Chlorophyll fluorescence as a criterion for the diagnosis of abiotic environmental stress of miscanthus x giganteus hybrid

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of abiotic chemical stresses in the soil environment (salinization, acidification, inorganic risk elements from the industry) on the chlorophyll content and parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence-effective and maximum quantum yield PSII (yield Y(II) or Fv/Fm test) of Miscanthus x giganteus hybrid. For this objective, graduated doses of stresses, as mentioned above, were applied to a pot experiment's controlled conditions during the growing season 2018. The chlorophyll content of 19.267 CCI units was recorded with the control treatment. However, a significantly higher content of chlorophyll was observed with the examined stressors, especially salinity (25.433 CCI) and acidity (26.500 CCI). Y (II) value ranged from 0.561 to 0.693 and Fv/Fm from 0.689 to 0.775 respectively. There were no significant differences between assessed stressors and control. Miscanthus x giganteus had good resistance to the impact of assessed chemical stresses; damage to the assimilation apparatus of the plants did not occur. The species has the potential and can create the preconditions for cultivation even in a mildly contaminated soil environment, e.g., for reclamation of degraded soils or energy use.