Effect of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide on chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf surface morphology and cellular ultrastructure of grape seedlings (Vitis vinifera L.) under water stress

Abstract

The effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf surface morphology and cellular ultrastructure of grape seedlings (Vitis vinifera L.) under water stress were investigated. The grape seedlings were subjected to 10 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) and treated with 0.05, 0.10 or 0.20 mg L−1 EBR, respectively. EBR application increased chlorophyll contents, the effective photochemical quantum yield of PSII, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, maximal fluorescence and non-photochemical quenching coefficient under water stress in each concentration. Compared with water stress control, higher stomatal density and stomatal length were observed in young leaves under EBR treatments, but not in mature leaves. In-depth analysis of the ultrastructure of leaves indicated that water stress induced disappearance of nucleus, chloroplast swelling, fractured mitochondrial cristae and disorder of thylakoid arrangement both in young leaves and mature leaves. However, EBR application counteracted the detrimental effects of water stress on the structure of the photosynthetic apparatus better in young leaves than in mature leaves. Compared to the other treatments, treatment of 0.10 mg L−1 EBR had best ameliorative effect against water stress. These results suggested that exogenous EBR could alleviate water stress-induced inhibition of photosynthesis on grape possibly through increasing chlorophyll content, lessening the stomatal and non-stomatal limitation of photosynthesis performance.