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Growth‐ and leaf‐temperature effects on photosynthesis of sweet orange seedlings infected with Xylella fastidiosa

2004; Wiley; Volume: 53; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.0032-0862.2004.01012.x

1365-3059

Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro, Eduardo Caruso Machado, Ricardo Ferraz de Oliveira,

Plant Parasitism and Resistance

The effects of growth and leaf temperature on photosynthesis were evaluated in sweet orange seedlings ( Citrus sinensis cv. Pera) infected with Xylella fastidiosa (the bacterium that causes citrus variegated chlorosis, CVC). Measurements of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence were taken at leaf temperatures of 25, 30, 35 and 40°C in healthy and infected (without visible symptoms) seedlings submitted to two temperature regimes (25/20 or 35/20°C, day/night), not simultaneously. The CO 2 assimilation rates ( A ) and stomatal conductance ( g s ) were higher in healthy plants in both temperature regimes. Values for A and g s of infected and healthy plants were higher in the 35/20°C regime, decreasing with leaf temperature increase. In addition, differences between healthy and infected plants were higher at 35/20°C, while no differences in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were observed except for potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II, which was higher in infected plants. Low A values in infected plants were caused by low g s and probably by biochemical damage to photosynthesis. The high alternative electron sink of infected plants was another effect of reduced A . Both high growth and high leaf temperatures increased differences in A between healthy and infected plants. Therefore this feature may be partially responsible for lower growth and/or productivity of CVC‐affected plants in regions with high air temperature.