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Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress
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Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 9427

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jie Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: plant morphology and function; leaf traits; climate change; plant growth
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jie Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
Interests: forest disturbance; global climate change; remote sensing; GIS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Peijian Shi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bamboo Research Institute, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: botany; scaling; geometry; applied spatial statistics; forest ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Drought stress poses a significant threat to plant growth, development, and agricultural productivity on a global scale. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of drought events are expected to increase, making it imperative to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying plant responses to drought stress. Understanding how plants adapt and cope with limited water availability is vital for the development of effective strategies to enhance their resilience and ensure sustainable food production.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the diverse facets of plant response to drought stress. One crucial aspect is the morphological adaptations exhibited by plants in response to water scarcity. These adaptations encompass structural modifications such as alterations in leaf morphology, root architecture, and stomatal behavior, as well as the optimization of water-use efficiency. Investigating these morphological changes will shed light on how plants dynamically adjust their physical characteristics to survive and thrive under drought conditions.

Another significant area of interest is the role of secondary metabolites in plant drought tolerance. Secondary metabolites, including phytochemicals and specialized metabolites, play vital roles in mediating plant responses to environmental stresses. Understanding the biosynthesis pathways, physiological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of these metabolites under drought stress can provide valuable insights into their potential as targets for enhancing drought tolerance in crop plants.

Furthermore, unraveling the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in plants under drought stress is essential. Osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense systems, photosynthetic efficiency, hormone regulation, and signal transduction pathways are among the physiological and biochemical processes that undergo modifications in response to limited water availability. Exploring these changes will provide a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical and physiological strategies employed by plants to maintain their cellular homeostasis and mitigate the detrimental effects of drought.

At the molecular level, uncovering the underlying mechanisms of plant drought tolerance is crucial. This includes studying gene expression patterns, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modifications, protein signaling networks, and epigenetic modifications involved in drought stress responses. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex genetic networks that regulate plant responses to drought stress and pave the way for innovative approaches to enhance drought tolerance in crops.

Finally, this Special Issue acknowledges the broader implications of global change on plant responses to drought stress. Factors such as elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, rising temperatures, and altered precipitation patterns interact with drought stress, influencing plant growth, ecosystem dynamics, and the future of agriculture. Investigating these interactions will provide insights into the multifaceted nature of plant responses to drought stress in the context of global change.

By encompassing these various aspects of plant response to drought stress, this Special Issue aims to advance our knowledge and understanding of plant resilience in the face of drought and global climate change. The findings and strategies discussed in this issue will contribute to the development of innovative approaches and sustainable practices for ensuring food security and ecosystem stability in water-limited environments.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  1. Morphological adaptations of plants under drought stress: structural modifications, leaf morphology, root architecture, stomatal behavior, and water-use efficiency.
  2. Secondary metabolites and their role in plant drought tolerance: biosynthesis pathways, physiological functions, and their impact on plant survival and stress resistance.
  3. Physiological and biochemical responses of plants to drought stress: osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense systems, photosynthetic efficiency, hormone regulation, and signal transduction pathways.
  4. Molecular mechanisms underlying plant drought tolerance: gene expression, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modifications, protein signaling networks, and epigenetic modifications.
  5. Interactions between drought stress and global change: effects of elevated CO2, temperature, and altered precipitation patterns on plant response to drought stress, ecosystem dynamics, and future climate scenarios.
  6. Novel approaches and technologies for improving plant drought tolerance: genetic engineering, molecular breeding, omics technologies, and precision agriculture strategies.

