J Integr Plant Biol. ›› 2012, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (8): 584-594.DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2012.01141.x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Leaves of Field-Grown Mastic Trees Suffer Oxidative Stress at the Two Extremes of their Lifespan

Marta Juvany, Maren Müller and Sergi Munné-Bosch*   

  1. Departament de Biologia Vegetal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal, 645, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
  • Received:2012-04-27 Accepted:2012-06-14 Published:2012-08-01
  • About author:*Corresponding author Tel. +34-934021463; Fax: +34-934112842; E-mail: smunne@ub.edu

Abstract:

Leaf senescence is a complex phenomenon occurring in all plant species, but it is still poorly understood in plants grown in Mediterranean field conditions and well-adapted to harsh climatic conditions. To better understand the physiological processes underlying leaf senescence in mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus L.), we evaluated leaf growth, water and N content, photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry, lipid peroxidation and levels of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid and jasmonic acid during the complete leaf lifespan, from early expansion to late senescence in relation to natural climatic conditions in the field. While mature leaves suffered from water and N deficit during late spring and summer, both young (emerging) and old (senescing) leaves were most sensitive to photo-oxidative stress, as indicated by reductions in the Fv/Fm ratio and enhanced lipid peroxidation during late autumn and winter. Reductions in the Fv/Fm ratio were associated with low α-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels, while very old, senescing leaves additionally showed severe anthocyanin losses. We have concluded that both young (emerging) and old (senescing) leaves suffer oxidative stress in mastic trees, which may be linked in part to suboptimal temperatures during late autumn and winter as well as to low vitamin E levels.

Juvany M, M¨ uller M, Munn´e-Bosch S (2012) Leaves of field-grown mastic trees suffer oxidative stress at the two extremes of their lifespan. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 54(8), 584–594.

Key words: Leaf senescence, lentisc (Pistacea lentiscus L.), oxidative stress, phytohormones, seasonal effects

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