Editorial

3 pages, 189 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses: Deepening the Connotation and Expanding the Denotation

by Yanyou Wu

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020218 - 07 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1075

Abiotic stress factors influence many aspects of plant physiology. The works collected in the Special Issue deepen plant physiology’s connotation (such as plant electrophysiology) under abiotic stress and expand the denotation (such as environmental pollutants as abiotic stress factors). At the same time, [...] Read more.

Abiotic stress factors influence many aspects of plant physiology. The works collected in the Special Issue deepen plant physiology’s connotation (such as plant electrophysiology) under abiotic stress and expand the denotation (such as environmental pollutants as abiotic stress factors). At the same time, the achievements of the selected papers published in the Special Issue also exhibit their potential application value in the production of horticultural plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

Research

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13 pages, 2117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Translocation and Utilization Mechanisms of Leaf Intracellular Water in Karst Plants Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz and Brassica napus L.

by Deke Xing, Weixu Wang, Yanyou Wu, Xiaojie Qin, Meiqing Li, Xiaole Chen and Rui Yu

Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111082 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1151

Abstract

Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz adapts to karst environments through a variety of adaptability mechanisms. However, the leaf intracellular water translocation and utilization mechanism is still unknown. This study hypothesizes that plants adapt to dehydration by synergistically adjusting the leaf anatomy, cell [...] Read more.

Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz adapts to karst environments through a variety of adaptability mechanisms. However, the leaf intracellular water translocation and utilization mechanism is still unknown. This study hypothesizes that plants adapt to dehydration by synergistically adjusting the leaf anatomy, cell elasticity and intracellular water translocation. Leaf structure, elastic modulus (Em), physiological capacitance (CP), impedance (Z), water potential (Ψ_L), leaf tensity (LT) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the detached leaves in plants of O. violaceus and Brassica napus L. were measured at each water loss time (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h). The uniform leaves were randomly selected from five different plants for each species. The cell vacuole volume and translocation resistance of intracellular water could be represented by the electrophysiological parameters, such as CP and Z. The results indicated that timely shrinkage of O. violaceus leaves and mesophyll cells together with the increased water translocation resistance retained the intracellular water and maintained the turgor pressure. Water within sponge parenchyma could also be translocated into palisade parenchyma. The PSII reaction center was kept stable, and the photosynthetic activity of O. violaceus was clearly inhibited at 3 h. Palisade parenchyma of B. napus leaves increased quickly to improve the intercellular water translocation due to the strong cell stiffness. Gradually increasing intracellular water translocation resistance and recovery of the cell elasticity slowed down the leaf water loss, which, however, could not timely stop the damage on the PSII reaction center and the photochemical efficiency. The photochemical efficiency was seriously inhibited at 4 h and 5 h. The response mechanism of intracellular water to dehydration can be investigated with the help of leaf electrophysiological traits. However, the direct determination of plant drought resistance using electrophysiological information can still not be realized at present and needs further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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18 pages, 2906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Salt Treatment on the Growth, Water Status, and Gas Exchange of Pyrus pyraster L. (Burgsd.) and Tilia cordata Mill. Seedlings

by Viera Paganová, Marek Hus and Helena Lichtnerová

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060519 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1898

Abstract

Two-year-old seedlings of T. cordata and P. pyraster were exposed to salinity for 50 days, whereby each plant was subject to regular applications of a substrate solution containing 100 mM NaCl, amounting to a cumulative volume of 365 mL per plant. The adaptive [...] Read more.