Dr. Jie Gao
Dr. Jie Zhao
Dr. Peijian Shi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant morphology
  • secondary metabolites
  • physiological and biochemical responses
  • molecular mechanisms
  • global change
  • drought stress

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2474 KiB  
Article
Drought Stress Responses in Arabica Coffee Genotypes: Physiological and Metabolic Insights
by Habtamu Chekol, Bikila Warkineh, Tesfaye Shimber, Agnieszka Mierek-Adamska, Grażyna B. Dąbrowska and Asfaw Degu
Plants 2024, 13(6), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060828 - 13 Mar 2024
Viewed by 572
Abstract
Understanding the impact of drought stress on Arabica coffee physiology and metabolism is essential in the pursuit of developing drought-resistant varieties. In this study, we explored the physiological and metabolite changes in coffee genotypes exhibiting varying degrees of tolerance to drought—namely, the relatively [...] Read more.
Understanding the impact of drought stress on Arabica coffee physiology and metabolism is essential in the pursuit of developing drought-resistant varieties. In this study, we explored the physiological and metabolite changes in coffee genotypes exhibiting varying degrees of tolerance to drought—namely, the relatively tolerant Ca74110 and Ca74112, and the sensitive Ca754 and CaJ-19 genotypes—under well-watered conditions and during terminal drought stress periods at two time points (0 and 60 days following the onset of stress). The metabolite profiling uncovered significant associations between the growth and the physiological characteristics of coffee genotypes with distinct drought tolerance behaviors. Initially, no marked differences were observed among the genotypes or treatments. However, at the 60-day post-drought onset time point, notably higher shoot growth, biomass, CO2 assimilation, pigments, and various physiological parameters were evident, particularly in the relatively tolerant genotypes. The metabolite profiling revealed elevations in glucose, maltose, amino acids, and organic acids, and decreases in other metabolites. These alterations were more pronounced in the drought-tolerant genotypes, indicating a correlation between enhanced compatible solutes and energy-associated metabolites crucial for drought tolerance mechanisms. This research introduces GC-MS-based metabolome profiling to the study of Ethiopian coffee, shedding light on its intricate responses to drought stress and paving the way for the potential development of drought-resistant coffee seedlings in intensified agro-ecological zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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12 pages, 2824 KiB  
Communication
Climate Factors Influence Above- and Belowground Biomass Allocations in Alpine Meadows and Desert Steppes through Alterations in Soil Nutrient Availability
by Jiangfeng Wang, Xing Zhang, Ru Wang, Mengyao Yu, Xiaohong Chen, Chenghao Zhu, Jinlong Shang and Jie Gao
Plants 2024, 13(5), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050727 - 04 Mar 2024
Viewed by 707
Abstract
Biomass is a direct reflection of community productivity, and the allocation of aboveground and belowground biomass is a survival strategy formed by the long-term adaptation of plants to environmental changes. However, under global changes, the patterns of aboveground–belowground biomass allocations and their controlling [...] Read more.
Biomass is a direct reflection of community productivity, and the allocation of aboveground and belowground biomass is a survival strategy formed by the long-term adaptation of plants to environmental changes. However, under global changes, the patterns of aboveground–belowground biomass allocations and their controlling factors in different types of grasslands are still unclear. Based on the biomass data of 182 grasslands, including 17 alpine meadows (AMs) and 21 desert steppes (DSs), this study investigates the spatial distribution of the belowground biomass allocation proportion (BGBP) in different types of grasslands and their main controlling factors. The research results show that the BGBP of AMs is significantly higher than that of DSs (p < 0.05). The BGBP of AMs significantly decreases with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) (p < 0.05), while it significantly increases with increasing soil nitrogen content (N), soil phosphorus content (P), and soil pH (p < 0.05). The BGBP of DSs significantly decreases with increasing MAP (p < 0.05), while it significantly increases with increasing soil phosphorus content (P) and soil pH (p < 0.05). The random forest model indicates that soil pH is the most important factor affecting the BGBP of both AMs and DSs. Climate-related factors were identified as key drivers shaping the spatial distribution patterns of BGBP by exerting an influence on soil nutrient availability. Climate and soil factors exert influences not only on grassland biomass allocation directly, but also indirectly by impacting the availability of soil nutrients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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13 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Overexpression of a Ramie (Boehmaeria nivea L. Gaud) Group I WRKY Gene, BnWRKY49, Increases Drought Resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana
by Yaning Bao, Yifei Zou, Xia An, Yiwen Liao, Lunjin Dai, Lijun Liu, Dingxiang Peng, Xing Huang and Bo Wang
Plants 2024, 13(3), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030379 - 27 Jan 2024
Viewed by 684
Abstract
Plants face multiple stresses in their natural habitats. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play an important regulatory role in plant stress signaling, regulating the expression of multiple stress-related genes to improve plant stress resistance. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of 25 [...] Read more.
