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Background Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation can affect several aspects ranging from plant growth to metabolic regulation. Maca is a Brassicaceae crop native to the Andes growing in above 3500 m of altitude. Although maca has been the focus mainly due to its nutraceutical properties, it remains unknown how maca plants tolerate to harsh environments, such as strong UV-B. Here, we present the first study that reports the physiological responses of maca plants to counteract and recover to repeated acute UV-B irradiation. Results In detail, plants were daily exposed to acute UV-B irradiation followed by a recovery period under controlled conditions. The results showed that repeated acute UV-B exposures reduced biomass and photosynthetic parameters, with gradual senescence induction in exposed leaves, reduction of young leaves expansion and root growth inhibition. Negative correlation between increased UV-B and recovery was observed, with marked production of new biomass in plants treated one week or more. Conclusions A differential UV-B response was observed: stress response was mainly controlled by a coordinated source-sink carbon allocation, while acclimation process may require UV-B-specific systemic defense response reflected on the phenotypic plasticity of maca plants. Moreover, these differential UV-B responses were also suggested by multifactorial analysis based on biometric and physiological data. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-019-1755-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Salvia ceratophylloides (Ard.) is an endemic and rare plant species recently rediscovered as very few individuals at two different Southern Italy sites. The study of within-plant variation is fundamental to understand the plant adaptation to the local conditions, especially in rare species, and consequently to preserve plant biodiversity. Here, we reported the variation of the morpho-ecophysiological and metabolic traits between the sessile and petiolate leaf of S. ceratophylloides plants at two different sites for understanding the adaptation strategies for surviving in these habitats. The S. ceratophylloides individuals exhibited different net photosynthetic rate, maximum quantum yield, light intensity for the saturation of the photosynthetic machinery, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf area, fractal dimension, and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) between the different leaf types. This within-plant morpho-physiological and metabolic variation was dependent on the site. These results provide empirical evidence of sharply within-plant variation of the morpho-physiological traits and VOCs profiles in S. ceratophylloides, explaining the adaptation to the local conditions.

Soil properties and the ability to sustain agricultural production are seriously impaired by salinity. The cultivation of halophytes is seen as a solution to cope with the problem. In this framework, a greenhouse pot experiment was set up to assess salinity response in the perennial C4 species Atriplex halimus, and in the following three cultivars of the annual C3 Atriplex hortensis: green, red, and scarlet. The four genotypes were grown for 35 days with water salinity (WS) ranging from 0 to 360 mM NaCl. Plant height and fresh weight (FW) increased at 360 vs. 0 WS. The stomatal conductance (GS) and transpiration rate (E) were more severely affected by salinity in the C4 A. halimus than in the C3 species A. hortensis. This was reflected in a lower leaf water potential indicating stronger osmotic adjustment, and a higher relative water content associated with more turgid leaves, in A. halimus than A. hortensis. In a PCA including all the studied traits, the GS and E negatively correlated to the FW, which, in turn, positively correlated with Na concentration and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), indicating that reduced gas exchange associated with Na accumulation contributed to sustain iWUE under salinity. Finally, FTIR spectroscopy showed a reduced amount of pectin, lignin, and cellulose under salinity, indicating a weakened cell wall structure. Overall, both species were remarkably adapted to salinity: From an agronomic perspective, the opposite strategies of longer vs. faster soil coverage, involved by the perennial A. halimus vs. the annual A. hortensis cv. scarlet, are viable natural remedies for revegetating marginal saline soils and increasing soil organic carbon.

The contamination of environments by heavy metals has become an urgent issue causing undesirable accumulations and severe damages to agricultural crops, especially cadmium and lead which are among the most widespread and dangerous metal pollutants worldwide. The selection of proper species is a crucial step in many plant-based restoration approaches; therefore, the aim of the present work was to check for early morphophysiological responsive traits in three cultivars of Cynara cardunculus (Sardo, Siciliano, and Spagnolo), helping to select the best performing cultivar for phytoremediation. For all three tested cultivars, our results indicate that cardoon displays some morphophysiological traits to face Cd and Pb pollution, particularly at the root morphology level, element uptake ability, and photosynthetic pigment content. Other traits show instead a cultivar-specific behavior; in fact, stomata plasticity, photosynthetic pattern, and antioxidant power provide different responses, but only Spagnolo cv. achieves a successful strategy attaining a real resilience to metal stress. The capacity of Spagnolo plants to modify leaf structural and physiological traits under heavy metal contamination to maintain high photosynthetic efficiency should be considered an elective trait for its use in contaminated environments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-13242-9.

In Mediterranean regions, extreme weather conditions during the growing season may alter grapevine physiology and metabolism, thus modifying the quality of wines. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Ascophyllum nodosum treatments on plant physiology and berry metabolism in Vitis vinifera exposed to water stress. The experiment was performed on potted vines subjected to two irrigation regimes (well-watered, WW, and water stressed, WS) both associated with A. nodosum treatments (SWE), compared with control plants (CTRL). Gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence, and water relations were monitored on SWE and CTRL leaves, both in WW and WS vines at three times. Moreover, the quantification of secondary metabolites and their partitioning were performed in berry skins. Plants treated with A. nodosum extract showed higher photosynthesis and stomatal conductance than CTRL in both irrigation regimes and maintained a better plant hydraulic conductivity at the end of the sampling period. In addition, secondary metabolites in berry skins and their partitioning were significantly affected by the treatments in both irrigation regimes. Our results suggest that foliar application of A. nodosum extract may help the acclimation of grapevines to post-veraison water stress, likely improving plant physiological and biochemical performances under environmental constraints.

