ABSTRACT The root system is essential for sugarcane regrowth and the vigor of ratoon cycles as it represents the unique source of carbon skeletons and energy for the initial plant development. However, root system dynamics after shoot harvesting and its role in sugarcane regrowth remains poorly known. Here, it was hypothesized that sugarcane plants with small volume of root system will accumulate less biomass after shoot harvesting than plants with larger volume and that such regrowth is dependent on root reserves. In sugarcane plants grown in nutrient solution, shoots were cut, and two root treatments were established: reference plants with the entire root system (100%); and plants with half of the root system (50%), randomly removing half of root system. After 37 days of shoot harvesting, plants with the entire root system showed higher shoot, root and total dry mass, root length, root diameter, root area and root volume, when compared with those with 50% of the root system. Sugarcane plants with the entire root system had higher root content of starch, soluble sugar and nonstructural carbohydrates as compared to plants with 50% of the root system. A significant positive correlation was found between the variation of shoot dry mass and the variation of root nonstructural carbohydrates. Interestingly, this data revealed a disproportionate effect of root system size on sugarcane regrowth, with plants with the entire root system accumulating almost three times more biomass than plants with half of the root system during regrowth.

Abstract Water deficit is a major factor limiting crop yield in rainfed areas. We hypothesized that under water deficit the decrease of photosynthetic production stimulates: carbohydrate remobilization from leaves, stems and roots to reproductive organs; and decreasing flowering intensity and pod development. The present work aims to study the effect of water deficit during bloom and grain pod-filling stages in two indeterminate soybean cultivar, Vtop and Nidera. The following physiological parameters were evaluated by means of daily CO2 assimilation rate (Ai), dynamic of carbohydrates in tissues, plant growth, grain yield and yield components. The study was conducted in a greenhouse with plants sown in tanks of 0.5 m3. Regardless of the phenological phase, water deficit reduced Ai, plant growth and number of pods and seeds per plant. The fact that grain yield was less affected by water deficit at bloom than at grain pod-filling stage was attributed to larger seeds found at bloom. In both treatments, a sharp reduction on carbohydrate content was found in leaves, stem and roots at the beginning of pod formation. The high amounts of carbohydrates remobilized for seed growth, along with the high values of Ai observed in well-watered plants, indicate that grain yield of soybeans is source rather than sink limited. On the other hand, in water deficit treatments, a new stimulus for carbohydrate storage was found in the leaves and stem at the beginning of grain maturity, suggesting that grain yield was limited by sink capacity.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate if endophytic bacteria inoculants would be beneficial to the sugarcane varieties IACSP94-2094 and IACSP95-5000, promoting changes in photosynthesis and plant growth. The plants, obtained from mini stalks with one bud, were treated with two bacteria mixtures (inoculum I or II) or did not receive any inoculum (control plants). The inocula did not affect shoot and root dry matter accumulation as compared to the control condition (plants with native endophytic bacteria). However, photosynthesis and electron transport rate (ETR) increased in IACSP94-2094 treated with the inoculum II, whereas the inoculum I enhanced photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in IACSP95-5000. The inoculum II caused increase in leaf sucrose concentration of IACSP94-2094 and decrease in IACSP95-5000 leaves. Leaf nitrogen concentration was not affected by treatments, but bacteria inoculation increased nitrate reductase activity in IACSP95-5000, and the highest activity was found in plants treated with the inoculum II. We can conclude that bacteria inoculation changed sugarcane physiology, improving photosynthesis and nitrate reduction in a genotype-dependent manner, without promoting plant growth under non-limiting conditions.

