Photosynthetica 2008, 46(4):547-551 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-008-0092-y

Photosynthetic activity of poikilochlorophyllous desiccation tolerant plant Reaumuria soongorica during dehydration and re-hydration

D. H. Xu1,2,*, J. H. Li1, X. W. Fang1, G. Wang1, P. X. Su2
1 Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Ecology of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
2 The Institute of Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

Diurnal patterns of gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters of photosystem 2 (PS2) as well as Chl content were analyzed in Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim., a perennial semi-shrub during dehydration and rehydration. The net photosynthetic rate (P N), maximum photochemical efficiency of PS2 (variable to maximum fluorescence ratio, Fv/Fm), quantum efficiency of non-cyclic electron transport of PS2, and Chl content decreased, but non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence and carotenoid content increased in stems with the increasing of drought stress. 6 d after re-hydration, new leaves budded from stems. In the re-watered plants, the chloroplast function was restored and Chl a fluorescence returned to a similar level as in the control plants. This improved hydraulic adjustment in plant triggered a positive effect on ion flow in the tissues and increased shoot electrical admittance. Thus R. soongorica plants are able to sustain drought stress through leaf abscission and keep part of Chl content in stems.

Additional key words: carotenoids; chlorophyll fluorescence; drought stress; non-photochemical quenching; photosystem 2; quantum efficiency; relative water content; stomatal conductance

Received: June 4, 2008; Accepted: August 1, 2008; Published: December 1, 2008  Show citation

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Xu, D.H., Li, J.H., Fang, X.W., Wang, G., & Su, P.X. (2008). Photosynthetic activity of poikilochlorophyllous desiccation tolerant plant Reaumuria soongorica during dehydration and re-hydration. Photosynthetica, 46(4), 547-551. doi: 10.1007/s11099-008-0092-y
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