This study aimed to evaluate the growth and physiology of Annona squamosa seedlings under increasing irrigation depths and phosphorus doses. The experiment was conducted in protected environment, evaluating five irrigation depths and four P2O5- doses, arranged in 5 x 4 factorial scheme, in randomized blocks, with four replicates and one plant per plot. Treatments were irrigation depths of 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140% of the real evapotranspiration of the seedlings – ETr and phosphorus doses of 0, 350, 700 and 1050 mg dm-3 of P2O5-. Plants were evaluated at 120 days after transplanting with respect to growth, gas exchanges, leaf water potential and total dry matter accumulation. Phosphorus dose of 350 mg dm-3 promotes satisfactory dry matter accumulation for A. squamosa seedlings, especially under 100% ETr irrigation. Leaf water potential and gas exchanges of A. squamosa are affected by water stress, through both lack and excess of water. Stomatal conductance is the variable most sensitive to the lack of water, whereas photosynthesis and water use efficiency are the most sensitive to the excess of water. Irrigation depth of 100% ETr is ideal to produce A. squamosa seedlings, but the irrigation depth of 80% ETr can be used to produce these seedlings, disregarding small losses of growth. Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento e a fisiologia de mudas de A. squamosa sob lâminas crescentes de irrigação e doses de fósforo. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido, avaliando cinco lâminas de irrigação e quatro doses P2O5, arranjados em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e uma planta por parcela. Os tratamentos das lâminas foram 60, 80, 100, 120 e 140% da evapotranspiração real das mudas – ETr e as quatro doses de fósforo 0, 350, 700 e 1050 mg dm-3 de P2O5. As plantas foram avaliadas aos 120 dias após o transplantio, quanto ao crescimento, trocas gasosas, potencial hídrico foliar e acúmulo de matéria seca total. A dose de fósforo de 350 mg dm-3 proporciona acúmulo de matéria seca satisfatório para as mudas de A. squamosa, principalmente sob irrigação com 100% da ETr. O potencial hídrico foliar e as trocas gasosas da A. squamosa são afetadas pelo estresse hídrico, tanto por falta como por excesso de água, sendo a condutância estomática a variável mais sensível a falta de água e a fotossíntese e eficiência do uso da água as mais sensíveis ao excesso de água. A lâmina de 100% da ETr é a ideal para a produção de mudas de A. squamosa, porém a lamina de 80% da ETr pode ser utilizada para a produção de mudas de A. squamosa, admitindo-se pequenas perdas no crescimento.