Low water availability and high temperatures occur under field conditions and we hypothesize that the critical temperature for photochemical damage (TC) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants is increased by the occurrence of previous water deficit in a genotype-dependent manner. Five common bean cultivars A320, A222, Carioca, BAT477 and Ouro Negro were evaluated. Thirty days after seedlings emergence, one group of plants was exposed to water deficit for ten days and rehydrated and another one was maintained well hydrated during the experimental period. The minimum chlorophyll fluorescence (FO) was monitored in leaf discs exposed to temperatures ranging from 25 to 45 oC and the TC values estimated. The previous water deficit did not affect TC, which varied between 38.8 and 43.8 oC when considering all cultivars and water regimes. Under well-watered conditions, BAT477 (41.9 oC) and Carioca (43.8 oC) presented higher TCthan Ouro Negro (38.8 oC). Our findings indicate a significant genotypic variation in thermal tolerance in Phaseolus vulgaris, an important crop trait to be considered in breeding programs.

ResumoUm importante índice para a indústria sucroalcooleira é a produtividade de sacarose em cana-de-açúcar, que pode ser relacionada à capacidade da planta em acumular sacarose durante a maturação. Apesar de se conhecer a eficiência de tratamentos como a restrição hídrica e a aplicação de reguladores para estimular o acúmulo de sacarose nos colmos, pouco se conhece sobre as respostas fisiológicas da planta que levam à maturação. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas da cana-de-açúcar a diferentes tratamentos indutores de maturação e, assim, compreender melhor a fisiologia desse processo. Duas variedades, a IACSP95-5000, de alta produtividade, e a IACSP94-2094, de produtividade moderada, foram submetidas ao déficit hídrico, à aplicação de regulador químico (etefom 480 g ha–1) e aos dois tratamentos associados. Foram medidos o crescimento, a concentração de carboidratos em folhas e colmos e as trocas gasosas. Concluiu-se que o efeito do etefom em cana-de-açúcar é genótipo-dependente, estimulando o acúmulo de sacarose no colmo e o suprimento de fotoassimilados pela fonte na variedade responsiva (IACSP95-5000). Tais efeitos não são associados à restrição do crescimento. Em relação à aplicação dos tratamentos de déficit hídrico e etefom associados, a variedade responsiva apresenta aumento no teor de sacarose no colmo nos mesmos níveis apresentados quando apenas etefom é aplicado, de modo que os tratamentos não apresentam efeitos aditivos na maturação da cana-de-açúcar.

AbstractAn important index for the ethanol industry is the sucrose yield in sugarcane, which is affected by plant ability to accumulate sucrose during ripening. Despite the known efficiency of treatments such as water restriction and the application of regulators to stimulate the sucrose storage in culms, little is known about the physiological responses of the plant that lead to ripening. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of sugarcane to different ripening treatments. Two varieties, IACSP95-5000, with high yield, and IACSP94-2094, with moderate yield were subjected to water deficit or application of chemical regulator (ethephon 480 g ha–1) and both treatments associated. Growth, accumulation of carbohydrates in leaves and culms were measured. It can be concluded that the effects of ethephon on sugarcane are genotype-dependent. Ethephon stimulates sucrose accumulation in the culm and the photosynthate supply by the source in the responsive variety (IACSP95-5000). Such effects are not associated with growth restriction. In relation to the drought combined with the application of ethephon, the responsive variety shows increased sucrose content in culm at the same level as when ethephon is applied alone, hence treatments have no additive effects on sugarcane ripening.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas fotossintéticas da cana‑de‑açúcar aos efeitos simultâneos e isolados de baixa temperatura noturna (TN) e deficiência hídrica (DH). Após 128 dias do plantio, as plantas da cultivar IACSP94-2094 foram submetidas aos tratamentos: controle, sem DH e com TN de 20°C (TN20); com DH e TN de 20°C (DH/TN20); sem DH e com TN de 12°C (TN12); e com DH e TN de 12°C (DH/TN12) por cinco dias. Após o período de tratamento, as plantas foram irrigadas e submetidas à TN de 20°C por mais quatro dias, para recuperação. Houve decréscimos na assimilação de CO2 em todos os tratamentos. A recuperação total da assimilação de CO2 foi observada apenas nas plantas do tratamento TN12. A ocorrência simultânea da baixa temperatura noturna e da deficiência hídrica causou dano acentuado e persistente na condutância estomática, na capacidade máxima da ribulose‑1,5‑bisfosfato carboxilase, no transporte aparente de elétrons, no fator de eficiência e na eficiência operacional do fotossistema II, o que resultou em limitações difusivas, bioquímicas e fotoquímicas da fotossíntese das plantas de cana‑de‑açúcar.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to the simultaneous and isolated effects of low night temperature (TN) and water deficit (DH). After 128 days of planting, plants of the cultivar IACSP94-2094 were subjected to the following treatments: control, without DH and with TN of 20°C (TN20); with DH and TN of 20°C (DH/TN20); without DH and with TN of 12°C (TN12); and with DH and TN of 12°C (DH/TN12). After the period of treatment, plants were irrigated and subjected to TN of 20°C for four more days, for recovery. There were decreases in CO2 assimilation in all treatments. Total recovery of CO2 assimilation was observed only in plants from the treatment TN12. The simultaneous occurrence of low night temperature and water deficit caused a accentuated and persistent effect on stomatal conductance, on the maximum capacity of ribulose‑1,5‑bisphosphate carboxylase, on the electron transport rate, on the efficiency factor, and on the operational efficiency of photosystem II, which resulted in diffusive, biochemical, and photochemical limitations of photosynthesis of sugarcane plants.

