增强UV-B辐射和干旱对春小麦光合作用及其生长的影响

在室外盆栽条件下研究了UV-B辐射和土壤干旱对春小麦 '和尚头'生长和光合作用的影响.结果显示:(1)干旱、UV-B辐射、干旱+UV-B(复合)处理均可使叶片类黄酮含量增加,且干旱+UV-B处理增加显著高于其他处理(P<0.05).UV-B辐射和干旱单独处理均能显著降低叶片光合色素含量,但UV-B辐射的副作用大于干旱,复合处理对光合色素的影响介于UV-B和干旱之间.(2)各处理间的光合速率日均值大小次序为:对照>UV-B+干旱>UV-B>干旱;增强UV-B对净光合速率的抑制作用大于干旱,而UV-B+干旱处理的抑制作用较二者单独处理有所减轻.(3)UV-B辐射和干旱单独处理后总生物量比对照减少15%,且抑制作用为:干旱>UV-B>复合处理; UV-B辐射和干旱胁迫不但影响春小麦的生物量,而且影响小穗特征和产量.研究表明,UV-B辐射和干旱之间存在交互作用,说明一种胁迫可以减缓(轻)另外一种胁迫对春小麦的抑制作用.     

Field Study of the Interaction between Solar Ultraviolet-B Radiation and Drought on Photosynthesis and Growth in Soybean

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Essex, plants were grown in the field in a 2 × 2 factorial design, under ambient and supplemental levels of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (supplemental daily dose of 5.1 effective kilojoules per square meter) and were either well-watered or subjected to drought. Soil water potentials were reduced to −2.0 megapascals by the exclusion of natural precipitation in the drought plots and were maintained at approximately −0.5 megapascal by supplemental irrigation in well-watered plots. Plant growth and gas exchange characteristics were affected under both drought and supplemental UV-B radiation. Whole-leaf gas exchange analysis indicated that stomatal limitations on photosynthesis were only significantly affected by the combination of UV-B radiation and drought but substrate (ribulose bisphosphate) regeneration limitations were observed under either stress. The combined effect of both drought and UV-B radiation on photosynthetic gas exchange was a reduction in apparent quantum efficiency and the rapid appearance of biochemical limitations to photosynthesis concomitant with reduced diffusional limitations. However, the combination of stresses did not result in additive effects on total plant growth or seed yield compared to reductions under either stress independently.     

Senescence and hyperspectral reflectance of cotton leaves exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation and carbon dioxide

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of UV-B radiation and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO(2)]) on leaf senescence of cotton by measuring leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll content and to identify changes in leaf hyperspectral reflectance occurring due to senescence and UV-B radiation. Plants were grown in controlled-environment growth chambers at two [CO(2)] (360 and 720 micro mol mol(-1)) and three levels of UV-B radiation (0, 7.7 and 15.1 kJ m(-2) day(-1)). Photosynthesis, chlorophyll, carotenoids and phenolic compounds along with leaf hyperspectral reflectance were measured on three leaves aged 12, 21 and 30 days in each of the treatments. No interaction was detected between [CO(2)] and UV-B for any of the measured parameters. Significant interactions were observed between UV-B and leaf age for photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Elevated [CO(2)] enhanced leaf photosynthesis by 32%. On exposure to 0, 7.7 and 15.1 kJ of UV-B, the photosynthetic rates of 30-day-old leaves compared with 12-day-old leaves were reduced by 52, 76 and 86%, respectively. Chlorophyll pigments were not affected by leaf age at UV-B radiation of 0 and 7.7 kJ, but UV-B of 15.1 kJ reduced the chlorophylls by 20, 60 and 80% in 12, 21 and 30-day-old leaves, respectively. The hyperspectral reflectance between 726 and 1142 nm showed interaction for UV-B radiation and leaf age. In cotton, leaf photosynthesis can be used as an indicator of leaf senescence, as it is more sensitive than photosynthetic pigments on exposure to UV-B radiation. This study revealed that, cotton leaves senesced early on exposure to UV-B radiation as indicated by leaf photosynthesis, and leaf hyperspectral reflectance can be used to detect changes caused by UV-B and leaf ageing.     

