The Adaptive Role of Carotenoids and Anthocyanins in Solanum lycopersicum Pigment Mutants under High Irradiance

Abstract

The effects of high-intensity light on the pigment content, photosynthetic rate, and fluorescence parameters of photosystem II in high-pigment tomato mutants (hp 3005) and low-pigment mutants (lp 3617) were investigated. This study also evaluated the dry weight percentage of low molecular weight antioxidant capacity, expression patterns of some photoreceptor-regulated genes, and structural aspects of leaf mesophyll cells. The 3005 mutant displayed increased levels of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins, whereas the 3617 mutant demonstrated a heightened content of ultraviolet-absorbing pigments. The photosynthetic rate, photosystem II activity, antioxidant capacity, and carotenoid content were most pronounced in the high-pigment mutant after 72 h exposure to intense light. This mutant also exhibited an increase in leaf thickness and water content when exposed to high-intensity light, suggesting superior physiological adaptability and reduced photoinhibition. Our findings indicate that the enhanced adaptability of the high-pigment mutant might be attributed to increased flavonoid and carotenoid contents, leading to augmented expression of key genes associated with pigment synthesis and light regulation.

Ecophysiological and nutritional characterisation of two morphotypes of Cakile maritima subsp. maritima Scop. from Puglia region, Southern Italy

“…Under stressful conditions such as cold, drought, nutrient deficiency ( Ashikhmin et al., 2023 ), salinity ( Debez et al., 2012 ) or fluctuating light ( Malnoë, 2018 ; Shi et al., 2022 ), plants may absorb light energy beyond their capacity to utilize it in photosynthesis. This can lead to photo-inhibition, a process involving damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, particularly PSII, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency ( Ashikhmin et al., 2023 ).…”

“…Furthermore, both carotenoids and anthocyanins may act as antioxidant compounds, directly scavaging ROS, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, flavonoids and glutathione. Thus, they represent additional crucial mechanisms of photoprotection ( Ashikhmin et al., 2023 ).…”

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“…Under stressful conditions such as cold, drought, nutrient deficiency (Ashikhmin et al, 2023), salinity (Debez et al, 2012) or fluctuating light (Malnoë, 2018;Shi et al, 2022), plants may absorb light energy beyond their capacity to utilize it in photosynthesis. This can lead to photo-inhibition, a process involving damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, particularly PSII, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency (Ashikhmin et al, 2023).…”

“…Furthermore, both carotenoids and anthocyanins may act as antioxidant compounds, directly scavaging ROS, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, flavonoids and glutathione. Thus, they represent additional crucial mechanisms of photoprotection (Ashikhmin et al, 2023).…”