Low temperatures negatively impact the metabolism of orange trees, and the extent of damage can be influenced by the rootstock. We evaluated the effects of low nocturnal temperatures on Valencia orange scions grafted on Rangpur lime or Swingle citrumelo rootstocks. We exposed six-month-old plants to night temperatures of 20ºC and 8ºC under controlled conditions. After decreasing the temperature to 8ºC, there were decreases in leaf CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance and CO2 concentration in the chloroplasts, in plant hydraulic conductivity and in the maximum electron transport rate driven ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration in plants grafted on both rootstocks. However, the effects of low night temperature were more severe in plants grafted on Rangpur rootstock, which also presented reduction in the maximum rate of RuBP carboxylation and in the maximum quantum efficiency of the PSII. In general, irreversible damage due to night chilling was found in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants grafted on Rangpur lime. Low night temperatures induced similar changes in the antioxidant metabolism, preventing oxidative damage in citrus leaves on both rootstocks. As photosynthesis is linked to plant growth, our findings indicate that the rootstock may improve the performance of citrus trees in environments with low night temperatures, with Swingle rootstock improving the photosynthetic acclimation in leaves of orange plants.

Citrus plants were grown under two thermal conditions for evaluating carbon metabolism acclimation to moderate warm temperature (30/20ºC, day/night), and its likely impact on plant growth. As reference, plants were grown at 25/20ºC, in which they were subjected to optimum temperature for photosynthesis during the diurnal period (25ºC). Higher photosynthetic rates were found at 30/20ºC as compared to 25/20ºC in both mature and young leaves, being this response associated with higher stomatal conductance. After 30 days of thermal treatment, plants grown at 30/20ºC presented higher shoot growth as compared to those at 25/20ºC. The carbohydrate concentration decreased in stem and root tissues, while it increased in leaf tissues under moderate warm conditions. Both mature and young leaves showed higher photoassimilate consumption/exportation at 30/20ºC than at 25/20ºC. In this paper, we have proven that citrus plants present a positive balance in carbon metabolism as an acclimation mechanism to temperature changes, with plants presenting increased photosynthesis. Such photosynthetic acclimation was associated with improved vegetative growth, being both mature and young tissues sensitive to changes in thermal regimen.

