Environmental and Experimental Botany最新文献

{"title":"Microcystis aeruginosa exudate alters root development by impacting plant hormone accumulation and auxin signal transduction","authors":"Weiguang Wang ,&nbsp;Baozhu Zhang ,&nbsp;Fanyi Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Shi ,&nbsp;Xiaolan Chen ,&nbsp;Xuexiu Chang ,&nbsp;Marek Kolenčík ,&nbsp;Lijuan Zhou ,&nbsp;Yu Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Microcystis aeruginosa</em>, a typical cyanobacterial species, can alter the root development of aquatic plants. To explore how <em>M. aeruginosa</em> affects plant root development, we exposed <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> to <em>M. aeruginosa</em> exudate (MaE) and investigated the responses of plant hormone synthesis and auxin signal transduction. Results showed that MaE significantly advanced lateral root primordium development, increased lateral root number, and reduced primary root length. On the 7th day of MaE exposure, the level of cytokinin in the total roots of <em>A. thaliana</em> decreased, consistent with the decreased expression of cytokinin synthesis and metabolism genes on Day 5 and Day 7. The pathogen defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and N-(jasmonate)-S-JA-Ile(JA-Ile) concentration significantly increased in MaE-treated roots, although their synthesis and metabolism genes expression level were down-regulated. Similarly, although auxin compounds concentration in roots showed no significant difference, their synthesis and metabolism genes expression level were down-regulated. In the auxin signal transduction pathway, auxin signal input remained unchanged between MaE and the control group, as indicated by DII expression levels, while auxin signal output was amplified by MaE, as shown by increased DR5 expression levels. The transcription factor ARF7, which controls lateral root development and is downstream in the auxin signal transduction pathway, was significantly activated by MaE. These results indicate that MaE affects plant root system architecture by altering plant hormone balance and auxin signal transduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106187"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different altitudinal distributions of the two chemical varieties of Pseudevernia furfuracea collide with the conserved physiological response of transplanted lichens","authors":"Elva Cecconi ,&nbsp;Elisa Pellegrini ,&nbsp;Giulia Micai ,&nbsp;Silvia Ongaro ,&nbsp;Mazari Ait Kaci ,&nbsp;Claudia Pisuttu ,&nbsp;Fabio Candotto Carniel ,&nbsp;Cristina Nali ,&nbsp;Mauro Tretiach","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lichen <em>Pseudevernia furfuracea</em> consists of two varieties, <em>furfuracea</em> and <em>ceratea</em>, which differ in secondary metabolites and geographical distribution. The aim of this work is to test the hypothesis that they also differ in altitudinal distribution possibly because they differ in some physiological responses to climatic factors. An extensive sampling was carried out in the South-eastern Alps, from 760 to 2100 m above sea level (a.s.l.), which showed that var. <em>ceratea</em> (with olivetoric acid, OA, as major and physodic acid, PA, as minor) is restricted to the highest altitudes, between 1500 and 2100 m, while var. <em>furfuracea</em> (with PA) is still widespread at the lowest altitudes. Subsequently, three areas (A-C) with different precipitation levels (A&lt;B&lt;C) were selected. In each area, thalli were sampled at the tree line and transplanted <em>in situ</em> and at four <em>ex situ</em> sites at 960–1090 m a.s.l. on northern and southern slopes, near and far from lakes. Chlorophyll fluorescence, malondialdehyde, and ergosterol were quantified before and after transplantation, while microclimatic conditions were monitored during exposure. After six months, the three parameters generally decreased, with no significant intervarietal difference, except for ergosterol, which was lower in var. <em>ceratea</em> in A,B. As these differences are negligible overall, the adaptive significance of the different chemistry of the two varieties must be interpreted as a result of different defence capabilities against herbivory, if not as a mere consequence of the accumulation of OA (a precursor of PA) caused by the climatic conditions prevailing at higher altitudes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106186"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144330679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integration of lipidomics and transcriptomics provides new insights into lipid metabolism in response to water deficit in Prunus spp. rootstock leaves","authors":"Patricio Olmedo ,&nbsp;Gerardo Núñez-Lillo ,&nbsp;Guillermo Toro ,&nbsp;Ismael Opazo ,&nbsp;Ariel Salvatierra ,&nbsp;Claudio Meneses ,&nbsp;Romina Pedreschi ,&nbsp;Paula Pimentel","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mechanisms underlying the role of lipids in the response to water deficit in <em>Prunus</em> species have not yet been elucidated. To investigate these, a drought-tolerant rootstock (R40) and a drought-sensitive rootstock (R20) were exposed to well-watered (WW) and water deficit (WD) conditions. We combined physiological, lipidomics, and transcriptomics analyses to elucidate lipid dynamics in rootstock leaves and roots when coping drought. Data showed that R40 genotype possessed a