Cold plasma treatment influences the physiological parameters of millet

J. PERNER, J. MATOUŠEK, H. AUER MALINSKÁ

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):126-137 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.010  

In recent years, cold plasma treatment has emerged as a promising method to positively impact early seed growth. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cold plasma treatment on millet seeds with ambient air plasma discharge at pressures of 100 Pa and power ranging from 40 to 250 W. Results indicated that cold plasma treatment significantly increased radicle length by up to 112.5% (250 W) after 48 h and up to 57% (120 W) after 72 h compared to nontreated plants. The study also found that cold plasma treatment influenced electron transport during the primary phase of photosynthesis, with the effect varying with the power of discharge. However,...

Photosystem II efficiency in response to diurnal and seasonal variations in photon flux density and air temperature for green, yellow-green, and purple-leaved cultivars of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam]

J.Y. JIANG, C.W. WANG, C.I. CHEN, C.W. CHEN, S.L. WONG, S.P. CHEN, M.Y. HUANG, J.H. WENG

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):116-125 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.007  

This study aimed to investigate the impact of diurnal and seasonal variations in photon flux density (PPFD) and air temperature on PSII efficiency in three sweet potato leaf-color cultivars: green (G), yellow-green (Y), and purple (P). The cultivars were exposed to full sunlight and measurements were taken from November to March. The maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry for the dark-adapted state (F_v/F_m) indicated Y's increased sensitivity to low temperatures at predawn, followed by G and P. Both quantum yield of PSII photochemistry for the dark and light-adapted state (ΔF/F_m') depressions were correlated...

Photosynthetic acclimation to temperature is affected by night temperature in Zea mays

J.A. BUNCE

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):112-115 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.008  

In this study, Zea mays L. was grown in indoor controlled environment chambers with a uniform daytime temperature of 30°C, and night-time temperatures of 30, 25, 20, or 15°C. Responses of net photosynthesis (P_N) of mature leaves at high PPFD to intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i) were measured at 20, 25, and 30°C using a new method that generates a complete P_N vs. C_i curve in less than four minutes. Results indicated that photosynthesis measured at both C_i values of 25 and 150 μmol mol^-1 increased strongly with measurement...

Physiological and molecular characteristics associated with the anti-senescence in Camellia oleifera Abel.

Z. ZHANG, Y.M. XU, Z.L. HE, C.X. LIU, R. WANG, X.N. WANG, Y.H. PENG, L.S. CHEN, S.F. PENG, L. MA, Z.G. LI, W. TANG, Y.Z. CHEN, J. CHEN, X.H. YANG

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):102-111 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.003  

This study analyzed physiological and molecular characteristics associated with the resistance to aging or anti-senescence in Camellia oleifera Abel. Trees over 100 years old (ancient trees) were compared with those about 30 years old (mature trees). Total chlorophylls, chlorophyll a/b ratio, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in ancient tree leaves were significantly higher than in their counterparts. Significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were detected in ancient tree leaves. Nine Chl a/b-binding protein genes, 15 antioxidant enzyme genes, 21 hormone-related genes, and...

Isolation, cloning, and gene expression analysis of phosphoglycolate phosphatase from green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

T. MAMEDOV, G. ZAKIYEVA, F. DEMIREL, G. MAMMADOVA, G. HASANOVA

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):90-101 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.002  

Phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGPase), a key enzyme in photosynthetic organisms, catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphoglycolate, which is largely produced by the oxygenase activity of Rubisco, and is a potent inhibitor of several Calvin cycle enzymes. PGPase (CrPGPase 1) was previously cloned, purified, and characterized from unicellular green Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In silico analysis revealed two more candidates encoding PGPase enzymes in the C. reinhardtii genome. In this study, we isolated, cloned, and overexpressed three PGPase genes (pgp1, pgp2, pgp3) from C. reinhardtii and performed...

Photosynthetic responses of heat-stressed apple leaves to foliar application of salicylic and ascorbic acid

I. MIHALJEVIĆ, M. VILJEVAC VULETIĆ, V. TOMAŠ, Z. ZDUNIĆ, D. VUKOVIĆ

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):79-89 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.006  

High temperatures have significant impacts on fruit tree production. Foliar spraying application of promoting agents can be a sustainable approach to managing high-temperature stress in orchards. The mechanism of certain improving agents on photosynthesis is not yet well understood, particularly in fruit trees. Photosynthesis, as a vital and very sensitive process in plants, is a pivotal component in fruit production. Therefore, in this study, we explored the potential of two different promoting agents, salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AsA), to alleviate oxidative stress caused by high temperature in controlled conditions (37°C for 1 h) at the...