Two-year-old seedlings of T. cordata and P. pyraster were exposed to salinity for 50 days, whereby each plant was subject to regular applications of a substrate solution containing 100 mM NaCl, amounting to a cumulative volume of 365 mL per plant. The adaptive reactions of the tree species in coping with salt stress were studied. The measured parameters were the growth and distribution of mass to organs, root to shoot mass ratio (R:S), content of assimilation pigments in the leaves, gas exchange parameters (g_s, E, A_n), and water use efficiency (WUE). The relative increase in biomass was reduced under salt treatment for both species. A significant decrease in the total FW and DW was observed only for T. cordata, which deposited 4.5 times more Na⁺ ions in the plant tissues compared with P. pyraster. In P. pyraster seedlings, Na⁺ ions mainly accumulated in the root (75%), and their distribution was limited to aboveground organs. Thus, a balanced content of the assimilation pigments in the leaves was maintained under salt treatment. In the initial (osmotic) phase of salt stress, P. pyraster reduced water consumption and maintained a steady rate of photosynthesis (A_n) per unit area. T. cordata responded to salinity by regulating stomatal conductance and increasing water use efficiency (WUE). T. cordata was not effective in blocking salt intake and transported Na⁺ ions to the leaves. Due to the high cumulative salt content in the substrate, the water potential of the leaf tissues and the rate of photosynthesis significantly decreased in salt-treated T. cordata seedlings. The results document the important role of the root system in the resistance of woody plants and in ensuring their survival in conditions of excessive salinity. The investment in root growth improved the water supply of P. pyraster seedlings and enhanced the retention of salt ions in the root system, thus limiting their transfer to leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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14 pages, 5320 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Saline–Alkali Stress on Sugar Metabolism of Jujube Fruit

by Yan Wang, Yifeng Feng, Min Yan, Ju Yu, Xiaofeng Zhou, Jingkai Bao, Qiaoqiao Zhang and Cuiyun Wu

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060474 - 26 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1809

Abstract

Sugar, an osmoregulatory substance used by plants to adapt to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, is one of the most important indexes of fruit quality. In this study, 0–150 mM saline–alkali solutions (NaCl:NaHCO₃ = 3:1) were used to irrigate the [...] Read more.

Sugar, an osmoregulatory substance used by plants to adapt to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, is one of the most important indexes of fruit quality. In this study, 0–150 mM saline–alkali solutions (NaCl:NaHCO₃ = 3:1) were used to irrigate the roots of 10-year-old “Junzao” fruit trees during the growth period to explore the regulation mechanism of different concentrations of saline–alkali stress on sugar and reactive oxygen metabolism in jujube fruit at maturity. The results showed that under low stress (0~90 mM), the contents of sucrose, glucose, and fructose in the jujube fruit and the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase decomposition direction (SS-I), and sucrose synthase synthesis direction (SS-II) increased with increases in stress concentration, results that were consistent with the relative expression trends of the SPS and SS genes; however, the results were reversed under high concentrations (120 and 150 mM). The soluble acid invertase (S-AI) activity decreased with increases in stress concentration under low stress, and the results were reversed with high stress, which was consistent with the relative expression trends of the ZjcINV3, ZjnINV1, and ZjnINV3. Research regarding the response of antioxidant enzymes in fruits under saline–alkali stress showed that only the differences in peroxidase (POD) activity under saline–alkali stress were consistent with sugar accumulation; the proline (PRO), catalase (CAT) decreased and the malondialdehyde (MDA) superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with increases in saline–alkali stress. These results indicate that the sugar metabolism and antioxidase jointly promote and regulate sugar accumulation in jujube fruits in a low saline–alkali environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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15 pages, 13169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salt Spray and Surfactants Induced Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Responses in Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Plants

by Stefania Toscano, Giovanni La Fornara and Daniela Romano

Horticulturae 2022, 8(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030261 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

The growth and aesthetic value of ornamental plant species used near coastlines are negatively influenced by salt spray. The presence of surfactants could enhance salt damage. To analyze the influences of salt spray and surfactants alone and in combination with each other, individual [...] Read more.

