Effect of water stress on chlorophyll and carotenoid contents on seedlings from three seed sources of Pinus ponderosa

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA)

OSTI ID:7190504

Benes, S E; Houpis, J L.J. ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)

The effect of water stress on pigmentation was studied on seedlings from three seed sources of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl.) selected from similar latitudes but along a gradient of decreasing water availability from the California coast to the western and eastern sides of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. All plants were grown in a common garden for 18 months. Water was withheld from the two-year old potted seedlings and weekly needle samples were taken for the 10 week drought period and for a two week recovery period. Pigments were passively extracted in dimethylformamide and quantified spectrophotometrically. The seedlings from the more mesic seed zone exhibited water stress earlier (Week 8) and to a greater extent (-1.53 Mpa predawn water potential) than seedlings from the other two seed zones. However, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations did not correspond to increasing level of water stress. There were differences in pigmentation among the seedlings from the three seed zones, with those seedlings from the west side of the Sierra Nevada having less chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids than those from the other two regions. Analysis of the chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids than those from the other two regions. Analysis of the chlorophyll a/b ratio indicated that although there were differences in pigmentation, the relative abundance of chlorophyll a to be was consistent among seedlings from all three seed zones.

• OSTI ID: 7190504
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA), Vol. 89:4; ISSN 0079-2241
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DROUGHTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PINES
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
CAROTENOIDS
CHLOROPHYLL
PIGMENTS
SEEDLINGS
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CONIFERS
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
TERPENES
TREES
551000* - Physiological Systems