Effect of cryptochrome 1 deficiency and spectral composition of light on photosynthetic processes in A. thaliana under high-intensity light exposure

A. KHUDYAKOVA, V. KRESLAVSKI, A. KOSOBRYUKHOV, M. VERESHAGIN, S.I. ALLAKHVERDIEV

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):71-78 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.009  

The role of cryptochrome 1 in photosynthetic processes and pro-/antioxidant balance in the Arabidopsis thaliana plants was studied. Wild type (WT) and hy4 mutant deficient in cryptochrome 1 grown for 20 d under red (RL, 660 nm) and blue (BL, 460 nm) light at an RL:BL = 4:1 ratio were kept for 3 d in different lights: RL:BL = 4:1, RL:BL:GL = 4:1:0.3 (GL - green light, 550 nm), and BL, then were exposed to high irradiance (4 h). Activity of PSII and the rate of photosynthesis in WT and hy4 decreased under the high irradiance in all spectral variants but under BL stronger decrease in the activity was found in the hy4 mutant...

Exogenous melatonin alleviates nicosulfuron toxicity by regulating the growth, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidative defense of sweet corn seedlings

J.X. HUANG, Y.B. LIU, R. XIAO, T. YU, T. GUO, H.W. WANG, X.L. LV, X.N. LI, M. ZHU, F.H. LI

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):58-70 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.004  

Improper use of nicosulfuron (NSF) may induce harmful effects on plants during weed control. Melatonin (MT) regulates photosynthetic and physiological processes in plants. This study aimed to explore the effects of MT on alleviating NSF toxicity by measuring the growth parameters, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidative responses in sweet corn seedlings. Compared to NSF alone, exogenous MT increased chlorophyll content, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and maximum efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry, while reduced malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical, and proline contents. Moreover, MT...

Phosphorus-deficiency stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants: early detection based on chosen physiological parameters and statistical analyses

L. SIECZKO, K. KOWALCZYK, J. GAJC-WOLSKA, W. KOWALCZYK, P. DĄBROWSKI, W. BORUCKI, M. JANASZEK-MAŃKOWSKA, J.L. PRZYBYŁ, J. MOJSKI, H.M. KALAJI

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):44-57 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.005  

Enhancing plant productivity and mitigating the impact of environmental stressors require a thorough understanding of phytomonitoring and physiological features indicative of plant health. This study delves into the response of cucumber plants to phosphorus deficiency employing diverse tools to identify key indicators and unravel the underlying mechanisms. Under phosphorus deficiency, a rapid response in older leaves was observed through the analysis of chlorophyll and carotenoid content. Molecular-level changes in photosynthetic performance were found to be age-dependent, as revealed by multidimensional statistical methods, highlighting the interconnectedness...

Contributions by Christa Critchley to photosynthesis research and to plant ecophysiology

G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):40-43 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.011  

Christa Critchley is a distinguished researcher in basic and applied photosynthesis research. Her research has centered on the structure and function of chloroplasts and the application of chlorophyll a fluorescence to understanding the way PSII works. In her research, she used two biophysical tools, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, as well as several other biochemical and plant physiological methods. Later in her career, she pioneered research in artificial photosynthesis (AP) focusing on the process of light-mediated water splitting and oxygen evolution. Here, only a glimpse of her life and some...

Heterocapsa cf. bohaiensis (dinoflagellate): identification and response to nickel and iron stress revealed through chlorophyll a fluorescence

V. MÉRIOT, A. ROUSSEL, N. BRUNET, N. CHOMERAT, G. BILIEN, L. LE DÉAN, V. BERTEAUX-LECELLIER, N. COULOMBIER, N. LEBOUVIER, T. JAUFFRAIS

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):27-39 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.038  

Metal toxicity in marine ecosystems is a growing issue owing to terrestrial runoff and anthropogenic pollution. Heterocapsa cf. bohaiensis, a newly isolated dinoflagellate from New Caledonia, was cultivated in photobioreactors operating continuously with high concentrations (10^-3 M) of nickel (Ni²⁺) and/or iron (Fe²⁺) and their photosynthetic efficiency was assessed. The photosynthetic measurements indicated that H. cf. bohaiensis was tolerant to Ni²⁺ but sensitive to Fe²⁺ high concentrations. In the presence of Fe²⁺, maximum quantum efficiency...