The production of grafted passion fruit is an alternative for plant adaptation to saline environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of salt stress on physiology, biometry and fruit quality of P. edulis grafted on Passiflora spp. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design, in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to three species of Passiflora (P. edulis, P. gibertii and P. cincinnata) with P. edulis scion and two levels of irrigation water salinity (0.5 - control and 4.5 dS m-1), with four repetitions. Water salinity compromises gas exchanges (CO2 assimilation raste and transpiration) and physiological variables (total chlorophyll and total water consumption) in grafted P. edulis. The interaction between the factors (water salinity x species) compromised only the growth in plant height and number of leaves. In relation to the species, auto-grafted P. edulis stood out from the other species, with higher internal CO2 concentration, number of leaves, stem dry mass, peel thickness, total soluble solids (TSS) of the pulp and TSS/TA ratio (titratable acidity). Auto-grafted P. edulis under saline conditions develops vital mechanisms (TSS and TSS/TA), which attenuates the effects of salt stress on the physico-chemical quality of the fruits. A produção de maracujazeiro enxertado é uma alternativa para adaptação das plantas a ambientes salinos. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do estresse salino na fisiologia, biometria e qualidade de frutos de P. edulis enxertado em espécies de Passiflora spp. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, sendo três espécies de Passiflora (P. edulis, P. gibertii e P. cincinnata) tendo como copa P. edulis e dois níveis de salinidade de água de irrigação (0,5 – testemunha e 4,5 dS m-1), com quatro repetições. A salinidade da água compromete as trocas gasosas (taxa de assimilação de CO2 e transpiração) e variáveis fisiológicas (clorofila total e consumo hídrico total) em P. edulis enxertado. A interação entre os fatores (salinidade da água x espécie) compromete apenas o crescimento em altura de plantas e número de folhas. Em relação às espécies, o P. edulis auto enxertado se destaca em relação as demais espécies apresentando maior concentração interna de CO2, número de folhas, massa seca de caule, espessura da casca do fruto, sólidos solúveis totais (SST) da polpa e razão sólidos solúveis totais por acidez titulável (SST/AT). O P. edulis auto enxertado sob condições de salinidade, desenvolve mecanismos vitais (SST e SST/AT), que atenuam os efeitos do estresse salino na qualidade físico-química dos frutos.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:16:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) To meet the growing demand for soybean it is necessary to increase crop yield, even in low water availability conditions. To circumvent the negative effects of water deficit, application of biostimulants with anti-stress effect has been adopted, including products based on fulvic acids and Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) seaweed extracts. In this study, we determined which formulation and dosage of a biostimulant is more efficient in promoting the recovery of soybean plants after stress due to water deficit. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a double-factorial randomized block design with two additional factors, four repetitions and eleven treatments consisting of three biostimulant formulations (F1, F2 and F3), and three dosages (0.25; 0.50 and 1.0 kg ha−1); a control with water deficit and a control without water deficit. Soybean plants were kept at 50% of the pot's water capacity for three days, then rehydrated and submitted to the application of treatments with biostimulant. After two days of recovery, growth, physiological, biochemical and yield parameters were evaluated. All plants that received the application of the biostimulant produced more than the water-stressed control plants. The biostimulant provided higher photosynthetic rates, more efficient mechanisms for dissipating excess energy and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes. Plants treated with biostimulant were more efficient in the recovery of the metabolic activities after rewatering, resulting in increased soybean tolerance to water deficit and reduced yield losses. The best result obtained was through the application of formulation 2 of the biostimulant at a dosage of 0.25 kg ha−1. Laboratory of Ecophysiology Applied to Agriculture School of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Crop Production Federal Goianian Institute (IF Goiano), Campus Rio Verde Fertilizers Heringer Laboratory of Ecophysiology Applied to Agriculture School of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Callistemon citrinus and Viburnum lucidum are appreciated and widespread ornamental shrubs for their abundant flowering and/or brilliant foliage. The intrinsic tolerance to drought/salinity supports their use in urban areas and in xeriscaping. Despite adaptive responses of these ornamental species to sodium chloride (NaCl) have been extensively explored, little is known on the effects of other salt solution, yet iso-osmotic, on their growth, mineral composition and metabolism. The present research was aimed to assess responses at the biochemical, physiological and anatomical levels to iso-osmotic salt solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 to discriminate the effects of osmotic stress and ion toxicity. The two ornamental species developed different salt-tolerance mechanisms depending on the salinity sources. The growth parameters and biomass production decreased under salinization in both ornamental species, independently of the type of salt, with a detrimental effect of CaCl2 on C. citrinus. The adaptive mechanisms adopted by the two ornamental species to counteract the NaCl salinity were similar, and the decline in growth was mostly related to stomatal limitations of net CO2 assimilation rate, together with the reduction in leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD index). The stronger reduction of C. citrinus growth compared to V. lucidum, was due to an exacerbated reduction in net photosynthetic rate, driven by both stomatal and non stomatal limitations. In similar conditions, V. lucidum exhibited other additional adaptive response, such as modification in leaf functional anatomical traits, mostly related to the reduction in the stomata size allowing plants a better control of stomata opening than in C. citrinus. However, C. citrinus plants displayed an increased ability to retain higher Cl- levels in leaves than in roots under CaCl2 salinity compared to V. lucidum, thus, indicating a further attempt to counteract chloride toxicity through an increased vacuolar compartmentalization and to take advantages of them as chip osmotica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and growth responses of watermelon under application of NPK rates using different proportions of mineral and organic fertilizers. The experiment was taken place in an area located at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal - PB (6º48'16'' S and 37º49'15'' W), during the period from June to September 2013. The treatments consisted of three nutrient concentrations of N, P and K (50, 100 and 150% of NPK recommendation for watermelon) and five proportions of mineral and organic fertilizer (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 to 0/100). The design was a randomized block in factorial scheme 3 x 5, with four replications. The amount of 100 % was the corresponding NPK 120 kg ha-1, respectively, for N, P and K. They were evaluated: gas exchange, leaf dry matter, stem, fruit and leaf area. The concentration of 150 % of the recommended NPK to the culture of watermelon was the most effective in increasing the physiological characteristics and dry matter accumulation in stem, leaf, fruit, and leaf area. The combined application of mineral and organic fertilizer provides equivalent photosynthetic rate isolated application of mineral fertilizer with an 50/50 ratio the most effective for this variable. The proportions 75/25 and 50/50 were the most efficient in dry matter accumulation in watermelon. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar las respuestas fisiológicas y de crecimiento de la sandía mediante la aplicación de dosis de NPK, utilizando diferentes proporciones de fertilizantes minerales y orgánicos. El experimento se realizó en un área ubicada en la Universidad Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal - PB (6º48'16''S y 37º49'15 '' O), de junio a septiembre de 2013. Los tratamientos fueron compuesto por tres concentraciones de nutrientes N, P y K (50, 100 y 150% de la recomendación NPK para sandías) y cinco proporciones de fertilizante mineral y orgánico (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 y 0/100). El diseño fue en bloques al azar, en un esquema factorial de 3 x 5, con cuatro repeticiones. La cantidad de NPK correspondiente al 100% fue de 120 kg ha-1. Se evaluaron: intercambio gaseoso, materia seca de hojas, tallo y frutos y área foliar. La concentración de 150% de la recomendación NPK para el cultivo de la sandía fue la más eficiente para incrementar las características fisiológicas y en la acumulación de materia seca del tallo, hoja y fruto, y en el área foliar. La aplicación combinada de fertilizante mineral y orgánico proporciona una tasa fotosintética equivalente a la aplicación aislada de fertilizante mineral, siendo la relación 50/50 la más eficiente para esta variable. Las proporciones 75/25 y 50/50 fueron las más eficientes en la acumulación de masa seca en la sandía. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas e de crescimento da melancieira sob aplicação de doses de NPK, utilizando diferentes proporções de adubos minerais e orgânicos. O experimento foi realizado em área localizada na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal – PB (6º48’16’’S e 37º49’15’’ W), durante o período de junho a setembro de 2013. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de três concentrações dos nutrientes N, P e K (50, 100 e 150 % da recomendação de NPK para melancieira) e cinco proporções de adubo mineral e orgânico (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 e 0/100). O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 3 x 5, com quatro repetições. A quantidade de NPK correspondente a 100% foi de 120 kg ha-1. Foram avaliadas: as trocas gasosas, a matéria seca das folhas, do caule, e dos frutos, e a área foliar. A concentração de 150% da recomendação de NPK para a cultura da melancieira foi a mais eficiente no incremento das características fisiológicas e no acúmulo de matéria seca do caule, da folha, e do fruto, e na área foliar. A aplicação combinada de fertilizante mineral e orgânico proporciona taxa fotossintética equivalente à aplicação isolada de fertilizante mineral, sendo a proporção 50/50 a mais eficiente para essa variável. As proporções 75/25 e 50/50 foram as mais eficientes no acúmulo de massa seca na melancieira.

