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Effects of foliar application of nitrogen on the photosynthetic performance and growth of two fescue cultivars under heat stress

  • Brief Communication
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Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

The effects of nitrogen fertilization on the growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, gas exchange, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters in two tall fescue cultivars (Festuca arundinacea cv. Barlexas and Crossfire II) were investigated under heat stress at 38/30 °C (day/night) for two weeks. Shoot growth rate of two tall fescue cultivars declined significantly under heat stress, and N supply can improved the growth rates, especially for the Barlexas. Chl content, leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and the maximal efficiency of photosystem 2 photochemistry (Fv/Fm) also decreased less under heat stress by N supply, especially in Crossfire II. Moreover, cultivar variations in photosynthetic performance were associated with their different response to heat stress and nitrogen fertilization, which were evidenced by shoot growth rate and photosynthetic pigment contents.

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Abbreviations

Car:

carotenoids

Chl:

chlorophyll

ci :

intercellular CO2 concentration

E:

transpiration rate

Fm :

maximum fluorescence yield

F0 :

minimal fluorescence yield

Fv/Fm :

maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 photochemistry

Fv′/Fm′:

effective quantum yield of PS 2 reaction centres

gs :

stomatal conductance

HT:

high temperature

PN :

net photosynthetic rate

qNP:

non-photochemical quenching

qP:

photochemical quenching

RD :

dark respiration

WUE:

water use efficiency

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China

    W. Y. Zhao, J. L. Li, L. J. Cui & J. Z. Wang

  2. Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenyang, 110016, P.R. China

    S. Xu

  3. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi, 830011, P.R. China

    W. Y. Zhao & Y. N. Chen

Authors
  1. W. Y. Zhao
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  2. S. Xu
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  3. J. L. Li
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  4. L. J. Cui
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  5. Y. N. Chen
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  6. J. Z. Wang
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Correspondence to J. L. Li.

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Zhao, W.Y., Xu, S., Li, J.L. et al. Effects of foliar application of nitrogen on the photosynthetic performance and growth of two fescue cultivars under heat stress. Biol Plant 52, 113–116 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-008-0021-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-008-0021-8

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