The synergistic effect of drought and light stresses in sorghum and pearl millet

The effects of drought stress and high irradiance and their combination were studied under laboratory conditions using young plants of a very drought-resistant variety, ICMH 451, of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and three varieties of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)—one drought-resistant from India, one drought-tolerant from Texas, and one drought-sensitive variety from France. CO₂ assimilation rates and photosystem II fluorescence in leaves were analyzed in parallel with photosynthetic electron transport, photosystem II fluorescence, and chlorophyll-protein composition in chloroplasts isolated from these leaves. High irradiance slightly increased CO₂ assimilation rates and electron transport activities of irrigated plants but not fluorescence. Drought stress (less than −1 megapascal) decreased CO₂ assimilation rates, fluorescence, and electron transport. Under the combined effects of drought stress and high irradiance, CO₂ assimilation rates and fluorescence were severely inhibited in leaves, as were the photosynthetic electron transport activities and fluorescence in chloroplasts (but not photosystem I activity). The synergistic or distinctive effect of drought and high irradiance is discussed. The experiments with pearl millet and three varieties of sorghum showed that different responses of plants to drought and light stresses can be monitored by plant physiological and biochemical techniques. Some of these techniques may have a potential for selection of stress-resistant varieties using seedlings.     

Composted sewage sludge can improve the physiological properties of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula schmidtii</Emphasis> grown in tailings

We investigated how the application of composted sewage sludge to tailings affects the physiological response of woody plants growing on abandoned coal-mining sites. Twenty seedlings ofBetula schmidtii were transplanted to pots containing various combinations of artificial soil plus nursery soil, tailings, composted soil, or tailings amended with composted soil. Dry weights, shoot to root ratios, relative growth rates (RGR), chlorophyll content and fluorescence, and carbohydrate concentrations were assessed at the end of the experiment. Growth responses differed significantly among soil types. For example, dry weights were greatest for seedlings grown in composted soil and smallest for plants raised in pure tailings. Shoot to root ratios were higher for seedlings in composted soil compared with those in either tailings or nursery soil. Leaf chlorophyll content was twice as high for seedlings from composted soil than for those in the nursery soil or tailings; chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was lower for seedlings in either nursery soil or tailings than for those in composted soil. In contrast, plants grown in either nursery soil or tailings had higher starch concentrations in their stems, whereas the carbohydrate allocation of seedlings in composted soil was highest in the leaves, followed by stems and roots. Overall, the carbohydrate content was highest in the leaves, except for seedlings treated with tailings. Therefore, we believe that composted soil can improve the physiological and biochemical properties of trees growing in tailings when appropriate nutrients are supplemented.     

Low irradiance modifies the effect of water stress on survival and growth-related parameters during the early developmental stages of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

In order to characterize physiological modifications encountered by buckwheat plants exposed to both drought and low-light stresses, seedlings (cv. La Harpe) were exposed under controlled environmental conditions, to a progressive decline in soil volumetric water content under two light regimes: low irradiance (80 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) or moderate irradiance (160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Phenological evolution of the whole plant until the macroscopic appearance of the reproductive structure and physiological properties of leaves in relation to their position on the main axis were quantified. Water stress reduced net assimilation rate (NAR) before specific leaf area (SLA) and induced a decrease in stomatal conductance (g_l) and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ). Water consumption by stressed plants was similar under both light treatments. Water-stressed plants under moderate irradiance exhibited higher growth, NAR, osmotic adjustment, and lower SLA than plants maintained under low irradiance. However, the former died after 27 days of treatment while the latter still remained alive until the experiment was discontinued (40 days). We concluded that the physiological strategy adopted by the water-stressed plants maintained under moderate irradiance did not afford a long-term advantage in terms of survival. The effects of a combination of low-light and water stress on chlorophyll concentration and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) are discussed in relation to growth parameters.     

喀斯特干旱环境对青冈栎叶片生长及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的影响

为了探讨喀斯特植被恢复树种青冈栎对干旱环境的适应机制,以当年生青冈栎实生幼苗为材料进行盆栽控水试验,设置正常浇水(-0.1 MPa,对照)、轻度干旱(-0.5 MPa)、中度干旱(-0.9 MPa)和重度干旱(-1.5 MPa)胁迫处理,研究持续干旱处理(15、30、45、60和90天)对其幼苗叶片生长及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明: 随着干旱胁迫强度的加剧, 叶片的单叶面积、健康叶片数量、叶片含水率、总叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、最大荧光、最大光化学量子产量和潜在光化学效率均显著下降,而枯叶数量和初始荧光显著增加.这些参数在轻度干旱胁迫处理和对照之间均无显著差异.在轻度干旱胁迫处理下,青冈栎幼苗叶片PSⅡ单位反应中心吸收的光能(ABS/RC)、捕获用于还原q_A的能量(TR_o/RC)、单位面积内有活性的反应中心数目(RC/CS)、单位面积捕获的光能(TR_o/CS)和单位面积内用于电子传递的光能(ET_o/CS)均与对照无显著差异,其中RC/CS总是略高于对照,TR_o/CS和ET_o/CS均在第45天达到峰值,分别为606.12和440.78;而中度和重度干旱胁迫处理叶片的ABS/RC、TR_o/RC、ET_o/RC、DIR_o/RC、RC/CS、TR_o/CS和ET_o/CS均低于对照,且随干旱胁迫时间的延长,重度干旱胁迫处理下降更显著.随干旱胁迫的加剧和时间的延长,叶片最大量子效率、其他电子受体的概率和电子传递的量子比率均下降,而用于热耗散的量子比率增加.轻度干旱胁迫下青冈栎幼苗表现出较强的适应性,中度干旱胁迫引起部分叶绿素荧光参数和光合色素指标下降,导致幼苗生长缓慢,而重度干旱则对幼苗生长的影响较为严重,但幼苗未出现死亡现象.因此,青冈栎幼苗有较强的干旱忍受能力,适合在喀斯特地区植被恢复重建和造林工程中应用.     

Ecophysiological responses of Fagus sylvatica seedlings to changing light conditions. I. Interactions between photosynthetic acclimation and photoinhibition during simulated canopy gap formation

Natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) establishes under shade, but sudden exposure to high irradiance may occur due to openings in the canopy. To elucidate ecophysiological mechanisms associated with survival of European beech seedlings, the gas exchange, chlorophyll concentrations, and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of two different beech populations were studied under changing light conditions. Plants were grown both in a growth chamber and at a natural site (one population) where the seedlings were raised in containers placed in understory and in simulated canopy gaps. Upon exposure to high light in the growth chamber, photosynthetic rates of shade-acclimated leaves of seedlings from both populations increased severalfold and then decreased over several days to the rates of the low-light control seedlings. High-light seedlings always had the highest photosynthetic rates. Initial fluorescence displayed a trend opposite that of photosynthesis; it increased over time, and relative fluorescence and half-time rise declined continuously until the end of experiment to very low values. Exposure to high light of shade-acclimated seedlings resulted in a shift in chlorophyll concentrations to levels intermediate between high-light and low-light seedlings. The light treatment effects were statistically greater than population effects; however, seedlings from the Abetone population were found to be more susceptible to changing light conditions than seedlings from Sicily. Reciprocal light treatments on plants growing at the natural site confirmed the results obtained in the growth chamber experiment. Overall, beech seedlings grown in the field appeared to have a fairly large acclimation potential achieved by plasticity in the photosynthetic apparatus. The lack of pronounced acclimation to high light in seedlings grown in the growth chamber was ascribed to a threshold-type relationship between the acclimation capacity and the level of damage. These observations on the limited potential for acclimation to high light in leaves of European beech seedlings which show a clear capability to exploit sunflecks, are discussed in relation to regeneration following canopy gap formation and reinforce the view of the central role of gap formation in forest dynamics. We conclude that small forest gaps (in which sunflecks play a major role) may present a favorable environment for survival and growth of beech because of their limited ability to acclimate to a sudden increase in irradiance and because of the moderate levels of light stress found in small gaps.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alter Fractal Dimension Characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Seedlings Through Regulating Plant Growth,Leaf Water Status,Photosynthesis, and Nutrient Concentration Under Drought Stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices, on plant growth, leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, nutrient concentration, and fractal dimension (FD) characteristics of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings was studied in pot culture under well-watered, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress treatments. Mycorrhizal seedlings had higher dry biomass, leaf relative water content (RWC), and water use efficiency (WUE) compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Under all treatments, AMF colonization notably enhanced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, but decreased intercellular CO₂ concentration. Leaf chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll concentrations were higher in AM seedlings than those in non-AM seedlings although there was no significant difference between AMF species. AMF colonization improved leaf C, N, and P concentrations, but decreased C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Mycorrhizal seedlings had a larger FD value than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The FD value was positively and significantly correlated to the plant growth parameters, photosynthesis, RWC, WUE, and nutrient concentration but negatively correlated to leaf/stem ratio, C:N and C:P ratios, and intercellular CO₂ concentration. We conclude that AMF lead to an improvement of growth performance of black locust seedlings under all growth conditions, including drought stress via improving leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Moreover, FD technology proved to be a powerful non-destructive method to characterize the effect of AMF on the physiology of host plants during drought stress.     

外源甜菜碱对干旱／盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗生长和光合功能的改善

本文用甜菜碱溶液浸种,研究了外源甜碱对干旱／盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗的生长状况和叶片光合转能的影响,结果表明,外源甜菜碱能使干旱／盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗地上部和根部的干重和含水量增加,使叶片叶绿素a荧光诱导动力学参数Fv/Vo,Fv/Fm和qP增高,qN降低,说明外源甜菜碱有利于植物对光能的捕获和转换,明显促进植物生长,降低干旱／盐胁迫对植物的抑制作用。     

翅果油树幼苗抗旱性

通过盆栽试验,研究不同土壤水分条件下翅果油树（Elaeagnus mollis）幼苗的生长、叶水分和丙二醛含量等各项生理指标的变化。结果表明,轻、中度干旱（30％～35％、45％～50％）胁迫时叶片含水量和叶绿素含量下降幅度较小,水势较高,丙二醛含量较低,翅果油树幼苗能保汪基本的生长,表现出耐旱植物的生理特征;在重度干旱胁迫（20％～25％）条件下,叶含水量和叶绿素含量下降较显著,水势最低,丙二醛含量最高,植株矮小,颜色发黄,表明翅果油树幼苗受到干旱伤害严重,不能正常生长。     

外源甜菜碱对干旱/盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗生长和光合功能的改善

本文用甜菜碱溶液浸种,研究了外源甜菜碱对干旱/盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗的生长状况和叶片光合转能的影响。结果表明,外源甜菜碱能使干旱/盐胁迫下的小麦幼苗地上部和根部的干重和含水量增加,使叶片叶绿素a荧光诱导动力学参数Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm和qP增高,qN降低,说明外源甜菜碱有利于植物对光能的捕获和转换,明显促进植物生长,降低干旱/盐胁迫对植物的抑制作用。     