The growth and aesthetic value of ornamental plant species used near coastlines are negatively influenced by salt spray. The presence of surfactants could enhance salt damage. To analyze the influences of salt spray and surfactants alone and in combination with each other, individual Callistemon plants were subjected to different treatments for 8 weeks: a solution simulating the composition of seawater (salt spray), a solution containing an anionic surfactant (surfactant), a solution with salt spray and anionic surfactant (salt plus surfactants), and deionized water (control). To study the influence of different climatic conditions, two growing periods, from January to March (I CP) and from May to July (II CP), were established. Salt spray, alone or with surfactant action, influences plants’ growth and aesthetic features in different cycle periods. The percentage of leaf damage significantly increased with salt spray and salt plus surfactants during II CP (~27%). Additionally, the Na⁺ and Cl⁻ contents were enhanced in the leaves in both CPs, but the contents in the roots were only enhanced in the II CP. The gas exchanges were significantly influenced by the treatments, especially during the II CP, when a reduction in net photosynthesis due to salt spray was observed starting from the second week of stress. At the end of the experiment, in both cycle periods, the leaf proline content increased in the salt spray and salt plus surfactants treatments. In both CPs, PCA revealed that the morphological and physiological parameters were directly associated with the control and surfactants treatments, whereas the mineral contents and biochemical parameters were directly correlated with the salt and salt plus surfactants treatments. The additive effect of surfactant stress, compared to salt stress, did not appear to be significant, with the exception of CP II, and for some parameters, the solubilization action of surfactants was favored by higher temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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14 pages, 2024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Differential Response of Intracellular Water Metabolism Derived from Intrinsic Electrophysiological Information in Morus alba L. and Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. Subjected to Water Shortage

by Rui Yu, Yanyou Wu and Deke Xing

Horticulturae 2022, 8(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020182 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1447

Abstract

Plant electrical signals can quickly respond to the shifting environment. Almost all life activities of plants are dependent on water. The measurement of plant electrophysiological indices provides a more convenient method for studying the intracellular water utilization. In this study, Morus alba L. [...] Read more.

Plant electrical signals can quickly respond to the shifting environment. Almost all life activities of plants are dependent on water. The measurement of plant electrophysiological indices provides a more convenient method for studying the intracellular water utilization. In this study, Morus alba L. (Morus alba or M. alba) and Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. (Broussonetia papyrifera or B. papyrifera) were experimental materials, and the parameters were measured in two habitats (waterfront, well-water and arid slopes, deficient-water). The physiological and electrophysiological responses of leaves to different habitats were analyzed. The theoretically intrinsic relationships between the clamping force and leaf impedance (Z), capacitive reactance (Xc), resistance (R), and inductive reactance (Xl) were revealed as 3-parameter exponential decay and linear models based on bioenergetics, respectively. Leaf intrinsic electrophysiological parameters were successfully obtained by using the above-mentioned relationships and were used to manifest metabolic activity in plants. The intracellular water-holding capacity (IWHC), water use efficiency (IWUE), water-holding time (IWHT), and water transfer rate (WTR) of plant leaves were defined based on the intrinsic electrophysiological parameters and were used to reflect the intracellular water metabolism. The correlation between the physiological and electrophysiological parameters of the two plant species in the two habitats was also analyzed. The results showed that Morus alba continuously adapted to the shifting environment, the intracellular water metabolism was insensitive to soil water shortage and was independent from the external physiological state. The intracellular water metabolism in Broussonetia papyrifera was very sensitive to soil water shortage, and both intracellular water metabolism and immediate physiological parameters could characterize the response of Broussonetia papyrifera growth and development to soil water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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21 pages, 43808 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Three Water Regimes on the Physiological and Anatomical Structure of Stem and Leaves of Different Citrus Rootstocks with Distinct Degrees of Tolerance to Drought Stress

by Waqar Shafqat, Yasser S. A. Mazrou, Sami-ur-Rehman, Yasser Nehela, Sufian Ikram, Sana Bibi, Summar A. Naqvi, Mansoor Hameed and Muhammad Jafar Jaskani

Horticulturae 2021, 7(12), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120554 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4183

Abstract

Citrus is grown globally throughout the subtropics and semi-arid to humid tropics. Abiotic stresses such as soil water deficit negatively affect plant growth, physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy. Herein, we investigated the effect(s) of three water regimes (control, moderate drought, and severe drought) on [...] Read more.

