Abstract
The effect of methanesulfonic acid (MSA) on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of the subantarctic species <em>Colobanthus apetalus</em> and the Antarctic species <em>Colobanthus quitensis</em> was examined. We evaluated the effects of various concentrations of MSA on the germination capacity and germination rate of seeds, seedling growth, chlorophyll fluorescence in cotyledons, and the proline content of seedlings under laboratory conditions at temperatures of 20°C (day) and 10°C (night) with a 12/12 h photoperiod. The examined <em>C. apetalus</em> seeds were grown in a greenhouse, and <em>C. quitensis</em> seeds were harvested in Antarctica and grown in a greenhouse (Olsztyn, Poland). The seeds of <em>C. apetalus</em> were characterized by the highest germination capacity and the highest germination rate, whereas <em>C. quitensis</em> seedlings were characterized by the most favorable growth and development. Only the highest concentrations of MSA decreased the intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence in the cotyledons of both <em>Colobanthus</em> species. The proline content of <em>C. apetalus</em> and <em>C. quitensis</em> seedlings increased significantly after MSA treatments. The results of this study clearly indicated that <em>Colobanthus quitensis</em> is more resistant to chemical stress induced by MSA. This is a first study to investigate the influence of MSA on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of higher plants.
Highlights
Terrestrial Antarctic ecosystem development is limited to only small ice-free areas, mainly concentrated on the coastal zones of the maritime Antarctic
The highest concentration of methanesulfonic acid (MSA) (6 mM) significantly inhibited the germination of C. quitensis seeds harvested in Antarctica, and only 26% of the seeds germinated (Fig. 1)
Methanesulfonic acid did not affect the mean germination time of C. apetalus seeds collected in the greenhouse (6 days) and C. quitensis seeds harvested in Antarctica (9 days) (Fig. 2)
Summary
Terrestrial Antarctic ecosystem development is limited to only small ice-free areas, mainly concentrated on the coastal zones of the maritime Antarctic. Low temperatures, limited liquid water access, desiccating winds, high levels of ultraviolet-B radiation, poorly developed soils [1,2], high salinity in many locations, and many other local stressors significantly influence terrestrial communities. (Poaceae), and one alien taxon Poa annua L. (Poaceae) [3,4,5,6,7]. The subpolar zone is characterized by milder environmental conditions and more diverse plant life. Tolerance to environmental stressors determines seed germination and the growth and development of plants. Tolerance to abiotic stress is conditioned by various factors, including biochemical factors (proline, soluble sugars), physiological factors (photosynthesis), plant growth rate (height), and biomass production [10]
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