Abstract
Deschampsia antarctica Desv, is the most successful colonizing species of a cold continent. In recent years due to climate change, the frequency of heat waves has increased in Antarctica, registering anomalous high temperatures during the summer of 2020. However, the populations of D. antarctica are responding positively to these events, increasing in number and size throughout the Antarctic Peninsula. In this work, the physiological and biochemical responses of D. antarctica plants grown in vitro (15 ± 1°C) and plants subjected to two heat shock treatments (23 and 35°C) were evaluated. The results obtained show that D. antarctica grown in vitro is capable of tolerating heat shock treatments; without showing visible damage to its morphology, or changes in its oxidative state and photosynthetic performance. These tolerance responses are primarily mediated by the efficient role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems that maintain redox balance at higher temperatures. It is postulated that these mechanisms also operate in plants under natural conditions when exposed to environmental stresses.
Highlights
Antarctica is considered the most severe ecosystem in the world (Robinson et al, 2003)
The temperature experiences daily fluctuations of −10◦C to +15◦C during summer (Convey, 2013). These extreme climatic conditions explain the scarce plant biodiversity that exists in Antarctica (Convey, 2006), it has allowed that only two vascular plants have naturally colonized the Maritime Antarctica, Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl caryophyllaceae and Deschampsia antarctica Desv poaceae
The total phenol content was expressed in gallic acid equivalents (GA) per gram of fresh weight (FW)
Summary
Antarctica is considered the most severe ecosystem in the world (Robinson et al, 2003). The temperature experiences daily fluctuations of −10◦C to +15◦C during summer (Convey, 2013) These extreme climatic conditions explain the scarce plant biodiversity that exists in Antarctica (Convey, 2006), it has allowed that only two vascular plants have naturally colonized the Maritime Antarctica, Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl caryophyllaceae and Deschampsia antarctica Desv poaceae. Both Antarctic plants differ in their reproductive capacities (Gielwanoska and Szczuka, 2005), being D. antarctica the most successful colonizer of the Antarctic continent, compared to C. quitensis (Cavieres et al, 2016). The plasticity of D. antarctica is a key to response to fluctuating environmental conditions (Gielwanoska et al, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