栓皮栎幼苗对土壤干旱胁迫的生理响应

以栓皮栎一年生盆栽苗为实验材料,采用称重控水的方法,设置不同土壤水分胁迫梯度,系统分析其幼苗在不同干旱胁迫条件下的生理生化响应特征,以探索栓皮栎耐旱特性.结果显示:(1)栓皮栎幼苗叶片中3种保护酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性在对照(CK,土壤相对含水量19.5％～21.5％)条件下保持稳定,而中度干旱(T2,9.5％～11.5％)和重度干旱(T3,5.5％～7.5％)条件下,随着胁迫时间的延长呈先增高后降低的趋势,且变化的幅度在不同胁迫强度下存在差异.(2)在整个干旱胁迫过程中,各胁迫处理叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量均呈上升趋势,不同胁迫强度的变化幅度不同;叶片中的可溶性蛋白含量和根系活力随着干旱胁迫程度的增强呈先增高后降低的趋势.(3)栓皮栎幼苗叶片的脯氨酸含量随着干旱胁迫时间的延长表现出先增加后降低的趋势;叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素含量以及叶绿素a/b值均呈逐渐降低的趋势.研究表明,栓皮栎幼苗在短期和轻度干旱胁迫下通过提高自身的保护酶活性、增加可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量、提高根系活力等来抵御干旱环境的伤害,从而表现出较强的耐旱特性;而在重度干旱胁迫条件下,栓皮栎幼苗自我调节能力丧失,体内代谢紊乱,导致保护酶活性、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量和根系活力等下降,从而受到干旱伤害.     

Responses to flooding and drought stress by two citrus rootstock seedlings with different water-use efficiency

Leaf water relations, net gas exchange and leaf and root constituent responses to 9 days of drought stress (DS) or soil flooding were studied in 6‐month‐old seedlings of Carrizo citrange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. ×Poncirus trifoliata L.; Carr] and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus resnhi Hort. ex Tanaka; Cleo) growing in containers of native sand in the greenhouse. At the end of the drought period, both species had similar minimum stem water potentials but Cleo had higher leaf relative water content (RWC) and higher leaf osmotic potential at full turgor () than Carr. Flooding had no effect on RWC but osmotic adjustment (OA) and were higher in Cleo than in Carr. Net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_CO2) in leaves was decreased more by drought than by flooding in both species but especially in Carr. Leaf water‐use efficiency (A_CO2/transpiration) was lower in Carr and was decreased more by DS and flooding stress than in Cleo. Higher values of intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) in stressed plants than in control plants indicated that non‐stomatal factors including chlorophyll degradation and chlorophyll fluorescence [maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm, where Fm is the maximum fluorescence and F₀, minimum fluorescence in dark‐adapted leaves)] were more important limitations on A_CO2 than stomatal conductance. In both genotypes, leaf proline was increased by drought but not by flooding, whereas both stresses increased proline in roots. Soluble sugars in leaves were increased by DS, and flooding decreased leaf sugars in Cleo. In general, DS tended to increase the concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na and Cl in both leaves and roots, whereas flooding tended to decrease these ions with the exception of leaf Ca in Cleo. Based on water relations and net gas exchange, Cleo was more tolerant to short‐term DS and flooding stress than Carr.     

Long-term physiological and morphological acclimation by the evergreen shrub <Emphasis Type="Italic">Buxus sempervirens</Emphasis> L. to understory and canopy gap light intensities

Physiological and morphological plasticity are essential for growth and reproduction in contrasting light environments. In dry forest ecosystems, light generalists must also cope with the trade-offs involved in synchronous acclimation to light availability and drought. To understand how the broadleaf evergreen tree-shrub Buxus sempervirens L. (common box) inhabits both understory and successional terrain of Mediterranean forest, we measured photosynthesis–fluorescence light response, morphological traits and architectural characteristics across a light gradient. Our results show that B. sempervirens exhibits stress resistance syndrome, with little change in net photosynthesis rate across a light availability gradient, due to compensatory physiological and morphological acclimation. Light energy processing and dissipation potential were highest in leaves of well-illuminated plants, with higher electron transport rate, fraction of open photosystem II reaction centres, non-photochemical quenching, photorespiration and dark respiration. In contrast, traits reducing light capture efficiency were observed in high light shrubs, including higher leaf mass per unit area, leaf clumping, leaf inclination and branch inclination. We suggest that both physiological and morphological plasticity are required for B. sempervirens to survive across a light gradient in a dry forest ecosystem, while exhibiting homoeostasis in photosynthetic gas exchange. We further speculate that the low growth rate of B. sempervirens is effective in full sun only due to a lack of competition in low resource microsites.     

