Effects of dual stress (high salt and high temperature) on the photochemical efficiency of wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract

In this study, we have focused on those components of Photosystem (PS) II which are significantly affected by dual stress (high salt and temperature) on wheat as measured by Plant Efficiency Analyser (PEA). It was observed that some of the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were temperature dominated, while some other parameters were salt dominated. We have also observed additive effects for parameters like antenna size heterogeneity. An important observation was that in high temperature alone, the K-step was observed at 40°C, while in case of dual stress, the K-step was observed at 45°C, while the Chl a fluorescence transient of 40°C + 0.5M NaCl was quite similar to 35°C transient curve. In the presence of salt, K-step was observed at higher temperature suggesting a protection of OEC by salt. Plants are under dual stress, but effect of temperature stress is less severe in presence of salt stress. Thus, we can say that salt stress caused partial prevention from high temperature stress but it did not cause complete protection of PS II.