Biologia Plantarum

, Volume 60, Issue 1, pp 148–154 | Cite as

Effects of chilling and high temperatures on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of watermelon seedlings

  • W. Hou
  • A. H. Sun
  • H. L. Chen
  • F. S. Yang
  • J. L. Pan
  • M. Y. Guan
Original Papers
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

The effects of chilling (CT, day/night temperatures of 12/10 °C, an irradiance of 250 μmol m−2 s−1), chilling combined with a low irradiance (CL, 12/10 °C, 80 μmol m−2 s−1), and a high temperature (HT, 42/40 °C, 250 μmol m−2 s−1) on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and gas exchange were studied in two watermelon cultivars, ZJ8424 and YS01, differing in their resistance. The chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (E) decreased substantially, whereas the intercellular CO2 concentration (ci) increased when the two watermelon cultivars were grown under these stresses. The photosynthetic parameters showed greater changes at chilling than at the high temperature, and the CL caused a more pronounced inhibition in PN compared with the CT. After 2 d exposure to the CT, YS01 had higher PN, gs, and E, but a lower ci compared with ZJ8424. The maximum efficiency of photosystem (PS) II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate (ETR) decreased under the CT and CL but showed only a slight drop under the HT. All these stresses significantly increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The CT brought more damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves compared with the CL. In addition, after returning to normal conditions (25/15 °C, 250 μmol m−2 s−1) for 3 d, the photosynthetic parameters recovered to pre-stress levels in HT treated seedlings but not in CT treated seedlings. In conclusion, the low irradiance could help to alleviate the extent of photoinhibition of PS II photochemistry caused by chilling and cv. ZJ8424 was more sensitive to the extreme temperatures than cv. YS01.

Additional key words

chlorophyll content Citrullus lanatus irradiance stomatal conductance transpiration rate 