The lack of information on the growth of forage grasses in semi-arid environment, especially from the perspective of irrigation, is one of the obstacles to regular forage supply, as well as to the rational use of irrigation water. The objective with this study was to evaluate the leaf gas exchanges, biomass flow and structural characteristics of buffel grass cultivar Gayndah under different water supplies (30, 60, 90 and 120% of the reference evapotranspiration - ETo) during the dry season and dry-rainy season, in completely randomized design in a split-plot scheme with three repetitions. The experiment was conducted in Sobral, CE, Brazil (3° 45? 00.77? S and 40° 20? 38.55? W, altitude of 101 m) from September 2015 to January 2016. A higher photosynthetic rate was verified during the dry season, evidencing the adaptability of buffel grass to environments with water restriction. Overall, the best morphogenic and structural characteristics and the biomass production were observed in the dry season. The 90% ETo regime leads to maximum amount of forage accumulation, whereas the 30% ETo allows the maintenance of the cultivar Gayndah of buffel grass in a state of latency during the dry season. [Morfofisiologia do capim-buffel cultivado sob diferentes suprimentos hídricos na estação seca e estação seca chuvosa]. Resumo: A carência de informações sobre o crescimento de gramíneas forrageiras em ambiente semiárido, sobretudo sob a perspectiva de irrigação, é um dos entraves para a oferta regular de forragem, assim como para o uso racional da água de irrigação. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se avaliar as trocas gasosas foliares, o fluxo de biomassa e as características estruturais do capim-buffel cultivar Gayndah em diferentes suprimentos hídricos (30, 60, 90 e 120% da evapotranspiração de referência - ETo na estação seca e estação seca chuvosa, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas com três repetições. O experimento foi conduzido em Sobral, CE (3° 45? 0.77? S e 40° 20? 38.55? O, altitude de 101 m) no período de setembro de 2015 a janeiro de 2016. Foi verificada maior taxa fotossintética durante a estação seca, evidenciando adaptabilidade do capim-buffel a ambientes com restrição hídrica. De maneira geral, as melhores características morfogênicas e estruturais e a produção de biomassa foram observadas na estação seca. O regime de 90% da ETo proporciona o máximo de acúmulo de forragem, ao passo que o tratamento de 30% da ETo, possibilita a manutenção do capim-buffel, cultivar Gayndah em estado de latência durante o período de estiagem. Made available in DSpace on 2019-07-19T00:41:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CNPC2019Morphophysiology.pdf: 956895 bytes, checksum: 157a60cef55474165754fd4d3233d3b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and phytochemical responses of Stevia rebaudiana to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation (Rhizoglomus irregulare) and P fertilization (0, 25 and 50 mg P205 kg"' of substrate). At the end of the vegetative phase, AMF colonization, growth parameters (leaf specific weight, harvest index and below-ground biomass), steviol glycosides (SVglys) concentration and composition, leaf gas exchanges, photosynthetic pigments and soluble sugar content, were assessed. The inoculated plants showed increased harvest index, reduced specific leaf weight and a significant increase of total soluble sugars and total monosaccharides in their roots. Both AMF and P fertilization had meaningful effects on stevia, modifying sugar partitioning and stimulating leaf gas exchanges. AMF x P interaction positively affected SVglys concentration and composition, shifting the pathway towards the production of rebaudioside A, B and C. So, a highest rebaudioside (A+B+C) to ste-vioside ratio was observed in all inoculated plants, to indicate an increased stevia leaf quality in terms of organoleptic properties.