Exogenous calcium-alleviating effect on sodium salt-induced phytotoxicity associated with changes in photosynthetic characteristics of wheat seedlings

Y. ZHANG, G.M. LIU, Z.F. WANG, A.M. ZHANG, Y.L. YANG

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):16-26 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.039  

To evaluate the Ca-alleviating effect on sodium salt-induced phytotoxicity, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Xihan 3 seedlings were treated with 150 mM NaCl, CaCl₂ (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), Ca²⁺-channel blocker LaCl₃, and/or Ca²⁺ chelator, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) alone or in combination, to investigate seedling growth and photosynthetic characteristics. NaCl (150 mM) exposure alone suppressed a growth of seedling, weakened photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, reduced photosynthetic pigments, Ca²⁺ and calmodulin (CaM) contents, and downregulated...

Regulation of photosynthesis and water-use efficiency in pima and upland cotton species subjected to drought and recovery

J.M. HAN, J. FLEXAS, D.L. XIONG, J. GALMÉS, Y.L. ZHANG

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):6-15 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.036  

Photosynthesis is extremely sensitive to drought and decreases due to co-occurring stomatal, mesophyll, and biochemical limitations. Few studies have shown the effects of a drought cycle (drought-rewatering) on photosynthesis and water-use efficiency (WUE) in cotton. Here, the dynamics of photosynthesis in upland (Gossypium hirsutum) and pima (G. barbadense) cotton were analyzed during a drought cycle. While both species decreased net CO₂ assimilation rate (P_N) to a similar extent under drought, in pima cotton rewatering rapidly restored P_N, the stomatal conductance (g_s),...

HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY George Edward Hoch (1931–2023): a great photosynthesis scholar, a real family man, and a wonderful friend to many

G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2024, 62(1):1-5 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.001  

We present here a tribute to George E. Hoch, one of the top leaders in deciphering the primary steps of oxygenic photosynthesis. After providing his academic background, we discuss his selected research on the photoreactions of photosynthesis. We end this tribute with reminiscences by Robert S. Knox, Jerome Kaye, and Doris Teichler-Zallen.

In appreciation of an ingenious scientist and a great friend: Győző Garab

G. GOVINDJEE

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):461-464 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.040  

To express my appreciation of Győző Garab, I describe below our association over the years, followed by a brief description of his fundamental research in the area of biophysics of photosynthesis.

EDITORIAL

P.H. LAMBREV, T. JANDA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):398-404 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.044  

Microdomains heterogeneity in the thylakoid membrane proteins visualized by super-resolution microscopy

R. KAŇA, B. ŠEDIVÁ, O. PRÁŠIL

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):483-491 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.043  

The investigation of spatial heterogeneity within the thylakoid membrane (TM) proteins has gained increasing attention in photosynthetic research. The recent advances in live-cell imaging have allowed the identification of heterogeneous organisation of photosystems in small cyanobacterial cells. These sub-micrometre TM regions, termed microdomains in cyanobacteria, exhibit functional similarities with granal (Photosystem II dominant) and stromal (Photosystem I dominant) regions observed in TM of higher plants. This study delves into microdomain heterogeneity using super-resolution Airyscan-based microscopy enhancing resolution to approximately ~125...

Monitoring the photosynthetic activity at single-cell level in Haematococcus lacustris

P.P. PATIL, K. NAGY, Á. ÁBRAHÁM, I. VASS, M. SZABÓ

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):473-482 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.042  

Haematococcus lacustris is an important species of green algae because it produces the high-value carotenoid astaxanthin. Astaxanthin production is enhanced by various stress conditions causing the transformation of green vegetative cells to red cells with high amounts of astaxanthin, which plays various photoprotective and antioxidant roles. Although intensive research has been conducted to reveal the regulation of astaxanthin production, the photosynthetic capacity of the various cell forms is unresolved at the single-cell level. In this work, we characterized the photosynthetic and morphological changes of Haematococcus cells, using a combination...

Photosynthetic reaction center/graphene bio-hybrid for low-power optoelectronics

J. VUJIN, T. SZABÓ, R. PANAJOTOVIC, A.G. VÉGH, L. RINYU, L. NAGY

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):465-472 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.041  

Photosynthetic reaction center (pRC) purified from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 purple bacteria was deposited on a graphene carrier exfoliated from the liquid phase and layered on the surface of SiO₂/Si substrate for optoelectronic application. Light-induced changes in the drain-source current vs. gate voltage are demonstrated. Dried photosynthetic reaction centers/graphene composite on SiO₂/Si shows a photochemical/-physical activity, as a result of interaction with the current flow in the graphene carrier matrix. The current changes are sensitive to light, due to the contribution from the charge separation in...

