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Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements as proxies of X-ray resistance in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

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Abstract

Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants were irradiated with different doses (0.3, 10, 50 and 100 Gy) of X-rays in order to obtain a reference curve of response to ionizing radiations for this species. Growth analysis, gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were performed to estimate the radio-resistance of bean plants. Specifically, there was a negative influence of X-rays on the net photosynthesis rate at 50 and 100 Gy, already on the day of irradiation. Experimental data showed a recovery over time in the gas exchange while the theoretical maximum photochemical efficiency of the photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was fairly constant throughout the period of measurements (20 days) and for all the experimental conditions. On the other hand, the quantum yield of PSII linear electron transport (ΦPSII) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were deeply influenced over time by X-ray dose, suggesting a decrease in the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus at the highest radiation doses. The growth was affected only at the highest doses of radiation with a significant and severe reduction of leaf expansion and number of leaves per plant. Despite the arrest in growth, X-ray exposure seems to trigger an increased photochemical activity probably signifying that P. vulgaris plants have a fairly elevated resistance to this kind of ionizing radiation. Our current results will provide a complete analysis of the photosystem II (PSII) response of P. vulgaris to different doses (0.3, 10, 50 and 100 Gy) of X-rays, providing sound references for both space-oriented and radioecology questions.

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Abbreviations

F o, F o ’ :

Minimum chlorophyll fluorescence values in dark- and light-acclimated conditions, respectively

F’ :

Steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence value in light conditions

F m, F m ’ :

Maximum chlorophyll fluorescence values of dark- and light-acclimated leaves, respectively

Fv/Fm :

Theoretical maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII

ΦPSII :

Quantum yield of PSII linear electron transport

NPQ:

Non-photochemical quenching

PN :

Net photosynthesis rate

PPFD:

Photosynthetic photon flux density

PSII:

Photosystem II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia 4-Edificio 7, 80126, Naples, Italy

    C. R. Guadagno, S. Bonanno, A. M. Manco, N. Sodano & N. D’Ambrosio

  2. Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia 4-Edificio 6, 80126, Naples, Italy

    M. Pugliese

  3. Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, 1000 University Avenue, Laramie, WY, USA

    C. R. Guadagno

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  1. C. R. Guadagno
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  2. M. Pugliese
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  3. S. Bonanno
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  4. A. M. Manco
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  5. N. Sodano
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Correspondence to N. D’Ambrosio.

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Guadagno, C.R., Pugliese, M., Bonanno, S. et al. Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements as proxies of X-ray resistance in Phaseolus vulgaris L.. Radiat Environ Biophys 58, 575–583 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-019-00811-3

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