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Response of the photosynthetic apparatus to a flowering-inductive period by water stress in Citrus

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Abstract

The photosynthetic responses to a flowering-inductive water-stress period and recovery were studied and compared in two Citrus species. Under greenhouse conditions, Fino lemon and Owari satsuma trees were subjected to moderate (−2 MPa at predawn) and severe (−3 MPa) water stress levels and were re-watered after 60 days. Vegetative growth was inhibited during the stress assays, and strong defoliation levels were reported, especially in Fino lemon. In both species, bud sprouting was induced after re-watering. Flowers and vegetative shoots developed in Owari satsuma after a drought period, and the development was independent of the stress level. In Fino lemon, vegetative shoots and flowers were primarily formed after moderate and severe stress, respectively. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance were reduced by water stress, and a marked increase in water-use efficiency at the moderate water deficit level was observed. Nevertheless, the photosynthetic apparatus was not damaged, since the maximum quantum yield, photosynthetic pigment concentrations and Rubisco level and activity did not change. Furthermore, the measured malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and peroxidase activity indicated that oxidative stress was not specifically triggered by water stress in our study. Therefore, the gas exchange, fluorescence and biochemical parameters suggested that diffusional limitations to photosynthesis predominated in both of the studied Citrus species, and explained the rapid recovery of the photosynthetic parameters after rehydration. The net CO2 fixation rate and stomatal conductance were recovered within 24 h in Fino lemon, whereas 3 days were required in Owari satsuma. This suggests the presence of some metabolic limitations in the latter species. Furthermore, the sensibility of the defoliation rates, the accumulation of proline and the stomatal behaviour in response to water stress indicated a higher drought tolerance of Fino lemon, according to its better acclimation to hot climates.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. J. Moreno and co-workers from the Departamento de Bioquímica of the Universidad de Valencia for his help and support in the Rubisco assays, and Dr. F. Fornes, Dr. A. Calatayud and Dr. E. Primo-Millo for the critical review of the manuscript. This work was funded by the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain (Ayudas para primeros proyectos de investigación PAID06-06).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Producción vegetal, Área de Fisiología vegetal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Edificio 3 K. Camino de Vera sn, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    José Luis Guardiola & Sergio G. Nebauer

  2. Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz, Veracruz, México

    Catarino Ávila

Authors
  1. Catarino Ávila
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  2. José Luis Guardiola
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  3. Sergio G. Nebauer
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Correspondence to Sergio G. Nebauer.

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Communicated by M. Adams.

José Luis Guardiola was deceased.

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Ávila, C., Guardiola, J.L. & Nebauer, S.G. Response of the photosynthetic apparatus to a flowering-inductive period by water stress in Citrus . Trees 26, 833–840 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-011-0657-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-011-0657-4

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