Shedding some light on cold acclimation, cold adaptation, and phenotypic plasticity

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman P.A. Hüner ◽  
Rainer Bode ◽  
Keshav Dahal ◽  
Florian A. Busch ◽  
Marc Possmayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Cellular Energy ◽  
Excitation Pressure

In the past, the role of light as an energy source was largely ignored in research focused on cold acclimation and freezing tolerance in plants. However, cold acclimation is an energy-requiring process. We summarize research illustrating that photoautrophs as diverse as cyanobacteria (Plectonema boryanum), green algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Dunaliella salina, Chlamydomonas raudensis), crop plants (Triticum aestivum L., Secale cereale L., Brassica napus L.), and conifers (Pinus banksiana) L.) tailor the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus to changes in temperature and irradiance to maintain cellular energy balance called photostasis. Modulation of either temperature or irradiance results in a similar imbalance in cellular energy that is sensed through changes in chloroplastic excitation pressure. Thus, concepts of photostasis and excitation pressure provide the context through which one can explain the congruence of phenotypic plasticity and photosynthetic performance associated with cold acclimation and photoacclimation. Photosynthetic organisms can sense changes in temperature and irradiance through modulation of the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, which, in turn, governs phenotype through the regulation of nuclear gene expression and chloroplast biogenesis. We suggest that elucidation of the molecular mechanism(s) by which excitation pressure regulates phenotypic plasticity and photosynthetic performance will be essential in addressing the challenge of maintaining or perhaps enhancing crop productivity under the suboptimal growth conditions predicted to occur as a consequence of climate change.

scholarly journals Development and Yield Traits Indicate That the Constitutive Wound Response Phenotype of Prosystemin Overexpressing Tomato Plants Entails No Fitness Penalty

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1148
Author(s):  
Mariela Luna Martínez ◽  
Norma Martínez-Gallardo ◽  
Kena Casarrubias-Castillo ◽  
Simona M. Monti ◽  
Mariangela Coppola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsically Disordered Protein ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Defense Responses ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Wound Response ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Environmentally Sound

Systemin is a peptide hormone that regulates the wound response in tomato plants. Consequently, the overexpression of its prosystemin (ProSys) precursor protein leads to a resource-demanding constitutive activation of tomato’s wound-response. According to the growth vs. defense resource allocation premise, ProSys overexpression should negatively affect the physiological fitness of tomato plants. The present study was performed to explore why the opposite effect was steadily observed, instead. It was based on the premise that a better understanding of this unexpected outcome could help establish improved wound and related defense responses without negatively affecting crop productivity. To this effect, an experimental strategy was deployed to measure various physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters associated with either development, productivity, defense or in combination in untransformed (WT) and ProSys overexpressing (ProSys-OE) tomato plants. Thus, the chlorophyll fluorescence data obtained from plants grown under greenhouse experiments indicated that photosynthetic performance was not affected in ProSys-OE plants which also grew 7–14% taller than WT plants. Moreover, they showed accelerated flowering and yielded fruits of increased size (7–16% taller and wider) and weight (16–58% heavier), with modified fruit quality in terms of firmness (28% higher), titratable acidity (27–32% higher) and chemical composition. These findings suggest two complementary possibilities: (i) systemin is able to modulate both the wound response and plant development through the activation of jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signaling, and (ii) ProSys, an intrinsically disordered protein, acts as a signaling hub to regulate development and defense programs. These results shed light on the understanding of this plant regulatory mechanism and further suggest that systemin/ProSys-based regulation is central to control the defense-development balance in tomato. This knowledge could eventually lead to improved and more environmentally sound agricultural production practices.

scholarly journals Phytotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles on Tobacco Plants: Evaluation of Coating Effects on Photosynthetic Performance and Chloroplast Ultrastructure

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 744
Author(s):  
Petra Peharec Štefanić ◽  
Karla Košpić ◽  
Daniel Mark Lyons ◽  
Lara Jurković ◽  
Biljana Balen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Chloroplast Ultrastructure ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Pigment Content ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Tobacco Plants ◽  
Agriculture And Food ◽  
The Impact

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most exploited nanomaterial in agriculture and food production, and their release into the environment raises concern about their impact on plants. Since AgNPs are prone to biotransformation, various surface coatings are used to enhance their stability, which may modulate AgNP-imposed toxic effects. In this study, the impact of AgNPs stabilized with different coatings (citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)) and AgNO3 on photosynthesis of tobacco plants as well as AgNP stability in exposure medium have been investigated. Obtained results revealed that AgNP-citrate induced the least effects on chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and pigment content, which could be ascribed to their fast agglomeration in the exposure medium and consequently weak uptake. The impact of AgNP-PVP and AgNP-CTAB was more severe, inducing a deterioration of photosynthetic activity along with reduced pigment content and alterations in chloroplast ultrastructure, which could be correlated to their higher stability, elevated Ag accumulation, and surface charge. In conclusion, intrinsic properties of AgNP coatings affect their stability and bioavailability in the biological medium, thereby indirectly contributing changes in the photosynthetic apparatus. Moreover, AgNP treatments exhibited more severe inhibitory effects compared to AgNO3, which indicates that the impact on photosynthesis is dependent on the form of Ag.