Recovery responses of photosynthesis,transpiration, and stomatal conductance in kidney bean following drought stress

Photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics were examined in kidney bean plants, with developing gradually water stress for several days after watering and then permitted to recover by re-watering. The photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance decreased rapidly by withholding water for 2 days. The F_v/F_m of chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics slightly decreased when the water was withheld for 7 days. After re-watering the rate of recovery of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance decreased gradually as the days without watering became longer. The differences existed in rates of recovery of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance following drought stress. Among the fractional recoveries the highest was photosynthesis, and the lowest was stomatal conductance. Photosynthesis rate following drought stress was rapidly recovered until 2 days after re-watering, then recovered slowly. The critical time for the recovery of photosynthesis was recognized. The results show clearly a close correlation between the leaf water potential and the recovery level and speed of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance.     

UV-B辐射胁迫对杨桐幼苗生长及光合生理的影响

通过对UV-B辐射胁迫下亚热带典型木本杨桐幼苗的生长及光合生理的研究,探讨植物对于UV-B辐射胁迫的生理响应及适应性机理,进而揭示UV-B辐射变化对亚热带森林树种的影响.实验设置UV-B辐射滤光组、自然光对照组以及辐射增强组,选择亚热带典型树种杨桐(Cleyera japonica Thunb.)幼苗为实验材料.研究结果表明:(1)增强UV-B辐射会降低杨桐幼苗的叶绿素含量,而降低辐射则会显著促进叶绿素的增加,且这种胁迫在时间上具有积累性.(2)增强或降低辐射强度都会抑制杨桐地径的生长,增强辐射会产生更显著的抑制;降低辐射强度会对杨桐幼苗的株高生长产生促进作用,反之,则会抑制其生长.3个测定期数据综合分析显示随着处理时间的加长,这种胁迫作用有减小的趋势.(3)对光响应曲线的分析表明相对于自然光条件下的UV-B辐射,降低其强度对杨桐幼苗光合作用有显著的促进作用,反之则会抑制,不过抑制作用并不显著;对于光合特征参数的分析表明增强或降低UV-B辐射会显著降低杨桐幼苗的光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LcP),而对最大净光合速率(Amax)、表观光合量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)影响均不显著,表明辐射胁迫对杨桐幼苗利用光能的效率影响不大,从而也并未对杨桐的光合作用产生显著性的伤害,但是由于森林树种的多年生特性,这种影响将是积累性的或延迟的,UV-B所造成的光合作用或光能利用率的微小变化都可能会积累成长期影响.因此,对森林树种进行长期研究是必要的.     

Influence of exogenously applied paclobutrazol on some physiological traits and growth of Stevia rebaudiana under in vitro drought stress

This investigation was carried on to find out the changes occurred in Stevia rebaudiana in response to paclobutrazol (PBZ; 0–4 mg L^?1) treatment and drought stress. Polyethylene glycol (PEG; 0–6 % w/v) was used to stimulate drought stress. Drought stress reduced fresh and dry weight, water content, chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and proline amounts. Electrolyte leakage, MDA, α-tocopherol and glycine betaine contents increased in drought-stressed plants. The activity of P5CS and PDH enzymes and protein content showed no significant changes under drought stress. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments decreased fresh and dry weight and water content. In PBZ-treated plants, less pigments was damaged by drought stress. PBZ treatment reduced the negative effect of drought stress on lipid peroxidation which resulted in lower electrolyte leakage and MDA content, compared to the same PEG level without PBZ. PBZ (with or without PEG) treatments increased glycine betaine, α-tocopherol, proline and protein contents. The amount of water soluble carbohydrates, reducing sugar and activity of P5CS and PDH were not affected by PBZ treatments. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that drought stress increased a 25 kD protein with a critical function in plant development under stresses. According to the results, PEG provoked a severe drought stress in S. rebaudiana that could partly be restored by PBZ treatment.     

