Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

S.stapfianus and E. curvula cv. Consol in vivo photosynthesis, PSII activity and ABA content during dehydration

  • Published:
Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Changes in photosynthetic activity, CO2 assimilation rate, ΦPSII by fluorescence andABA content, were monitored in the grasses Eragrostis curvula cv. Consol and Sporobolusstapfianus Gandoger in response to dehydration. Thefirst being a warm season grass well adapted todrought and the second a desiccation-tolerant orresurrection plant. The trial was performed on intactleaves during a whole plant drying course. After acycle of dehydration (down to ≌ 5% RWC) andrehydration to full turgor the resurrection plantshowed recovery of photosynthetic capability. E.curvula is drought-resistant but notdrought-tolerant being not capable of recovering whendried to ≌ 20% RWC. The sensitivity of photosynthesisto the drying treatment was different in E.curvula and S. stapfianus. During dryingtreatment, up to a leaf water loss of ≌ 40%, E.curvula photosynthesis seemed to be inhibited bycarbon metabolism, because PSII activity was not yetaffected. In S. stapfianus at the same point ofdehydration photosynthesis still worked though adown-regulation of PSII activity (Fv/Fm) occurred ata higher RWC. Non-photochemical chlorophyllfluorescence quenching (qN) was analysed. Duringdrying qN increased in both plants, but more in theresurrection plant though its assimilation rate wasless affected. The importance of ABA in regulating CO2 assimilation rate is discussed.

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

  1. Barber J (1994) Molecular basis of the vulnerability of photosystem II to damage by light. Austr J Plant Physiol 22: 201–208

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bewley D and Krochko E (1982) Desiccation tolerance. In: Osmond CB and Ziegler M (eds) Encyclopaedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 12B

  3. Correira MJ and Pereira JS (1995) The control of leaf conductance of white lupin by xylem ABA concentration decreases with the severity of water deficits. J Exp Bot 46: 101–110

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dalla Vecchia F, El Asmar T, Calamassi R, Rascio N and Vazzana C (1997) Morphological and ultrastructural aspects of dehydration and rehydration in leaves of Sporobolus stapfianus. in press on Plant Growth Regulation

  5. Davies WJ, Tardieu F and Trejo CL (1994) How do chemical signals work in plants that grow in drying soil. Plant Physiol 104:309–314

    Google Scholar 

  6. Demmig-Adams B (1990) Carotenoids and photoprotection in plants: A role for the xanthophyll zeaxanthin. Biochim Biophys Acta 1020: 1–24

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dodd IC, Stikic R and Davies WJ (1996) Chemical regulation of gas exchange and growth of plants in drying soil in the field. J Exp Bot 47: 1455–1490

    Google Scholar 

  8. Eickmeier GW, Casper C and Osmond B (1993) Chlorophyll fluorescence in the resurrection plant Selaginella lepidophylla (Hook. &; Grev.) Spring during high-light and desiccation stress, and evidence for zeaxanthin-associated photoprotection. Planta 189: 30–38

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gaff DF (1980) Protoplasmic tolerance of extreme water stress. In: Turner NC and Kramer PJ (eds) Adaptation of Plants to Water and High Temperature Stress, pp. 207–231. New York: Wiley

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gaff DF (1989) Responses of desiccation-tolerant "resurrection" plants to water stress. In: Kreeb KH, Richter H and Hinckley TM (eds) Structural and Functional Responses to Environmental Stresses, pp 255–268. The Hague, The Netherlands: SPB Academic Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gaff DF and Ellis RP (1974) Southern African grasses with foliage that revives after dehydration. Bothalia 11: 305–308

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gaff DF and Loveys BR (1992) Abscisic acid levels in drying plants of a resurrection grass. Transaction of Malaysian Soc Plant Physiol 3: 286–287

    Google Scholar 

  13. Genty B, Briantais JM and Baker NR (1989) The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim Biophys Acta 990: 87–92

    Google Scholar 

  14. Havaux M and Tardy F (1996) Temperature-dependent adjustment of the thermal stability of photosystem II in vivo: Possible involvement of xanthophyll-cycle pigments. Planta 198: 324-333

    Google Scholar 

  15. Heterrington SE, Hallam ND and Smillie RM (1982) Ultrastructural and compositional changes in chloroplast thylakoids of leaves of Borya nitida during humidity-sensitive degreening. Austr J Plant Physiol 9: 601–609

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jahns P and Schweig S (1995) Energy-dependent fluorescence quenching in thylakoids from intermittent light grown pea plants: Evidence for an interaction of zeaxanthin and the chlorophyll a/b binding protein CP26. Plant Physiol Biochem 33:683–687

    Google Scholar 

  17. Johnston WH (1988) Palatability to sheep of the Eragrostis curvula complex. 1 Methods of assessing palatability. Aust J of Exp Agric 28: 41–45

