Moderate water stress causes different stomatal and non‐stomatal changes in the photosynthetic functioning of Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes

Abstract

The impact of moderate water deficit on the photosynthetic apparatus of three Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivars, Plovdiv 10 (P10), Dobrudjanski Ran (DR) and Prelom (Prel), was investigated. Water shortage had less impact on leaf hydration, RWC (predawn and midday) and predawn water potential in Prel. RWC and Ψ(p) were more reduced in P10, while there was no osmotic adjustment in any cultivar. Although drought drastically reduced stomatal opening in P10 and DR, reduced A(max) indicated non-stomatal limitations that contributed to the negligible P(n). These limitations were on potential thylakoid electron transport rates of PSI and II, pointing to photosystem functioning as a major limiting step in photosynthesis. This agrees with decreases in actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (F(v)'/F(m)'), quantum yield of photosynthetic non-cyclic electron transport (ϕ(e)) and energy-driven photochemical events (q(P)), although the impact on these parameters would also include down-regulation processes. When compared to DR, Prel retained a higher functional state of the photosynthetic machinery, justifying reduced need for photoprotective mechanisms (non-photochemical quenching, zeaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene) and maintenance of the balance between energy capture and dissipative pigments. The highest increases in fructose, glucose, arabinose and sorbitol in Prel might be related to tolerance to a lower oxidative state. All cultivars had reduced A(max) due to daytime stomatal closure in well-watered conditions. Under moderate drought, Prel had highest tolerance, higher leaf hydration and maintenance of important photochemical use of energy. However, water shortage caused appreciable non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis linked to regulation/imbalance at the metabolic level (and growth) in all cultivars. This included damage, as reflected in decreased potential photosystem functioning, pointing to higher sensitivity of photosynthesis to drought than is commonly assumed.

Is salt stress tolerance in Casuarina glauca Sieb. ex Spreng. associated with its nitrogen-fixing root-nodule symbiosis? An analysis at the photosynthetic level

“…100 mg (fresh weight) of frozen branchlet material using a thermocouple psychrometer (SC-10A, Decagon Devices Inc., USA) as described by Ramalho et al (2014). The obtained J p values were corrected to full turgor, using the RWC of the corresponding sample [J p 100 ¼ J p  (RWC/100)].…”

“…4 g FW) sampled from five plants and processed as described in Ramalho et al (2014). The in vivo electron transport rates associated with both PSI (DCPIPH 2 / MV) and PSII, including (H 2 O / DCPIP) or excluding (DPC / DCPIP) the Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC), were polarographically measured using an LW2 O 2 electrode (Hansatech) at 25 C. The assays were performed using 1 mL of the reaction mixture (containing ca.…”

Nutritional profile of the Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L var. costata) and its relationship with the elemental soil analysis

“…Samples Sugars separation was performed using a Sugar-Pak 1 column (300 x 6.5 mm, Waters), as described in Ramalho et al (2014). Standard curves were used for the quantification of each sugar.…”

Physiological responses to drought in four developed Triticum aestivum groups

“…The µv output was converted to corresponding pressure values (MPa) using a standard regression curve of 8 known KCl concentrations. The obtained Ψ  values were corrected to full turgor with the RWC of the corresponding sample [Ψ 100 = Ψ  x (RWC/100)] according to Ramalho et al (2014).…”