Photosynthetica, 2012 (vol. 50), issue 4

Photosynthetica 2012, 50(4):541-548 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-012-0060-4

Ecophysiological responses of Caragana korshinskii Kom. under extreme drought stress: Leaf abscission and stem survives

D. H. Xu1,*, X. W. Fang1, P. X. Su2, G. Wang1
1 State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems/School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
2 Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China

Caragana korshinskii Kom. is a perennial xerophytic shrub, well known for its ability to resist drought. In order to study ecophysiological responses of C. korshinskii under extreme drought stress and subsequent rehydration, diurnal patterns of gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters of photosystem II as well as Chl content were analyzed. Plant responses to extreme drought included (1) leaf abscission and using stem for photosynthesis, (2) improved instantaneous water-use efficiency, (3) decreased photosynthetic rate and partly closed stomata owing to leaf abscission and low water status, (4) decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (variable to maximum fluorescence ratio, Fv/Fm), quantum efficiency of noncyclic electron transport of PSII, and Chl a and Chl b. Four days after rehydration, new leaves budded from stems. In the rewatered plants, the chloroplast function was restored, the gas exchange and Chl fluorescence returned to a similar level as control plant. The above result indicated that maintaining an active stem system after leaf abscission during extreme drought stress may be the foundation which engenders these mechanisms rapid regrowth for C. korshinskii in arid environment.

Keywords: chlorophyll content; chlorophyll fluorescence; fluorescence quenching; photosynthesis; stress response

Received: February 3, 2012; Accepted: May 16, 2012; Published: December 1, 2012Show citation

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Xu, D.H., Fang, X.W., Su, P.X., & Wang, G. (2012). Ecophysiological responses of Caragana korshinskii Kom. under extreme drought stress: Leaf abscission and stem survives. Photosynthetica, 50(4), 541-548. doi: 10.1007/s11099-012-0060-4.
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