Abstract
Introduction: Chlorophyll Fluorescence (Fv/Fm) detects damage in photosystem II (PSII) in plants exposed to stress (biotic and/or abiotic). Objective: In this context, Fv/Fm for the diagnosis of the effect of N deficiency and light in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) was evaluated. Methods: We used the software R to analyze data from an experiment consisted of two light treatments (high and low) and two Hoagland nutritive solutions (N deficiency: (-)N; and complete solution: C). Twenty tomato plants within the two light treatments, with two nutrient levels ((-)N and C) were used. For four weeks, weekly measurements for height (H), leaf number (NL), and Fv/Fm were made. On the fourth week, the dry mass partitioning (root: RMR; stem: SMR; and leaves: LMR) and chlorophyll concentration (a, b, a/b, and total) was measured. Results: We found statistically significant differences between treatments for H, NL and Fv/Fm (KW> 14,5, g.l.= 3,76, P<0,01), but no differences for chlorophyll concentration (F<2,2; g.l.=1, 16, P>0,05). In both light conditions it was higher LMR in C treatment, but with lower RMR compared to (-)N. Statistically significant correlations (% Spearman, P<0,05) between Fv/Fm and LMR, RMR, and SMR (-76%, 69%, and 37%, respectively) were found. Conclusion: Overall, we can emphasize that the Fv/Fm is a sensitive variable to the stress caused by nitrogen and light deficiency, whose progress of stress time-course can assess. Finally, Fv/Fm proved to be an indicator of the dry mass partition of stress induced by N deficiency and could be implemented as diagnostic in breeding programs.
 
Highlights
Chlorophyll Fluorescence (Fv/Fm) detects damage in photosystem II (PSII) in plants exposed to stress
The variability found by all combinations of light-deficiency treatments for LDM-to-Total dry mass (TDM) ratio (LMR), RDM-toTDM ratio (RMR), TDM, and Fv/Fm were between 30-65%, 15-50%, 0,5-2g DM and 0,2-0,8, respectively
Nitrogen deficiency under high light conditions increased stress in tomato plant, due to the fact that this plant has high demands of light for growth (Pan et al, 2019), and if it is exposed to a condition of high demand of photochemical energy absorption, in the absence of N it can cause the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which in turn damages the synthesis of photoassimilation, enzymes, and hormones requered for healthy growth and development of plants
Summary
Chlorophyll Fluorescence (Fv/Fm) detects damage in photosystem II (PSII) in plants exposed to stress (biotic and/or abiotic). The dry mass partitioning (root: RMR; stem: SMR; and leaves: LMR) and chlorophyll concentration (a, b, a/b, and total) was measured. Results: We found statistically significant differences between treatments for H, NL and Fv/Fm (KW> 14,5, g.l.= 3,76, P
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