higher stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate under WD conditions. Lipidomic profiling indicated that most of differences were found in leaves between both genotypes. Under WD conditions, R40 genotype showed a higher number of lipids accumulated, such as ceramides, unsaturated fatty acids, and triacylglycerols. Also, when comparing WW and WD conditions, we observed that drought induced major changes in the R20 genotype. Interestingly, WD reduced the number of accumulated compounds, suggesting a lipid remodeling associated with degradation. Transcriptomic analysis of lipid-related genes showed that the R20 genotype were more responsive to WD, decreasing the expression of these transcripts. A decrease in fatty acid biosynthesis and desaturation was induced in the R20 genotype under WD, while the R40 genotype showed an increased expression of genes associated mainly with biosynthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerol.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106185"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144298727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The GPCR-type G protein PeuCOLD1 of Populus euphratica conferred the ability to resist low temperature stress","authors":"Cong-Hua Feng ,&nbsp;Meng-Xue Niu ,&nbsp;Fang He ,&nbsp;Meiying Liu ,&nbsp;Xiao Liu ,&nbsp;Shujing Liu ,&nbsp;Hao Kang ,&nbsp;Jun Ma ,&nbsp;Zhijun Li ,&nbsp;Hou-Ling Wang ,&nbsp;Chao Liu ,&nbsp;Weilun Yin ,&nbsp;Xinli Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>GPCR-type G proteins (GTG) play an important role in plant defense against low-temperature stress. In this study, we identified and isolated the GTG protein <em>PeuCOLD1</em> from <em>Populus euphratica</em>. This protein may serve as a model for the cold stress adaptation system in trees. <em>PeuCOLD1</em> is predominantly expressed in the roots and its expression is significantly upregulated by low temperature, freezing, and drought stress. It is localized in the cell membrane and endoplasmic reticulum, facilitating NO₃^- and Ca²⁺ influx, thereby promoting poplar growth. To examine its potential functions, we overexpressed <em>PeuCOLD1</em> in triploid <em>P. tomentosa Carrière</em>. The transgenic poplar exhibited improved growth and increased photosynthetic activity compared to the wild-type (WT) poplar under low-temperature stress. Thus, PeuCOLD1 enhances the ability of triploid <em>P. tomentosa Carrière</em> to withstand low-temperature stress without hindering its growth. <em>PeuCOLD1</em> also enhances the reactive oxygen scavenging enzyme capacity of poplar under low-temperature stress, leading to reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde by activating the antioxidant system. Additionally, the results indicated that the transgenic poplar expressed cold-responsive (COR) genes more rapidly compared to the wild-type poplar under low-temperature stress. In conclusion, our findings suggest that overexpressing <em>PeuCOLD1</em> (OE-<em>PeuCOLD1</em>) in triploid <em>P. tomentosa Carrière</em> influences poplar growth by regulating NO₃^- and Ca²⁺ influx. Moreover, it enhances resistance to low-temperature stress by regulating ROS scavenging and upregulating COR gene expression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106143"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ScNF-YC2, a protein interacting with ScABI3, is a transcription factor regulating abiotic stress response in Syntrichia caninervis","authors":"Mingqi Huang ,&nbsp;Jiangyuan Xiao ,&nbsp;Fanzhen Fei ,&nbsp;Xiaoyun Zhou ,&nbsp;Bin Lei ,&nbsp;Yigong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor family plays a crucial role in plant abiotic stress responses. However, its function in <em>Syntrichia caninervis</em>, a desiccation-tolerant desert moss and an ideal model organism for investigating plant stress response mechanisms, remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified ScNF-YC2, a member of the NF-Y family, as a potential interacting partner of ScABI3, a key regulator of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway. Through yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), pull-down, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays, we confirmed the physical interaction between ScNF-YC2 and ScABI3 in the nucleus. Further analysis revealed that ScNF-YC2 is relatively conserved and is significantly induced under drought, salt, and ABA treatments. Overexpression of <em>ScNF-YC2</em> in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> and <em>S. caninervis</em> exacerbated the sensitivity to salt and drought stress by elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and suppressing antioxidant enzyme activity. Conversely, <em>ScNF-YC2</em> overexpression partly reduced sensitivity to ABA in these plant species. These findings suggest that ScNF-YC2 plays a critical role in regulating abiotic stress responses in <em>S. caninervis</em> through its interaction with ScABI3, by modulating ROS homeostasis. Thus, the study highlights the subtle role of NF-Y transcription factors in regulating stress responses in desert moss.