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the growth and development of poinsettia ‘Prestige Red’ (Euphorbia pulcherrima) grown in a commercial peat-based potting mix (Sunshine Mix #1) amended with biochar at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, or 100% (by volume) at four different fertigation regimes: F1: 100 to 200 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N), F2: 200 to 300 mg·L−1 N (control), F3: 300 to 400 mg·L−1 N, or F4: 400 to 500 mg·L−1 N. The experiment was a two-factor factorial design with 10 replications for each combination of biochar by fertigation. As the percentage of biochar increased, root substrate pore space and bulk density increased, while container capacity decreased. Root rot and red bract necrosis only occurred in F4 combined with 100% biochar. Plants grown in 40% biochar had a similar growth and development to those in 0% biochar. Up to 80% biochar, plants exhibited no significant change, except in terms of dry weight, which decreased at higher biochar percentages (60% and 80%). In summary, at a fertigation rate of 100 mg·L−1 N to 400 mg·L−1 N, up to 80% biochar could be used as an amendment to peat-based root substrate with acceptable growth reduction and no changes in quality.

Drought represents one of the most relevant abiotic stress affecting growth and yield of crop plants. In order to improve the agricultural productivity within the limited water and land resources, it is mandatory to increase crop yields in presence of unfavorable environmental stresses. The use of biostimulants, often containing seaweed extracts, represents one of the options for farmers willing to alleviate abiotic stress consequences on crops. In this work, we investigated the responses of Arabidopsis plants treated with an extract from the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE), under drought stress conditions, demonstrating that ANE positively influences Arabidopsis survival. Pre-treatment with ANE induced a partial stomatal closure, associated with changes in the expression levels of genes involved in ABA-responsive and antioxidant system pathways. The pre-activation of these pathways results in a stronger ability of ANE-treated plants to maintain a better photosynthetic performance compared to untreated plants throughout the dehydration period, combined with a higher capacity to dissipate the excess of energy as heat in the reaction centers of photosystem II. Our results suggest that drought stressed plants treated with ANE are able to maintain a strong stomatal control and relatively higher values of both water use efficiency (WUE) and mesophyll conductance during the last phase of dehydration. Simultaneously, the activation of a pre-induced antioxidant defense system, in combination with a more efficient energy dissipation mechanism, prevents irreversible damages to the photosynthetic apparatus. In conclusion, pre-treatment with ANE is effective to acclimate plants to the incoming stress, promoting an increased WUE and dehydration tolerance.

O presente estudo avaliou o desempenho ecofisiológico das espécies Zea mays (milho), Sorghum bicolor (sorgo) e Brachiaria decumbens (braquiária) sob condições de déficit hídrico em casa de vegetação. O potencial hídrico foliar, trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila a e variáveis bioquímicas do metabolismo fotossintético foram avaliados no máximo estresse e na reidratação. Aos 90 dias após a emergência e sob 21 dias com suspensão da irrigação o milho apresentou a maior redução do potencial hídrico (248%), condutância estomática (87%) e fotossíntese (53%) quando comparado às plantas bem hidratadas. O sorgo apresentou redução de 212%, 42% e 26%, enquanto a braquiária mostrou valores menores em 105%, 36% e 31%, respectivamente para os mesmos parâmetros. Entretanto, dois dias de reidratação foram o suficiente para todas as espécies recuperarem os valores apresentados pelos respectivos controles. A espécie que apresentou a menor queda relacionada aos parâmetros avaliados foi o sorgo, com redução em apenas 4 das 14 variáveis avaliadas, enquanto braquiária e milho reduziram 9 variáveis quando sob seca. O presente estudo destaca que, além da questão econômica, a tomada de decisão por parte de técnicos e pequenos agricultores de quais espécies devem ser utilizadas, sob baixa disponibilidade de tecnologia e alto risco de ocorrência de falta de água, deve-se levar em conta também o desempenho ecofisiológico. The present study evaluated the ecophysiological performance of species Zea mays (maize), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) and Brachiaria decumbens (Brachiaria) under water deficit conditions in a greenhouse. The leaf water potential, gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and biochemical variables of photosynthetic metabolism were assessed at maximum stress and rehydration. At 90 days after emergence and under 21 days under suspension of irrigation the maize showed the highest reduction of leaf water potential (248%), stomatal conductance (87%) and photosynthesis (53%) when compared to well watered plants. Sorghum decreased by 212%, 42% and 26%, while the brachiaria showed lower values in 105%, 36% and 31%, respectively for the same parameters. However, two days of water supply were enough for all species recover the values showed by the respective controls. The species with the smallest decrease related to the variables evaluated was sorghum, which reduced 4 among 14 variables evaluated, while brachiaria and maize decreased 9 variables when under drought. The present study highlights that beyond economics, decision making by small farmers and technicians, about which species should be used under low availability of technology and high risk of water shortages should take into account also the ecophysiological performance.

This study was undertaken to investigate how different cultivars of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) responded to boron (B) excess. Two purple-leafed and eight green-leafed cultivars were hydroponically grown for 20 d with 0.2 or 20 mg L–1 B in the nutrient solution. Leaf B concentration, gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and oxidative stress were determined at the end of the treatment along with the severity of leaf necrosis. A range of tolerance to B toxicity was found: the green cultivars were more susceptible than the purple-leafed ones characterized by a higher constitutive anthocyanin concentration. In all the genotypes B excess resulted in oxidative stress as determined by accumulation of malondialdehyde by-products (MDA), reduced photosynthesis, and the occurrence of leaf burn. A close correlation was found between leaf B accumulation and oxidative stress, as well as between oxidative stress and the severity of leaf burn. Net photosynthesis (Pn) was reduced due to both stomatal and nonstomatal limitations in the green cultivars whereas the reduction of Pn in the purple leaves was only attributable to stomatal factors. Chlorophyll a fluorescence revealed a decrease in the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and in the electron transport rate (ETR) in plants grown with B excess although less reduction was observed in the purple genotypes. The quantum yield of PSII (UPSII) decreased as a result of B toxicity only in the green cultivars. It is concluded that anthocyanins are involved in attenuation of the negative effects of B toxicity.