A estreita correlação entre leituras medidas com clorofilômetros portáteis e os teores de clorofila total e de nitrogênio em folhas têm permitido que esses teores tanto em espécies anuais como perenes sejam estimados por meio desses equipamentos. Da mesma forma, alguns eventos fisiológicos, como assimilação de CO2, têm também sido estimados. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar as trocas gasosas em pupunheiras, em função das leituras realizadas em clorofilômetro SPAD-Meter. Foram estudas em Ubatuba-SP, Brasil, pupunheiras de três anos, originárias de Yurimaguas, Peru, plantadas em espaçamento 2 x 1 m, em área apresentando gradiente natural de matéria orgânica, fato que permitiu a consideração de quatro plots cada um, apresentando pupunheiras de coloração distinta variando do amarelo-claro ao verde-escuro. Foram avaliadas as leituras SPAD e a frequência estomática dos folíolos. A densidade de fluxo de fótons fotossintéticos (DFFF, μmol m-2 s-1), a temperatura das folhas (Tfolha, ºC), a assimilação de CO2 (A, μmol m-2 s-1), a condutância estomática (g s, mol m-2 s-1), a transpiração (E, mmol m-2 s-1) e a concentração intercelular de CO2 (Ci, μmol mol-1) foram avaliadas pelo analisador portátil por radiação infravermelha (LCA-4, ADC BioScientific Ltd., Great Amwell, U.K.). Correlação linear da assimilação de CO2, em função das leituras SPAD (y = -0.34 + 0.19x, R² = 0.99), indicou que o clorofilômetro SPAD-Meter pode ser um meio complementar, rápido e barato de se estimar importantes eventos fisiológicos em pupunheiras, como a assimilação de CO2.

The close relationship between the chlorophyll-meters readings and the total chlorophyll and nitrogen contents in leaves, has allowed their evaluation both in annual and perennial species. Besides, some physiological events such as the CO2 assimilation have also been estimated by chlorophyll meters. This work was carried out aiming to evaluate the gas exchanges of peach palms as a function of the chlorophyll SPAD-Meter readings. Three year-old peach palms from Yurimaguas, Peru were studied in Ubatuba, SP, Brazil, spaced 2 x 1 m in area under a natural gradient of organic matter which allowed four plots to be considered, according to the peach palms leaves colors, from light yellow to dark green. The SPAD readings and the stomatal frequency of leaflets were evaluated. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD, μmol m-2 s-1), the leaf temperature (Tleaf, ºC), the CO2 assimilation (A, μmol m-2 s-1), the stomatal conductance (g s, mol m-2 s-1), the transpiration (E, mmol m-2 s-1) and the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci, μmol mol-1) were evaluated with a portable infrared gas analyzer (LCA-4, ADC BioScientific Ltd., Great Amwell, U.K.). A linear increase in the CO2 assimilation as a function of the SPAD readings (y = -0.34 + 0.19x, R² = 0.99), indicates that they can be a rapid and cheap complementary method to evaluate in peach palms some important physiological events, such as CO2 assimilation.

Algumas espécies de citros apresentam produção irregular ao longo dos anos. Além da safra irregular, a alternância de produção pode interferir na qualidade dos frutos, característica cada vez mais valorizada pelo mercado citrícola. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da carga pendente na qualidade dos frutos da laranjeira 'Valência'. O experimento foi conduzido com laranjeiras 'Valência' enxertadas em tangerineiras 'Cleópatra' em condição de campo. Em janeiro de 2007, metade das plantas teve todos os seus frutos retirados, enquanto a outra metade permaneceu intacta. As plantas que tiveram seus frutos retirados apresentaram, em setembro de 2007, floração mais intensa e, portanto, uma Alta Carga de frutos (AC, 752 frutos/árvore) em 2008, quando comparadas às plantas que não tiveram seus frutos retirados, que apresentaram Baixa Carga de frutos (BC, 317 frutos/árvore). Os frutos maduros, colhidos em dezembro de 2008, foram analisados quanto à massa, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, espessura e cor da casca, teor de suco e número de sementes. Na safra seguinte, de 2009, as avaliações das características físicoquímicas dos frutos foram repetidas nas mesmas árvores, mas durante quatro momentos entre o período de frutificação e a colheita, em novembro de 2009. Na safra de 2008, houve diferença na massa individual dos frutos com valores de 172 e 158g nas plantas BC e AC, respectivamente. O teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, teor de suco nos frutos, espessura da casca e o índice tecnológico foram semelhantes entre os tratamentos, nas safras de 2008 e 2009. Entretanto, vale considerar que, como a produção de frutos nas plantas AC, na safra de 2008, foi 2,2 vezes maior se comparada às das plantas BC (AC: 2,9 caixas/planta e BC: 1,3 caixa/planta), a quantidade total de sólidos solúveis produzida por planta também foi maior. Não houve influência da carga pendente de frutos no teor de açúcares (glicose, frutose e sacarose) no suco e na cor da casca durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos. Apesar de reduzir a massa do fruto, a diferença de carga pendente observada em laranjeira 'Valência' não influenciou na qualidade dos frutos quando considerado, como destino da fruta, a indústria citrícola.

