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Physiological Changes Associated with Antioxidant Enzymes in Response to Sugarcane Tolerance to Water Deficit and Rehydration

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Abstract

Water deficit is the main limiting factor for sugarcane yield worldwide. Under this stress, the crop develops adaptive mechanisms that participate in maintaining the plants’ water status. A better understanding of these mechanisms may contribute to differentiating tolerant cultivars to be used in genetic improvement programs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the physiological responses of sugarcane cultivars subjected to water deficit and rehydration. Cultivars RB92579, SP81-3250, SP83-2847 and IAC91-5155 were grown in pots in a greenhouse. These plants were physiologically and biochemically evaluated at three intervals: 0 (before stress), 15 (water deficit) and 27 days (rehydration) after the onset of treatment (DAT) at 85 days after planting. Cultivars RB92579 and SP81-3250 had greater reductions in stem height, number of green leaves, leaf area, relative water content, leaf water potential (Ψw), leaf temperature, stomatal conductance (gs), maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), SPAD index and photosynthetic pigments, and inhibited catalase enzyme activity when subjected to water stress. Furthermore, SP81-3250 showed no recovery after rehydration. Water deficit also increased the levels of proline and the enzymes superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in all cultivars. We also found increased carbohydrates under stress, except in the cultivar SP81-3250, which had a reduced content. Due to the minor damage caused by drought in the physiology and biochemistry of cultivars SP83-2847 and IAC91-5155, they have higher potential for tolerance and can acclimate to drought. Consequently, oxidative stress can be largely avoided in the chloroplasts of these cultivars by maintaining the balance of antioxidant enzyme activity, photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal control and water status.

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Abbreviations

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

C:

Appropriate water regime treatment

Car:

Carotenoids

CAT:

Catalase

Chl a :

Chlorophyll a

Chl b :

Chlorophyll b

Chl total :

Chlorophyll total

Carb:

Carbono

FV/FM :

Maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II

Gs:

Stomatal conductance

LT:

Leaf temperature

Prol:

Proline

Prot:

Protein

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

RWC:

Leaf relative water content

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

SPAD:

Index estimated chlorophyll contents via SPAD readings

+D:

Water deficit treatment

Ψw:

Leaf water potential

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the National Scientific and Technologist Development Council (CNPq) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Production and Breeding, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), PO Box 237, Botucatu, SP, 18603-970, Brazil

    Claudiana Moura dos Santos, Marcelo de Almeida Silva, Fernanda Pacheco de Almeida Prado Bortolheiro, Marcela Cristina Brunelli, Lucas Almeida de Holanda & Rodrigo Oliver

  2. Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil

    Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima

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  1. Claudiana Moura dos Santos
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Correspondence to Marcelo de Almeida Silva.

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dos Santos, C.M., de Almeida Silva, M., Lima, G.P.P. et al. Physiological Changes Associated with Antioxidant Enzymes in Response to Sugarcane Tolerance to Water Deficit and Rehydration. Sugar Tech 17, 291–304 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-014-0325-2

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