Photosynthetic activity in the rootstock of hybrid peach trees submitted to water restriction and flooding

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of flooding and water restriction (drought) on the photosynthetic activity in plants of the hybrid rootstock 'GxN-9' (Prunus dulcis Mill. × Prunus persica L. Bastsch), grown in a greenhouse. Chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange were analyzed in plants of approximately 12 months. The reduction of photosynthetic activity in both the stresses were associated with decreased carboxylation efficiency, but without affecting the internal concentration of carbon dioxide. The JIP-test parameters revealed changes in the energy flux processes demonstrating that in terms of flooding the rootstock GxN-9 the rate of photosynthetic performance significantly decreases, resulting in a considerable decrease in net assimilation rate. The JIP-test analysis was efficient in determining the thresholds mainly of the flood response, proving to be useful in exploration of the photosynthetic activity as a physiological marker of the stress tolerance.