Fluorescence as a tool in photosynthesis research: application in studies of photoinhibition, cold acclimation and freezing stress

1989 ◽  
Vol 323 (1216) ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Yield ◽  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Spinacia Oleracea ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Fluorescence Induction ◽  
High Light ◽  
Thermal Dissipation ◽  
Freezing Stress ◽  
Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction ◽  
Freezing And Thawing

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction (at 20 °C and 77 K) and quenching were analysed in relation to effects of environmental stresses imposed by chilling in high light and by freezing and thawing of spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves. The data indicate that cold acclimation of spinach plants, which leads to increased frost tolerance of the leaves, results in decreased susceptibility to photoinhibition of photosynthesis at chilling temperatures. When plants acclimated to 18 °C and 260-300 µmol quanta m -2 s -1 were exposed to higher light (550 µmol quanta m -2 s -1 ) at 4 °C, they developed strong photoinhibition, as characterized by decreased quantum yield of O 2 evolution and decreased ratio of variable: maximum fluorescence (F V /F M ) of photosystem II. The decrease in F V /F M resulted from a decline in F V and an increase in F 0 . The F V /F M ratio was lowered to a significantly greater extent when induction was recorded at 20 °C, as compared with 77 K. The effects related to photoinhibition were fully reversible at 18 °C in dim light. Plants that had been cold-acclimated for 10 days exhibited slightly decreased quantum yield and lowered F V /F M ratio. However, they did not show further photoinhibition on exposure to 550 µmol quanta m -2 s -1 at 4 °C. The reversible photoinhibition is discussed as a protective pathway serving for thermal dissipation of excessive light energy. It is hypothesized that such a mechanism prevents destruction of the photosynthetic apparatus, until other means of protection become effective during long-term acclimation to high light. Inhibition of photosynthetic carbon assimilation caused by freezing and thawing of leaves in the dark was closely correlated with inhibition of photochemical fluorescence quenching (q Q ). As a sensitive response of the thylakoid membranes to freezing stress, the energy-dependent quenching, q E , was inhibited. Only more severe impact of freezing caused a significant decline in the F V /F M ratio. It is concluded that measurements of fluorescence induction signals ( F V /F M ratios) provide a sensitive tool with which to investigate photoinhibition, whereas freezing damage to the photosynthetic system can be detected more readily by the quenching coefficients q Q and q E than by F V /F M ratios.

scholarly journals Analysis of Cold-Developed vs. Cold-Acclimated Leaves Reveals Various Strategies of Cold Acclimation of Field Pea Cultivars

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Husičková ◽  
Jan F. Humplík ◽  
Miroslav Hýbl ◽  
Lukáš Spíchal ◽  
Dušan Lazár
Keyword(s):  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Remote Sensing Technology ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Quenching Analysis ◽  
Shoot Growth Rate ◽  
Whole Plants

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) belong among the world’s oldest domesticated crops, serving as a source of proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Autumn sowing allows a higher biomass production as well as the avoidance of the drought and heat stresses of late spring. However, the character of European continental winters limits plant growth and development through cold stress. This work sought parameters that reflect the cold tolerance of pea plants and consequently to suggest an afila-type pea cultivar with resilience to European continental winters. For this purpose, we employed indoor remote sensing technology and compared the 22-day-long acclimation to 5 °C of four pea cultivars: Arkta, with normal leaves and the known highest cold resistance to European continental winters, and Enduro, Terno and CDC Le Roy, all of the afila type. Besides evaluation of shoot growth rate and quenching analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) by imaging methods, we measured the chlorophyll content and ChlF induction with a nonimaging fluorometer. Here we show that the acclimation to cold of the Arkta exhibits a different pattern than the other cultivars. Arkta showed the fastest retardation of photosynthesis and shoot growth, which might be part of its winter survival strategy. Terno, on the other hand, showed sustained photosynthetic performance and growth, which might be an advantageous strategy for spring. Surprisingly, Enduro showed sustained photosynthesis in the stipules, which transferred and acclimated to 5 °C (cold-acclimated). However, of all the cultivars, Enduro had the strongest inhibition of photosynthesis in new stipules that developed after the transition to cold (cold-developed). We conclude that the parameters of ChlF spatial imaging calculated as averages from whole plants are suboptimal for the characterization of various cold acclimation strategies. The most marked changes were obtained when the new cold-developed leaves were analyzed separately from the rest of the plant.