Some citrus species show irregular production over the years. Besides the irregular crop yield, alternate bearing may affect the fruit quality, a characteristic that is increasingly valued by the citrus market. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of crop load on fruit quality of 'Valência' orange trees. The experiment was carried out under field conditions with 'Valência' orange scions grafted on 'Cleópatra' mandarin rootstocks. In January 2007, half of the plants were defruited, while the other half remained intact. Plants that had their fruit removed showed in September 2007 more intense flowering, and therefore a high fruit load (HL, 752 fruits/tree) in 2008, compared to intact plants showed low fruit load (LL, 317 fruits/tree). The fruits harvested in December 2008 were analyzed considering weight, soluble solids, titratable acidity, peel thickness, juice percentage, number of seeds and peel color. In the next crop, in 2009, the evaluations of physical and chemical characteristics of fruits were carried out in the same trees but during four moments between fruit development and harvest in November 2009. Fruit harvest in 2008 had different individual weight with values of 172 and 158 g for LL and HL plants, respectively. The soluble solids, titratable acidity, percentage of juice, peel thickness and technological index was similar between treatments in 2008 and 2009. However as fruit production in HL plants was 2.2 times higher than in LL plants in 2008 (AC: 2,9 boxes/plant and BC: 1,3 boxes/plant), total soluble solids produced per plant was also higher. Crop load did not affect the sugar content (glucose, fructose and sucrose) in juice and skin color during fruit development. Although it reduced the fruit weight, the difference in crop load observed in 'Valencia' orange had no influence on fruit quality when considered the citrus industry as fruit destination.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as respostas fotossintéticas e a acumulação de carboidratos, íons salinos e prolina em feijoeiro caupi (Vigna unguiculata) submetido à salinidade. As plantas foram submetidas à quatro tratamentos, dos 28 aos 35 dias de idade: 0, 50, 100 e 200 mmol L-1 de NaCl. Avaliaramse as trocas gasosas, a emissão de fluorescência pela clorofila a, o potencial hídrico foliar, e as concentrações de carboidratos, Na+, Cl- e prolina nas folhas. Os tratamentos não tiveram efeito sobre a eficiência quântica potencial do fotossistema II, mas causaram leve diminuição na eficiência quântica efetiva e maior dissipação do excesso de energia de excitação por processos não fotoquímicos. As concentrações foliares de amido diminuíram, e as de sacarose e prolina aumentaram nas maiores concentrações de NaCl. Ocorreu exclusão do Na+ e acúmulo do Cl- nas folhas, e as relações hídricas das folhas foram pouco afetadas, exceto no tratamento mais severo. O acúmulo de Cl- esteve envolvido na redução da assimilação de CO2, decorrente da queda na condutância estomática e na eficiência de carboxilação da Rubisco. O feijoeiro caupi apresenta características fisiológicas que favorecem a manutenção da atividade fotossintética sob curta exposição à salinidade.

The objective of this work was to determine the photosynthetic responses and the accumulation of carbohydrates, salt ions, and proline in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants subjected to salinity. Plants were subjected to four treatments, from 28 to 35 days of age: 0, 50, 100, and 200 mmol L-1 of NaCl. Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, leaf water potential, and leaf concentrations of carbohydrates, Na+, Cl-, and proline were evaluated. Treatments had no effect on potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II, but there was a slight reduction in effective quantum efficiency and a higher dissipation of excess excitation energy by non-photochemical processes. The foliar contents of starch decreased, and those of sucrose and proline increased with higher NaCl content. There was Na+ exclusion and Cl-accumulation in leaves, and leaf water relations were little affected by salt stress, except in the most severe treatment. The accumulation of Cl- was related with the reduction of CO2 assimilation, which resulted from the decline in stomatal conductance and in Rubisco carboxylation efficiency. Cowpea plants have physiological characteristics that favor the maintenance of photosynthetic activity under short-term exposure to salinity.