Morphological and physiological responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitex negundo</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">heterophylla</Emphasis> (Franch.) Rehd. to drought stress

Water is a main factor limiting plant growth. Integrative responses of leaf traits and whole plant growth to drought will provide implications to vegetation restoration. This study investigated the drought responses of Vitex negundo L. var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd. with a focus on leaf morphology and physiology, seedling growth and biomass partitioning. Potted 1-year-old seedlings were subjected to four water supply regimes [75, 55, 35 and 15% field capacity (FC)], served as control, mild water stress, moderate water stress and severe water stress. Leaf morphological traits varied to reduce the distance of water transfer under water stress and leaflets were dispersed with drought. Net photosynthetic rate decreased significantly under water stress: stomatal closure was the dominant limitation at mild and moderate drought, while metabolic impairment was dominant at severe drought. The physiological impairment at severe drought could also be detected from the relative lower water use efficiency and non-photochemical quenching to moderate water stress. Total biomass of well-watered plants was more than twice that at moderate water deficit and nearly ten times that at severe water deficit. In summary, V. negundo var. heterophylla had adaptation mechanism to water deficit even in the most serious condition, but different strategies were adopted. Seedlings invested more photosynthate to roots at mild and moderate drought while more photosynthate to leaves at severe drought. A nearly stagnant seedling growth and a sharp decline of total biomass were the survival strategy at severe water stress, which was not favorable to vegetation restoration. Water supply above 15% FC is recommended for the seedlings to vegetation restoration.     

强光胁迫对濒危植物金花茶幼苗生长和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以当年生盆栽金花茶实生苗为材料,研究不同程度的强光胁迫（25％、50％和100％自然光强,以8%自然光强为对照）对其生长、生物量、叶片光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明：在不同程度的强光胁迫下,金花茶幼苗的生长均受到抑制,随着胁迫程度的增强,金花茶叶片颜色由深绿变为浅绿、黄绿色,叶片灼伤愈来愈严重;植株抽稍时间推迟,抽稍后长出的新叶长势较差;幼苗死亡率越来越高。幼苗根生物量、茎生物量、叶生物量和总生物量均随胁迫程度的升高而显著降低,强光胁迫对叶生物量的影响最大,根生物量次之,对茎生物量的影响最小。随着胁迫程度的增强,叶片叶绿素总量（Chl）、叶绿素a（Chla）、叶绿素b（Chlb）含量均显著降低,Chla/Chlb和Car/Chl显著升高。叶绿素荧光参数F_o、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o均随胁迫程度的升高降低,强光胁迫使PSⅡ受到了伤害,光合作用原初反应过程受抑制,光合电子传递受到影响,从而抑制植株的正常生长。     

Mycorrhizal impact on drought stress tolerance of rose plants probed by chlorophyll a fluorescence, proline content and visual scoring

Micropropagated rose plants (Rosa hybrida L., cv. New Dawn) were inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices (Schenk and Smith) and subjected to different drought regimens. The dual objectives of these experiments were to investigate the mechanism and the extent to which AM can prevent drought damages and whether physiological analyses reveal enhanced drought tolerance of an economically important plant such as the rose. In a long-term drought experiment with four different water regimens, visual scoring of wilt symptoms affirmed that AM in a selected host–symbiont combination increased plant performance. This effect was mostly expressed if moderate drought stress was constantly applied over a long period. In a short-term experiment in which severe drought stress was implemented and plants were allowed to recover after 4 or 9 days, no visual differences between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roses were observed. Therefore, the early physiological steps conferring drought tolerance were prone to investigation. Proline content in leaves proved to be an unsuitable marker for AM-induced drought tolerance, whereas analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence using the JIP test (collecting stress-induced changes of the polyphasic O-J-I-P fluorescence kinetics in a non-destructive tissue screening) was more explanatory. Parameters derived from this test could describe the extent of foliar stress response and help to differentiate physiological mechanisms of stress tolerance. AM led to a more intense electron flow and a higher productive photosynthetic activity at several sites of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. A K step, known as a stress indicator of general character, appeared in the fluorescence transient only in drought-stressed non-mycorrhizal plants; conversely, the data elucidate a stabilising effect of AM on the oxygen-evolving complex at the donor site of photosystem (PS) II and at the electron-transport chain between PS II and PS I. If drought stress intensity was reduced by a prolonged and milder drying phase, these significant tolerance features were less pronounced or missing, indicating a possible threshold level for mycorrhizal tolerance induction.     

Leaf rolling and photosystem II efficiency in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenanthe setosa</Emphasis> exposed to drought stress

Photochemical efficiency of PSII of Ctenanthe setosa was investigated to understand the photosynthetic adaptation mechanism under drought stress causing leaf rolling. Stomatal conductance (g _s), the levels of photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters were determined in leaves that had four different visual leaf rolling scores from 1 to 4, opened after re-watering and mechanically opened at score 4. g _s value gradually decreased in adaxial and abaxial surfaces in relation to scores of leaf rolling. Pigment contents decreased until score 3 but approached score 1 level at score 4. No significant variations in effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII), and photochemical quenching (q_p) were found until score 3, while they significantly decreased at score 4. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) increased at score 2 but then decreased. After re-watering, the Chl fluorescence and other physiological parameters reached to approximately score 1 value, again. As for mechanically opened leaves, g _s decreased during drought period. The decrease in adaxial surface was higher than that of the rolled leaves. NPQ was higher than that of the rolled leaves. Φ_PSII and q_p significantly declined and the decreases were more than those of the rolled leaves. In conclusion, the results indicate that leaf rolling protects PSII functionality from damage induced by drought stress.     

Morphophysiological differences in leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lavoisiera campos</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">portoana</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae) enhance higher drought tolerance in water shortage events

Lavoisiera campos-portoana Barreto (Melastomataceae) has two kinds of leaves, pubescent and glabrous, and branches may have one or both types of leaves at the same moment. The plant is endemic to high altitude rocky fields in Brazil where rainfall is very seasonal. We predicted that these two leaf types are adaptations to different regimes of water availability. In experimental conditions of drought stress, we measured relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence and osmotic potential, and we counted stomates and measured stomatal conductance on both sides of leaves and compared these between the two leaf types. Stomatal conductance and electron transport rate at a given photosynthetic photon flux were greater in pubescent leaves than in glabrous leaves, and both declined during drought stress. Excessive photon flux density in glabrous leaves was greater during stress and after rehydration. Photosynthetic pigment content and RWC did not change between leaves, and values reduced during the stress period. Both types of leaves showed osmotic adjustment capacity, which occurred earlier in glabrous ones. These morphophysiological differences highlight the adaptation strategies of this plant to withstand drought, since the glabrous portion of the plant presents a preventive behavior, while the pubescent portion only shows the same responses in more advanced stages of drought stress.     

Photosynthetic performance and light response of two olive cultivars under different water and light regimes

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is commonly grown in the Mediterranean area, where it is adapted to resist periods characterized by severe drought and high irradiance levels. Photosynthetic efficiency (in terms of F_v/F_m and Φ_PSII), photochemical (q_P) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were determined in two-year-old olive plants (cultivars Coratina and Biancolilla) grown under two different light levels (exposed plants, EP, and shaded plants, SP) during a 21-day controlled water deficit. After reaching the maximum level of drought stress, plants were rewatered for 23 days. During the experimental period, measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence were carried out to study the photosynthetic performance of olive plants. The synergical effect of drought stress and high irradiance levels caused a reduction of gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency and these decreases were more marked in EP. EP showed a higher degree of photoinhibition, a higher NPQ and a lower q_P if compared to SP. Coratina was more sensitive to high light and drought stress but also showed a slower recovery during rewatering, whereas Biancolilla showed a less marked photosynthesis depression during drought and a considerable resilience during rewatering. The results confirm that photoinhibition due to high light intensity and water deficit can be an important factor that affects photosynthetic productivity in this species.     