Citrus is grown globally throughout the subtropics and semi-arid to humid tropics. Abiotic stresses such as soil water deficit negatively affect plant growth, physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy. Herein, we investigated the effect(s) of three water regimes (control, moderate drought, and severe drought) on the physiological and anatomical structure of 10 different citrus rootstocks with different degrees of tolerance to drought stress. Brazilian sour orange and Gadha dahi performed well by avoiding desiccation and maintaining plant growth, plant water status, and biochemical characters, while Rangpur Poona nucellar (C. limonia) and Sunki × bentake were the most sensitive rootstocks at all stress conditions. At severe water stress, the highest root length (24.33 ± 0.58), shoot length (17.00 ± 1.00), root moisture content (57.67 ± 1.53), shoot moisture content (64.59 ± 1.71), and plant water potential (−1.57 ± 0.03) was observed in tolerant genotype, Brazilian sour orange. Likewise, chlorophyll a (2.70 ± 0.06), chlorophyll b (0.87 ± 0.06) and carotenoids (0.69 ± 0.08) were higher in the same genotype. The lowest H₂O₂ content (77.00 ± 1.00) and highest proline content (0.51 ± 0.06) were also recorded by Brazilian sour orange. The tolerance mechanism of tolerant genotypes was elucidated by modification in anatomical structures. Stem anatomy at severe drought, 27.5% increase in epidermal cell thickness, 25.4% in vascular bundle length, 30.5% in xylem thickness, 27.7% in the phloem cell area, 8% in the pith cell area, and 43.4% in cortical thickness were also observed in tolerant genotypes. Likewise, leaf anatomy showed an increase of 27.9% in epidermal cell thickness, 11.4% in vascular bundle length, 21% in xylem thickness, and 15% in phloem cell area in tolerant genotypes compared with sensitive ones. These modifications in tolerant genotypes enabled them to maintain steady nutrient transport while reducing the risk of embolisms, increasing water-flow resistance, and constant transport of nutrients across. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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17 pages, 2537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigation of Drought Damages by Exogenous Chitosan and Yeast Extract with Modulating the Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidant Defense System and Improving the Productivity of Garlic Plants

by Khaled Abdelaal, Kotb A. Attia, Gniewko Niedbała, Tomasz Wojciechowski, Yaser Hafez, Salman Alamery, Talal K. Alateeq and Sally A. Arafa

Horticulturae 2021, 7(11), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110510 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 2800

Abstract

Garlic is an important vegetable in terms of its economic value and also as a medicinal plant. In this study, chitosan (300 mM) and yeast extract (8 g/L) were used individually or in combination to improve the yields of garlic plants under drought [...] Read more.

Garlic is an important vegetable in terms of its economic value and also as a medicinal plant. In this study, chitosan (300 mM) and yeast extract (8 g/L) were used individually or in combination to improve the yields of garlic plants under drought conditions (i.e., 75% and 50% of the water they would normally receive from irrigation) for two seasons. Significant decreases in numbers of leaves per plant and plant height, plant dry weight, relative water content, and chlorophyll a and b concentrations were found in stressed garlic plants in both seasons. The greatest reductions in these characters were recorded in plants that received only 50% of the normal irrigation in both seasons. Levels of hydrogen peroxide, products of lipid peroxidation such as malondialdehyde, and superoxide, as well as percentages of electrolyte leakage, were elevated considerably and were signals of oxidative damage. The application of the yeast extract (8 g/L) or chitosan (300 mM) individually or in combination led to a remarkable increase in the most studied characters of the stressed garlic plants. The combination of yeast extract (8 g/L) plus chitosan (300 mM) led to increase plant height (44%), ascorbic acid levels (30.2%), and relative water content (36.8%), as well as the chlorophyll a (50.7%) and b concentrations (79%), regulated the proline content and levels of antioxidant enzymes in stressed garlic plants that received 75% of the normal irrigation, and this decreased the signs of oxidative stress (i.e., percentage of electrolyte leakage and levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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14 pages, 1770 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Drought and Flooding on Alkaloid Production in Annona crassiflora Mart

