Survival Strategies of Duckweeds, the World’s Smallest Angiosperms

Ziegler, Paul; Appenroth, Klaus‐J.; Sree, K. Sowjanya

doi:10.3390/plants12112215

Cited by 26 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 189 publications

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“…A common stress response in duckweeds is the premature detachment of fronds from the parent colony [ 57 ]. In our study, this separation was observed in the presence of highly toxic elements (e.g., Ag and Hg) and under the highest concentration treatments.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Phytotoxicity of Metallic Elements on Duckweed Lemna gibba L. Using Growth- and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction-Based Endpoints

Irfan,

Mészáros,

Szabó

et al. 2024

Plants

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In this study, we exposed a commonly used duckweed species—Lemna gibba L.—to twelve environmentally relevant metals and metalloids under laboratory conditions. The phytotoxic effects were evaluated in a multi-well-plate-based experimental setup by means of the chlorophyll fluorescence imaging method. This technique allowed the simultaneous measuring of the growth and photosynthetic parameters in the same samples. The inhibition of relative growth rates (based on frond number and area) and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fo and Y(II)) were both calculated from the obtained chlorophyll fluorescence images. In the applied test system, growth-inhibition-based phytotoxicity endpoints proved to be more sensitive than chlorophyll-fluorescence-based ones. Frond area growth inhibition was the most responsive parameter with a median EC50 of 1.75 mg L−1, while Fv/Fo, the more responsive chlorophyll-fluorescence-based endpoint, resulted in a 5.34 mg L−1 median EC50 for the tested metals. Ag (EC50 0.005–1.27 mg L−1), Hg (EC50 0.24–4.87 mg L−1) and Cu (EC50 0.37–1.86 mg L−1) were the most toxic elements among the tested ones, while As(V) (EC50 47.15–132.18 mg L−1), Cr(III) (EC50 6.22–19.92 mg L−1), Se(VI) (EC50 1.73–10.39 mg L−1) and Zn (EC50 3.88–350.56 mg L−1) were the least toxic ones. The results highlighted that multi-well-plate-based duckweed phytotoxicity assays may reduce space, time and sample volume requirements compared to the standard duckweed growth inhibition tests. These benefits, however, come with lowered test sensitivity. Our multi-well-plate-based test setup resulted in considerably higher median EC50 (3.21 mg L−1) for frond-number-based growth inhibition than the 0.683 mg L−1 median EC50 derived from corresponding data from the literature with standardized Lemna-tests. Under strong acute phytotoxicity, frond parts with impaired photochemical functionality may become undetectable by chlorophyll fluorometers. Consequently, the plant parts that are still detectable display a virtually higher average photosynthetic performance, leading to an underestimation of phytotoxicity. Nevertheless, multi-well-plate-based duckweed phytotoxicity assays, combined with chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, offer definite advantages in the rapid screening of large sample series or multiple species/clones. As chlorophyll fluorescence images provide information both on the photochemical performance of the test plants and their morphology, a joint analysis of the two endpoint groups is recommended in multi-well-plate-based duckweed phytotoxicity assays to maximize the information gained from the tests.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Phytotoxicity of Metallic Elements on Duckweed Lemna gibba L. Using Growth- and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction-Based Endpoints

Irfan,

Mészáros,

Szabó

et al. 2024

Plants

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“…Duckweeds present an interesting challenge for photoacclimation due to their floating habit across diverse sites. They have unusual frond anatomy which includes large air spaces for floating, non-functional stomata, and minimal photoassimilate export to the vasculature ( Shtein et al , 2017 ; Ziegler et al , 2023 ). Their rapid growth rate is usually assessed by clonal colony expansion rates rather than progressive (3D) canopy development and tropic responses toward light seen in other macrophytes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological adaptation to irradiance in duckweeds is species and accession specific and depends on light habitat niche

Smith,

Cowan,

Taylor

et al. 2024

Journal of Experimental Botany

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Duckweeds span 36 species of free-floating aquatic organisms with body sizes ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm, where each plant body plan is reduced to a largely leaf-like structure. As an emerging crop, their fast growth rates offer potential for cultivation in closed systems. We describe a novel UK collection derived from low light (dLL) or high light (dHL) habitats, profiled for growth, photosynthesis, and photoprotection (non-photochemical quenching, NPQ) responses. Twenty-three accessions of three Lemna species and one Spirodela polyrhiza were grown under relatively low light (LL: 100 μmol m–2 s–1) and high light (HL: 350 μmol m–2 s–1) intensities. We observed broad within- and between-species level variation in photosynthesis acclimation. Duckweeds grown under HL exhibited a lower growth rate, biomass, chlorophyll, and quantum yield of photosynthesis. In HL compared with LL, carotenoid de-epoxidation state and NPQ were higher, whilst PSII efficiency (φPSII) and Chl a:b ratios were unchanged. The dLL plants showed relatively stronger acclimation to HL compared with dHL plants, especially Lemna japonica accessions. These achieved faster growth in HL with concurrent higher carotenoid levels and NPQ, and less degradation of chlorophyll. We conclude that these data support local adaptation to the light environment in duckweed affecting acclimation in controlled conditions.

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“…Known for their high protein content (45.54% dry weight), duckweeds have become popular superfoods in Thailand (7). Not only do they have a promisingly high level of nutritional value, but they are also one of the fastest-growing plants under ideal environmental conditions; reproducing by vegetative propagation, called fronds ( 8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Optimization of High-Protein Duckweed Cultivation in Eutrophicated Water with Mutualistic Bacteria

Akkarajeerawat,

Chauvanasmith,

Keatsirisart

2024

Preprint

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The exponential increase in the human population is the leading cause of a global food crisis and the rise of humanity's carbon footprint level. One such approach to resolve these issues is the cultivation of duckweed (Wolffia globosa) for consumption in the Northern and Northeastern provinces of Thailand. In particular, duckweed has drawn increasing attention due to its rapid growth rate, adaptability to extreme conditions, and potential as a protein alternative; however, their properties can be greatly enhanced. Our research investigates two optimizations for the cultivation of duckweeds: in the medium's nitrogen-phosphorus concentration and the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). We hypothesized that using phosphorus-rich water and PGPB would significantly increase duckweed biomass production, while nitrogen-rich water would increase protein content. This was based on evidence from past research showing that aquatic plants have high nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and that PGPB can support the growth of plants by nitrogen fixation. We found that the phosphorus-rich group boosted biomass greatly, while the nitrogen-rich group significantly enhanced their protein value. Furthermore, PGPB yielded the highest increase in biomass, but had an insignificant impact on protein. Based on our results, we recommend the use of nitrogen and phosphorus-rich water and PGPB to optimize duckweed cultivation, addressing the global food crisis and environmental impact.

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Survival Strategies of Duckweeds, the World’s Smallest Angiosperms

Cited by 26 publications

References 189 publications

Comparative Phytotoxicity of Metallic Elements on Duckweed Lemna gibba L. Using Growth- and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction-Based Endpoints

Comparative Phytotoxicity of Metallic Elements on Duckweed Lemna gibba L. Using Growth- and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction-Based Endpoints

Physiological adaptation to irradiance in duckweeds is species and accession specific and depends on light habitat niche

The Optimization of High-Protein Duckweed Cultivation in Eutrophicated Water with Mutualistic Bacteria

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