Premium
Inter‐relationship between photosynthetic efficiency, Δ 13 C, antioxidant activity and sugarcane yield under drought stress in field conditions
Author(s) -
Endres Laurício,
dos Santos Claudiana Moura,
Silva José Vieira,
Barbosa Geraldo Veríssimo de Souza,
Silva André Lucas Januário,
Froehlich Angela,
Teixeira Marcelo Menossi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/jac.12336
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , transpiration , stomatal conductance , water use efficiency , agronomy , drought tolerance , point of delivery , biology , chlorophyll , ripening , photosynthetic efficiency , horticulture , botany
Drought is one of the major climatic factors that reduce crop yields in cultivated areas around the world, and studies on physiological responses may help in the selection of drought tolerant genotypes. Thus, this work aimed to correlate gas exchange, photosynthetic efficiency, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ 13 C) and antioxidant activity in sugarcane varieties submitted to water stress under field conditions. Six sugarcane varieties were submitted to drought stress in three development stages: tillering, intense growth and ripening. In all varieties, the photosynthetic apparatus was severely affected by drought, with a reduction in photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content. During the tillering stage, reductions in gas exchange and increase in Δ 13 C and bundle sheath leakiness (φ) were observed. In the intense growth stage, water stress caused increases in leaf temperature, intrinsic water use efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation, and reductions in stomatal conductance and transpiration in the RB72454, RB855113 and RB855536 varieties. However, the RB92579 variety maintained a better physiological homeostasis at all development stages and presented higher stalks yielding when submitted to drought. This work suggests that screen sugarcane genotype to drought stress should be performed during the intense growth stage, when plants are more sensitive to drought conditions.