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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2015, Vol. 14 Issue (9): 1755-1766    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61148-0
Physiology·Biochemistry·Cultivation·Tillage Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effects of light intensity on photosynthesis and photoprotective mechanisms in apple under progressive drought
 MA Ping, BAI Tuan-hui, WANG Xiao-qian, MA Feng-wang
College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Yangling 712100, P.R.China
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摘要  The effects of light intensity on photosynthesis and photoprotective mechanisms under progressive drought were studied on apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) Fuji. The potted trees were exposed to drought stress for 12 days and different light conditions (100, 60 and 25% sunlight). During the progressive drought, the relative water content (RWC) in leaf declined and was faster in full light than in 60 and 25% sunlight. However, the decrease in the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and Rubisco activity were slower under 100% sunlight condition than other light conditions. After the 6 days of drought, the maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), the capacity of electrons move beyond QA − (1–VJ) and electron move from intersystem to PSI acceptor side (1–VI)/(1–VJ) decreased, with greater decline extent in brighter light. While RWCs were >75%, the variations in different light intensities of Gs and Rubisco activity at identical RWC, suggested the direct effects of light. While the little difference in the state of photosynthetic electron transport chain among tested light intensities indicates the results of faster water loss rate of light. Our results also demonstrated that the enhancement the de-epoxidations of xanthophyll cycle, activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) were directly regulated by light intensity. While the higher photorespiration rate (Pr) under stronger light condition was mainly caused by faster water loss rate of light.

Abstract  The effects of light intensity on photosynthesis and photoprotective mechanisms under progressive drought were studied on apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) Fuji. The potted trees were exposed to drought stress for 12 days and different light conditions (100, 60 and 25% sunlight). During the progressive drought, the relative water content (RWC) in leaf declined and was faster in full light than in 60 and 25% sunlight. However, the decrease in the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and Rubisco activity were slower under 100% sunlight condition than other light conditions. After the 6 days of drought, the maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), the capacity of electrons move beyond QA − (1–VJ) and electron move from intersystem to PSI acceptor side (1–VI)/(1–VJ) decreased, with greater decline extent in brighter light. While RWCs were >75%, the variations in different light intensities of Gs and Rubisco activity at identical RWC, suggested the direct effects of light. While the little difference in the state of photosynthetic electron transport chain among tested light intensities indicates the results of faster water loss rate of light. Our results also demonstrated that the enhancement the de-epoxidations of xanthophyll cycle, activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) were directly regulated by light intensity. While the higher photorespiration rate (Pr) under stronger light condition was mainly caused by faster water loss rate of light.
Keywords:  apple       drought stress       photosynthesis       photoprotection  
Received: 17 December 2014   Accepted:
Fund: 

This work was supported by the Earmarked Fund for the China Agriculture Research System (CARS-28).

Corresponding Authors:  MA Feng-wang, Tel/Fax: +86-29-87082648,E-mail: fwm64@sina.com, fwm64@nwsuaf.edu.cn   

Cite this article: 

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