Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):128-132 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-009-0020-9

The effect of drought on photosynthesis in two epiphytic and two terrestrial tropical fern species

Q. Zhang1,2, J. W. Chen1,2, B. G. Li1, K. F. Cao1,*
1 Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, China
2 Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

Water-withholding for 5 to 7 weeks and subsequent re-watering were made on potted plants of two epiphytic (E) and two terrestrial (T) fern species, which were collected from a seasonal tropical rainforest and had been grown in a screenhouse with 5 % irradiance for 4 months. During the water stress, the two E species completely closed stomata when frond relative water content (RWC) reached about 70 % with fairly constant maximum photochemistry efficiency (Fv/Fm), while the two T species kept partial stomata opening until RWC reached 45 % and reduction in Fv/Fm at the late stage. Also, chlorophyll content as indicated by a spectral reflectance index was gradually reduced in three species. Physiological recovery was completed after 3-d re-watering for the E species, which was more rapid than for the T species. The gas exchange measurements and regression analyses indicated higher photosynthetic water use efficiency in the E species than in the T species.

Additional key words: Asplenium; chlorophyll fluorescence; Microsorium; Neottopteris; net photosynthetic rate; Paraleptochilus; physiological recovery; relative water content; stomatal conductance; water conservation strategy

Received: April 30, 2008; Accepted: September 8, 2008; Published: March 1, 2009  Show citation

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Zhang, Q., Chen, J.W., Li, B.G., & Cao, K.F. (2009). The effect of drought on photosynthesis in two epiphytic and two terrestrial tropical fern species. Photosynthetica, 47(1), 128-132. doi: 10.1007/s11099-009-0020-9
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