Effect of solar ultraviolet-B radiation during springtime ozone depletion on photosynthesis and biomass production of Antarctic vascular plants

We assessed the influence of springtime solar UV-B radiation that was naturally enhanced during several days due to ozone depletion on biomass production and photosynthesis of vascular plants along the Antarctic Peninsula. Naturally growing plants of Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. and Deschampsia antarctica Desv. were potted and grown under filters that absorbed or transmitted most solar UV-B. Plants exposed to solar UV-B from mid-October to early January produced 11% to 22% less total, as well as above ground biomass, and 24% to 31% less total leaf area. These growth reductions did not appear to be associated with reductions in photosynthesis per se: Although rates of photosynthetic O(2) evolution were reduced on a chlorophyll and a dry-mass basis, on a leaf area basis they were not affected by UV-B exposure. Leaves on plants exposed to UV-B were denser, probably thicker, and had higher concentrations of photosynthetic and UV-B absorbing pigments. We suspect that the development of thicker leaves containing more photosynthetic and screening pigments allowed these plants to maintain their photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area. Exposure to UV-B led to reductions in quantum yield of photosystem II, based on fluorescence measurements of adaxial leaf surfaces, and we suspect that UV-B impaired photosynthesis in the upper mesophyll of leaves. Because the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence, as well as the initial slope of the photosynthetic light response, were unaffected by UV-B exposure, we suggest that impairments in photosynthesis in the upper mesophyll were associated with light-independent enzymatic, rather than photosystem II, limitations.     

Overaccumulation of glycine betaine enhances tolerance to drought and heat stress in wheat leaves in the protection of photosynthesis

We investigated the different responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants to drought- (DS) and heat stress (HS), and analyzed the physiological mechanisms of glycine betaine (GB) involved in the improvement of wheat tolerance to the combination of these stresses. The transgenic wheat T6 line was generated by introducing a gene encoding betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) into the wild-type (WT) Shi4185 line. The gene was cloned from the Garden Orache plant (Atriplex hortensis L.). Wheat seedlings were subjected to drought stress (30%, PEG-6000), heat stress (40°C), and their combination. Photosynthetic gas exchange, water status and lipid peroxidation of wheat leaves were examined under different stresses. When subjected to a combination of drought and heat, the inhibition of photosynthesis was significantly increased compared to that under DS or HS alone. The increased inhibition of photosynthesis by the combined stresses was not simply the additive stress effect of separate heat- and drought treatments; different responses in plant physiology to DS and HS were also found. HS decreased the chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and apparent quantum yield (AQY) more than DS but DS decreased the transpiration rate (E), stomata conductance (g _s) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) more than HS. GB over-accumulation led to increased photosynthesis not only under individual DS or HS but also under their combination. The enhancement of antioxidant activity and the improvement of water status may be the mechanisms underlying the improvement of photosynthesis by GB in wheat plants.     

Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on plants during mild water stress. IV. The insensitivity of soybean internal water relations to ultraviolet-B radiation

The combined effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation and water stress were investigated on the water relations of greenhouse grown soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Essex]. On a weighted (Caldwell 1971), total daily dose basis, plants received either 0 or 3 000 effective J m² UV-B_BE supplied by filtered FS-40 sunlamps. The latter dose simulated the solar UV-B radiation anticipated at College Park, Maryland, U.S.A. (39°N latitude) in the event that the global stratospheric ozone column is reduced by 25%. Plants were either well-watered or preconditioned by drought stress cycles. Diurnal measurements of water potential and stomatal conductance were made on the youngest fully expanded leaf. Various internal water relations parameters were determined for detached leaves. Plants were monitored before, during and after water stress. There were no significant differences in leaf water potential or stomatal conductance between treatments before plants were preconditioned to water stress. However, drought stress resulted in significantly lower midday and afternoon leaf water potentials and lower leaf conductances as compared to well-watered plants. UV-B radiation had no additional effect on leaf water potential; however, UV did result in lower leaf conductances in plants preconditioned to water stress. Turgid weight:dry weight ratio, elastic modulus, bound water and relative water content were unaffected by UV-B radiation. Osmotic potentials at full and zero turgor were significantly lower in the drought stressed treatments as compared to well-watered plants.     

Responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation stress and the correlation with the lipid antioxidant characteristics in the desert plant Caryopteris mongolica

