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Photosynthesis, respiration and antioxidant enzymes in pepper leaves under drought and heat stresses

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and activities of antioxidant enzymes were studied in two pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under drought (D) and heat (H), as well as under drought and heat in combination (HD). The drought-tolerant cv. Zhengjiao 13 exhibited greater net photosynthetic rate (PN) and cytochrome respiratory pathway activity (RSHAM), and lower contents of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide, as compared to the drought-sensitive cv. Longkouzaojiao. The PN and RSHAM decreased and ROS production increased under D and HD in both cultivars. As compared to the Longkouzaojiao, Zhengjiao 13 retained higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), photorespiration rate (RL), and alternative respiratory pathways (RKCN) under D and HD. Drought increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in the cytosol, chloroplasts and mitochondria in the two cultivars. Although SOD and APX activities decreased in Longkouzaojiao under HD, SOD activity increased in Zhengjiao 13. There was no H-induced reactive oxygen species production due to increase of RL, NPQ, RSHAM, RKCN and activities of SOD and APX. However, H slightly decreased the PN. The results indicated that HD was more detrimental than either stress alone.

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Abbreviations

AOX:

alternative oxidase

APX:

ascorbate peroxidase

Fv/Fm :

maximum photochemical efficiency of PS 2

MDA:

malondialdehyde

NPQ:

non-photochemical quenching

PN :

net photosynthetic rate

PPFD:

photosynthetic photon flux density

RL :

photorespiration rate

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

RWC:

relative water content

SHAM:

salicylhydroxamic acid

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

RKCN :

alternative pathway activity

RSHAM :

cytochrome pathway activity

ΦPS2 :

quantum efficiency of PS 2

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30560089, 30860175) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University in the China (NCET-08-0703).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Science, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an, Jiangxi, 343009, P.R. China

    W. H. Hu, Y. A. Xiao, J. J. Zeng & X. H. Hu

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  1. W. H. Hu
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  2. Y. A. Xiao
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  3. J. J. Zeng
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  4. X. H. Hu
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Correspondence to W. H. Hu.

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Hu, W.H., Xiao, Y.A., Zeng, J.J. et al. Photosynthesis, respiration and antioxidant enzymes in pepper leaves under drought and heat stresses. Biol Plant 54, 761–765 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-010-0137-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-010-0137-5

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