Daniela Favero São Pedro Machado

Respostas biométricas e fisiológicas ao deficit hídrico em cana-de-açúcar em diferentes fases fenológicas

The aim of this work was to evaluate the biometric and physiological responses of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) to water deficit (WD), during different phenological phases. Genotypes IACSP 94-2094 and IACSP 96-2042 were subjected to WD conditions during the initial, maximum and sucrose accumulation phases. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. Susceptibility to WD was established by reduction in stalk dry matter and soluble solids. Water deficit reduced leaf gas exchange in all phenological phases of both genotypes. Lower plant height, less stalk dry matter and soluble solids, and reduction in number and length of internodes were only observed during the initial growth phase of the IACSP 96-2042 clone. In the initial growth phase, tolerance to WD was observed for IACSP 94-2094, with evidence of physiological acclimation, and for IACSP 96-2042 in reduction phytomass production and its soluble solid content, caused by lower stomatal conductance and lower apparent carboxylation efficiency which limit photosynthesis. Regardless of the phenological phase, genotype IACSP 94-2094 was tolerant to WD, since its phytomass production was maintained even with impairment of leaf gas exchange.

REVEALING DROUGHT-RESISTANCE AND PRODUCTIVE PATTERNS IN SUGARCANE GENOTYPES BY EVALUATING BOTH PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND STALK YIELD

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological response of sugarcane genotypes to drought and its consequence for stalk yield. Sugarcane genotypes IACSP94-2094, IACSP96-2042 and SP87-365 were subjected to water deficit during the initial growth phase by withholding water. Resistance and sensitivity patterns were defined by the impact of drought on the stalk yield and content of soluble solids in the stalk juice. IACSP94-2094 and SP87-365 were considered drought-resistant genotypes, as the stalk dry matter production and yield of soluble solids were not reduced by the water deficit. Although drought caused reductions in leaf gas exchange in all the genotypes, IACSP96-2042 was most affected when considering the cumulative reduction in photosynthesis throughout the experimental period. This photosynthetic impairment of IACSP96-2042 was related to both non-stomatal and stomatal limitations, whereas photosynthesis in SP87-365 and IACSP94-2094 were only stomatally limited under drought. In general, a reduced photosynthetic sensitivity to water deficit was an important physiological trait for dry matter production in sugarcane plants, and the concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, sucrose, starch and proline in the leaves did not reveal consistent differences between the patterns of resistance and sensitivity. Even though IACSP96-2042 was severely affected by water shortage, this genotype presented a similar stalk yield under drought and the highest stalk yield under well-watered conditions when compared to the other genotypes. This response to variable water conditions is interesting for regions with seasonal drought, whereas the pattern of drought resistance is more appropriate for regions in which drought occurs for long periods during the crop season. Our findings are also discussed from the point of view that increases in sugarcane yield and sustainable agriculture may be reached by choosing the best genotype for each specific environmental condition.

Trocas gasosas e balanço de carboidratos em plantas de cana-de-açúcar sob condições de estresses radiculares

Although the photosynthetic responses of sugarcane plants to environmental stresses are well documented, the biomass ac- cumulation and the dynamic of carbohydrate reserves under simultaneous exposure of roots to low temperature and drought are not known. This work aims to investigate the effect of water deficit and low substrate temperature stresses, occurring alone or in combination, on the sugarcane IACSP94-2094, a drought-tolerant genotype. As our hypothesis, we assume that this genotype is also tolerant to low substrate temperature, since low temperatures and water deficit occur simultaneously under field conditions. The water deficit alone or in combination with low substrate temperature caused reductions in leaf water potential and CO 2 assimilation, which was not observed in plants subjected only to low substrate temperature. The leaf concentration of non-structural carbohydrates, sucrose and starch increased in plants under root chilling. In plants sub- jected to water deficit, we noticed decreases in leaf starch concentration. The root stresses caused an increase in the total soluble sugar concentration and reduction in starch concentration in sugarcane roots. As the plant biomass accumulation was not affected, even with the impairment of root growth under low substrate temperature, we conclude that the sugarcane genotype IACSP94-2094 presents evidence of tolerance to low root temperature. The maintenance of plant growth was likely associated with the breakdown of leaf and root reserves of starch.

