Photosynthetica 2020, 58(1):125-136 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.175

Changes in photosynthesis and carotenoid composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in response to low-light stress and low temperature combined with low-light stress

J.F. ZHANG1,2, J. LI1, J.M. XIE1, J.H YU1, M.M. DAWUDA1,3, J. LYV1, Z.Q. TANG1, J. ZHANG1, X.D. ZHANG1, C.N. TANG1
1 College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Yingmen Village, Anning District, 730070 Lanzhou, China
2 Vegetable Institution of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Anning District, 730070 Lanzhou, China
3 Department of Horticulture, FoA, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL 1882, Tamale, Ghana

Light and temperature are two major factors for plant growth. Carotenoids are important photoprotective and light-harvesting pigments in photosynthetic organs. Therefore, this study explored photosynthesis and carotenoid-related metabolism under control (CK), low-light (L), and low-temperature and low-light (LL) conditions by using the pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties Longjiao 5 and Hangjiao 4. We found the increased inhibition of plant growth and photosynthetic capacity under both L and LL stress. Meanwhile, carotenoid-related metabolic compounds accumulated in pepper showed different responses to the two stresses. Significantly, zeaxanthin contents were 6.69-8.88 times higher under LL than that of CK, α-carotene contents were 0.9-2.1 times higher under L than that of CK, which may enhance the tolerance to LL and L. Our findings provide a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of carotenoid functions regarding L and LL tolerance by regulating photosynthesis.

Additional key words: chilling injury index; chlorophyll fluorescence; pigment content.

Received: July 8, 2019; Revised: November 21, 2019; Accepted: December 12, 2019; Prepublished online: January 23, 2020; Published: March 10, 2020  Show citation

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ZHANG, J.F., LI, J., XIE, J.M., YU, J.H., DAWUDA, M.M., LYV, J., ... TANG, C.N. (2020). Changes in photosynthesis and carotenoid composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in response to low-light stress and low temperature combined with low-light stress. Photosynthetica, 58(1), 125-136. doi: 10.32615/ps.2019.175
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