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106184"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144242967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolite profiling reveals distinct changes in C-and N-metabolism of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under CO2 enrichment in two contrasting growing seasons in the field","authors":"Shahnaj Parvin ,&nbsp;Shihab Uddin ,&nbsp;Sabine Tausz-Posch ,&nbsp;Ute Roessner ,&nbsp;Glenn J. Fitzgerald ,&nbsp;Roger Armstrong ,&nbsp;Michael Tausz","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Elevated atmospheric [CO₂] (e[CO₂]) may alleviate the effects of water stress on plants. It is unclear however whether this results exclusively from changes in stomatal conductance and water savings or also reflects changes in metabolic pathways triggered by the extra carbohydrate supplies under e[CO₂]. To help address this knowledge gap, metabolite patterns were analysed in leaves and nodules of lentils grown in a Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment facility in a water limited agro-ecosystem over the course of two contrasting growing seasons, one with high (well above average), and one with low (well below average) rainfall. Metabolomic analyses of tissues sampled at flowering showed contrasting responses to e[CO₂] in the contrasting seasons. In the high rainfall season, e[CO₂] was associated with more pronounced signatures of active energy and amino acid metabolism in leaves as well as in nodules, and particularly increased abundance of proteinogenic amino acids in leaves and nodules, which suggested strong stimulation of nodule N₂-fixation and N supply to leaves. In the low rainfall season, e[CO₂] was associated with high abundance of stress responsive metabolites, including putative osmo-protectants such as sugars and polyols as well as some N-containing compounds (proline, γ-aminobutyric acid, putrescine), while the concentration of proteinogenic amino acids in leaves was reduced. In nodules, e[CO₂] was linked to lower concentrations of sugars, polyols and most proteinogenic amino acids, along with higher concentrations of N-containing stress metabolites. However, there was little evidence that e[CO₂] enhanced energy and amino acid metabolism in the low rainfall season. This study suggests that e[CO₂] amplifies rather than mitigates the effect of different seasons on lentil metabolism. Whilst in a high rainfall season e[CO₂] intensified metabolic patterns related to active growth and N-fixation, in a low rainfall season e[CO₂] strengthened stress response signatures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106182"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144272309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zn induced modifications in cell wall structure and lignin biosynthesis pathways improving cadmium tolerance in barley","authors":"Farah Kanwal ,&nbsp;Javaria Tabusam ,&nbsp;Ameer Khan ,&nbsp;Syed Muhammad Hassan Askri ,&nbsp;Sana Ullah ,&nbsp;Guoping Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil threatens global food production and human health. This study investigated zinc (Zn) addition as a potential strategy to mitigate Cd stress using two barley genotypes, Dong-17 (Cd-sensitive) and WSBZ (Cd-tolerant). Hydroponically grown seedlings were treated with different Cd (0, 1.0, 10 μM) and Zn (0, 5, 50 μM) levels. Results showed that Zn addition effectively alleviated Cd induced growth inhibition, improving SPAD values, photosynthetic parameters, fluorescence efficiency (Fv/Fm), and biomass. Zn reduced Cd contents in roots and shoots, inhibited Cd translocation, and ameliorated Cd induced ultrastructural damage to organelles. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns between genotypes, with WSBZ showing enhanced expression of metal transporters, antioxidant defense, and stress signaling genes. Significantly, cell wall related pathways were upregulated in WSBZ, particularly lignin biosynthesis genes (<em>PAL</em>, <em>C4H</em>, <em>4CL</em>, <em>COMT</em>, <em>CAD</em>/<em>SAD</em>), suggesting cell wall reinforcement as a key Cd tolerance mechanism. Zn induced upregulation of <em>ZIP</em> family transporters and downregulation of Cd transporters (<em>HvHMA</em>) aligned with reduced Cd accumulation. These findings provide comprehensive insights into molecular mechanisms of Zn mediated alleviation of Cd toxicity in barley, supporting improved agronomic practices for Cd contaminated soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106183"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strigolactones enhance physiological and biochemical responses to salinity stress in tomato","authors":"Chiara Agliassa ,&nbsp;Cristina Morabito,&nbsp;Marco Prati,&nbsp;Francesca Secchi,&nbsp;Daniel Said-Pullicino,&nbsp;Nihan Sahin,&nbsp;Francesca Cardinale,&nbsp;Andrea Schubert","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salinity stress is increasingly affecting plant crops, including vegetables. Strigolactones (SLs) are involved in modulating plant responses to osmotic stress. To unequivocally demonstrate the role of endogenous SLs under salt stress, we compared the responses of tomato plants silenced for the SL biosynthetic gene <em>CCD7</em> (<em>CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE7</em>) with the relative wild-type and tested the effect of the specific SL analogue enantiomer GR24^5DS in stressed plants. Salt application increased the substrate electrical conductivity and leaf and root Na⁺ concentration, and decreased stem water potential. Salinity also restrained growth, reduced stomatal conductance, increased content of leaf proline, and enhanced activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes. SL-depleted plants were more susceptible to stress, showing stronger reduction of shoot growth than wild-type plants, and lower leaf concentration of proline, K⁺ and Mg²⁺. Leaf MDA concentration was higher in SL-depleted plants. Stomatal conductance and leaf soluble sugar concentration under stress were not affected by genetic SL depletion, but they respectively decreased and increased in leaves treated with GR24^5DS. Activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes in leaves was also modulated by GR24^5DS treatment. Our results unambiguously demonstrate that endogenous SLs contribute to improving tolerance to salt stress in tomato by affecting differential accumulation of ions and organic solutes, as well as responses to oxidative stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106181"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144229933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proteases and the ubiquitin-proteasome system: Understanding protein degradation under heat stress in plants","authors":"Qianqian Fan ,&nbsp;David Jespersen","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enhanced protein damage is a common consequence of heat stress in plants. One approach to removing these damaged proteins is to degrade them into amino acids via proteolytic machinery, such as proteases and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Proteases are responsible for the breakdown of proteins inside the organelles, while the UPS conducts proteolysis mainly in the cytoplasm and nucleus by attaching polyubiquitin chains to the target proteins. This process is of particular importance in protecting cells against heat stress, as it prevents the accumulation of toxic aggregates, thereby reducing cellular aging and death while maintaining normal metabolic activities in plants. In this review, we focus on the roles of different protease families in plant responses to heat stress, including serine proteases, aspartic proteases, cysteine proteases, and metalloproteases. Additionally, we summarize and discuss the involvement of the UPS in thermotolerance, with special attention to two key components: E3 ligases and 26S proteasome. Furthermore, recent advances in ubiquitin-omics in the study of abiotic stress are highlighted, suggesting the potential of utilizing ubiquitin-omics as a powerful tool to identify more UPS substrates and to characterize their functions in heat stress response. Understanding of how protein degradation is regulated in response to heat stress provides a deeper insight into thermotolerance mechanisms in plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106174"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leaf area modulates the chlorophyll fluorescence of Leymus chinensis in response to different drought scenarios","authors":"Jiatao Zhang ,&nbsp;Mai-He Li ,&nbsp;Josep Penuelas ,&nbsp;Jordi Sardans ,&nbsp;Lan Du ,&nbsp;Zuoqiang Yuan ,&nbsp;Yonghong Luo ,&nbsp;Yan Shen ,&nbsp;Ru Tian ,&nbsp;Na Li ,&nbsp;Jinbao Zhang ,&nbsp;Xinguo Han ,&nbsp;Mohsin Mahmood ,&nbsp;Haiyan Ren ,&nbsp;Zhuwen Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The photosynthetic response of plants to drought has been widely explored, primarily through indoor cultivation or short-term physiological monitoring. However, studies linking the photosynthesis of forage with plant traits and production under various drought conditions, especially in the context of global precipitation changes, are limited. We conducted a four-year field experiment involving different precipitation treatments: ambient precipitation, intense drought (ID, precipitation exclusion during June), chronic drought (CD, reducing half precipitation amount from June to August), and reducing half precipitation frequency from June to August (RF, precipitation redistribution without changing precipitation amount). Our results showed that ID and CD significantly decreased the actual maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and maximum photochemical quantum yield (F_v/F_m), indicating a decline in photosynthetic capacity in <em>Leymus chinensis</em>. Meanwhile, the increase in regulatory energy dissipation quantum yield (Φ(NPQ)) highlighted enhanced photoprotection. Additionally, the CD increased the non-regulatory energy dissipation quantum yield (Φ(NO)), indicating that the photoprotection mechanism was insufficient to dissipate excess excitation energy, leading to photodamage at the reaction center. In contrast, under the RF scenario, plants effectively managed excess excitation energy by increasing Φ(NPQ), which prevented damage and maintained stable ΦPSII and F_v/F_m levels. Through regulating leaf area, drought increased Φ(NO) and decreased F_v/F_m. Although this strategy mitigated further photosynthetic damage, it also reduced photosynthetic efficiency and productivity of <em>L. chinensis</em>. This study represents the first exploration of patterns and mechanisms of plant photosynthetic processes in response to diverse drought scenarios. It underscores the crucial role of key plant traits, i.e. leaf area, in regulating photosynthetic responses amid changing precipitation patterns, and provides valuable information for grassland management and continuous forage supply.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106175"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}