Growth light substantially affects both primary and secondary metabolic processes in Catharanthus roseus plants

F. GHOLIZADEH, É. DARKÓ, K. BENCZÚR, K.Á. HAMOW, M. DERNOVICS, K. NAGY, T. JANDA, M.R. RADY, G. GOHARI, M. PÁL, V.N. LE, G. SZALAI

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):451-460 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.037  

Common periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) is an important medicinal plant used by the pharmaceutical industry. The present work aimed to determine the effect of low light intensity on the primary and secondary metabolic processes, using various photosynthesis and targeted and untargeted analytical techniques. Growth light had only limited effects on the photosynthetic electron transport processes, although membrane stability seemed slightly higher in plants growing under higher light conditions. The reduced growth light caused a reduction in certain primary metabolites, including amino acids and sugars, and it also reduced the contents of...

The impact of physiologically relevant temperatures on physical properties of thylakoid membranes: a molecular dynamics study

B. FEHÉR, I.K. VOETS, G. NAGY

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):441-450 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.035  

Thylakoid membranes are energy-converting membranes with a unique lipid composition. Though the membranes are primarily composed of proteins, their photosynthetic function is strongly influenced by the lipid constituents. Here we characterize, with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, lipid bilayers with compositions representative of plant thylakoid membranes. We determine, in a wide range of temperatures, the physical parameters of the model membranes which are relevant for the photosynthetic function. We found a marked impact of temperature on membrane permeability due to a combination of increased compressibility and curvature of the membrane...

Single-cell microfluidics in combination with chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements to assess the lifetime of the Chlamydomonas PSBO protein

E. SZÉLES, S. KUNTAM, A. VIDAL-MEIRELES, V. NAGY, K. NAGY, Á. ÁBRAHÁM, L. KOVÁCS, S.Z. TÓTH

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):417-424 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.028  

PSBO is an essential subunit of the oxygen-evolving complex and we recently demonstrated that its lifetime depends on environmental conditions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. To assess PSBO lifetime with a high time resolution, we employed (1) a microfluidic platform enabling the trapping of single cells and the parallel measurement of photosynthetic activity, and (2) a nitrate-inducible PSBO amiRNA line. Our microfluidic platform allowed the rapid replacement of the nutrient solution necessary for induction. It also enabled the precise monitoring of the decline in the F_v/F_m value, reflecting PSBO loss....

Priming of Pisum sativum seeds with stabilized Pluronic P85 nanomicelles: effects on seedling development and photosynthetic function

S. KRUMOVA, A. PETROVA, D. KOLEVA, S. PETROVA, S. STOICHEV, N. PETROVA, T. TSONEV, P. PETROV, V. VELIKOVA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):432-440 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.033  

Natural and synthetic polymers are widely explored for improving seed germination and plant resistance to environmental constraints. Here, for the first time, we explore stabilized nanomicelles composed of the biocompatible triblock co-polymer Pluronic P85 (SPM) as a priming agent for Pisum sativum (var. RAN-1) seeds. We tested a wide concentration range of 0.04-30 g(SPM) L^-1. Applying several structural and functional methods we revealed that the utilized nanomicelles can positively affect root length, without any negative effects on leaf anatomy and photosynthetic efficiency at 0.2 g L^-1, while strong negative...

Influence of reduced amounts of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol on the thylakoid membranes of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

T. LIEBISCH, M. BAŞOGLU, S. JÄGER, C. BÜCHEL

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):425-431 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.032  

Diatom thylakoids contain much higher amounts of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) than vascular plants and the hypothesis was brought forward that this relates to their special thylakoid structure. To test this hypothesis we created knock-down mutants in Thalassiosira pseudonana that exhibited a decreased SQDG content per cell. Surprisingly, the ratio between the different lipid classes did not change, pointing to strict regulation of thylakoid lipid composition. The antenna proteins, fucoxanthin-chlorophyll proteins (FCP), were reduced and photosystem (PS) I compared to PSII was increased as judged from absorbance spectra. CD spectroscopy...

LHCII - a protein like a 'Swiss Army knife' with many mechanisms and functions

E. JANIK-ZABROTOWICZ, W.I. GRUSZECKI

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(4):405-416 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.025  

The review highlights the relationship between the molecular organization of the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII) and sunlight utilization by higher plants. The molecular form of LHCII switches rapidly and reversibly during diurnal changes of light intensity, from low (ca. 10) to high [ca. 1,000 µmol(photon) m^-2 s^-1], so the sensitivity of LHCII to light may control the balance between light harvesting and photoprotection state. Our understanding and concept of this mechanism are based on the knowledge of the structure and photophysics of different LHCII molecular forms: monomer, dimer, trimer,...

