Differential response of photosystem II and I photochemistry in leaves of two Crambe abyssinica Hochst lineages submitted to water deficit

Abstract

Water stress is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting plants worldwide. This study compared the photochemical responses of two lineages of Crambe abyssinica (FMS CR 1307 and 1326) under water deficit (WD) conditions. The relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance, chlorophyll (Chl) index, and Chl a fluorescence were evaluated. FMS CR 1326 showed greater reductions in RWC under WD. The FMS CR 1307 showed greater reductions in the connectivity of energy (L-band) and electron transfer from the oxygen-evolving complex (K-band), followed by a lower ability to maintain the reduction of plastoquinone. However, the increased size of the pool of the final electron acceptors in PSI for this lineage was observed. The FMS CR 1326 plant lineage showed an advantage over the FMS CR 1307 in terms of stability and efficiency of PSII under low water availability conditions.