Plants face multiple stresses in their natural habitats. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play an important regulatory role in plant stress signaling, regulating the expression of multiple stress-related genes to improve plant stress resistance. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of 25 BnWRKY genes in three stages of ramie growth (the seedling stage, the rapid-growth stage, and the fiber maturity stage) and response to abiotic stress through qRT-PCR. The results indicated that 25 BnWRKY genes play a role in different growth stages of ramie and were induced by salt and drought stress in the root and leaf. We selected BnWRKY49 as a candidate gene for overexpression in Arabidopsis. BnWRKY49 was localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of BnWRKY49 affected root elongation under drought and salt stress at the Arabidopsis seedling stage and exhibited increased tolerance to drought stress. Further research found that BnWRKY49-overexpressing lines showed decreased stomatal size and increased cuticular wax deposition under drought compared with wild type (WT). Antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD, POD, and CAT were higher in the BnWRKY49-overexpressing lines than the WT. These findings suggested that the BnWRKY49 gene played an important role in drought stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and laid the foundation for further research on the functional analysis of the BnWRKYs in ramie. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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13 pages, 4305 KiB  
Article
Interannual Variations in Terrestrial Net Ecosystem Productivity and Climate Attribution in the Southern Hilly Region of China
by Xin Qi, Shuhua Liu, Shaoan Wu, Jian Wang, Jiaming Wang, Chao Zheng, Yong Wang, Yang Liu, Quan Luo, Qianglong Li, Liang Wang and Jie Zhao
Plants 2024, 13(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020246 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 705
Abstract
The vegetation ecosystem in the southern hilly region of China (SHRC) plays a crucial role in the country’s carbon reservoir. Clarifying the dynamics of net primary productivity (NPP) in this area and its response to climate factors in the context of climate change [...] Read more.
The vegetation ecosystem in the southern hilly region of China (SHRC) plays a crucial role in the country’s carbon reservoir. Clarifying the dynamics of net primary productivity (NPP) in this area and its response to climate factors in the context of climate change is important for national forest ecology, management, and carbon neutrality efforts. This study, based on remote sensing and meteorological data spanning the period 2001 to 2021, aims to unveil the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation productivity and climate factors in the southern hilly region, explore interannual variation characteristics of vegetation productivity with altitude, and investigate the response characteristics of NPP to various climate factors. The results indicate that from 2001 to 2021, the annual average NPP in the southern hilly region had a significant increasing trend of 2.13 ± 0.78 g m−2 a−1. The trend of NPP varies significantly with altitude. Despite a general substantial upward trend in vegetation NPP, regions at lower elevations exhibit a faster rate of increase, suggesting a diminishing difference in the NPP of different elevation ranges. The overall rise in average temperature has positive implications for the southern hilly region, while the impact of precipitation on vegetation NPP demonstrates noticeable spatial heterogeneity. Regions in which vegetation NPP is significantly negatively correlated with precipitation are mainly concentrated in the southern areas of Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces. In contrast, other regions further away from the southeastern coast tend to exhibit a positive correlation. Over the past two decades, there has been an asymmetry in the diurnal temperature variation in the SHRC, with the nighttime warming rate being 1.8 times that of the daytime warming rate. The positive impact of daytime warming on NPP of vegetation is more pronounced than the impact of nighttime temperature changes. Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of NPP in the SHRC and the characteristics of its response to climate factors contributes to enhancing our ability to protect and manage vegetation resources amidst the challenges of global climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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10 pages, 1684 KiB  
Communication
Evidence That Field Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud.) Fruits Are Solids of Revolution
by Ke He, Cang Hui, Weihao Yao, Jinfeng Wang, Lin Wang, Qiying Li and Peijian Shi
Plants 2023, 12(24), 4186; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244186 - 18 Dec 2023
Viewed by 648
Abstract
In nature, the fruit shapes of many plants resemble avian eggs, a form extensively studied as solids of revolution. Despite this, the hypothesis that egg-shaped fruits are themselves solids of revolution remains unvalidated. To address this, 751 Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud. [...] Read more.
