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Changes in leaf epicuticular wax, gas exchange and biochemistry metabolism between Jatropha mollissima and Jatropha curcas under semi-arid conditions

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Abstract

Jatropha curcas and Jatropha mollissima plants were evaluated under conditions of high (HSM) and low (LSM) soil moisture in a semi-arid environment, as changes in the content and concentration of epicuticular wax and the leaf metabolism which could have a relationship with drought tolerance. Besides epicuticular wax, gas exchange, antioxidant system and biochemical parameters of the photosynthetic metabolism were measured. The epicuticular wax content increased only in J. mollissima leaves 95 % under LSM, when compared with HSM conditions. Therefore, J. curcas invested less in the production of long-chain n-alkanes than did J. mollissima under LSM conditions. J. mollissima plants showed the highest CO2 assimilation rate during the HSM period compared to J. curcas. Both species showed high stability in some leaf biochemistry products, highlighting the highest sugar content, free amino acids, total soluble protein, and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of J. mollissima plants under both of the soil moisture conditions. Moreover, the stability and performance of the different parameters, such as morphologic variables, seem to allow J. mollissima plants to tolerate semi-arid conditions.

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Abbreviations

A :

CO2 assimilation

FAA:

Free amino acids

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

CAT:

Catalase

Chl a :

Chlorophyll a

Chl b :

Chlorophyll b

Car:

Carotenoids

E :

Transpiration

g s :

Stomatal conductance

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

HSM:

High soil moisture

LSM:

Low soil moisture

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

SC:

Soluble carbohydrates

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

TSP:

Total soluble protein

VPD:

Vapor pressure deficit

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank CNPq for financially supporting our research on potential oleaginous plants (Proc. CNPq 483550/2010-8/CNPq 551300/2010-8). K. V. Figueiredo thanks the CAPES for a scholarship, and M. G. Santos thanks the CNPq for a fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil

    Karla V. Figueiredo, Marciel T. Oliveira, Emília C. P. Arruda, Bárbara C. F. Silva & Mauro G. Santos

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  1. Karla V. Figueiredo
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  2. Marciel T. Oliveira
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  3. Emília C. P. Arruda
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  4. Bárbara C. F. Silva
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  5. Mauro G. Santos
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Correspondence to Mauro G. Santos.

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Communicated by J. Gao.

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Figueiredo, K.V., Oliveira, M.T., Arruda, E.C.P. et al. Changes in leaf epicuticular wax, gas exchange and biochemistry metabolism between Jatropha mollissima and Jatropha curcas under semi-arid conditions. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 108 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1855-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1855-2

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