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Effect of Water Stress on the Photochemical Activity of Chloroplasts

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Abstract

GROWTH and accumulation of dry matter in plants are dependent on the water status of the photosynthetic tissues1–3. Stomatal closure, resulting from the increased water stress in the leaf, is usually considered to be the main cause of reduced photosynthesis4,5. Stomatal closure is not, however, a satisfactory explanation for reduced photosynthesis, especially in those cases where it has been shown that there is no direct relationship between the degree of stomatal opening and carbon dioxide fixation6,7. It was suggested that damage by desiccation is caused, at least partly, by structural changes in the cytoplasm8 and changes in the hydration of chloroplasts9. Some evidence showing a good correlation between the degree of hydration of the tissue and its photosynthetic activity in leaves with fully opened stomata has been produced10. We have therefore investigated the effect of drought and dehydration on the photochemical activity of chloroplasts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem

    I. NIR & ALEXANDRA POLJAKOFF-MAYBEP

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  1. I. NIR
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  2. ALEXANDRA POLJAKOFF-MAYBEP
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NIR, I., POLJAKOFF-MAYBEP, A. Effect of Water Stress on the Photochemical Activity of Chloroplasts. Nature 213, 418–419 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/213418a0

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