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Diurnal patterns of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and PRI to evaluate water stress in the invasive species, Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.

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Abstract

Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and hyperspectral reflectance were used to evaluate diurnal changes of Elaeagnus umbellata to quantify physiological responses of the invasive species during times of stress. Field measurements showed that E. umbellata is able to maintain higher levels of photosynthesis relative to nearby Quercus alba plants, with less water loss. Plants subjected to progressive drought were able to recover photosynthesis one day following re-watering. Laboratory and field measurements revealed decreasing ΔF/F′m values in response to drought stress, with little corresponding decrease in photochemical reflectance index values. This research supports the view that xanthophyll cycle dissipation is not the photoprotective mechanism at work for Elaeagnus species under water stress. Elaeagnus umbellata maintains photosynthetic carbon assimilation even under drought conditions, in part, due to chemical dissipation of excess light, and in part because of morphological features that limit excess radiation while maximizing photosynthetic carbon gain. These characteristics may contribute to the invasive success of E. umbellata.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Cody Connolly, Sheri Shiflett, and Ellen Young for help with field and laboratory measurements. This research was support by a grant to DRY from the United States Army Research Office. This research was also supported in part by an appointment to the Postgraduate Research Participation Program at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the US Department of Energy and ERDC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Army ERDC, Fluorescence Spectroscopy Lab, 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA, 22315, USA

    Julie C. Naumann, Jarrod Edwards & John E. Anderson

  2. Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    Julie C. Naumann, Spencer N. Bissett & Donald R. Young

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  1. Julie C. Naumann
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  2. Spencer N. Bissett
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  3. Donald R. Young
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  4. Jarrod Edwards
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Correspondence to Julie C. Naumann.

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Communicated by E. Beck.

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Naumann, J.C., Bissett, S.N., Young, D.R. et al. Diurnal patterns of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and PRI to evaluate water stress in the invasive species, Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.. Trees 24, 237–245 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0394-0

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