Caryopteris mongolica is a dwarf shrub mainly found in grassland and desert areas of north-west China, and which can survive severe environmental stress. This study aimed to assess the responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation treatments and its correlation to the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems in C. mongolica. In UV-B radiation experiments, plants were exposed to UV-B radiation treatments with a intensity of 30 J/s for 1, 4 and 24 h, respectively. A control group without UV-B radiation treatment was also used. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, levels of lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant system enzymes, accumulations of total flavonoids and anthocyanins, and activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) under different UV-B radiation treatments were investigated. The correlations between products and key enzymes in the flavonoid pathway and the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems were also analyzed. The results showed that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters decreased within 24 h of treatment. The chlorophyll contents decreased within 4 h and remained stable after 24 h. Carotenoid content significantly increased. The level of MDA, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) and the contents of total flavonoids and anthocyanidins increased, while catalase (CAT) activity decreased under UV-B stress. The activities of PAL and CHI also increased with the increased content of total flavonoids. The flavonoid products anthocyanidins had a significant positive correlation with MDA level, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzyme SOD. In conclusion, UV-B radiation induced the degradation of photosynthetic pigments and decreased photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II; increased the contents of MDA, total flavonoids and anthocyanidins; and also enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX and POD) and key enzymes (PAL and CHI) in the flavonoid pathway in C. mongolica. Thus, we speculate that the flavonoid pathway were involved in the regulation of stress resistance in C. mongolica.     

Effects of fulvic acid on the photosynthetic and physiological characteristics of Paeonia ostii under drought stress

ABSTRACTPaeonia ost iihas become an economically important oil crop in recent years, but its growth is seriously affected by drought stress in dry areas. In this study, the alleviating effect of fulvic acid (FA) on potted P. ostii under natural drought stress was investigated. The natural drought stress adopted in this experiment was mainly characterized by the low soil water content, and the roots of plants cannot absorb enough water to compensate for the consumption of transpiration, which affects the normal physiological activities and causes damage. The results showed that FA treatment significantly increased the leaf water content and antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, the proline (Pro) content, and the relative electrical conductivity (REC). Moreover, FA treatment improved photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, maintained the integrity of chloroplasts and mesophyll cells, and increased the expression level of drought-tolerant genes. These results indicated that FA treatment could induce antioxidant enzymes to eliminate ROS, reduce membrane lipid peroxidation and decrease damage to photosynthesis in P. ostii under drought stress, which would provide a measure for alleviating the damage of P. ostii caused by drought stress.KEYWORDS: P. ostii, fulvic acid, drought stress, antioxidant enzymes, photosynthesis     

Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on plants during mild water stress. III. Effects on photosynthetic recovery and growth in soybean

Soybean { Glycine max (L.) Merr. ev. Essex} was grown from seed in a greenhouse under ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation supplied by filtered FS-40 sunlamps. On a weighted, total daily dose basis these plants received either 0 (control) or 2875 effective J m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE. When weighted with the generalized plant action spectrum (Caldwell 1971), this simulated the solar ultraviolet-B irradiance expected to occur at College Park, Maryland, USA (39°N) in the event the global stratospheric ozone column is reduced by 23%. The effects of ultraviolet radiation on the photosynthetic recovery from water stress were measured with an infrared gas analyzer. These effects were examined in plants which were either well-watered or previously preconditioned to water stress, during two distinct phenological stages of development. During the early stages of soybean growth, enhanced levels of UV-B reduced net photosynthesis by 25%, and water stress also reduced photosynthesis to nearly the same extent (by 20%). The combination of these two stresses resulted in smaller biomass than that produced by plants exposed to either stress independently. Photosynthesis in older, larger plants was much more sensitive to water stress and was reduced by as much as 50–60% in non-preconditioned plants. Although non-irradiated, non-preconditioned (control) plants recovered to only within 60% of their prestressed value, preconditioned plants recovered to within 70–80% during the 3 day recovery period. Both water stress and UV-B radiation affected non-stomatal conductance, while stomatal conductance was primarily affected by water stress.     

Response of photosynthesis to high light and drought for Arabidopsis thaliana grown under a UV-B enhanced light regime

Arabidopsis thaliana grown in a light regime that included ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (6 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) had similar light-saturated photosynthetic rates but up to 50% lower stomatal conductance rates, as compared to plants grown without UV-B radiation. Growth responses of Arabidopsis to UV-B radiation included lower leaf area (25%) and biomass (10%) and higher UV-B absorbing compounds (30%) and chlorophyll content (52%). Lower stomatal conductance rates for plants grown with UV-B radiation were, in part, due to lower stomatal density on the adaxial surface. Plants grown with UV-B radiation had more capacity to down regulate photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) as shown by up to 25% lower φ_PSII and 30% higher non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence under saturating light. These contributed to a smaller reduction in the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), greater dark-recovery of F _v/F _m, and higher light-saturated carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance and transpiration rates after a four-hour high light treatment for plants grown with UV-B radiation. Plants grown with UV-B were more tolerant to a 12 day drought treatment than plants grown without UV-B as indicated by two times higher photosynthetic rates and 12% higher relative water content. UV-B-grown plants also had three times higher proline content. Higher tolerance to drought stress for Arabidopsis plants grown under UV-B radiation may be attributed to both increased proline content and decreased stomatal conductance. Growth of Arabidopsis in a UV-B-enhanced light regime increased tolerance to high light exposure and drought stress.     