A análise in vivo da taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2 (A) em resposta à densidade de fluxo de fótons fotossinteticamente ativos (DFFFA) e em resposta à concentração intercelular de CO2 da folha (Ci) permite uma avaliação detalhada do processo fotossintético. Com as curvas A/DFFFA, se estabelece a DFFFA máxima, em que a maior parte da energia absorvida é transferida para a formação de produtos fotoquímicos. Já com as curvas A/Ci, calculou-se a velocidade máxima de carboxilação da Rubisco (Vc,max) de 89,3 µmol m-2 s-1, a velocidade máxima de oxigenação da Rubisco (Vo,max) de 24,7 µmol m-2 s-1, a velocidade máxima de transporte de elétrons (Jmax) de 159,8 µmol m-2 s-1, do qual a regeneração de RuBP é dependente, a respiração mitocondrial (Rd) de 0,88 µmol m-2 s-1, e a condutância mesofílica (g m) de 0,47 mol m-2 s-1, para o feijoeiro comum cultivado no Brasil (Phaseolus vulgaris var. mexicanus).

The in vivo analysis of net CO2 assimilation rate (A) versus active photosynthetic photon flux density (DFFFA) and versus intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), allows a more detailed evaluation of the photosynthetic process. The A/DFFFA curve can be used to establish the maximal DFFFA in which the absorbed light energy is quenched in the formation of photochemical products. Using the A/Ci curves, it was calculated the maximum rates of Rubisco carboxilation (Vc,max) of 89.3 µmol m-2 s-1, the maximum rates of Rubisco oxygenation (Vo,max) of 24.7 µmol m-2 s-1, the maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax) of 159.8 µmol m-2 s-1, from which the RuBP regeneration is dependent, the mitochondrial respiration (Rd) of 0.88 µmol m-2 s-1, and the mesophyll conductance (g m) of 0.47 mol m-2 s-1 for common bean cultivated in Brazil (Phaseolus vulgaris var. mexicanus).

O trabalho visou avaliar a variação sazonal do crescimento vegetativo de laranjeiras Hamlin enxertadas em citromeleiro Swingle cultivadas em clima subtropical. Avaliações biométricas mensais foram realizadas nas faces leste e oeste da copa de 12 plantas entre dezembro de 2005 e dezembro de 2006. Em média, três brotações surgiram por ramo entre dezembro e fevereiro, ao passo que entre julho e setembro surgiram mais quatro brotações, em duas etapas (entre julho e agosto; agosto e setembro). Esse padrão de fluxos vegetativos ocorreu em um ano atípico, com elevada deficiência hídrica (entre abril e novembro) e elevação da temperatura a partir de maio. O número de folhas no ramo aumentou, seguindo o mesmo padrão de surgimento de brotações. A quantidade de brotações puramente vegetativas (dada pela relação entre o número de folhas e o número de brotações) foi 2,5 vezes maior no primeiro fluxo em relação aos demais. O principal fluxo vegetativo responsável pelo crescimento dos ramos e aumento da área foliar ocorreu no verão. A interrupção do crescimento vegetativo foi causada tanto por fatores endógenos da planta (verão) como por condições ambientais desfavoráveis (inverno). Não houve diferenças entre as variáveis estudadas em relação às faces de exposição da copa.

