Photosynthetica 2009, 47(2):284-292 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0044-1

Drought resistance and recovery of photosystem II activity in a Mediterranean semi-deciduous shrub at the seedling stage

A. Petsas1, G. Grammatikopoulos1,*
1 Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece

Phlomis fruticosa is one of the main species of post-fire Mediterranean communities, occupying areas with post-fire grazing or altered precipitation pattern and consequently water stress imposed on seedlings of co-occurring species. Seedlings of woody perennials often differ from their mature individuals regarding their resistance of photosynthetic performance to environmental stresses. Such differences have been reported for tree species but there is a lack of information regarding shrub species. In the present study, we tried to detect changes in (PSII) activity imposed by water stress in P. fruticosa seedlings as well as its capability for recovery after rehydration. Maximum PSII photochemical efficiency decreased only under severe water stress exactly as in mature plants in the field. However, leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content was almost stable regardless of leaf relative water content (RWC). We assume that the photoprotective chlorophyll loss process, reported for many mature Mediterranean species (including P. fruticosa), has not yet been developed at the seedling stage. On the other hand, photoprotection through an increase of the relative amount of non-QB-reducing centers was found during dehydration. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) contributed to protection from photodamage until moderate water stress but was significantly suppressed under severe water stress. Both processes were reversed after rehydration. The above characteristics enabled seedlings not only to survive during aggravating drought but also to maintain a considerable part of their effective quantum yield and perform significant electron transport even at extremely low relative water content (RWC). This was confirmed with measurements in a semi-natural environment (pots) and under real steady state conditions regarding adaptation of the photosynthetic machinery to prevailing light intensities.

Additional key words: non-QB-reducing centers; PSII quantum yield; recovery; seedlings; semi-deciduous shrub; steady state conditions; water stress

Received: June 10, 2008; Accepted: April 6, 2009; Published: June 1, 2009  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Petsas, A., & Grammatikopoulos, G. (2009). Drought resistance and recovery of photosystem II activity in a Mediterranean semi-deciduous shrub at the seedling stage. Photosynthetica, 47(2), 284-292. doi: 10.1007/s11099-009-0044-1
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Archibold, O.W.: Mediterranean ecosystems.-In: Archibold, O.W. (ed.): Ecology of World Vegetation. Pp. 131-164. Chapman & Hall, London 1995. Go to original source...
    2. Arianoutsou-Faraggitaki, M., Margaris, N.S.: Producers and the fire cycle in a phryganic ecosystem.-In: Margaris, N.S., Mooney, H.A. (ed.): Components of Productivity of Mediterranean-Climate Regions. Basic and Applied Aspects. Pp. 181-190. Dr. W. Junk Publ., The Hague-Boston-London 1981. Go to original source...
    3. Balaguer, L., Pugnaire, F.I., Martinez-Ferri, E., Armas, C., Valladares, F., Manrique, E.: Ecophysiological significance of chlorophyll loss and reduced photochemical efficiency under extreme aridity in Stipa tenacissima L.-Plant Soil 240: 343-352. 2002. Go to original source...
    4. Bond, B.J.: Age-related changes in photosynthesis of woody plants.-Trends Plant Sci. 8: 349-353, 2000. Go to original source...
    5. Bukhov, N., Carpentier R.: Effects of water stress on the photosynthetic efficiency of Plants.-In: Papageorgiou, G.C., Govindjee (ed.): Chlorophyll a Fluorescence.-A Signature of Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Pp. 623-635. Springer, Dordrecht 2004. Go to original source...
    6. Cao, J., Govindjee.: Chlorophyll a fluorescence transient as an indicator of active and inactive photosystem II in thylakoid membranes.-Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1015: 180-188, 1990. Go to original source...
    7. Chylla, R.A., Whitmarsh, J.: Inactive photosystem-II complexes in leaves - turnover rate and quantitation.-Plant Physiol. 90: 765-772, 1989. Go to original source...
    8. Demmig-Adams, B., Gilmore, A.M., Adams, W.W.: Carotenoids. 3. In vivo functions of carotenoids in higher plants.-FASEB J. 10: 403-412, 1996.
    9. Elvira, S., Alonso, R., Castillo, F.J., Gimeno, B.S.: On the response of pigments and antioxidants of Pinus halepensis seedlings to Mediterranean climatic factors and long term ozone exposure.-New Phytol. 138: 419-432, 1998. Go to original source...
    10. Epron, D.: Effects of drought on photosynthesis and on the thermotolerance of photosystem II in seedlings of cedar (Cedrus atlantica and C. libani).-J. Exp. Bot. 48: 1835-1841, 1997. Go to original source...
    11. Fenner, M.: Seedlings.-New Phytol. 106: 35-47, 1987. Go to original source...
    12. Fotelli, M.N., Radoglou, K.M., Constantinidou, H.I.A.: Water-stress responses of seedlings of four Mediterranean oak species.-Tree Physiol. 20: 893-900, 2000. Go to original source...
    13. Giardi, M.T., Cona, A., Geiken, B., Kučera, T., Masojídek, J., Mattoo, A.K.: Long-term drought stress induces structural and functional reorganization of photosystem II.-Planta 199: 118-125, 1996. Go to original source...
    14. Genty, B., Briantais, J.M., Baker, N.R.: The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron-transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence.-Biochim. Biophys. Acta 990: 87-92, 1989. Go to original source...
    15. Grammatikopoulos, G.: Mechanisms for drought tolerance in two Mediterranean seasonal dimorphic shrubs.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 26: 587-593, 1999. Go to original source...
    16. Grammatikopoulos, G., Manetas, Y.: Direct absorption of water by hairy leaves of Phlomis fruticosa and its contribution to drought avoidance. Can. J. Bot. 72: 1805-1811, 1994. Go to original source...
    17. Grammatikopoulos, G., Kyparissis, A., Manetas, Y.: Seasonal and diurnal gas exchange characteristics and water relations of the drought semi-deciduous shrub Phlomis fruticosa L. under Mediterranean field conditions.-Flora 190: 71-78, 1995. Go to original source...
    18. Havaux, M.: Stress tolerance of photosystem II in vivo. Antagonistic effects of water, heat, and photoinhibition stresses.-Plant Physiol. 100: 424-432, 1992. Go to original source...
    19. Herera, C.M.: Historical effects and sorting processes as explanations for contemporary ecological patterns-character syndromes in Mediterranean woody plants.-Am. Nat. 140: 421-446, 1992. Go to original source...
    20. Hsu, B.: A theoretical study on the fluorescence induction curve of spinach thylakoids in the absence of DCMU.-Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1140: 30-36, 1992. Go to original source...
    21. Kaiser, W.M.: Effects of water deficit on photosynthetic capacity.-Plant Physiol. 71: 142-149, 1987. Go to original source...
    22. Karavatas, S., Manetas, Y.: Seasonal patterns of photosystem 2 photochemical efficiency in evergreen sclerophylls and drought semi-deciduous shrubs under Mediterranean field conditions.-Photosynthetica 36: 41-49, 1999. Go to original source...
    23. Kotakis, C., Petropoulou, Y., Stamatakis, K., Yiotis, C., Manetas, Y.: Evidence for active cyclic electron flow in twig chlorenchyma in the presence of an extremely deficient linear electron transport activity.-Planta 225: 245-253, 2006. Go to original source...
    24. Krause, G., Weis, E.: Chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool in plant physiology. 2. Interpretation of fluorescence signals.-Photosynth. Res. 5: 139-157, 1984. Go to original source...
    25. Kyparissis, A., Manetas, Y.: Seasonal leaf dimorphism in a semi-deciduous Mediterranean shrub-ecophysiological comparisons between winter and summer leaves.-Acta Oecol. 14: 23-32, 1993.
    26. Kyparissis, A., Petropoulou, Y., Manetas, Y.: Summer survival of leaves in a soft-leaved shrub (Phlomis fruticosa L., Labiatae) under Mediterranean field conditions: Avoidance of photoinhibitory damage through decreased chlorophyll contents.-J. Exp. Bot. 46: 1825-1831, 1995. Go to original source...
    27. Kyparissis, A., Grammatikopoulos, G., Manetas, Y.: Leaf demography and photosynthesis as affected by the environment in the drought semi-deciduous Mediterranean shrub Phlomis fruticosa L.-Acta Oecol. 18: 543-555, 1997. Go to original source...
    28. Kyparissis, A., Drilias, P., Manetas, Y.: Seasonal fluctuations in photoprotective (xanthophyll cycle) and photoselective (chlorophylls) capacity in eight Mediterranean plant species belonging to two different growth forms.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 27: 265-272, 2000. Go to original source...
    29. Lawlor, D.W.: The effects of water deficit on photosynthesis.-In: Smirnoff, N. (ed.): Environment and Plant Metabolism. Flexibility and Acclimation. Pp 129-160. Bios Sci. Publ., Oxford 1995.
    30. Lichtenthaler, H.K., Wellburn, A.R.: Determinations of total carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b of leaf extracts in different solvents.-Biochem. Soc. Trans. 11: 591-592, 1983. Go to original source...
    31. Lu, C.M., Zhang, J.H.: Thermostability of photosystem II is increased in salt-stressed sorghum.-Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 25: 317-324, 1998. Go to original source...
    32. Lu, C.M., Zhang, J.H.: Modifications in photosystem II photochemistry in senescent leaves of maize plants.-J. Exp. Bot. 327: 1671-1679, 1998. Go to original source...
    33. Manetas, Y., Grammatikopoulos, G., Kyparissis, A.: The use of the portable, non-destructive, SPAD-502 (Minolta) chlorophyll meter with leaves of varying trichome density and anthocyanin content.-J. Plant Physiol. 153: 513-516, 1998. Go to original source...
    34. Maxwell, K. Johnson, G.N.: Chlorophyll fluorescence-a practical guide.-J. Exp. Bot. 51: 659-668, 2000. Go to original source...
    35. Melis, A.: Functional-properties of photosystem-II-beta in spinach chloroplasts.-Biochim. Biophys. Acta 808: 334-342, 1985. Go to original source...
    36. Moles, A.T., Westoby, M.: What do seedlings die from and what are the implications for evolution of seed size?-Oikos 106: 193-199, 2004. Go to original source...
    37. Montanaro, G., Dichio, B., Xiloyannis, C.: Response of photosynthetic machinery of field-grown kiwifruit under Mediterranean conditions during drought and re-watering.-Photosynthetica 45: 533-540, 2007. Go to original source...
    38. Nogues, S., Baker, N.L.: Effects of drought on photosynthesis in Mediterranean plants grown under enhanced UV-B radiation.-J.Exp.Bot. 348: 1309-1317, 2000. Go to original source...
    39. Padilla, F.M., Pugnaire, F.I.: Rooting depth and soil moisture control Mediterranean woody seedling survival during drought.-Funct. Ecol. 21: 489-495, 2007. Go to original source...
    40. Proctor, M.C.F., Tuba, Z.: Poikilohydry and homoihydry: antithesis or spectrum of possibilities?-New Phytol. 156: 327-349, 2002. Go to original source...
    41. Rascher, U., Liebig, M., Luttge, U.: Evaluation of instant lightresponse curves of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters obtained with a portable chlorophyll fluorometer on site in the field.-Plant Cell Environ. 23: 1397-1405, 2000. Go to original source...
    42. Scott, P.: Resurrection plants and the secrets of eternal leaf.-Ann. Bot. 85: 159-166, 2000. Go to original source...
    43. Tomek, P., Ilík, P., Lazár, D., ©troch, M., Nauą, J.: On the determination of QB-non-reducing photosystem II centers from chlorophyll a fluorescence induction.-Plant Sci. 164: 665-670, 2003. Go to original source...
    44. Turner, N.C.: Techniques and experimental approaches for the measurement of plant water status.-Plant Soil 58: 339-366, 1981. Go to original source...
    45. Yang, Y., Liu, Q., Han, C., Qiao, Y.Z., Yao, X.Q., Yin, H.J.: Influence of water stress and low irradiance on morphological and physiological characteristics of Picea asperata seedlings.-Photosynthetica 45: 613-619, 2007. Go to original source...
    46. Zunzunegui, L., Fernandez Baco, L., Diaz Barradas, M.C., Garcia Novo F.: Seasonal changes in photochemical efficiency in leaves of Halimium halimifolium, a Mediterranean semideciduous shrub.-Photosynthetica 37: 17-31, 1999. Go to original source...

    Return to the content