Protective Effect of Cerium Ion Against Ultraviolet B Radiation-Induced Water Stress in Soybean Seedlings

Effects of cerium ion (Ce(III)) on water relations of soybean seedlings (Glycine max L.) under ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B, 280–320 nm) stress were investigated under laboratory conditions. UV-B radiation not only affected the contents of two osmolytes (proline, soluble sugar) in soybean seedlings, but also inhibited the transpiration in soybean seedlings by decreasing the stomatal density and conductance. The two effects caused the inhibition in the osmotic and metabolic absorption of water, which decreased the water content and the free water/bound water ratio. Obviously, UV-B radiation led to water stress, causing the decrease in the photosynthesis in soybean seedlings. The pretreatment with 20 mg L⁻¹ Ce(III) could alleviate UV-B-induced water stress by regulating the osmotic and metabolic absorption of water in soybean seedlings. The alleviated effect caused the increase in the photosynthesis and the growth of soybean seedlings. It is one of the protective effect mechanisms of Ce(III) against the UV-B radiation-induced damage to plants.     

Response of the photosynthetic apparatus of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to the onset of drought stress under field conditions studied by gas-exchange analysis and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging.

The functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown during the onset of water limitation was studied by gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence to better understand the adaptation mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus to drought conditions. For this, cotton was grown in the field in Central Asia under well-irrigated and moderately drought-stressed conditions. The light and CO(2) responses of photosynthesis (A(G)), stomatal conductance (g(s)) and various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined simultaneously. Furthermore, chlorophyll fluorescence images were taken from leaves to study the spatial pattern of photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and non-photochemical quenching parameters. Under low and moderate light intensity, the onset of drought stress caused an increase in the operating quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (varphi(PSII)) which indicated increased photorespiration since photosynthesis was hardly affected by water limitation. The increase in varphi(PSII) was caused by an increase of the efficiency of open PSII reaction centers (F(v)'/F(m)') and by a decrease of the basal non-photochemical quenching (varphi(NO)). Using a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system a low spatial heterogeneity of varphi(PSII) was revealed under both irrigation treatments. The increased rate of photorespiration in plants during the onset of drought stress can be seen as an acclimation process to avoid an over-excitation of PSII under more severe drought conditions.     

Early induced protein 1 (PrELIP1) and other photosynthetic, stress and epigenetic regulation genes are involved in Pinus radiata D. don UV-B radiation response

The continuous atmospheric and environmental deterioration is likely to increase, among others, the influx of ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation. The plants have photoprotective responses, which are complex mechanisms involving different physiological responses, to avoid the damages caused by this radiation that may lead to plant death. We have studied the adaptive responses to UV-B in Pinus radiata, given the importance of this species in conifer forests and reforestation programs. We analyzed the photosynthetic activity, pigments content, and gene expression of candidate genes related to photosynthesis, stress and gene regulation in needles exposed to UV-B during a 96 h time course. The results reveal a clear increase of pigments under UV-B stress while photosynthetic activity decreased. The expression levels of the studied genes drastically changed after UV-B exposure, were stress related genes were upregulated while photosynthesis (RBCA and RBCS) and epigenetic regulation were downregulated (MSI1, CSDP2, SHM4). The novel gene PrELIP1, fully sequenced for this work, was upregulated and expressed mainly in the palisade parenchyma of needles. This gene has conserved domains related to the dissipation of the UV-B radiation that give to this protein a key role during photoprotection response of the needles in Pinus radiata.     