by Ana Beatriz Marques Honório, Iván De-la-Cruz-Chacón, Mariano Martínez-Vázquez, Magali Ribeiro da Silva, Felipe Girotto Campos, Bruna Cavinatti Martin, Gustavo Cabral da Silva, Carmen Sílvia Fernandes Boaro and Gisela Ferreira

Horticulturae 2021, 7(10), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100414 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2360

Abstract

The Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome. In recent decades, a reduction in rainfall has indicated an extension of the dry season. Among the many native species of the Cerrado of the Annonaceae family and used in folk medicine, Annona crassiflora [...] Read more.

The Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome. In recent decades, a reduction in rainfall has indicated an extension of the dry season. Among the many native species of the Cerrado of the Annonaceae family and used in folk medicine, Annona crassiflora Mart. has fruits of high nutritional value and its by-products are sources of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids. The aim of the study was to investigate how water stress impacts the production of alkaloids. The study was carried out in a nursery, and the knowledge was flood, field capacity and drought. Gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, antioxidant enzymes, total soluble sugars, starch, reducing sugars, sucrose, total alkaloids and liriodenine were analyzed. We observed that plants subjected to drought had an increase in the production of total alkaloids and liriodenine, without a reduction in photosynthetic metabolism. Plants kept under drought and flood conditions dissipated higher peroxidase activity, while catalase was higher in flooded plants. Starch showed the highest concentration in flooding plants without differing from drought plants; the lowest trehalose concentrations were found in both drought and flooding plants. The drought stimulated the synthesis of total alkaloids and liriodenine without reducing the primary metabolism, which suggests adaptation to Cerrado conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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13 pages, 1385 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Foliage Spraying with Sodium Bisulfite on the Photosynthesis of Orychophragmus violaceus

by Zhongying Li, Yanyou Wu, Deke Xing, Kaiyan Zhang, Jinjin Xie, Rui Yu, Tian Chen and Rongrong Duan

Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060137 - 06 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2979

Abstract

Sulphurous acid derived from sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission leads to the pollution of irrigation water and the inhibition of plant growth. The safe concentration threshold of NaHSO₃ in plants should be clarified to promote agricultural production. In this study, Orychophragmus [...] Read more.

Sulphurous acid derived from sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission leads to the pollution of irrigation water and the inhibition of plant growth. The safe concentration threshold of NaHSO₃ in plants should be clarified to promote agricultural production. In this study, Orychophragmus violaceus seedlings were used as experimental materials and five NaHSO₃ concentrations (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 5, 10 mmol·L⁻¹) were simultaneously sprayed on the leaf surface of different seedlings separately. Leaf physiology responses under different concentrations were analyzed. The NaHSO₃ did not promote photosynthesis in O. violaceus under the 1 and 2 mmol·L⁻¹ treatments. It was conducive to the net photosynthetic rate (P_N), photorespiration rate (R_p), chlorophyll content, actual photochemical quantum yield (Y_II) and photochemical quenching (qP) under the 5 mmol·L⁻¹ treatment. However, quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y_NPQ) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were inhibited. Under the 10 mmol·L⁻¹ treatment, P_N, chlorophyll content, Y_II, qP, dark respiration rate (R_d) and electron transport rate (ETR) showed significant decreases, while the photorespiration portion (S_p) significantly increased. Our results demonstrated that NaHSO₃ provided a sulfur source for plant growth and interfered with the redox reaction of the plant itself, and its role as a photorespiratory inhibitor might be masked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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20 pages, 815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Biochemical Characterization of the GABA Shunt Pathway in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seedlings under Drought Stress

by Nisreen A. AL-Quraan, Zakaria I. Al-Ajlouni and Nima F. Qawasma

Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060125 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3336

Abstract

The physiological and biochemical role of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt pathway in green pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.) was studied in response to soil water holding capacity levels: 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 10% grown under continuous light at 25 °C [...] Read more.

