Morphophysiological responses of black pepper to recurrent water deficit
This study investigated the effects of recurrent water deficit on drought tolerance traits in black pepper (<i>Piper nigrum</i> L.) 'Bragantina'. Plants were subjected to three cycles of water deficit followed by recovery periods. Water deficit reduced stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, transpiration, and water potential while increasing water-use efficiency. In addition, intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, leaf temperature, root starch, and adaptive morphological characteristics in leaves and roots increased. Despite these adaptations, plants did not recover vegetative growth after rehydration. The primary tolerance mechanisms observed included increased abaxial epidermis thickness, stomatal density, fine roots, periderm thickness, and starch accumulation in roots. Although gas exchange and leaf water potential were restored, vegetative growth did not fully recover. This study highlights the response of black pepper to recurrent water stress and the underlying mechanisms of its drought tolerance.
Authors
- Jeane Crasque (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2731-4195)
- Jean Marcel Sousa Lira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5263-5855)
- Basílio Cerri Neto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5778-6185)
- P. S. Rodrigues
- Thayanne Rangel Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4856-3887)
- Sara Dousseau Arantes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6202-4153)
- José Altino Machado Filho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7759-2479)
- Andreia Barcelos Passos Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2780-2279)
- Valéria Pancieri Sallin
- Hérica Chisté
- Antelmo Ralph Falqueto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3146-1873)
- L.O. ARANTES
- Andrea Pires
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas (BR)
- Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Photosynthetica
- Published
- 2024-08-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.32615/ps.2024.030
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.20
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo
- Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações