Individual and Interactive Ecophysiological Effect of Temperature, Watering Regime and Abscisic Acid on the Growth and Development of Tomato Seedlings

Abstract

Climate change is a major concern to people all over the world. Most studies have considered singular or dual effects of climate change implications on plant growth and development; however, the combination of multiple factors has received little attention. We therefore studied the single and combined effects of two environmental stress factors (high temperature and water stresses) and abscisic acid on tomato seedlings (Solanum lycoperscum L.). Plants were grown in controlled environment growth chambers under two temperatures (22/18 °C or 28/24 °C; 16 h light/8 h dark), two watering regimes (well-watered or water-stressed), and two abscisic acid treatments (0 and 100 µL of 1mM abscisic acid solution, every other day). Plants were placed under experimental conditions for a total of 33 days, including a 13-day period of initial growth and hardening. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters were measured to assess the growth and development of plants in response to the three factors. ANOVA and Scheffé’s multiple-comparison procedures were used to establish significant differences among treatments and among the three factors being manipulated. All three factors decreased plant height and growth rate. Dry mass accumulation was negatively affected by high temperatures. Transpiration, stomatal conductance, and gas exchange parameters were negatively affected by all three factors; additionally, net carbon dioxide assimilation was reduced by water stress and abscisic acid application. Non-photochemical quenching was decreased in plants grown under higher temperature and in abscisic acid-treated plants. Though it was not significant, abscisic acid appears to mitigate the negative effect of higher temperature and water stress on the nitrogen balance index and total chlorophyll content.

Effects of Temperature on Growth and Isoprene Metabolism Pathway in Eucommia ulmoides Oliv

“…Moreover, decreased photosynthesis and chlorophyll content have been documented in response to extreme temperatures. Factors such as leaf and stem scorching, as well as leaf abscission, further exacerbate the decline in yield [31][32][33]. Notably, chlorophyllase plays a pivotal role in catalyzing the hydrolysis of chlorophyll, forming chlorophyll lactones.…”

“…These categories included cellular processes, environmental information processing, genetic information processing, metabolism, and organic systems. In terms of metabolic processes, the main enrichments were observed in carbohydrate metabolism (104), biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (87), and metabolism of terpenoids and ketones (31). Environmental information processing was enriched in signal transduction (127), and membrane transport (3).…”