    Google Scholar 

  18. Leitsh J, Schnettgr B, Critchley C and Krause GH (1994) Two mechanisms of recovery from photoinhibition in vivo: reactivation of photosystem II related and unrelated to D1-protein turnover. Planta 194: 15–21

    Google Scholar 

  19. Markoska YK, Tsonev TD, Kimenov GP and Tutekova AA (1994) Physiological changes in higher poikilohydric plants Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. and Ramonda serbica Pane. during drought and rewateñng at different light regimes. J Plant Physiol 144: 100–108

    Google Scholar 

  20. Munns R and King RW (1988) Abscisic acid is not the only stomatal inhibitor in the transpiration stream of wheat plants. Plant Physiol 88: 703–708

    Google Scholar 

  21. Munns R, Passioura JB, Milborrow BV, James RA and Close TJ (1993) Stored xylem sap from wheat and barley in drying soil contains a transpiration inhibitor with a large molecular size. Plant Cell Environ 16: 867–872

    Google Scholar 

  22. Neubauer Cand Yamamoto HJ(1992)Mehler-peroxidasereaction mediates zeaxanthin formation and zeaxanthin-related fluorescence quenching in intact chloroplasts. Plant Physiol 99:1354–1361

    Google Scholar 

  23. Piemontese S, Pardini A and Talamucci P (1990) Combined utilisation of warm and cool season pasture species in Mediterranean area of southern Tuscany (Italy). 6th Meeting FAO on Mediterranean pasture and fodder crops. Bari (Italy)

  24. Puliga S, Vazzana C and Davies WJ (1996) Control of crops leaf growth by chemical and hydraulic influences. J Exp Bot 47:529–437

    Google Scholar 

  25. Raschke K and Hedrich R (1985) Simultaneous and independent effects of abscisic acid on stomata and the photosynthetic apparatus in whole leaves. Planta 163: 105–118

    Google Scholar 

  26. Schwab KB and Gaff DF (1990) Influence of compatible solute on soluble enzymes from desiccation-tolerant Sporobolus stapfianus and desiccation-sensitive Sporobolus pyramidalis. J Plant Physiol 137: 208–215

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sherwin HW (1995) Desiccation tolerance and sensitivity in vegetative tissues. PhD thesis. University of Natal Durban Private Bag X 10 Dalbridge 4014 South Africa

  28. Sutaryono YA and Gaff DF (1992) Grazing potential of desiccation tolerant tropical and subtropical grasses. Transaction of Malaysian Soc Plant Physiol 3: 180–183

    Google Scholar 

  29. Tardieu F and Davies WJ (1993) Integration of hydraulic and chemical signalling in the control of stomatal conductance and water status of droughted plants. Plant Cell Env 16: 341–349

    Google Scholar 

  30. Trejo CL and Davies WJ (1991) Drought induced closure of Phaseolus vulgaris stomata precedes leaf water deficit and any increase in xylem ABA concentration. J Exp Bot 42: 1507–1515

    Google Scholar 

  31. Vemieri P, Perata P, Armellini D, Bugnoli M, Presentim R, Lorenzi R, Ceccarelli N and Alpi A e Tognoni F (1989) Solid phase for the quantitation of abscisic acid in plant crude extracts using a new monoclonal antibody. J Plant Physiol 134: 441–446

    Google Scholar 

  32. Wellbum FAM and Wellbum AR (1976) Novel chloroplast and unusual cellular ultrastmcture in the "resurrection plant" Myrothamnus flabellifolia Welw. (Myrothamnaceae). Bot J Linnean Soc 72: 51–54

    Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang J and Davies WJ (1989) Sequential response of whole plant water relations to prolonged soil drying and the involvement of xylem sap ABA in the regulation of stomatal behaviour of sunflower plants. New Phytol 113: 167–174

    Google Scholar 

  34. Zhang J and Davies WJ (1990a) Does ABA in the xylem control the rate of leaf growth in soil-dried maize and sunflower plants? J Exp Bot 41: 1125–1132

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zhang J and Davies WJ (1990b) Changes in the concentration of ABA in xylem sap as a function of changing soil water status can account for changes in leaf conductance and growth. Plant Cell Environ 13: 277–285

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Agronomiche e Gestione del Territorio Agroforestale (DISAT), Universit´ di Firenze, 50142 P., Cascine 18, Italy

    S. Di Blasi, S. Puliga, L. Losi & C. Vazzana

Authors
  1. S. Di Blasi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Puliga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Losi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. Vazzana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Di Blasi, S., Puliga, S., Losi, L. et al. S.stapfianus and E. curvula cv. Consol in vivo photosynthesis, PSII activity and ABA content during dehydration. Plant Growth Regulation 25, 97–104 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GROW.0000009705.25848.e7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GROW.0000009705.25848.e7

Search

Navigation