The physiological and biochemical role of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt pathway in green pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.) was studied in response to soil water holding capacity levels: 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 10% grown under continuous light at 25 °C for 7 days and 14 days, separately. Characterization of seeds germination pattern, seedlings growth (plant height, fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll contents), GABA shunt metabolite (GABA, glutamate, and alanine) levels, total protein and carbohydrate levels, and oxidative damage (MDA level) were examined. Data showed a significant effect of drought stress on seed germination, plant growth, GABA shunt metabolites level, total protein and carbohydrate contents, and MDA level. A significant decline in seed germination percentage was recorded at a 20% drought level, which indicated that 20% of soil water holding capacity is the threshold value of water availability for normal germination after 14 days. Seedling fresh weight, dry weight, and plant height were significantly reduced with a positive correlation as water availability was decreased. There was a significant decrease with a positive correlation in Chl a and Chl b contents in response to 7 days and 14 days of drought. GABA shunt metabolites were significantly increased with a negative correlation as water availability decreased. Pea seedlings showed a significant increase in protein content as drought stress was increased. Total carbohydrate levels increased significantly when the amount of water availability decreased. MDA content increased slightly but significantly after 7 days and sharply after 14 days under all water stress levels. The maximum increase in MDA content was observed at 20% and 10% water levels. Overall, the significant increases in GABA, protein and carbohydrate contents were to cope with the physiological impact of drought stress on Pisum sativum L. seedlings by maintaining cellular osmotic adjustment, protecting plants from oxidative stress, balancing carbon and nitrogen (C:N) metabolism, and maintaining cell metabolic homeostasis and cell turgor. The results presented in this study indicated that severe (less than 40% water content of the holding capacity) and long-term drought stress should be avoided during the germination stage to ensure proper seedling growth and metabolism in Pisum sativum L. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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16 pages, 1600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Impacts of Temperature and Elevated CO₂ on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Root and Shoot Morphology and Growth

by T. Casey Barickman, Omolayo J. Olorunwa, Akanksha Sehgal, C. Hunt Walne, K. Raja Reddy and Wei Gao

Horticulturae 2021, 7(5), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7050112 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4477

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that the effects of temperature significantly affect the growth and development of basil plants with detrimental impacts on yield. The current research investigated the interactive effects of varying temperature and CO₂ levels on the shoot and root morphology and [...] Read more.

Recent evidence suggests that the effects of temperature significantly affect the growth and development of basil plants with detrimental impacts on yield. The current research investigated the interactive effects of varying temperature and CO₂ levels on the shoot and root morphology and growth of early and late-season basil plants. Basil plants were subjected to control (30/22 °C), low (20/12 °C), and high (38/30 °C) temperature under ambient (420 μL L⁻¹) and elevated (720 μL L⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations. Decreasing the temperature to 20/12 °C caused more adverse effects on the morphological traits of the early-season basil. Relative to the control treatments, low- and high-temperature stresses decreased 71 and 14% in marketable fresh mass, respectively. Basil exhibited an increase in plant height, node and branch numbers, specific leaf area, anthocyanin and nitrogen balance index, root tips, and root crossings when subjected to high-temperature stress. Furthermore, elevated CO₂ affected many morphological features compared to ambient CO₂ concentrations. The findings of this study suggest that varying the growth temperature of basil plants would more significantly impact the shoot and root morphologies and growth rates of basil than increasing the CO₂ concentrations, which ameliorated the adverse impacts of temperature stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology under Abiotic Stresses)

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