This work aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation in vegetative growth of Hamlin orange plants grafted on Swingle citrumelo rootstocks grown in a subtropical climate. Biometric evaluations were conducted monthly on the East and West canopy positions of 12 plants between December 2005 and December 2006. On average, three shoots emerged per stem between December and February, while other four shoots appeared in two periods between July and September: two shoots between July and August, and two other shoots between August and September. This pattern of vegetative flush occurred during an atypical year, with high water deficit (between April and November) and increase in air temperature starting in May. The number of leaves per stem increased following the same seasonal pattern of shoot emergence. The amount of purely vegetative shoots (given by the ratio between number of leaves and number of shoots) was 2.5 times higher on the first flush in relation to the others. The main vegetative flush responsible for stem growth and increase of leaf area occurred during the summer. Stem growth was interrupted by endogenous aspects (summer) and by unfavorable environmental conditions (winter). There were no differences between the evaluated variables when comparing canopy positions.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar de que maneira a alta disponibilidade de fósforo no solo afeta a fotossíntese e o crescimento de mudas de cafeeiro arábica (Coffea arabica). Mudas da cultivar Ouro Verde com aproximadamente quatro meses de idade, cultivadas com boa disponibilidade hídrica, foram submetidas a três tratamentos quanto à disponibilidade de fósforo: quantidade recomendada de P, na literatura (PA); duas vezes a dosagem utilizada em PA (P+); e sem adição de P ao solo (P-). Após 70 dias da aplicação dos tratamentos, foram avaliados: as trocas gasosas, a atividade fotoquímica, o potencial de água da folha, a condutância hidráulica da planta (K L), a partição de matéria seca na planta, os teores de pigmentos e carboidratos, e a composição química das folhas. O tratamento P- influenciou negativamente a fotossíntese, e levou à restrição do crescimento das plantas. As plantas do tratamento P+ apresentaram maior teor foliar de P (~1,9 g kg-1), com incrementos na assimilação de CO2, na eficiência instantânea de carboxilação e na atividade fotoquímica - maior eficiência do fotossistema II e maior transporte aparente de elétrons - em relação às plantas do tratamento PA. Houve aumento em K L, maior teor de carboidratos foliares e maior teor de clorofila nas plantas que receberam o dobro da dose recomendada de P, as quais apresentaram maior produção de matéria seca em relação às de PA e P-.

The objective of this work was to evaluate how high soil phosphorus (P) availability affects the photosynthesis and growth of young coffee arabica plants (Coffea arabica). Four months old coffee seedlings of the Ouro Verde cultivar, cultivated in good hydric conditions, were exposed to three P availability treatments: P dosage recommended in the literature (RP); two times the recommended dosage (P+); and without P (P-). Seventy days after treatment application, evaluations of leaf gas exchange, photochemical activity, leaf water potential, plant hydraulic conductance (K L), dry matter partitioning, leaf contents of pigments and carbohydrates, and leaf chemical composition were done. The treatment without P caused reduction in photosynthesis, leading to lower plant growth. The plants of the P+ treatment showed the highest leaf P concentrations (~1.9 g kg-1), with increasing leaf CO2 assimilation and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and higher photochemical activity - higher effective quantum efficiency of photosystem II and apparent electron transport rate - when compared to plants exposed to RP treatment. Plants exposed to the double P recommended dosage exhibited higher K L, higher leaf carbohydrate content and higher chlorophyll content, resulting in higher dry matter production as compared to RP and P-.

