Journal
PLANT BIOSYSTEMS
Volume 146, Issue 2, Pages 443-450Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2011.651507
Keywords
Mediterranean climate; Phillyrea angustifolia L.; adaptative strategies; photosynthetic limitation; climate changes
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This research aimed to investigate the physiological strategies that allow Phillyrea angustifolia, a sclerophyllous shrub widespread in the Mediterranean maquis, to cope successfully with the most stressful conditions of the Mediterranean climate i.e. summer drought and winter cold. Gas exchange and chlorophyll alpha fluorescence measurements as well as pigment content determinations were performed periodically throughout one whole year (spring 2004-spring 2005) on plants growing outdoor in the Botanical Garden of the Naples University. In June and July 2004 and in February 2005 the light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P-N) and stomatal conductance (gH(2)O) were lower compared to May and October 2004. Carboxylation rate (v(c)) was negatively affected by summer drought and low temperature. The quantum yield (Phi(PSII)) and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F-v/F-m) significantly declined in February. All monitored parameters increased after each stressful period. The highest carotenoid content was detected in July whereas total pigment content was lower both in July and in February as compared to May and October, respectively. The photosynthetic apparatus of P. angustifolia is able to cope with summer drought and winter cold by different strategies: in summer, efficient stomatal control reduces water loss whereas in winter, PSII efficiency is down-regulated to avoid irreversible damage.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available