In nature, the fruit shapes of many plants resemble avian eggs, a form extensively studied as solids of revolution. Despite this, the hypothesis that egg-shaped fruits are themselves solids of revolution remains unvalidated. To address this, 751 Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud. fruits were photographed, and the two-dimensional (2D) boundary coordinates of each fruit profile were digitized. Then, the explicit Preston equation (EPE), a universal egg-shape model, was used to fit the 2D boundary coordinates to obtain the estimates of the EPE’s parameters of each fruit. Under the hypothesis that egg-shaped fruits are solids of revolution, the fruit volumes were estimated using the solid of revolution formula based on the estimated EPE’s parameters. To test whether the fruits are solids of revolution, the fruit volumes were measured by using a graduated cylinder and compared with the estimated volumes using the solid of revolution formula. The EPE was demonstrated to be valid in describing the 2D profiles of C. melo var. agrestis fruits. There was a significant correlation between the measured fruit volumes using the graduated cylinder and the estimated fruit volumes using the solid of revolution formula based on the estimated EPE’s parameters. Acknowledging potential measurement errors, particularly fruit fuzz causing air bubbles during volume measurements, we recognize slight deviations between measured volumes and estimated values. Despite this, our findings strongly suggest that C. melo var. agrestis fruits are solids of revolution. This study contributes insights into the evolutionary aspects of fruit geometries in plants with egg-shaped fruits and introduces a practical tool for non-destructively calculating fruit volume and surface area based on photographed 2D fruit profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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15 pages, 3808 KiB  
Article
Climate Factors Affect Above–Belowground Biomass Allocation in Broad-Leaved and Coniferous Forests by Regulating Soil Nutrients
by Xing Zhang, Yongzhi Zhou, Yuhui Ji, Mengyao Yu, Xinyi Li, Jie Duan, Yun Wang, Jie Gao and Xiali Guo
Plants 2023, 12(23), 3926; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233926 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 827
Abstract
The allocation of plant biomass above and below ground reflects their strategic resource utilization, crucial for understanding terrestrial carbon flux dynamics. In our comprehensive study, we analyzed biomass distribution patterns in 580 broadleaved and 345 coniferous forests across China from 2005 to 2020, [...] Read more.
