter conditions. Photosynthetica 49, 459–465 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-011-0052-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-011-0052-9

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