Synergistic adaptations: Freezing tolerance is associated with desiccation tolerance and activation of violaxanthin de-epoxidase in wintergreen ferns

Abstract

Some ferns can survive substantial abiotic stress. In this issue, Fernández-Marín et al. (2021a) identify an overlap between two seemingly disparate stressors: freezing and near-complete desiccation. The authors determine that three desiccation-tolerant (DT) fern species are also tolerant to freezing at-7 °C, analyzing several traits that may confer both freezing tolerance and desiccation tolerance. In particular, the authors discovered that DT ferns exhibit freezing-induced activation of violaxanthin de-epoxidase in the absence of light. This study complements previous studies finding overlap between desiccation tolerance and freezing tolerance in angiosperms and lichens, providing evidence for a broader trend across the phylogeny.