Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of root temperature on leaf gas exchange and xylem sap abscisic acid concentrations in six Cucurbitaceae species

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

Roots of six Cucurbitaceae species were exposed to low (14 °C), middle (24 °C), and high (34 °C) temperatures while aerial parts of plants were maintained at ambient temperatures between 23 and 33 °C. The highest dry mass (DM), photon-saturated rate of net photosynthesis (P Nsat), and stomatal conductance (g s) were found at 14 °C in figleaf gourd and turban squash plants, at 24 °C in cucumber and melon plants, while bitter melon and wax gourd plants had lower DM, P Nsat, and g s at 14 °C than at 24 or 34 °C. Sub-or supra-optimum root temperatures did not induce photoinhibition but induced slight changes in the quantum efficiency of photosystem 2, PS2 (ΦPS2) and photochemical quenching (qp). Meanwhile, xylem sap abscisic acid (ABA) concentration followed a contrasting change pattern to that of g s. Thus the change in P Nsat was mainly due to the change in g s and roots played an important role in the regulation of stomatal behaviour by delivering increased amount of ABA to shoots at sub-or supra-optimum root temperatures.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahn, S.J., Im, Y.J., Chung, G.C., Cho, B.H., Suh, S.R.: Physiological responses of grafted-cucumber leaves and rootstock roots affected by low root temperature.-Sci. Hort. 81: 397–408, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, D.J., Ort, D.R.: Impacts of chilling temperatures on photosynthesis in warm-climate plants.-Trends Plant Sci. 6: 36–42, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asada, K.: The water-water cycle in chloroplasts: Scavenging of active oxygens and dissipation of excess photons.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 50: 601–639, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Atkin, O.K., Tjoelker, M.G.: Thermal acclimation and the dynamic response of plant respiration to temperature.-Trends Plant Sci. 8: 343–351, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bahrun, A., Jensen, C.R., Asch, F., Mogensen, V.O.: Drought-induced changes in xylem pH, ionic composition, and ABA concentration act as early signals in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.).-J. exp. Bot. 53: 251–263, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J.A., Downton, W.J.S.: Environmental regulation of photosynthesis.-In: Govindjee (ed.): Photosynthesis. Vol. II. Pp. 263–343. Academic Press, New York-London-Paris-San Diego-San Francisco-São Paulo-Sydney-Tokyo-Toronto 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borel, C., Frey, A., Marion-Poll, A., Tardieu, F., Simonneau, T.: Does engineering abscisic acid biosynthesis in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia modify stomatal response to drought?-Plant Cell Environ. 24: 477–489, 2001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demmig-Adams, B., Adams, W.W., III: Photoprotection and other responses of plants to light stress.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 43: 599–626, 1992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Else, M.A., Taylor, J.M., Atkinson, C.J.: Anti-transpirant activity in xylem sap from flooded tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants is not due to pH-mediated redistributions of root-or shoot-sourced ABA.-J. exp. Bot. 57: 3349–3357, 2006.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erice, G., Irigoyen, J.J., Pérez, P., Martínez-Carrasco, R., Sánchez-Díaz, M.: Effect of elevated CO2, temperature and drought on photosynthesis of nodulated alfalfa during a cutting regrowth cycle.-Physiol. Plant. 126: 458–468, 2006.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felle, H.H., Herrmann, A., Huckelhoven, R., Kogel, K.H.: Root-to-shoot signalling: apoplastic alkalinization, a general stress response and defence factor in barley (Hordeum vulgare).-Protoplasma 227: 17–24, 2005.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foo, E., Turnbull, C.G.N., Beveridge, C.A.: Long-distance signaling and the control of branching in the rms1 mutant of pea.-Plant Physiol. 126: 203–209, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, M.J., Andrews, J.R., Oxborough, K., Blowers, D.A., Baker, N.R.: Relationship between CO2 assimilation, photosynthetic electron transport, and active O2 metabolism in leaves of maize in the field during period of low temperature.-Plant Physiol. 116: 571–580, 1998.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Genty, B., Briantais, J.-M., Baker, N.R.: The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence.-Biochim. biophys. Acta 990: 87–92, 1989.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gollan, T., Schurr, U., Schulze, E.-D.: Stomatal response to drying soil in relation to changes in the xylem sap composition of Helianthus annuus. I. The concentration of cations, anions, amino acids in, and pH of, the xylem sap.-Plant Cell Environ. 15: 551–559, 1992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guschina, I.A., Harwood, J.L., Smith, M., Beckett, R.P.: Abscisic acid modifies the changes in lipids brought about by water stress in the moss Atrichum androgynum.-New Phytol. 156: 255–264, 2002.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haisel, D., Pospíšilová, J., Synková, H., Schnablová, R., Baťková, P.: Effects of abscisic acid or benzyladenine on pigment contents, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chloroplast ultrastructure during water stress and after rehydration.-Photosynthetica 44: 606–614, 2006.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, H., Dörffling, K.: Changes of free and conjugated abscisic acid and phaseic acid in xylem sap of drought-stressed sunflower plants.-J. exp. Bot. 50: 1599–1605, 1999.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He, J., Lee, S.K., Dodd, I.C.: Limitation to photosynthesis of lettuce grown under tropical conditions: alleviation by root-zone cooling.