Rootstocks induce contrasting photosynthetic responses of orange plants to low night temperature without affecting the antioxidant metabolism

Low temperatures negatively impact the metabolism of orange trees, and the extent of damage can be influenced by the rootstock. We evaluated the effects of low nocturnal temperatures on Valencia orange scions grafted on Rangpur lime or Swingle citrumelo rootstocks. We exposed six-month-old plants to night temperatures of 20oC and 8oC under controlled conditions. After decreasing the temperature to 8oC, there were decreases in leaf CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance and CO2 concentration in the chloroplasts, in plant hydraulic conductivity and in the maximum electron transport rate driven ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration in plants grafted on both rootstocks. However, the effects of low night temperature were more severe in plants grafted on Rangpur rootstock, which also presented reduction in the maximum rate of RuBP carboxylation and in the maximum quantum efficiency of the PSII. In general, irreversible damage due to night chilling was found in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants grafted on Rangpur lime. Low night temperatures induced similar changes in the antioxidant metabolism, preventing oxidative damage in citrus leaves on both rootstocks. As photosynthesis is linked to plant growth, our findings indicate that the rootstock may improve the performance of citrus trees in environments with low night temperatures, with Swingle rootstock improving the photosynthetic acclimation in leaves of orange plants.

Baixa temperatura noturna e deficiência hídrica na fotossíntese de cana‑de‑açúcar

The objective of this work was to evaluate the photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to the simultaneous and isolated effects of low night temperature (TN) and water deficit (DH). After 128 days of planting, plants of the cultivar IACSP94-2094 were subjected to the following treatments: control, without DH and with TN of 20°C (TN20); with DH and TN of 20°C (DH/TN20); without DH and with TN of 12°C (TN12); and with DH and TN of 12°C (DH/TN12). After the period of treatment, plants were irrigated and subjected to TN of 20°C for four more days, for recovery. There were decreases in CO2 assimilation in all treatments. Total recovery of CO2 assimilation was observed only in plants from the treatment TN12. The simultaneous occurrence of low night temperature and water deficit caused a accentuated and persistent effect on stomatal conductance, on the maximum capacity of ribulose‑1,5‑bisphosphate carboxylase, on the electron transport rate, on the efficiency factor, and on the operational efficiency of photosystem II, which resulted in diffusive, biochemical, and photochemical limitations of photosynthesis of sugarcane plants.

Low substrate temperature imposes higher limitation to photosynthesis of orange plants as compared to atmospheric chilling

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low air temperature during nocturnal (TN) and diurnal (TD) periods as well as the substrate temperature (TS) on photosynthesis of ‘Valencia’ orange tree grafted on Rangpur lime rootstock. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber with seven-month-old plants. The plants were exposed to the following temperature regimes: low substrate temperature (LTS, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 20°C, TS = 10°C); low air temperature during night (LTN, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 26°C); low temperature during nighttime and also low substrate temperature (LTSN, with: TD = 28°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 10°C); low air temperature during both diurnal and nocturnal periods (LTND, with: TD = 17°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 26°C); and finally to low air temperature (night and day) and low substrate temperature (LTSND, with: TD = 17°C, TN = 10°C, TS = 10°C). As reference (control), plants were subjected to TD = 28°C, TN = 20°C, and TS = 26°C. Measurements of leaf gas exchange, photochemical activity and carbohydrate concentrations were performed after six days of exposure to each thermal treatment. Compared to the control, all thermal regimes caused reductions in photosynthesis due to diffusive and metabolic limitations. The photoinhibition was transient in plants exposed to night and substrate low temperatures, whereas it was severe and chronic in plants subjected to chilling during the diurnal period. However, the lowest photosynthesis was observed in plants with low substrate temperature of 10°C (in LTS, LTSND and LTSN treatments), regardless of air temperature. The occurrence of cold night and/or its combination with low substrate temperature caused accumulation of starch in leaves. When considering carbohydrate concentrations in stems and roots, it was not possible to establish a clear response pattern to chilling. In conclusion, the low substrate temperature causes a greater reduction of CO2 assimilation in citrus plants as compared to the occurrence of low air temperature, being such response a consequence of diffusive and biochemical limitations.