Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser - Thylakoid membrane reorganization, induced by growth light intensity, affects the plants susceptibility to drought stress

Abstract

One of the major questions in photosynthesis research is related to the role of the ultrastructure of thylakoid membranes in higher plants for their functional performance at optimal and stress environmental conditions. In this work, we compared the drought stress response of pea plants grown at moderate and low light conditions, based on our recent findings that they differ in the extent of grana stacking and in the thermal stability of the major light-harvesting complex of PSII that plays important regulatory role for plant survival. Our data demonstrate that low light-adapted plants are structurally and functionally less affected by the water deficit, strongly suggesting a major role of thylakoid structural organization for drought stress response.

Linking changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence with drought stress susceptibility in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

“…In contrast, Lawlor and Tezara (2009) argued that solar energy absorption, energy transfer from the antenna to the reaction centre, charge separation or electron transfer from the reaction centre to pheophytin and Q A occur in the hydrophobic lipid‐protein matrix of thylakoidal membranes, which are insensitive to lower RWC range, that is, 60–50%. While assessing the impact of tissue RWC on thylakoidal membrane organisation and PSII damage in drought‐stressed plants of pea, Petrova et al (2020) found that, at less than 60% RWC, drought stress causes the disassembly of the LHCII‐PSII super complexes and the disintegration of core proteins by decreasing membrane hydration or membrane fluidity. Long ago, Navari‐Izzo et al (2000) demonstrated that an increase in unsaturated fatty acids upon drought‐induced reduction in membrane fluidity was the principal protection of PSII in the resurrection plant Boea hygroscopica .…”

Potassium silicate and light availability affect photochemical efficiency and morphology of Alibertia edulis

“…Light availability is a determinant environmental factor in the capacity of plants in silvicultural activities since the plants can be inserted in open areas, clearings, understories, or dense forests in different vegetation and/or agroforestry systems. Thus, high or low light intensity can be a stressful condition affecting the production of photoassimilates since it correlates with the thylakoid structure (Petrova et al, 2020), mesophilic conductance, and carboxylation efficiency of RuBisCO (Mendes et al, 2017), and overall photosynthesis. On the other hand, some species can acclimatize to these conditions, adjusting their metabolism through receptors that control the expression of cell division genes and the formation of meristematic tissues (Anpo et al, 2019).…”

Comparative PSII photochemistry of quinoa and maize under mild to severe drought stress

“…This advantage is attributed to the different morphological, anatomical, and biochemical mechanisms used during carbon fixation in C3 and C4 species (Pearcy and Ehleringer 1984). C4 species can increase energy consumption efficiency through energy conservation and thereby maintain a higher photosynthetic performance and water-use efficiency than C3 species under water-stress conditions (Majeran et al 2010, Petrova et al 2020. While water stress can lead to an excess of energy absorbed by the leaves associated with altered CO2 assimilation, C4 species tend to be better adapted to high light and temperature intensities than C3 species (Guidi et al 2019).…”