Forest functionality and productivity are directly related to canopy light interception and can be affected by potential damage from high irradiance. However, the mechanisms by which leaves adapt to the variable light environments along the multilayer canopy profile are still poorly known. We explored the leaf morphophysiological and metabolic responses to the natural light gradient in a pure European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest at three different canopy heights (top, middle and bottom). Structural adjustment through light-dependent modifications in leaf mass per area was the reason for most of the variations in photosynthetic capacity. The different leaf morphology along the canopy influenced nitrogen (N) partitioning, water- and photosynthetic N-use efficiency, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and quali-quantitative contents of photosynthetic pigments. The Chl a to Chl b ratio and the pool of xanthophyll-cycle pigments (VAZ) increased at the highest irradiance, as well as lutein and ?-carotene. The total pool of ascorbate and phenols was higher in leaves of the top and middle canopy layers when compared with the bottom layer, where the ascorbate peroxidase was relatively more activated. The non-photochemical quenching was strongly and positively related to the VAZ/(Chl a + b) ratio, while Chl a/Chl b was related to the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Along the multilayer canopy profile, the high energy dissipation capacity of leaves was correlated to an elevated redox potential of antioxidants. The middle layer gave the most relevant contribution to leaf area index and carboxylation capacity of the canopy. In conclusion, a complex interplay among structural, physiological and biochemical traits drives the dynamic leaf acclimation to the natural gradients of variable light environments along the tree canopy profile. The relevant differences observed in leaf traits within the canopy positions of the beech forest should be considered for improving estimation of carbon fluxes in multilayer canopy models of temperate forests.

International audience; Soil carboxydovore bacteria are the biological sink of atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO). The initial oxidation of CO is catalyzed by a CO-dehydrogenase (CODH), and the gene coxL encodes the large subunit of the enzyme. Only a few carboxydovore isolates were shown to oxidize atmospheric CO and little is known about the potential impact of global change on the ecophysiology of this functional group. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of land-use and soil properties on coxL gene diversity and identify molecular indicators for the soil uptake of atmospheric CO. Soil samples were collected in three neighboring sites encompassing different land-use types, namely deciduous forest, larch plantation and maize field. CO uptake activity was related to total carbon and nitrogen content in soil, with the highest activity observed in deciduous forest. An extensive coxL database was assembled to optimize a PCR detection assay targeting sequences belonging to functional type I-CODH and hypothetical type II-CODH. Fully replicated coxL gene libraries unveiled a unique molecular signature in deciduous forest soil, with enrichment of type I sequences. Genetic profiles of larch and maize monocultures were not statistically different and showed higher level of coxL gene richness than deciduous forest. Soil water content and CO uptake activity explained 38% of the variation of coxL gene profiles in a canonical ordination analysis, leading to the identification of sequences belonging to the δ-Proteobacteria cluster as indicator for high affinity CO uptake activity. Enrichment of type I and δ-Proteobacteria coxL sequences in deciduous forest were confirmed by qPCR in an independent soil survey. CO uptake activity in model carboxydovore bacteria suggested that a significant fraction of detected putative high affinity CO oxidizers were active in soil. Land-use was a driving force separating coxL diversity in deciduous forest from monocultures.

This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under boron (B) excess. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in a sandy soil-peat mixture using a nutrient solution containing 0.2 (control), 10 and 20 mg L(-1) B. Visible symptoms were quantified and leaf B accumulation, gas exchanges, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, malondialdehyde by-products and antioxidants were investigated 20 days after the beginning of the treatments. Boron toxicity induced oxidative load and leaf necrotic burns coupled with the reduction of leaf growth and biomass accumulation in both species. Boron excess resulted in a decrease of Chl a/b ratio, potential (Fv/Fm) and actual (ΦPSII) PSII quantum efficiency, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration (E) as well. A general stimulation of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase was observed, and a significant increase in the oxidized form of ascorbate and glutathione was evidenced for treated plants of both species. A difference between the two species was observed: C. pepo appeared to be more sensitive to B stress being damaged at all B concentration. C. sativus grown at 10 mg L(-1) B in nutrient solution showed some down-regulated mechanisms, i.e. increase in Chl b content and a good photochemical PSII efficiency as well as a higher amount of constitutive antioxidant molecules, that, however, are not sufficient to contrast the negative effects of B.