Comparative ecophysiological responses to drought of two shrub and four tree species from karst habitats of southwestern China

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in limiting the survival and growth of plants in the harsh karst habitats of southwestern China, especially at the seedling establishment stage. The ecophysiological response to drought stress of native plants with different growth forms is useful for re-vegetation programs. Two shrub and four tree species were studied, including Pyracantha fortuneana (evergreen shrub), Rosa cymosa (deciduous shrub), Cinnamomum bodinieri (evergreen tree), and other three deciduous trees, Broussonetia papyrifera, Platycarya longipes, and Pteroceltis tatarinowii. The seedlings were randomly assigned to four drought treatments, i.e., well-watered, mild drought stress, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress. Leaf water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth of the seedlings were investigated. Under severe drought stress, the two shrubs with low leaf area ratio (LAR) maintained higher water status, higher photosynthetic capacity, and larger percent biomass increase than the most of the trees. The two shrubs also had lower specific leaf area, greater intrinsic water use efficiency, and thermal dissipation than the trees. This suggested that the two shrubs had high tolerance to severe drought and were suitable for re-vegetation in harsh habitats. The evergreen C. bodinieri exhibited higher leaf mass ratio (LMR) and LAR than the deciduous species under mild and moderate stress. However, the low maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m) and net assimilation rate, and the sharp decreases of water potential, LMR, LAR, and biomass under severe stress indicated C. bodinieri’s weak tolerance to severe drought. In response to drought stress, the three deciduous trees revealed sharp reductions of biomass due to the large drought-induced decreases of gas exchange, LAR, and LMR. Under drought conditions, the deciduous trees minimized water loss by stomatal closure and by reducing transpiration leaf area and light harvesting through shedding leaves. This suggested that the three deciduous trees were more sensitive to water availability than the shrubs and used avoidance strategies against drought stress. However, the better growth performance of the deciduous trees than that of the shrubs under favorable conditions suggested that deciduous trees could be suitable for habitats with mild and temporary drought stress.     

Nitrogen resorption in Acer platanoides and Acer saccharum: influence of light exposure and leaf pigmentation

We investigated the effects of leaf color change in the fall on photosynthetic production and nitrogen resorption. Seedlings of Acer platanoides L. and A. saccharum Marsh. were grown in a shade house for 5 months in either 21 % (intermediate light, M) or 4.9 % (low light, L) of incident irradiance. After this period, a subset of the intermediate-light grown seedlings was transferred to a high-light stress treatment (H). Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments, antioxidant activity, and nitrogen (N) resorption were examined at three leaf senescence stages during September and October. Our results show that plants of both species produce more anthocyanins in the H treatment. In comparison with plants grown in the L and M treatments, plants of both species in the H treatments had lower chlorophyll, carotenoid and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F _v/F _m, Φ _PSII, NPQ and ETR) at the third sampling date (October 12–18), and indicating higher levels of photoinhibition in the seedlings exposed to high light. Our results imply that autumn leaf redness is inducible and closely linked to photo-oxidative stress. However, anthocyanins did not enhance antioxidant capacity in red leaves in either species, when exposed to high light. For both species, our results showed a higher N-resorption for high-light stressed plants. We also observed that the number of abscised leaves at the second sampling dates (September 10) was higher than at the third sampling dates. The intra-leaf distribution of anthocyanin, the association between anthocyanin production and the high-light environments, the retention of red leaves, the substantial physiological gain of photosynthetic activity, as well as the links between anthocyanins and increased N resorption led us to assume that one primary role of autumn anthocyanin could be to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-oxidative damage as light filters rather than as antioxidant. Another major role is to extend carbon capture and help supply the energy needed for N resorption from senescing leaves in both A. saccharum and A. Platanoides during high-light stress. Nevertheless, photoprotective capacity of anthocyanins was not able to fully compensate for photoinhibitory stress as the anthocyanins are not optimally located to efficiently reduce light within the leaves.