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PEG and drought cause distinct changes in biochemical, physiological and morphological parameters of apple seedlings

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Abstract

The aim of our work was to examine the suitability of chemically induced osmotic stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG) for drought stress experiments based on key physiological parameters of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves. In this context, we hypothesized that PEG-induced osmotic stress influences the plant physiology in a similar manner as physical water deficit. Both PEG and water shortage induced changes in relative water content (RWC), proline and chlorophyll contents, thickness of leaf cross sections, net photosynthesis rate, and chlorophyll fluorescence. However, there was no clear relationship between the values recorded from PEG and drought treatments. In summary, we confirm that PEG might be used to induce drought-like physiological changes, but it cannot be considered as an unconditional equivalent for natural drought, particularly in long-term studies.

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Libeth Schwager for the lab analyses (proline and chlorophyll) and to Georg Leufen for the establishment of the hydroponic system in the climate chamber. This research was supported by the individual scholarship for graduates of the University of Bonn.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation-Horticultural Science, University of Bonn, Auf dem Huegel 6, 53121, Bonn, Germany

    Burkard Kautz, Georg Noga & Mauricio Hunsche

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  1. Burkard Kautz
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  2. Georg Noga
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  3. Mauricio Hunsche
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Correspondence to Burkard Kautz.

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Communicated by A. Gniazdowska-Piekarska.

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Kautz, B., Noga, G. & Hunsche, M. PEG and drought cause distinct changes in biochemical, physiological and morphological parameters of apple seedlings. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 162 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1914-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1914-8

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