Aniba rosaeodora is an Amazonian tree species that belongs to the family Lauraceae. Due to intense exploitation for extraction of essential oils (mainly linalol), A. rosaeodora is now considered an endangered species. On the other hand, there is little information about its ecophysiology which would be useful to support future forest planting programs. Hence, the effect of different light intensities on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of young plants of A. rosaeodora was studied. Nine-month-old plants were subjected to four light treatments (T1= 10 a 250 µmol.m-2.s-1 / control; T2=500 to 800, T3=700 to 1000 and T4=1300 to 1800 µmol.m-2.s-1 / full sunlight). Allometric variables, gas exchange, contents of pigments and chlorophyll a fluorescence were analysed. As to the relative growth rates, it was found that plants of A. rosaeodora showed higher biomass accumulation when grown under intermediary irradiance conditions (T2). The best photosynthetic performance was achieved under conditions of T3. When growth was correlated with photosynthesis, it was found that plants under treatments T2 and T3 presented better responses in comparison with the lowest (T1) and highest (T4) light extremes. The highest pigment contents were obtained for plants in the shade (T1) and the lowest for those exposed to full sunlight (T4). The photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was found that only plants in the shade treatment (T1) presented no stress from high irradiance. These findings suggest that both treatments (T1 and T4) altered the function of the A. rosaeodora plants, inhibiting photosynthesis and growth. Plants of A. rosaeodora developed photo-protection mechanisms under full sunlight. However, the species presented better photosynthetic response and biomass gain under intermediary irradiance conditions, displaying relative physiological plasticity, during the seedling phase. Essa espécie arbórea da Amazônia, Aniba rosaeodora Ducke, pertence à família das Lauraceae. Em vista da intensa e desordenada exploração, visando à extração de óleos essenciais (linalol), o pau-rosa figura na lista de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Poucos estudos ecofisiológicos têm sido feito no sentido de subsidiar futuros programas de plantios florestais. Dessa forma, pesquisou-se o efeito de diferentes irradiâncias sobre as características fotossintéticas e de crescimento em plantas de A. rosaeodora, na fase juvenil. Plantas com nove meses foram submetidas a quatro tratamentos de luz (T1 = 10 a 250 µmol.m-2.s-1 / controle; T2 = 500 a 800, T3 = 700 a 1.000 e T4 = 1.300 a 1.800 µmol.m-2.s-1 / pleno sol). Analisaram-se variáveis alométricas, trocas gasosas, teores de pigmentos cloroplastídicos e a fluorescência da clorofila a. Quanto ao crescimento relativo, observou-se que plantas de A. rosaeodora exibiram maior acúmulo de biomassa quando crescidas sob condições intermediárias de irradiância (T2). O melhor desempenho fotossintético foi induzido por T3. Quando se correlacionou crescimento com fotossíntese, percebeu-se que as plantas submetidas aos tratamentos T2 e T3 exibiram melhores respostas em comparação com os extremos de menor (T1) e maior irradiâncias (T4). Os maiores teores de pigmentos cloroplastídicos foram obtidos nas plantas sob sombra (T1) e os menores teores encontrados naquelas expostas a pleno sol (T4). Quanto à eficiência fotoquímica do fotossistema II (Fv/Fm) observou-se que apenas as plantas do tratamento de sombra (T1) não apresentaram estresse por alta irradiância. Os resultados sugerem que ambos os tratamentos (T1 e T4) alteraram a funcionalidade das plantas de A. rosaeodora, inibindo a fotossíntese e o crescimento. A pleno sol, plantas de A. rosaeodora desenvolveram mecanismos de fotoproteção. No entanto, a espécie apresentou melhor resposta fotossintética e ganho de biomassa em condições intermediárias de irradiância, demonstrando relativa plasticidade fisiológica, durante o estádio juvenil.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:49:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0006-87052002000300005.pdf: 176918 bytes, checksum: 3c6b6c53305f1a083909669bac9d6af1 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:49:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0006-87052002000300005.pdf: 176918 bytes, checksum: 3c6b6c53305f1a083909669bac9d6af1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-12-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:45:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0006-87052002000300005.pdf: 176918 bytes, checksum: 3c6b6c53305f1a083909669bac9d6af1 (MD5) S0006-87052002000300005.pdf.txt: 36669 bytes, checksum: c57c4c97f44db6894708344c02ffd6f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-12-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T14:04:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0006-87052002000300005.pdf: 176918 bytes, checksum: 3c6b6c53305f1a083909669bac9d6af1 (MD5) S0006-87052002000300005.pdf.txt: 36669 bytes, checksum: c57c4c97f44db6894708344c02ffd6f6 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T14:04:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0006-87052002000300005.pdf: 176918 bytes, checksum: 3c6b6c53305f1a083909669bac9d6af1 (MD5) S0006-87052002000300005.pdf.txt: 36669 bytes, checksum: c57c4c97f44db6894708344c02ffd6f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-12-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) A Região do Planalto Ocidental Paulista tem se destacado como pólo produtor de borracha natural. Visando fornecer informações sobre a adaptação dos clones de seringueira [Hevea brasiliensis (Wildd. ex. Adr. de Juss) Müell. Arg.] RRIM 600, GT 1, RRIM 701, IAN 873 e PB 235, em São José do Rio Preto (SP), realizaram-se avaliações de alguns caracteres de sua biologia, pelo acompanhamento das trocas gasosas e mensuração do desenvolvimento vegetativo durante os primeiros 18 meses após o enxerto sobre Tjir 16. A altura de RRIM 600 atingiu, em média, 3,74 m e o diâmetro do caule de IAN 873 e RRIM 600, 2,50 cm. PB 235 apresentou o menor índice relativo de crescimento durante o período. No período úmido, os valores das trocas gasosas não diferiram significativamente entre os clones, com valores médios da taxa fotossintética de 9,45 mmol.m-2.s-1; para a taxa de transpiração, 3,84 mmol.m-2.s-1, e para a condutância estomática, de 0,096 mol.m-2.s-1. Diferenças entre os valores de trocas gasosas ocorreram apenas no período seco, com redução mais acentuada para PB 235. Considerando o conjunto dos caracteres analisados, o desempenho dos clones IAN 873 e RRIM 600 foi superior, e do clone PB 235, inferior. The region of São Paulo Occidental Plateau is well known for its part as a major producer of natural rubber. In order to obtain information about adaptation of rubber tree clones [Hevea brasiliensis (Wildd. ex. Adr. de Juss) Müell. Arg.] RRIM 600, RRIM 701, IAN 873, PB 235 and GT 1, in the city of São José do Rio Preto some biologic characteristics were evaluated. Analysis were performed by monitoring gas exchanges and by measuring vegetative development, during the 18 months after engraft on the Tjir 16 clonal rootstocks. The height of RRIM 600 reached a mean of 3,74 m, and the diameter of the stem of IAN 873 and RRIM 600 reached the mean of 2,50 cm. Clone PB 235 presented the lowest relative growth during the period. During the wet period, the values of the gas exchange did not show significant variation among the clones; the mean value of photosynthetic rates was 9,45 mmol.m-2.s-1; of transpiration rates was 3,84 mmol.m-2 s-1, and of stomatic conductance was 0,096 mol.m-2 s-1. Differences in values of gas exchanges were observed only during the dry period, with notably large reduction for clone PB 235. The characteristics analyzed lead to the conclusion that performances of clones IAN 873 and RRIM 600 were superior, and that of clone PB 235 were inferior. UNESP PIBIC CNPq UNESP Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica UNESP PIBIC UNESP Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica

The climatic changes predicted for the next century need to better understand the effects of water stress on the ecophysiological response of the plants in the Mediterranean areas. Gas exchanges, water potential and Leaf Area Index measurements were carried out during three years summer campaigns. Moreover remotely sensed analysis were performed to analyse vegetation indices. Measurements performed at leaf level on the four species have shown in Fraxinus ornus L. a reduction of more than 50% in net CO2 assimilation in the hottest hours of the day. The two species belonging to Quercus genus showed a more costant assimilation rate, where the evergreen Mediterranean Stone Pine shows a reduction in net photosynthesis during midday hours. Leaf area index average data from field measurements have enabled to discriminate broadleaf deciduous communities (LAI=4.21±0.53) from coniferous evergreen communities (LAI=3.2±0.28). Remote sensing vegetation index results conducted on a multitemporal basis are in agreement with the response obtained from the field functional and structural data. The multiscale integrated experimental approach applied in this study seems a useful tool to define more clearly the ecological response of the main woody species of the Circeo National Forest and their sensitivity to global changes.

The aim of this work is to analyze the effects of a) short-term treatments with different concentrations of O 3 (daily 6-hour fumigation with 0, 65, 175 and 300 ppb for 3-4 days); and b) a medium term treatment with O 3 (150 ppb three times a week for thirty days on the whole) and CO 2 (700 ppm) on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and peroxidase activity in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) leaves. The results show that net photosynthesis, transpiration, F V /F M ratio and POD activity were not influenced until an O 3 concentration of 300 ppb was reached. At this threshold, significant alterations in these physiological and biochemical parameters were found. The treatment with +CO 2 +O 3 showed an increase of net photosynthesis suggesting thus an antagonistic effect of CO 2 with regard to O 3 -induced injuries, while CO 2 alone increased photosynthesis and decreased transpiration but induced no effects on F V /F M ratio or peroxidase activity. From out data, holm oak shows a resistance to episodes of photochemical O 3 stress, that in the Mediterranean region can reach peaks of > 100 ppb. This response is likely to be due to the inorpho-anatomic structure of holm oak leaves and their sclerophyllous adaptations. This might leads holm oak to adopt a stress tolerance strategy with regard to leaf response to O 3 , the effects of which cannot be ameliorated by an increase of atmospheric CO 2 .

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a tree species that can be used in the recovery of degraded areas, as it exhibits rapid growth and has a very expansive root system, facilitating water uptake from the deeper layers of the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate photosynthesis and enzymatic activity in S. terebinthifolius seedlings under conditions of water deficit and their potential to recover following re-irrigation. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under a plastic covering where plants were distributed into two groups: Group 1 - control plants, where irrigation was maintained at 70% of the water retention capacity, and Group 2 - stressed plants, where irrigation was suspended until the photosynthetic rate neared zero, followed by rehydration for 12 days, then a further suspension of irrigation. At the beginning of the experiment and during the suspension of irrigation and rehydration, plants were evaluated for gas and antioxidant enzyme exchanges. Hydric stress significantly reduced photosynthesis, stomatal transpiration conductance, carboxylation efficiency of Rubisco, and the chlorophyll content of the S. terebinthifolius plants. Following rehydration, plants recovered the carboxylation efficiency of Rubisco, but not the photosynthetic rate. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased in both the aerial part and the root in response to water deficit.