The allocation of plant biomass above and below ground reflects their strategic resource utilization, crucial for understanding terrestrial carbon flux dynamics. In our comprehensive study, we analyzed biomass distribution patterns in 580 broadleaved and 345 coniferous forests across China from 2005 to 2020, aiming to discern spatial patterns and key drivers of belowground biomass proportion (BGBP) in these ecosystems. Our research revealed a consistent trend: BGBP decreases from northwest to southeast in both forest types. Importantly, coniferous forests exhibited significantly higher BGBP compared to broadleaved forests (p < 0.001). While precipitation and soil nutrients primarily influenced biomass allocation in broadleaved forests, temperature and soil composition played a pivotal role in coniferous forests. Surprisingly, leaf traits had a negligible impact on BGBP (p > 0.05). Climatic factors, such as temperature and rainfall, influenced biomass partitioning in both strata by altering soil nutrients, particularly soil pH. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding carbon sequestration dynamics in forest ecosystems and improving predictions of the future trajectory of this critical carbon cycle component. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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15 pages, 2986 KiB  
Article
The Functions of an NAC Transcription Factor, GhNAC2-A06, in Cotton Response to Drought Stress
by Gulisitan Saimi, Ziyu Wang, Yunhao Liusui, Yanjun Guo, Gengqing Huang, Huixin Zhao and Jingbo Zhang
Plants 2023, 12(21), 3755; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213755 - 02 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1184
Abstract
Drought stress imposes severe constraints on crop growth and yield. The NAC transcription factors (TF) play a pivotal role in regulating plant stress responses. However, the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of many cotton NACs have not been explored. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Drought stress imposes severe constraints on crop growth and yield. The NAC transcription factors (TF) play a pivotal role in regulating plant stress responses. However, the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of many cotton NACs have not been explored. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of GhNAC2-A06, a gene encoding a typical cotton NAC TF. The expression of GhNAC2-A06 was induced by PEG treatment, drought stress, and ABA treatment. Furthermore, we investigated its function using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. GhNAC2-A06 silenced plants exhibited a poorer growth status under drought stress conditions compared to the controls. The GhNAC2-A06 silenced cotton plants had a lower leaf relative water and chlorophyll content and a higher MDA content compared to the controls under the drought treatment. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in the GhNAC2-A06 silenced plants were found to be lower compared to the controls when exposed to drought stress. Additionally, the downregulation of the drought stress-related genes, GhSAP12-D07, GhNCED1-A01, GhLEA14-A11, GhZAT10-D02, GhPROT2-A05, GhABF3-A03, GhABF2-D05, GhSAP3-D07, and GhCPK1-D04, was observed in the GhNAC2-A06 silenced cotton. Together, our research reveals that GhNAC2-A06 plays a role in the reaction of cotton to drought stress by affecting the expression of genes related to drought stress. The data obtained from this study lay the theoretical foundation for further in-depth research on the biological function and regulatory mechanisms of GhNAC2-A06. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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11 pages, 1734 KiB  
Article
An Inverse Scaling Relationship between Stomatal Density and Mean Nearest Neighbor Distance: Evidence from a Photinia Hybrid and One of Its Parents
by Manli Sun, Ülo Niinemets, Qiying Li, Yabing Jiao, Weihao Yao and Peijian Shi
Plants 2023, 12(21), 3701; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213701 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 908
Abstract
Stomata are involved in transpiration and CO2 uptake by mediating gas exchange between internal plant tissues and the atmosphere. The capacity for gas exchange depends on stomatal density (SD), stomatal size, and pore dimensions. Most published work on stomatal quantification has assumed [...] Read more.
Stomata are involved in transpiration and CO2 uptake by mediating gas exchange between internal plant tissues and the atmosphere. The capacity for gas exchange depends on stomatal density (SD), stomatal size, and pore dimensions. Most published work on stomatal quantification has assumed that stomatal distribution and stomatal density are spatially homogeneous across the leaf, but this assumption has been seldom tested. We selected 32 leaves from a Photinia hybrid, Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’, and one of its parents, P. serratifolia. For each leaf, the leaf surface was divided into three or four equidistant layers along the apical–basal axis, and, in each layer, two positions, one closer to the midrib and the other closer to the leaf margin, were further selected. We calculated SD and mean nearest neighbor distance (MNND) for each lamina section and tested the scaling relationship between SD and MNND of the sampled stomatal centers using reduced major axis protocols. In addition, we calculated the stomatal aggregation index (SAI) for each lamina section to examine the spatial arrangement of stomata at the given size of field of view of 1.2 mm × 0.9 mm. We observed that SD decreased from the lamina apex towards the base for central lamina areas but varied little at leaf margins. An inverse scaling relationship between SD and MNND was observed for both species. This relationship could be used for SD estimation using the rapidly estimated trait, MNND. SAI did not vary significantly throughout leaf lamina, and the numerical values of SAI for all fields of view were greater than one, which indicates significant spatial repulsion between stomata. The study suggests that SD varies across leaf lamina to fine-tune plant water use and maximize carbon gain. However, spatial structures of stomata from different lamina sections exhibit similar patterns (i.e., spatial inhibition between stomata at small scales), probably due to hierarchical leaf vein patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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25 pages, 6652 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Photosynthetic CO2 Assimilation and Chlorophyll Fluorescence for Winter Wheat under Water Stress
by Qianlan Jia, Zhunqiao Liu, Chenhui Guo, Yakai Wang, Jingjing Yang, Qiang Yu, Jing Wang, Fenli Zheng and Xiaoliang Lu
Plants 2023, 12(19), 3365; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193365 - 23 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has a high correlation with Gross Primary Production (GPP). However, studies focusing on the impact of drought on the SIF-GPP relationship have had mixed results at various scales, and the mechanisms controlling the dynamics between photosynthesis and fluorescence emission [...] Read more.
Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has a high correlation with Gross Primary Production (GPP). However, studies focusing on the impact of drought on the SIF-GPP relationship have had mixed results at various scales, and the mechanisms controlling the dynamics between photosynthesis and fluorescence emission under water stress are not well understood. We developed a leaf-scale measurement system to perform concurrent measurements of active and passive fluorescence, and gas-exchange rates for winter wheat experiencing a one-month progressive drought. Our results confirmed that: (1) shifts in light energy allocation towards decreasing photochemistry (the quantum yields of photochemical quenching in PSII decreased from 0.42 to 0.21 under intermediate light conditions) and increasing fluorescence emissions (the quantum yields of fluorescence increased to 0.062 from 0.024) as drought progressed enhance the degree of nonlinearity of the SIF-GPP relationship, and (2) SIF alone has a limited capacity to track changes in the photosynthetic status of plants under drought conditions. However, by incorporating the water stress factor into a SIF-based mechanistic photosynthesis model, we show that drought-induced variations in a variety of key photosynthetic parameters, including stomatal conductance and photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, can be accurately estimated using measurements of SIF, photosynthetically active radiation, air temperature, and soil moisture as inputs. Our findings provide the experimental and theoretical foundations necessary for employing SIF mechanistically to estimate plant photosynthetic activity during periods of drought stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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0 pages, 4304 KiB  
Communication
Inequality Measure of Leaf Area Distribution for a Drought-Tolerant Landscape Plant
by Lichao Huang, David A. Ratkowsky, Cang Hui, Johan Gielis, Meng Lian, Weihao Yao, Qiying Li, Liuyue Zhang and Peijian Shi
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3143; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173143 - 31 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 828
Abstract
Measuring the inequality of leaf area distribution per plant (ILAD) can provide a useful tool for quantifying the influences of intra- and interspecific competition, foraging behavior of herbivores, and environmental stress on plants’ above-ground architectural structures and survival strategies. Despite its importance, there [...] Read more.
Measuring the inequality of leaf area distribution per plant (ILAD) can provide a useful tool for quantifying the influences of intra- and interspecific competition, foraging behavior of herbivores, and environmental stress on plants’ above-ground architectural structures and survival strategies. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on this issue. This paper aims to fill this gap by comparing four inequality indices to measure ILAD, using indices for quantifying household income that are commonly used in economics, including the Gini index (which is based on the Lorenz curve), the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index. We measured the area of all leaves for 240 individual plants of the species Shibataea chinensis Nakai, a drought-tolerant landscape plant found in southern China. A three-parameter performance equation was fitted to observations of the cumulative proportion of leaf area vs. the cumulative proportion of leaves per plant to calculate the Gini index for each individual specimen of S. chinensis. The performance equation was demonstrated to be valid in describing the rotated and right shifted Lorenz curve, given that >96% of root-mean-square error values were smaller than 0.004 for 240 individual plants. By examining the correlation between any of the six possible pairs of indices among the Gini index, the coefficient of variation, the Theil index, and the mean log deviation index, the data show that these indices are closely related and can be used interchangeably to quantify ILAD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Response Mechanisms of Plants to Drought Stress)
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