Physiological parameters and protective energy dissipation mechanisms expressed in the leaves of two Vitis vinifera L. genotypes under multiple summer stresses

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2015.07.007
• Publication Date: 2015-08-01T06:48:01Z
• Authors: Alberto Palliotti; Sergio Tombesi; Tommaso Frioni; Oriana Silvestroni; Vania Lanari; Claudio D’Onofrio; Fabiola Matarese; Andrea Bellincontro; Stefano Poni
• Keywords: Chlorophyll; 0106 biological sciences; Hot Temperature; Genotype; Light; multiple summer stresses; Catalase activity; Chlorophyll fluorescence; Grapevine; Multiple summer stresses; Photosynthesis; Xanthophylls; Plant Science; Physiology; Agronomy and Crop Science; Xanthophylls; 01 natural sciences; Catalase activity; Stress, Physiological; Vitis; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis, Xanthophylls, Chlorophyll fluorescence, grapevine, multiple summer stresses, catalase activity; photosynthesis; Water; Hydrogen Peroxide; 15. Life on land; Catalase; 6. Clean water; grapevine; Plant Leaves; Oxidative Stress; Chlorophyll fluorescence; xanthophylls

Photosynthetic performances and energy dissipation mechanisms were evaluated on the anisohydric cv. Sangiovese and on the isohydric cv. Montepulciano (Vitis vinifera L.) under conditions of multiple summer stresses. Potted vines of both cultivars were maintained at 90% and 40% of maximum water availability from fruit-set to veraison. One week before veraison, at predawn and midday, main gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll content, xanthophyll pool and cycle and catalase activity were evaluated. Under water deficit and elevated irradiance and temperature, contrary to cv. Montepulciano and despite a significant leaf water potential decrease, Sangiovese's leaves kept their stomata more open and continued to assimilate CO2 while also showing higher water use efficiency. Under these environmental conditions, in comparison with the isohydric cv. Montepulciano, the protective mechanisms of energy dissipation exerted by the anisohydric cv. Sangiovese were: (i) higher stomatal conductance and thermoregulation linked to higher transpiration rate; (ii) greater ability at dissipating more efficiently the excess energy via the xanthophylls cycle activity (thermal dissipation) due to higher VAZ pool and greater increase of de-epoxidation activity.