Chlorophyll fluorescence and other physiological parameters as indicators of waterlogging and shadow stress in lulo (Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale) seedlings

Abstract

Climate change has resulted in an increasing frequency of the phenomenon “La Niña,” generating prolonged periods of waterlogging and low light. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two abiotic stresses: shading (65%) and waterlogging, and their interaction on fluorescence parameters of chlorophyll a in lulo (Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale) seedlings. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement was implemented. The first factor consisted of two levels of light (with and without shading). The second factor were four levels of duration of the waterlogging period (0, 3, 6 and 9 days), for a total of 8 treatments with three replicates. The response variables were recorded at 6, 12 and 18 days after the application of the waterlogging treatments began. Measurements of relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a fluorescence were recorded. The lulo plants appeared to be more susceptible to waterlogging than to shading, with a lower RWC when waterlogged 6 and 9 days, presenting damage at the level of photosystem II from day 3, causing a decrease in the chlorophyll content. The plants flooded under shading had a greater tolerance to this factor than those cultivated in full light. The techniques of quantification of the chlorophyll a fluorescence, especially the maximum quantum efficiency of the PSII, the effective photochemical quantum yield of PS II and the photochemical quenching were useful tools that characterized the lulo seedlings under stress conditions.

Review on the ecophysiology of important Andean fruits: Solanaceae

“…However, it is to consider (Tab. 3) that the growth of the lulo suffers from waterlogging after 6 days (Cardona et al 2016) and the photosynthesis is affected by this condition after 3 days (Sánchez-Reinoso et al 2019). Foliar applications of nitrogen decreased the detrimental effect of waterlogging in the lulo (Flórez-Velasco et al 2015).…”

“…With low knowledge of ecophysiology in these species (Sánchez-Reinoso et al 2019), more studies of a physiological, biochemical, and even molecular aspects are required, which would allow for the understanding of the influence of climate on photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, sink-source relationship, hormonal behavior, among others processes, to make more accurate decisions related to the growing of these species in the most appropriate areas to provide a better expression of their genetic potential (Pérez & Melgarejo, 2015).…”

Phenology and growth of lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam) plants grafted onto Solanum hirtum Vahl.

“…Luo et al (2015) stated that the ambient temperature affects crop growth, development, and production since there are specific temperature requirements to complete each stage of the life cycle. Lulo crops show adequate development in zones with temperatures of 15-24°C, with an optimum of 20°C (Sánchez-Reinoso et al, 2019). Water and energy balance are also significantly affected by temperature (Sacks and Kucharika, 2011).…”

General and specific combining abilities in a lulo diallel cross (Solanum quitoense Lam.)

“…is a fruit tree species in the Solanaceae family, and is a promising crop for agro-industry because of its potent organoleptic characteristics and physical traits (Cardona et al, 2016;Criollo-Escobar et al, 2020). It is an economically important crop in Colombia, mainly in the Andean region (Almanza-Merchán et al, 2016;Sánchez-Reinoso et al, 2019).…”