Differential morphological, physiological, and molecular responses to water deficit stress in sugarcane

C&assia Ângela Pedrozo; John Jifon; M&arcio Henrique Pereira Barbosa; Jorge Alberto Da Silva; Jong-Won Park; Nora Solis Gracia

doi:10.5897/JPBCS2015.0500

Journal of
Plant Breeding and Crop Science

Abbreviation: J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci.
Language: English
ISSN: 2006-9758
DOI: 10.5897/JPBCS
Start Year: 2009
Published Articles: 453

Full Length Research Paper

Differential morphological, physiological, and molecular responses to water deficit stress in sugarcane

Cássia Ângela Pedrozo

Cássia Ângela Pedrozo
Center of Agroforestry Research of Roraima. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation ? EMBRAPA, Rodovia BR-174, km 8, Distrito Industrial, zip code: 69301-970, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil.
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John Jifon

John Jifon
Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center, the Texas A&M System, 2415 E Highway 83, Zip Code: 78596, Weslaco, Texas, United States.
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Márcio Henrique Pereira Barbosa

Márcio Henrique Pereira Barbosa
Federal University of Viçosa, Departamento de Agronomia, Avenida P.H. Rolfs, zip code: 36570-000, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Jorge Alberto Da Silva

Jorge Alberto Da Silva
Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center, the Texas A&M System, 2415 E Highway 83, Zip Code: 78596, Weslaco, Texas, United States.
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Jong-Won Park

Jong-Won Park
Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center, the Texas A&M System, 2415 E Highway 83, Zip Code: 78596, Weslaco, Texas, United States.
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Nora Solis Gracia

Nora Solis Gracia
Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension Center, the Texas A&M System, 2415 E Highway 83, Zip Code: 78596, Weslaco, Texas, United States.
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Article Number - BE6616254281
Vol.7(7), pp. 225-231 , July 2015
https://doi.org/10.5897/JPBCS2015.0500

Received: 23 January 2015
Accepted: 30 June 2015
Published: 28 July 2015

Abstract

This study was designed to characterize morphological, physiological and molecular responses of sugarcane genotypes to a simulated water deficit stress. Two genotypes (TSP05-4: Drought-tolerant; TCP02-4589: Drought-sensitive) were subjected to a 20-day water deficit treatment and an 8-day recovery period. Leaf photosynthesis (P_n), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (G_s), leaf greenness index (SPAD) and variable-to-maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m), were evaluated before, during and after water deficit. Root-to-shoot ratio (R/S), stalk height (SH), diameter (SD) and stalk weight (SW) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed seven differentially-expressed transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) identified by cDNA-AFLP. P_n rates were similar between the genotypes under well-watered conditions. However, under water deficit, TSP05-4 had higher P_n rates. SPAD, F_v/F_mand R/S were also generally higher in TSP05-4, regardless of soil moisture status. Water deficit-induced reductions in SH and SW were greater in TCP02-4589 than in TSP05-4. Three TDFs showing sequence similarities to genes encoding a putative expressed pentatricopeptide, a protein kinase CK2 regulatory subunit CK2β3, and a glucose-6-phosphate/phosphate translocator 2 were identified in TCP02-4589. One TDF similar to a drought-inducible protein was identified in TSP05-4. Recovery of physiological processes and gene expression patterns to the water stress levels was fast.