Changes in the photosynthetic response of lettuce exposed to toxic element multicontamination under hydroponic conditions

M. LHOTSKÁ, V. ZEMANOVÁ, D. PAVLÍKOVÁ, F. HNILIČKA

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):390-397 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.034  

The effect of toxic element multicontamination on photosynthetic responses was observed in a greenhouse hydroponic culture of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa var. capitata). The experiment focused only on the combined effect of selected toxic elements without the influence of soil, due to the hydroponic conditions. Pre-cultivated (six-true-leaf stage) plants were grown in control and contaminated hydroponic culture for 14 d. The mix of toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in the contaminated solution corresponded to the water-soluble fraction of soil from the anthropogenically contaminated Litavka River area, Czech Republic. The plant response...

Morphophysiological responses of Theobroma cacao L. rootstocks to flooding and post-flooding conditions

M.L.P.B. PINTO, J. CRASQUE, B. CERRI NETO, T.R. FERREIRA, C.A.S. SOUZA, A.R. FALQUETO, T.C. DE SOUZA, J.A. MACHADO FILHO, L.O. ARANTES, S. DOUSSEAU-ARANTES

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):377-389 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.031  

This study investigates how cocoa rootstocks respond to flooding and post-flooding conditions, offering insights for cocoa plantation sustainability in flood-prone areas due to climate change. We studied Theobroma cacao L. rootstocks for 60 d of flooding and 30 d post-flooding, grafting PS-1319 scions onto five rootstocks (TSH-1188, Cepec-2002, Pará, Esfip-02, SJ-02). Photochemical performance remained stable across rootstocks, while flooding progressively reduced electron transport efficiency. Photochemical damage emerged after 7 d, worsening occurred at 19 d. Although post-flooding efficiency improved, recovery time was insufficient for full...

Responses of wild Piper species to drought and rehydration cycles considering stomatal closure as a marker of the alarm phase

B. CERRI NETO, F.R.N. SILVA, T.R. FERREIRA, J. CRASQUE, L.O. ARANTES, J.A. MACHADO FILHO, T.C. DE SOUZA, A.R. FALQUETO, S. DOUSSEAU-ARANTES

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):363-376 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.030  

Studies that simulate recurrent drought events with subsequent episodes of rehydration better reflect natural conditions and allow visualization of differential acclimatization responses resulting from memory and tolerance mechanisms. Piper aduncum and Piper tuberculatum were grown in a greenhouse and were subjected to three successive cycles of drought and subsequent rehydration. After suspending irrigation, gas exchanges were measured daily with IRGA. When stomatal conductances close to zero were obtained, the plants were rehydrated and kept irrigated. In P. tuberculatum, stomatal conductance was always higher after periods of...

Evaluating the effect of grafting methods and rootstocks through the analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence

J. CRASQUE, B. CERRI NETO, M.L.P.B. PINTO, T.R. FERREIRA, A.R. FALQUETO, L.O. ARANTES, J.A. MACHADO FILHO, C.A.S. SOUZA, E.R. SCHMILDT, S. DOUSSEAU-ARANTES

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):354-362 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.029  

This study evaluated the side-cleft grafting in native species of the genus Piper (Piper aduncum L., Piper hispidum Sw., and Piper tuberculatum Jacq.) with BRS Kottanadan pepper cultivar as rootstocks (Experiment 1). The top-cleft grafting was evaluated in native species Piper arboreum Aubl., P. aduncum, and P. tuberculatum with Balankotta pepper cultivar as graft using black pepper cv. Bragantina (Experiment 2). Black pepper cv. Bragantina autograft was considered as control. The rootstock P. tuberculatum showed initial incompatibility with the cv. Bragantina, with survival of about 34.8% (side)...

Impact of salt stress on physiology, leaf mass, and nutrient accumulation in romaine lettuce

B. ADHIKARI, O.J. OLORUNWA, S. BRAZEL, T.C. BARICKMAN, R. BHEEMANAHALLI

Photosynthetica 2023, 61(3):342-353 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.027  

The impact of salt stress is becoming more prevalent each year, largely due to the effects of climate change. Limited availability of salt-free water is rising concern for hydroponics lettuce production. Despite evidence supporting salt stress-induced quality losses and physiological changes, studies on romaine lettuce salt-stress tolerance are limited. This study examined the mechanism underlying the sodium chloride (NaCl) tolerance (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) of lettuce on its growth and nutrition at late-rosette and early head-formation stages. Results revealed 76% fresh mass reduction under increased NaCl at both stages. The study also found unchanged...