The effects of phenotypic plasticity on photosynthetic performance in winter rye, winter wheat and Brassica napus

2011 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keshav Dahal ◽  
Khalil Kane ◽  
Winona Gadapati ◽  
Elizabeth Webb ◽  
Leonid V. Savitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Winter Rye

scholarly journals Freezing Tolerance of Lolium multiflorum/Festuca arundinacea Introgression Forms is Associated with the High Activity of Antioxidant System and Adjustment of Photosynthetic Activity under Cold Acclimation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Augustyniak ◽  
Izabela Pawłowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Lechowicz ◽  
Karolina Izbiańska-Jankowska ◽  
Magdalena Arasimowicz-Jelonek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Antioxidant System ◽  
Freezing Tolerance ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species Generation ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Protein Accumulation ◽  
Oxygen Species

Though winter-hardiness is a complex trait, freezing tolerance was proved to be its main component. Species from temperate regions acquire tolerance to freezing in a process of cold acclimation, which is associated with the exposure of plants to low but non-freezing temperatures. However, mechanisms of cold acclimation in Lolium-Festuca grasses, important for forage production in Europe, have not been fully recognized. Thus, two L. multiflorum/F. arundinacea introgression forms with distinct freezing tolerance were used herein as models in the comprehensive research to dissect these mechanisms in that group of plants. The work was focused on: (i) analysis of cellular membranes’ integrity; (ii) analysis of plant photosynthetic capacity (chlorophyll fluorescence; gas exchange; gene expression, protein accumulation, and activity of selected enzymes of the Calvin cycle); (iii) analysis of plant antioxidant capacity (reactive oxygen species generation; gene expression, protein accumulation, and activity of selected enzymes); and (iv) analysis of Cor14b accumulation, under cold acclimation. The more freezing tolerant introgression form revealed a higher integrity of membranes, an ability to cold acclimate its photosynthetic apparatus and higher water use efficiency after three weeks of cold acclimation, as well as a higher capacity of the antioxidant system and a lower content of reactive oxygen species in low temperature.

scholarly journals Effect of cold acclimation on the photosynthetic performance of two ecotypes of Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl.

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (13) ◽  
pp. 3581-3590 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Bravo ◽  
F. A. Saavedra-Mella ◽  
F. Vera ◽  
A. Guerra ◽  
L. A. Cavieres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Colobanthus Quitensis

Stress tolerance responses of two cotton cultivars exposed to ultraviolet-A (366 nm) radiation: photosynthetic performance and chemical constituents

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. H. Ebrahim
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Stress Tolerance ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Soluble Proteins ◽  
Hill Reaction ◽  
Ultraviolet A

The stress tolerance responses of two Egyptian cotton cultivars (Giza 45 and 86) exposed to various doses (40, 80, 160 and 320 min) of artificial ultraviolet-A (366 nm) radiation were investigated. The seed germination of Giza 86 was promoted at 40 min, but substantially inhibited at 80 and 160 min and completely suppressed at 320 min. However, the seed germination of Giza 45 was progressively inhibited by UV-A exposure and ceased at 160 min, so doses of 40 and 80 min were selected for further studies. In contrast to seed germination, the seedling growth of Giza 86 was negatively affected at 40 min. UV-A stress induced a great reduction in the leaf carbohydrates as well as in the viability and dry mass production of the shoots of both cultivars, but the response was comparatively higher in Giza 45. It also decreased the chorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid contents, coupled with an increase in the Chl a/b ratio, diminished the Hill reaction activity, and quenched the Chl a fluorescence both in the presence and absence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, suggesting an inhibitory effect on the water-splitting system (donor side) as well as on the electron transport from the primary to the secondary acceptors of PSII (acceptor side). These changes reflect a disturbance in the structure, composition and function of the photosynthetic apparatus as well as the sensitivity of PSII to UV-A stress. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were markedly damaged by exposure to UV-A for 80 min, while both cultivars developed adaptive mechanisms for damage moderation. These mechanisms involved increasing the levels of flavonoids, total lipids and total soluble proteins as well as having smaller, thicker leaf blades. Since Giza 86 showed a comparatively higher level of adaptation, it tolerates UV-A stress better than Giza 45. Abbreviations: Car, carotenoids; Chl, chlorophyll; DCMU, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea; DCPIP, 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; d.m., dry mass; f.m., fresh mass; PSII, photosystem II; RNA, ribonucleic acid; TSP, total soluble proteins; UV-AR, ultraviolet-A (366 nm) radiation.

Plastid Signals Confer Arabidopsis Tolerance to Water Stress

2011 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Cheng ◽  
Chun-Xia He ◽  
Zhong-Wei Zhang ◽  
Fei Xu ◽  
Da-Wei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Stress Adaptation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Oxidative Damages ◽  
Nuclear Gene Expression ◽  
Retrograde Signalling ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mutant Cells

Plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signalling coordinates nuclear gene expression with chloroplast function and is essential for the photoautotrophic life-style of plants. The relationship between plastid signalling and water stress response was investigated with genome uncoupled (gun) mutants, gun1, gun3, and gun5, and an abscisic acid (ABA)-responsible transcription factor mutant, abi4. The results showed that gun1, gun3, gun5, and abi4 mutants suffered from more oxidative damages than the wild-type plants under the water stress and the water stress + herbicide (norflurazon, NF) co-treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities could not be prompted in the plastidsignalling defective mutants under the stress conditions. At the same time, Lhcb expression was not repressed in the plastid-signalling defective mutants by the NF treatment or water stress. Therefore, the photosynthetic apparatus in the mutant cells could not be closed during the stresses and the excessive light caused more photodamages on the mutant leaves. The roles of GUN1, GUN3, GUN5 and ABI4 proteins in environmental stress adaptation have been discussed.

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