-J. exp. Bot. 52: 1323–1330, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hewezi, T., Leger, M., El Kayal, W., Gentzbittel, L.: Transcriptional profiling of sunflower plants growing under low temperatures reveals an extensive down-regulation of gene expression associated with chilling sensitivity.-J. exp. Bot. 57: 3109–3122, 2006.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, Y.T., Kao, C.H.: Role of abscisic acid in cadmium tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings.-Plant Cell Environ. 26: 867–874, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, B.R., Liu, X.Z., Xu, Q.Z.: Supraoptimal soil temperatures induced oxidative stress in leaves of creeping bentgrass cultivars differing in heat tolerance.-Crop Sci. 41: 430–435, 2001.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, M.: Hormones from roots as signals for the shoots of stressed plants.-Trends Plant Sci. 2: 1360–1385, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nada, K., He, L.X., Tachibana, S.: Impaired photosynthesis in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) by high root-zone temperature involves ABA-induced stomatal closure and reduction in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity.-J. jap. Soc. hort. Sci. 72: 504–510, 2003.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa, T., Kawaguchi, M.: Shoot-applied MeJA suppresses root nodulation in Lotus japonicus.-Plant Cell Physiol. 47: 176–180, 2006.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pei, Z.-M., Murata, Y., Benning, G., Thomine, S., Klüsener, B., Allen, G.J., Grill, E., Schroeder, J.I.: Calcium channels activated by hydrogen peroxide mediate abscisic signalling in guard cells.-Nature 406: 731–734, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pospíšilová, J.: Participation of phytohormones in the stomatal regulation of gas exchange during water stress.-Biol. Plant. 46: 491–506, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauter, A., Davies, W.J., Hartung, W.: The long-distance abscisic acid signal in the droughted plant: the fate of the hormone on its way from root to shoot.-J. exp. Bot. 52: 1991–1997, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schurr, U., Gollan, T., Schulze, E.D.: Stomatal response to drying soil in relation to changes in the xylem sap composition of Helianthus annuus. II. Stomatal sensitivity to abscisic acid imported from the xylem sap.-Plant Cell Environ. 15: 561–567, 1992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sobeih, W.Y., Dodd, I.C., Bacon, M.A., Grierson, D., Davies, W.J.: Long-distance signals regulating stomatal conductance and leaf growth in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants subjected to partial root-zone drying.-J. exp. Bot. 55: 353–2363, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tachibana, S.: Effect of root temperature on the rate of water and nutrient absorption in cucumber cultivars and figleaf gourd.-J. jap. Soc. hort. Sci. 55: 461–467, 1987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tardieu, F., Lafarge, T., Simonneau, T.: Stomatal control by fed or endogenous xylem ABA in sunflower: interpretation of correlations between leaf water potential and stomatal conductance in anisohydric species.-Plant Cell Environ. 19: 75–84, 1996.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tindall, H.D.: Vegetables in the Tropics.-Macmillan Press, London 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernieri, P., Lenzi, A., Figaro, M., Tognoni, F., Pardossi, A.: How the roots contribute to the ability of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to cope with chilling-induced water stress.-J. exp. Bot. 52: 2199–2206, 2001.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Kooten, O., Snel, J.F.H.: The use of chlorophyll fluorescence nomenclature in plant stress physiology.-Photosynth. Res. 25: 147–150, 1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, X.C., Landhausser, S.M., Zwiazek, J.J., Lieffers, V.J.: Stomatal conductance and xylem sap properties of aspen (Populus tremuloides) in response to low soil temperature.-Physiol. Plant. 122: 79–85, 2004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X.Q., Ullah, H., Jones, A.M., Assmann, S.M.: G protein regulation of ion channels and abscisic acid signaling in Arabidopsis guard cells.-Science 292: 2070–2072, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J.Q., Matsui, Y.: Effects of root exudates and allelochemicals on ion uptake by cucumber seedlings.-J. chem. Ecol. 23: 817–827, 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y.P., Zhang, Y.L., Zhou, Y.H., Yu, J.Q.: Adaptation of cucurbit species to root temperature: growth, antioxidants and peroxidation.-J. Plant Biol. 50: 527–532, 2007.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Y.H., Yu, J.Q., Huang, L.F., Nogués, S.: The relationship between CO2 assimilation, photosynthetic electron transport and water-water cycle in chill-exposed cucumber leaves under low light and subsequent recovery.-Plant Cell Environ. 27: 1503–1514, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, Huajiachi Campus, Zhejiang University, Kaixuan Road 268, Hangzhou, 310029, P.R. China

    Y. P. Zhang, Y. L. Zhang, Y. H. Zhou & J. Q. Yu

  2. Department of Life Science, Tangshan Normal College, Jianshe North Road 156, Tangshan, P.R. China, 063000

    Y. X. Qiao

  3. Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plants Growth, Development and Biotechnology, Agricultural Ministry of China, Kaixuan Road 268, Hangzhou, P.R. China, 310029

    J. Q. Yu

Authors
  1. Y. P. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Y. X. Qiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. L. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y. H. Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Q. Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Y. H. Zhou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, Y.P., Qiao, Y.X., Zhang, Y.L. et al. Effects of root temperature on leaf gas exchange and xylem sap abscisic acid concentrations in six Cucurbitaceae species. Photosynthetica 46, 356–362 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-008-0065-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-008-0065-1

Additional key words

Search

Navigation