A redução da fotossíntese durante o inverno pode ser induzida por noites frias, mesmo quando as condições durante o dia não são limitantes. Laranjais são formados com plantas enxertadas, sendo o porta-enxerto citrumeleiro 'Swingle' recomendado em áreas onde há ocorrência de baixas temperaturas. Todavia, os mecanismos fisiológicos pelos quais as plantas apresentam melhor crescimento e produção são pouco conhecidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a hipótese de que o efeito da baixa temperatura noturna na fotossíntese de laranjeiras é dependente do porta-enxerto utilizado, com o citrumeleiro 'Swingle' (Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata) induzindo maior tolerância ao frio noturno se comparado ao limoeiro 'Cravo' (Citrus limonia). Laranjeiras 'Valência' (Citrus sinensis) com seis meses, cultivadas em sacolas plásticas (5 L), foram expostas por 12 h à temperatura noturna de 20 e 8 ºC. O tratamento térmico foi realizado em câmara de crescimento, sendo apenas a parte aérea das plantas expostas às distintas temperaturas. Medidas do curso diurno das trocas gasosas e da atividade fotoquímica foram realizadas em condições ambientais naturais. O resfriamento noturno causou maior redução da assimilação de CO², da condutância estomática e da transpiração em laranjeira 'Valência' sobre limoeiro 'Cravo' quando comparado às plantas sobre 'Swingle'. Após o tratamento de frio, as eficiências máxima (Fv/Fm) e operacional (Fq'/Fm') do fotossistema II diminuíram nas plantas sobre 'Cravo' e mantiveram-se praticamente inalteradas nas plantas enxertadas em 'Swingle'. Portanto, o porta-enxerto 'Swingle' induziu maior eficiência fotossintética em condições de frio noturno às plantas de laranjeira 'Valência' quando comparado ao porta-enxerto 'Cravo'. A queda da assimilação de CO² em plantas resfriadas foi devida à menor condutância estomática e menor eficiência aparente de carboxilação, ou seja, resultante de limitações difusivas e metabólicas. Embora, Fv/Fm e Fq'/Fm' em laranjeira 'Valência' sobre 'Cravo' tenham sido mais afetados pelo resfriamento em comparação às laranjeiras sobre 'Swingle', esses não contribuíram para a redução da assimilação de CO² (A). Porém, o frio noturno causou aumento da atividade dos drenos alternativos de elétrons (aumento da relação entre o transporte aparente de elétrons e a assimilação de CO²), reduzindo a eficiência aparente de carboxilação de forma mais significante em 'Valência' sobre 'Cravo' do que sobre 'Swingle'. Estes resultados confirmam a hipótese de que a ocorrência de frio noturno afeta a fotossíntese de laranjeira 'Valência' sendo os efeitos do resfriamento dependentes do porta-enxerto.

Decreases in photosynthesis during winter season are probably caused by low night temperature, even under non-limiting environmental conditions during the diurnal period. Citrus orchards are formed by grafted plants, being the 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock recommended in areas with occurrence of low temperatures. However, the physiological mechanisms related to larger growth and crop yield in those plants are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the effect of low night temperature in photosynthesis of sweet orange plants is dependent on the rootstock species, with 'Swingle' citrumelo (Citrus paradise x Poncirus trifoliata) inducing higher tolerance to overnight chilling when compared to 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia) rootstock. Six-month old 'Valência' (Citrus sinensis) sweet orange plants grown in plastic bags (5 L) were exposed overnight (12 h) to temperatures of 20 and 8 ºC. The thermal treatment was carried out inside a growth chamber where only the upper plant shoots were exposed to temperature variation. Measurements of diurnal courses of leaf gas exchange and photochemical activity were taken under natural environmental conditions. Chilling night caused larger reduction on CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration in plants grafted on 'Rangpur' lime when compared to those onto 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock. After the chilling treatment, maximum (Fv/Fm) and operational (Fq'/Fm') efficiencies of photosystem II decreased in plants grafted on 'Rangpur' lime, but remained practically undisturbed in plants grafted on 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock. Therefore, the 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock increased the photosynthetic efficiency of 'Valência' sweet orange plants exposed to overnight chilling when compared to the 'Rangpur' lime. The reduction of CO2 assimilation in chilled plants was due to low stomatal conductance and low apparent carboxylation efficiency, i.e., it is a consequence of both diffusive and metabolic limitations. Although Fv/Fm and Fq'/Fm' in plants grafted on 'Rangpur' lime have been more affected by chilling in relation to plants on 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock, those effects were not related with decreases in CO2 assimilation. Chilling night also increased the alternative electron sinks, as shown by the increasing ratio between apparent electron transport rate and CO2 assimilation and reduced apparent carboxylation efficiency of plants grafted on 'Rangpur' lime with larger intensity than in plants onto 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock. Those results confirm the hypothesis that low night temperature affects photosynthesis of 'Valência' sweet orange plants, being the chilling effects rootstock-dependent.