Skip to main content
Log in

Responses of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase, Protein Content, and Stomatal Conductance to Water Deficit in Maize, Tomato, and Bean

  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

We compared responses of maize, tomato, and bean plants to water stress. Maize reached a severe water deficit (leaf water potential −1.90 MPa) in a longer period of time as compared with tomato and bean plants. Maize stomatal conductance (g s) decreased at mild water deficit. g s of tomato and bean decreased gradually and did not reach values as low as in maize. The protein content was maintained in maize and decreased at low water potential (ψw); in tomato it fluctuated and also decreased at low ψw; in bean it gradually decreased. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity remained high at mild and moderate stress in maize and tomato plants; in bean it remained high only at mild stress.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ben, G.-Y., Osmond, C.B., Sharkey, T.D.: Comparisons of photosynthetic responses of Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus annuus to chronic and acute water stress in sun and shade.-Plant Physiol. 84: 476-482, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borland, A.M, Técsi, L.I., Leegood, R.C., Walker R.P.: Inductibility of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in Clusia species; physiological/biochemical characterisation and intercellular localization of carboxylation and decarboxylation processes in three species which exhibit different degrees of CAM.-Planta 205: 342-351, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, M.M.: A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the priciple of protein-dye binding.-Anal. Biochem. 72: 248-254, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brestic, M., Cornic, G., Fryer, M.J., Baker, N.R.: Does photorespiration protect the photosynthetic apparatus in French bean leaves from photoinhibition during drought stress?-Planta 196: 450-457, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castrillo, M., Calcagno, A.M.: Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity, chlorophyll and protein contents in two cultivars of tomato.-J. hort. Sci. 64: 717-724, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castrillo, M., Fernandez, D.: Ribulose bis-phosphate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities, chlorophyll and protein contents of two maize hybrids under water stress.-Maydica 35: 67-72, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castrillo, M., Trujillo, I.: Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity and chlorophyll and protein contents in two cultivars of French bean plants under water stress and rewatering.-Photosynthetica 30: 175-181, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornic, G., Briantais, J.-M.: Partitioning of photosynthetic electron flow between CO2 and O2 reduction in a C3 leaf (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at different CO2 concentrations and during drought stress.-Planta 183: 178-184, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornic, G., Le Gouallec, J.-L., Briantais, J.M., Hodges, M.: Effect of dehydration and high light on photosynthesis of two C3 plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Elatostema repens (Lour.) Hall f.).-Planta 177: 84-90, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, D., Castrillo, M.: Maize leaf rolling initiation.-Photosynthetica 37: 493-497, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gimenez, C., Mitchell, V.J., Lawlor, D.W.: Regulation of photosynthetic rate of two sunflower hybrids under water stress.-Plant Physiol. 98: 516-524, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graan, T., Boyer, J.S.: Very high CO2 partially restores photosynthesis in sunflower at low water potentials.-Planta 181: 378-384, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafson, S.W., Raynes, D.A., Jensen, R.G.: Photosynthesis and activity of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase of wheat and maize seedlings during and following exposure to O2-low, CO2-free N2.-Plant Physiol. 83: 171-176, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, A.D., Hitz, W.D.: Metabolic responses of mesophytes to plant water deficit.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 33: 163-203, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, W.M., Schröppel-Meier, G., Wirth, E.: Enzyme activities in an artificial stroma medium. An experimental model for studying effects of dehydration on photosynthesis.-Planta 167: 292-299, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanechi, M., Kunitomo, E., Inagaki, N., Maekawa, S.: Water stress effects on ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase and the relationship to photosynthesis in sunflower leaves.-In: Mathis, P. (ed.): Photosynthesis: from Light to Biosphere. Vol. IV. Pp. 597-600. Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-London 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanechi, M., Uchida, N., Yasuda, T., Yamaguchi, T.: Non-stomatal inhibition associated with inactivation of Rubisco in dehydrated coffee leaves under unshaded and shaded conditions.-Plant Cell Physiol. 37: 455-460, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kao, C.H.: Senescence of rice leaves. VI. Comparative study of the metabolic changes of senescing turgid and water-stressed excised leaves.-Plant Cell Physiol. 22: 683-688, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawlor, D.W.: The effects of water deficit on photosynthesis.-In: Smirnoff, N. (ed.): Environment and Plant Metabolism. Flexibility and Acclimation. Pp. 129-160. BIOS, Oxford 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy, D.: Water deficit enhancement of proline and amino nitrogen accumulation in potato plants and its association with susceptibility to drought.-Physiol. Plant. 57: 169-173, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Barajas, E., Villanueva-Verduzco, C., Molina-Galan, J., Loza-Tavera, H., Sanchez de Jimenez, E.: Relation of rubisco to maize grain yield improvement. Effect of water restriction.-Crop Sci. 32: 718-722, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawson, B.T., Colman, B.: The inhibition of photosynthesis and photorespiration in isolated mesophyll cells of Phaseolus and Lycopersicum by reduced osmotic potentials.-Physiol. Plant. 27: 21-27, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayoral, M.L., Atsmon, D., Shimshi, D., Gromet-Elhanan, Z.: Effect of water stress on enzyme activities in wheat and related wild species: carboxylase activity, electron transport and photophosphorylation in isolated chloroplasts.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 8: 385-393, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ort, D.R., Oxborough, K., Wise, R.R.: Depressions of photosynthesis in crops with water deficits.-In: Baker, N.R., Bowyer, J.R. (ed.): Photoinhibition of Photosynthesis from Molecular Mechanisms to the Field. Pp. 315-329. Bios Scientific Publ., Oxford 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panković, D., Sakač, Z., Kevrešan, S., Plesničar, M.: Acclimation to long-term water deficit in the leaves of two sunflower hybrids: photosynthesis, electron transport and carbon metabolism.-J. exp. Bot. 50: 127-138, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry, M.A., Andralojc, P.J., Lowe, H.M., Keys, A.J.: The localisation of 2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1-phosphate and inhibition of Rubisco in leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.-FEBS Lett. 444: 106-110, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry, M.A.J., Delgado, E., Vadell, J., Keys, A.J., Lawlor, D.W., Medrano, H.: Water stress and the diurnal activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in field grown Nicotiana tabacum genotypes selected for survival at low CO2 concentrations.-Plant Physiol. Biochem. 31: 113-120, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Servaites, J.C., Parry, M.A.J., Gutteridge, S., Keys, A.J.: Species variation in the predawn inhibition of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.-Plant Physiol. 82: 1161-1163, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharkey, T.D., Seemann, J.R.: Mild water stress effects on carbon-reduction-cycle intermediates, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity, and spatial homogeneity of photosynthesis in intact leaves.-Plant Physiol. 89: 1060-1065, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tezara, W., Lawlor, D.W: Effects of water stress on the biochemistry and physiology of photosynthesis in sunflower.-In: Mathis, P. (ed.): Photosynthesis: from Light to Biosphere. Vol. IV. Pp. 625-628. Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht-Boston-London 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tezara, W., Mitchell, V.J., Driscoll, S.D., Lawlor, D.W.: Water stress inhibits plant photosynthesis by decreasing coupling factor and ATP.-Nature 401: 914-917, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vapaavuori, E.M., Valanne, N.K.S.: Activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase in Salix sp. during water stress.-Photosynthetica 16: 1-6, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vu, J.C.V., Allen, L.H., Jr., Bowes, G.: Drought stress and elevated CO2 effects on soybean ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity and canopy photosynthetic rates.-Plant Physiol. 83: 573-578, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Castrillo, M., Fernandez, D., Calcagno, A. et al. Responses of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase, Protein Content, and Stomatal Conductance to Water Deficit in Maize, Tomato, and Bean. Photosynthetica 39, 221–226 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013731210309

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013731210309

Navigation