Effect of desiccation of the resurrection plant haberlea rhodopensis at high temperature on the photochemical activity of PSI and PSII

Abstract

Changes in the photochemical activity of the homoiochlorophyllous poikilohydric plant Haberlea rhodopensis under dehydration at high temperature was investigated. Plants, growing under low irradiance in their natural habitat, were desiccated to air-dry state at a similar light intensity (about 30 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD) under optimal (23/20 °C) or high (38/30 °C) day/night temperature. Water deficit reduced photochemical activity of PSII and PSI. The results showed that desiccation of Haberlea rhodopensis at high temperature had more limiting effects than desiccation at optimal temperature. However, the damage was limited to a level where repair was still possible and thus plants fully recovered after 7 days of rehydration.