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Effect of downy mildew disease on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Plantago ovata Forsk

Einfluss des Falschen Mehltaus auf Photosynthese und Chlorophyllfluoreszenz von Plantago ovata Forsk

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Abstract

Plantago ovata is commercially grown in India for its dietary fibre. The crop is affected by downy mildew caused by Peronospora plantaginis Underwood leading to severe yield loss. A study was undertaken to assess the impact of downy mildew on host photosynthesis under field conditions. The results showed that primary photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll) were reduced by 34.74% and 62.11% in slight and severe chlorotic leaves, respectively, compared to healthy leaves. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was also significantly reduced in diseased leaves. The diurnal photosynthesis measurement showed that peak Pn in the diseased leaves was short lived as compared to healthy leaves. Infection caused an increase in dark respiration (Rd) and intracellular CO2 concentration (Ci), while stomatal conductance (gs) was similar to that of healthy leaves during peak photosynthetic period of the day. Infection caused a reduction in soluble sugar content accompanied by an increase in leaf starch content. Vitality index (Fv/Fm) of the diseased leaves was reduced by 24.39% in slight chlorotic and 44.90% in severe chlorotic leaves as compared to healthy leaves. Further, quantum yield of photosystem (PS) II (FPSII) showed severe reduction, which was correlated with the Pn. Our study suggests that carbon assimilation in the diseased leaves is mainly limited by PSII function. Disease induced reduction in chlorophyll content appears to be one of the causes for reduction in PSII yield. Increase in starch accumulation in infected leaves appears to be a cause for reduction in photosynthesis in infected leaves.

Zusammenfassung

Das Wegerichgewächs (Fam. Plantaginaceae) Plantago ovata wird in wegen seiner als ballaststoffreiches Nahrungsmittel verwendeten Samenschalen (Isabgol) angebaut. Der Befall der Pflanze mit dem Erreger des Falschen Mehltaus, Peronospora plantaginis Underwood, kann zu bedeutenden Ertragsverlusten führen. Im Feld wurde daher der Einfluss des Erregers auf die Photosynthese des Wirtes untersucht. Der Gesamtchlorophyllgehalt war in leicht und stark chlorotischen Blättern um 34,74 bzw. 62,11% gegenüber nicht befallenen Blättern vermindert. Die Nettophotosyntheserate (Pn) erkrankter Blätter war ebenfalls signifikant reduziert. Messungen diurnaler Veränderungen der Phytosynthese zeigten, dass der Pn-Peak befallener Blätter im Vergleich zu gesunden relativ kurzlebig war. Ein Befall erhöhte sowohl die Dunkelatmung (Rd) als auch die intrazelluläre CO2-Konzentration (Ci), während die stomatäre Leitfähigkeit (gs) in der Periode maximaler photosynthetischer Aktivität keine Unterschiede zu nicht befallenen Blättern aufwies. Befallsbedingt sank der Gehalt löslicher Zucker, während der Stärkegehalt der Blätter stieg. Der Vitalitätsindex (Fv/Fm) befallener Blätter sank gegenüber der Gesundvariante um 24,39% in schwach chlorotischen und um 44,90% in stark chlorotischen Blättern. Die Quantenausbeute des Photosystems (PS) II (FPSII) war in Kor- relation mit Pn stark vermindert. Die Untersuchung deutet darauf hin, dass die photosynthetische Kohlenstoffassimilation befallener Blätter vor allem durch die Funktion des PS II begrenzt wird. Der befallsbedingt verminderte Gehalt an Gesamtchlorophyll scheint die Ausbeute des PS II negativ zu beeinflussen. Die erhöhte Stärkespeicherung erkrankter Blätter scheint sich wiederum negativ auf die Photosyntheseleistung auszuwirken.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Boriavi, Anand, Gujarat, India

    K. Mandal, R. Saravanan & S. Maiti

  2. Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India

    I. L. Kothari

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  1. K. Mandal
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  2. R. Saravanan
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  3. S. Maiti
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  4. I. L. Kothari
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Correspondence to S. Maiti.

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Mandal, K., Saravanan, R., Maiti, S. et al. Effect of downy mildew disease on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Plantago ovata Forsk. J Plant Dis Prot 116, 164–168 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356305

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356305

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