铝胁迫对蓼科植物生长和光合、蒸腾特性的影响

采用水培试验,设置5种铝处理浓度,研究了铝对3种蓼科植物酸模叶蓼、杠板归和辣蓼叶片光合、蒸腾和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,高铝处理(400μmol.L-1)显著抑制3种蓼科植物地上部和根系生长,并且导致3种蓼科植物叶片叶绿素含量、Chla/Chlb、净光合速率(Pn)、水分利用效率(WUE)、PSII光合电子传递量子效率(φPSII)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)显著下降。中低铝处理(25~100μmol.L-1)时,与对照相比,酸模叶蓼生物量显著增加,杠板归显著减少,辣蓼先增加后减少。其中,酸模叶蓼和辣蓼叶绿素含量、Chla/Chlb、Pn、蒸腾速率(Tr)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、PSII最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、qP均未发生显著变化,但辣蓼WUE、φPSII和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)显著下降,酸模叶蓼无显著变化;而杠板归除Ci、Fv/Fm外,其余叶片光合、蒸腾及叶绿素荧光参数均出现显著下降。上述结果表明,酸模叶蓼在中低铝处理条件下可通过保持较高的叶绿素含量、Chla/Chlb、WUE、Pn、PSII反应中心光化学反应效率以及提高非辐射能量耗散来增强其对铝的耐性。     

Leaf water relations and net gas exchange responses of salinized Carrizo citrange seedlings during drought stress and recovery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Since salinity and drought stress can occur together, an assessment was made of their interacting effects on leaf water relations, osmotic adjustment and net gas exchange in seedlings of the relatively chloride-sensitive Carrizo citrange, Citrus sinensis x Poncirus trifoliata. METHODS: Plants were fertilized with nutrient solution with or without additional 100 mm NaCl (salt and no-salt treatments). After 7 d, half of the plants were drought stressed by withholding irrigation water for 10 d. Thus, there were four treatments: salinized and non-salinized plants under drought-stress or well-watered conditions. After the drought period, plants from all stressed treatments were re-watered with nutrient solution without salt for 8 d to study recovery. Leaf water relations, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, proline, quaternary ammonium compounds and leaf and root concentrations of Cl(-) and Na(+) were measured. KEY RESULTS: Salinity increased leaf Cl(-) and Na(+) concentrations and decreased osmotic potential (Psi(pi)) such that leaf relative water content (RWC) was maintained during drought stress. However, in non-salinized drought-stressed plants, osmotic adjustment did not occur and RWC decreased. The salinity-induced osmotic adjustment was not related to any accumulation of proline, quaternary ammonium compounds or soluble sugars. Net CO(2) assimilation rate (A(CO2)) was reduced in leaves from all stressed treatments but the mechanisms were different. In non-salinized drought-stressed plants, lower A(CO2) was related to low RWC, whereas in salinized plants decreased A(CO2) was related to high levels of leaf Cl(-) and Na(+). A(CO2) recovered after irrigation in all the treatments except in previously salinized drought-stressed leaves which had lower RWC and less chlorophyll but maintained high levels of Cl(-), Na(+) and quaternary ammonium compounds after recovery. High leaf levels of Cl(-) and Na(+) after recovery apparently came from the roots. CONCLUSIONS: Plants preconditioned by salinity stress maintained a better leaf water status during drought stress due to osmotic adjustment and the accumulation of Cl(-) and Na(+). However, high levels of salt ions impeded recovery of leaf water status and photosynthesis after re-irrigation with non-saline water.     

Influence of water stress and low irradiance on morphological and physiological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea asperata</Emphasis> seedlings

The combined effects of water stress (WS) and low irradiance (LI) on growth, photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment, and lipid peroxidation were studied in dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) seedlings grown under two water treatments (well watered, 100 % of field capacity, and water stressed, 30 % of field capacity) and two irradiances (HI, 100 % of full sunlight and LI, 15 % of full sunlight). WS reduced growth, chlorophyll (Chl) a and b contents, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (Y) but increased free proline and malondialdehyde contents. LI increased Chl contents and decreased Y, photochemical quenching (q_P), and non-photochemical quenching (q_N) under both water treatments. Hence the seedlings in the understory were more sensitive to drought than to LI.     

Effects of drought stress on photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and stem diameter of soybean plants

Changes in plant growth, photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and stem diameter of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants under drought stress were studied. Total plant dry mass was reduced by 30 % compared to well-watered control plants. Leaf water potential was slightly decreased by water stress. Water stress induced daytime shrinkage and reduced night-time expansion of stem. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were significantly declined by water stress, while the intercellular CO₂ concentration was changed only slightly at the initiation of stress treatment. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 and apparent photosynthetic electron transport rate were not changed by water stress.