Abstract
Changes in photosynthetic activity, CO2 assimilation rate, ΦPSII by fluorescence andABA content, were monitored in the grasses Eragrostis curvula cv. Consol and Sporobolusstapfianus Gandoger in response to dehydration. Thefirst being a warm season grass well adapted todrought and the second a desiccation-tolerant orresurrection plant. The trial was performed on intactleaves during a whole plant drying course. After acycle of dehydration (down to ≌ 5% RWC) andrehydration to full turgor the resurrection plantshowed recovery of photosynthetic capability. E.curvula is drought-resistant but notdrought-tolerant being not capable of recovering whendried to ≌ 20% RWC. The sensitivity of photosynthesisto the drying treatment was different in E.curvula and S. stapfianus. During dryingtreatment, up to a leaf water loss of ≌ 40%, E.curvula photosynthesis seemed to be inhibited bycarbon metabolism, because PSII activity was not yetaffected. In S. stapfianus at the same point ofdehydration photosynthesis still worked though adown-regulation of PSII activity (Fv/Fm) occurred ata higher RWC. Non-photochemical chlorophyllfluorescence quenching (qN) was analysed. Duringdrying qN increased in both plants, but more in theresurrection plant though its assimilation rate wasless affected. The importance of ABA in regulating CO2 assimilation rate is discussed.
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Di Blasi, S., Puliga, S., Losi, L. et al. S.stapfianus and E. curvula cv. Consol in vivo photosynthesis, PSII activity and ABA content during dehydration. Plant Growth Regulation 25, 97–104 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GROW.0000009705.25848.e7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GROW.0000009705.25848.e7