Water-Deficit Stress in the Epiphytic Elkhorn Fern: Insight into Photosynthetic Response

Progressive climate changes cause disturbance of water relations in tropical rainforests, where epiphytic ferns are an important element of biodiversity. In these plants, the efficiency of photosynthesis is closely related to the efficiency of water transport. In addition, due to the lack of contact...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2023-07, Vol.24 (15), p.12064
Main Authors: Oliwa, Jakub, Skoczowski, Andrzej, Rut, Grzegorz, Kornaś, Andrzej
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antennas (Electronics)
Carotenoids
Chlorophyll
Drought
Efficiency
Ferns
Flowers & plants
Germany
Hydration
Light
Morphology
Photosynthesis
Physiology
Rain forests
Rainforests
United Kingdom
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Summary:Progressive climate changes cause disturbance of water relations in tropical rainforests, where epiphytic ferns are an important element of biodiversity. In these plants, the efficiency of photosynthesis is closely related to the efficiency of water transport. In addition, due to the lack of contact with the soil, epiphytes are extremely susceptible to water-deficit stress. The aim of this experiment was to determine the response of the photosynthetic apparatus of to a 6-week water deficit. The hydration and pigment composition of leaves were determined using reflectance spectroscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics parameters, fluorescence induction curves (OJIP), low-temperature fluorescence curves at 77 K and proline concentration were analyzed at seven time points. After a decrease in leaf hydration by 10-15%, there were disturbances in the oxidation-reduction balance, especially in the initial photochemical reactions, a rapid decrease in plant vitality (PI) and significant fluctuations in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The relative size of PSI antenna structures compared to PSII decreased in the following weeks of water deficit. Changes in photochemical reactions were accompanied by a decrease in gross photosynthesis and an increase in proline concentration. Changes in the functioning of photosynthesis light phase and the pigment composition of leaves are related to the resistance of elkhorn fern to long-term water deficit.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms241512064