Abbreviations

ci

intercellular CO2 concentration

CL

chilling at low irradiance

CT

chilling at normal irradiance

E

transpiration rate

ETR

electron transport rate

F0

minimal fluorescence

Fv/Fm

maximum efficiency of PS II photochemistry

gs

stomatal conductance

HT

high temperature

NPQ

non-photochemical quenching

PS

photosystem

qP

photochemical quenching

PN

net photosynthetic rate

SE

standard error

ΦPSII

effective quantum yield of PS II photochemistry

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

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Allen, D.J., Ort, D.R.: Impacts of chilling temperatures on photosynthesis in warm-climate plants. — Trends Plant Sci. 6: 36–42, 2001.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. Allakhverdiev, S.I., Kreslavski, V.D., Klimov, V.V., Los, D.A., Carpentier, R., Mohanty, P.: Heat stress: an overview of molecular responses in photosynthesis. — Photosynth. Res. 98: 541–550, 2008.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Aro, E.M., Virgin, I., Andersson, B.: Photoinhibition of photosystem II. Inactivation, protein damage and turnover. — Biochem. biophys. Acta 1143: 113–134, 1993.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Berry, J., Björkman, O.: Photosynthetic response and adaptation to temperature in higher plants. — Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31: 491–543, 1980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Dat, J., Vandenabeele, S., Vranová, E., Montagu, M.V., Inzé, D., Breusegem, V.: Dual action of the active oxygen species during plant stress responses. — Cells Mol. Life Sci. 57: 779–795, 2000.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Demmig-Adams, B., Adams III, W.W.: Photoprotection and other responses of plants to high light stress. — Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 43: 599–626, 1992.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Djanaguiraman, M., Prasad, P.V.V., Boyle, D.L., Schapaugh, W.T.: High temperature stress and soybean leaves: leaf anatomy and photosynthesis. — Crop Sci. 51: 2125–2131, 2011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Djanaguiraman, M., Prasad, P.V.V., Seppanen, M.: Selenium protects sorghum leaves from oxidative damage under high temperature stress by enhancing antioxidant defense system. — Plant Physiol Biochem. 48: 999–1007, 2010.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Du, Y.C., Nose, A., Wasano, K.: Effects of chilling temperature on photosynthetic rates, photosynthetic enzyme activities and metabolite levels in leaves of three sugarcane species. — Plant Cell Environ. 22: 317–324, 1999.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Filella, I., Serrano, L., Serra, J., Penuelas, J.: Evaluating wheat nitrogen status with canopy reflectance indices and discriminant analysis. — Crop Sci. 35: 1400–1405, 1995.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Genty, B., Briantais, J.M., Baker, N.R.: The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. — Biochem. biophys. Acta 990: 87–92, 1989.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Gitelson, A.A., Merzlyak, M.N.: Relationships between leaf chlorophyll content and spectral reflectance and algorithms for non-destructive chlorophyll assessment in higher plant leaves. — J Plant Physiol. 160: 271–282, 2003.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  13. Greer, D.H., Berry, J.A., Björkman, O.: Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact bean leaves: role of light and temperature, and requirement for chloroplast-protein synthesis during recovery. — Planta 168: 253–260, 1986.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  14. Groom, Q.J., Baker, N.R.: Analysis of light-induced depressions of photosynthesis in leaves of a wheat crop during the winter. — Plant Physiol. 100: 1217–1223, 1992.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  15. Hou, W., Sun, A.H., Yang, F.S., Zhan, Y.F., Li, S.Z., Zhou, Z.D.: Effects of low temperature stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in watermelon seedlings. — Guang Dong Agr. Sci. 13: 35–39, 2014.Google Scholar
  16. Huner, N., Öquist, G., Sarhan, F.: Energy balance and acclimation to light and cold. — Trends Plant Sci. 3: 224–230, 1998.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Krause, G.H., Weis, E.: Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics. — Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 42: 313–349, 1991.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Kratsch, H.A., Wise, R.R.: The ultrastructure of chilling stress. — Plant Cell Environ. 23: 337–350, 2000.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Kudoh, H., Sonoike, K.: Irreversible damage to photosystem I by chilling in the light: cause of the degradation of chlorophyll after returning to normal growth temperature. — Planta 215: 541–548, 2002.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  20. Martin, B., Ort, D.R., Boyer, J.S.: Impairment of photosynthesis by chilling-temperatures in tomato. — Plant Physiol. 68: 329–334, 1981.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  21. Matta, D.F.M., Maestri, M.: Photoinhibition and recovery of photosynthesis in Coffea arabica and C. canephora. — Photosynthetica 34: 439–446, 1998.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Murata, N., Takahashi, S., Nishiyama, Y., Allakhverdiev, S.I.: Photoinhibition of photosystem II under environmental stress. — Biochem. biophys. Acta 1767: 414–421, 2007.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  23. Oquist, G., Hurry, V.M., Huner, N.P.A.: Low-temperature effects on photosynthesis and correlation with freezing tolerance in spring and winter cultivars of wheat and rye. — Plant Physiol. 101: 245–250, 1993.PubMedCentralPubMedGoogle Scholar
  24. Pastenes, C., Horton, P.: Effect of high temperature on photosynthesis in beans. II. CO2 assimilation and metabolite contents. — Plant Physiol. 112: 1253–1260, 1996.PubMedCentralPubMedGoogle Scholar
  25. Ploschuk, E.L., Bado, L.A., Salinas, M., Wassner, D.F., Windauer, L.B., Insausti, P.: Photosynthesis and fluorescence responses of Jatropha curcas to chilling and freezing stress during early vegetative stages. — Environ. exp. Bot. 102: 18–26, 2014.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Powles, S.B.: Photoinhibition of photosynthesis induced by visible light. — Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 35: 15–44, 1984.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Ruelland, E., Zachowski, A.: How plants sense temperature. — Environ. exp. Bot. 69: 225–232, 2010.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Sonoike, K.: Various aspects of inhibition of photosynthesis under light/chilling stress: “photoinhibition at chilling temperatures” versus “chilling damage in the light”. — J. Plant Res. 111: 121–129, 1998.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Sharkey, T.D.: Effects of moderate heat stress on photosynthesis: importance of thylakoid reactions, rubisco deactivation, reactive oxygen species, and thermotolerance provided by isoprene. — Plant Cell Environ. 28: 269–277, 2005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. Taylor, A.O., Rowley, J.A.: Plants under climatic stress I. Low temperature, high light effects on photosynthesis. — Plant Physiol. 47: 713–718, 1971.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  31. Wang, L.J., Sun, Y.P., Zhang, Z.P., Kang, L.: Effects of 5- aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of watermelon seedlings grown under low light and low temperature conditions. — Acta Hort. 856: 159–166, 2010.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Wise, R.R., Olson, A.J., Schrader S M., Sharkey, T.D.: Electron transport is the functional limitation of photosynthesis in fieldgrown pima cotton plants at high temperature. — Plant Cell Environ. 27: 717–724, 2004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Yamori, W., Noguchi, K., Kashino, Y., Terashima, I.: The role of electron transport in determining the temperature dependence of the photosynthetic rate in spinach leaves grown at contrasting temperatures. — Plant Cell Physiol. 49: 583–591, 2008.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  34. Yan, N., Xu, X.F., Wang, Z.D., Huang, J.Z., Guo, D.P.: Interactive effects of temperature and light intensity on photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity in Zizania latifolia Turcz. plants. — Photosynthetica 51: 127–138, 2013.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Zinn, K.E., Tunc-Ozdemir, M., Harper, J.F.: Temperature stress and plant sexual reproduction: uncovering the weakest links. — J. exp. Bot. 61: 1959–1968, 2010.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • W. Hou
    • 1
    • 2
  • A. H. Sun
    • 3
  • H. L. Chen
    • 4
  • F. S. Yang
    • 1
  • J. L. Pan
    • 2
  • M. Y. Guan
    • 2
  1. 1.College of AgronomyHainan UniversityHaikouP.R. China
  2. 2.Haikou Meteorological StationHaikou Meteorological BureauHaikouP.R. China
  3. 3.Rubber Research InstituteChinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture SciencesDanzhouP.R. China
  4. 4.Institute of Meteorological SciencesHaikouP.R. China

Personalised recommendations