Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Semi-arid viticultural regions globally are experiencing severe and frequent growing-season heat waves that negatively impact grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) physiological performance and productivity. At the leaf level, heat stress can photodamage both Photosystem I (PSI) and Photosystem II (PSII). In order to study the self-protection mechanism of grapevine leaves, in this study, 3-year-old potted ‘Merlot’ and ‘Muscat Hamburg’ grapevines were exposed to a 5-day simulated heatwave (45/25 °C day/night) and compared to vines maintained at 25/18 °C. After heat exposure, ‘Merlot’ demonstrated superior thermotolerance and superior physiological performance as measured by gas exchange, oxidative parameters, chlorophyll loss, and photoinhibition of PSI and PSII. Additionally, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) dissipated the excess light energy in the form of heat. Y(NPQ) progressively rose from 0 to 0.6, signaling the start of the grapevine leaves’ self-defense against temperature stress. Furthermore, the stimulation of cyclic electron flow (CEF) under high temperatures contributed to the energy balance of PSI. The CEF of ‘Muscat Hamburg’ under high light intensities increased dramatically from 1 to 4. NAD(P)H dehydrogenase-dependent CEF around PSI increased markedly, suggesting its role in self-protection. These results demonstrate that both NPQ and CEF play key photoprotective roles by generating a proton gradient under heat stress.
Source: Agronomy
Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The University of Adelaide
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4409445675