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Evaluation of photosynthetic performance and carbon isotope discrimination in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under allelochemicals stress

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Abstract

Ferulic (FA) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) are commonly found as phenolic compounds (PHC) in many forage and cereal crops. Although the effects of these PHC on seedling growth are relatively explored, not many information is available regarding the phytotoxicity on ecophysiological processes of perennial ryegrass adult plants. The experiment was conducted with the aim to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of PHC on the seedling growth, leaf water relation, chlorophyll fluorescence attributes and carbon isotope discrimination adult plants of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The results clearly indicated that PHC behaved as potent inhibitors of chlorophyll fluorescence yield (Fv/Fm) in leaves of L. perenne and plants showed poor tolerance against allelochemicals stress. Quantum yield (ΦPSII), chlorophyll fluorescence quenching (qP) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were decreased following exposure to FA and pHBA. The portion of absorbed photon energy that was thermally dissipated (D) in L. perenne was decreased. Exposure of the L. perenne seedlings to FA and pHBA stress led to a decrease in fresh/dry weight, relative water content and leaf osmotic potential. Carbon isotope composition ratio (δ13C) was significantly less negative than the control following treatment with FA or pHBA. The results suggested that PHC uptake was a key step for the effectiveness of these secondary metabolites and their phytotoxicity on L. perenne adult plants was mainly due to the alteration of leaf water status accompanied by photosystem II damage. Acquisition of such knowledge may ultimately provide a better understanding about the mode of action of the tested compounds.

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Abbreviations

ci/ca:

Ratio of intercellular CO2 concentration from leaf to air

D :

Portion of absorbed photon energy thermally dissipated

E :

Photon energy absorbed by PSII antennae and trapped by “closed” PSII reaction centers

F′m :

Maximal fluorescence

F′o :

Minimal fluorescence

F′v :

Variable fluorescence level from light-adapted state

Fm :

Maximal fluorescence level from dark-adapted leaves

Fo :

Initial fluorescence level from dark-adapted leaves

Fv :

Variable fluorescence level from dark-adapted leaves

LOP:

Leaf osmotic potential

ΦPSII:

Maximum quantum yield of PSII

NPQ:

Non-photochemical fluorescence quenching

Fv/Fm :

Efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry in the dark-adapted state

P :

Fraction of photon energy absorbed by PS II antennae trapped by “open” PS II reaction centers

QA:

Quinone type electron acceptor A

qP:

Photochemical quenching

RWC:

Relative water content

δ13C:

Composition of carbon isotope ratios

Δ13C:

Carbon isotope discrimination

iWUE:

Intrinsic water use efficiency

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Aldo Barreiro, Carlos Bolano and Paula Lorenzo with field and laboratory assistance. We are grateful to Jesús Estévez Sío for their technical assistance with isotope ratio mass spectroscopy. We thank Dr. Nuria Pedrol for valuable help in leaf osmotic potential measurement.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to write this work. M.I: acquisition of data, efficiency of photosystem PSII and leaf fluorescence analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript, M.J.R: isotopic ratio mass spectroscopy measurement, analysis and interpretation of data, M.J.R: study conception and design and critical revision. The manuscript was approved by all of the authors.

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  1. Department of Plant Biology and Soil Science, Universidad de Vigo, Campus Lagoas-Marcosende, E-36310, Vigo, Spain

    M. Iftikhar Hussain & Manuel J. Reigosa

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  1. M. Iftikhar Hussain
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Correspondence to M. Iftikhar Hussain.

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Hussain, M.I., Reigosa, M.J. Evaluation of photosynthetic performance and carbon isotope discrimination in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under allelochemicals stress. Ecotoxicology 26, 613–624 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-017-1794-3

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