Ultrastructural responses of the desiccation tolerant plants Xerophyta viscosa and X. retinervis to dehydration and rehydration

Abstract

This paper compares the changes in water content, chlorophyll a fluorescence and leaf ultrastructure during dehydration and rehydration in two desiccation tolerant plants Xerophyta viscosa and X. retinervis. Both species showed decreasing quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (Fv/Fm) with decreasing water content. Extreme water loss observed after 25 d of dehydration resulted in considerable damage of leaf tissue ultrastructure. After rehydration, both species need several days to reconstitute their photosynthetic machinery. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.