Genetic and Physiological Dissection of Photosynthesis in Barley Exposed to Drought Stress.

Agata Daszkowska-Golec,Anna Collin,Krzysztof Sitko,Hazem M. Kalaji,Iwona Szarejko,Agnieszka Janiak

doi:10.3390/ijms20246341

Agata Daszkowska-Golec, Anna Collin + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246341

Copy DOI

Abstract

Balanced photosynthesis under drought is essential for better survival and for agricultural benefits in terms of biomass and yield. Given the current attempts to improve the photosynthetic efficiency for greater crop yield, the explanation of the genetic basis of that process, together with the phenotypic analysis, is significant in terms of both basic studies and potential agricultural application. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to uncover the molecular basis of the photosynthesis process under drought stress in barley. To address that goal, we conducted transcriptomic examination together with detailed photosynthesis analysis using the JIP-test. Using this approach, we indicated that photosynthesis is a process that is very early affected in barley seedlings treated with severe drought stress. Rather than focusing on individual genes, our strategy was pointed to the identification of groups of genes with similar expression patterns. As such, we identified and annotated almost 150 barley genes as crucial core-components of photosystems, electron transport components, and Calvin cycle enzymes. Moreover, we designated 17 possible regulatory interactions between photosynthesis-related genes and transcription factors in barley. Summarizing, our results provide a list of candidate genes for future genetic research and improvement of barley drought tolerance by targeting photosynthesis.

Highlights

In the present climate change scenarios, water deficit is the main environmental stress that negatively influences crop yield
We found on average the 20% reduction of active reaction centers of photosystem II (PSII) expressed as reaction centers per illuminated cross-section (RC/CS) in drought-exposed “Sebastian” and “Maresi”, while at the same conditions in “Cam/B1” almost 45% of RC/CS were inactivated (Table S4)
The negative impact of drought on photosynthesis process is known, our work delivered comprehensive information related to photosynthesis process along with detailed genetic dissection of barley under drought stress

Summary

Introduction

In the present climate change scenarios, water deficit is the main environmental stress that negatively influences crop yield. It is recognized as a global problem that threatens the world’s food security, taking into account both shrinking agricultural areas and constantly reduced the production of major crops. The secondary oxidative stress caused by drought influences the photosystem II (PSII) activity negatively. This is caused mainly by the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that inhibit PSII repair [8]. Reactions of the dark part of photosynthesis involve the key enzyme—ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion