Effects of cytokinin on photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidative system and carbohydrate accumulation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under low light

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum volume 35, pages1427–1438(2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) on plant growth, net photosynthetic rate, relative chlorophyll content, soluble protein, carbohydrates contents and antioxidant systems of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under low-light environment were investigated using two different cucumber cultivars. The results showed that the weak light resulted in the remarkable decrease in plant net photosynthetic rate, relative chlorophyll content, soluble protein and carbohydrates contents, but promoted the superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase activities. However, application of 6-BA alleviated the reduction of the correlative parameters and mediated the changes of antioxidant systems. The potential mechanisms may involve the following aspects: 6-BA clearly enhanced the plants’ tolerance to low light by increasing chlorophyll content, reducing the production of superoxide radical (O ·−2 ), and enhancing the quenching of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), consequently alleviating the injury of photosynthetic system, and further increasing the efficiency of CO2 assimilation, producing more carbohydrates which can meet the growth need of cucumber. Meanwhile, the present study indicated that cucumber of Europe mini type (Chunqiuwang) was more tolerant to low light than HuaNan type (Huza No.3).

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Abbreviations

6-BA:

6-Benzylaminopurine

A sat :

CO2 assimilation at saturated PPFD

Ci:

Intercellular CO2 concentration

CTK:

Cytokinin

F v/F o :

Potential photochemical efficiency

F v/F m :

The maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII)

G-POD:

Guaiacol peroxidase

Gs:

Stomatal conductance

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

LSD:

Least significance difference

O ·−2 :

Superoxide radical

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SAS:

Statistical analysis system

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

Tr:

Transpiration rate

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Shanghai Natural Science Foundation of China (12ZR1449000), Momentous Scientific Research of Agriculture Program of Shanghai, China (number 4-1 (2010)) and Safety Specification and Process Supervision of Cucumber Cultivation Technical Specification of Shanghai, China (11391901600).

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Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Key Lab of Protected Horticultural Technology, Horticultural Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 201106, China

    Ding Xiaotao, Wang Hong, Jin Haijun, Zhang Hongmei & Yu Jizhu

  2. Zhuanghang Experimental Station, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 201106, China

    Jiang Yuping & Chen Chunhong

Authors
  1. Ding Xiaotao
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  2. Jiang Yuping
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  3. Wang Hong
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  4. Jin Haijun
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  5. Zhang Hongmei
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  6. Chen Chunhong
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  7. Yu Jizhu
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Correspondence to Yu Jizhu.

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D. Xiaotao and J. Yuping contributed equally to this work.

Communicated by U. Feller.

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Xiaotao, D., Yuping, J., Hong, W. et al. Effects of cytokinin on photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidative system and carbohydrate accumulation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under low light. Acta Physiol Plant 35, 1427–1438 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-012-1182-9

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Keywords

  • Cucumber
  • Low light
  • 6-Benzylaminopurine
  • Photosynthesis
  • Carbohydrate
  • Antioxidant enzymes activities