Next Article in Journal
In Silico Identification of miRNA–lncRNA Interactions in Male Reproductive Disorder Associated with COVID-19 Infection
Next Article in Special Issue
Insights into the Interactions among Roots, Rhizosphere, and Rhizobacteria for Improving Plant Growth and Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses: A Review
Previous Article in Journal
Hydrogen Sulfide Metabolism and Pulmonary Hypertension
Previous Article in Special Issue
Comparative Study between Exogenously Applied Plant Growth Hormones versus Metabolites of Microbial Endophytes as Plant Growth-Promoting for Phaseolus vulgaris L.
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Cells
Volume 10
Issue 6
10.3390/cells10061481
cells-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity

by
Jared J. Stewart
1,*,
William W. Adams III
1,
Marina López-Pozo
1,
Naiara Doherty Garcia
1,
Maureen McNamara
1,
Christine M. Escobar
2,3 and
Barbara Demmig-Adams
1,*
1
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
2
Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
3
Space Lab Technologies, LLC, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cells 2021, 10(6), 1481; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481
Submission received: 1 May 2021 / Revised: 7 June 2021 / Accepted: 9 June 2021 / Published: 12 June 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photosynthesis under Biotic and Abiotic Environmental Stress)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study addresses the unique functional features of duckweed via comparison of Lemna gibba grown under controlled conditions of 50 versus 1000 µmol photons m−2 s−1 and of a L. minor population in a local pond with a nearby population of the biennial weed Malva neglecta. Principal component analysis of foliar pigment composition revealed that Malva was similar to fast-growing annuals, while Lemna was similar to slow-growing evergreens. Overall, Lemna exhibited traits reminiscent of those of its close relatives in the family Araceae, with a remarkable ability to acclimate to both deep shade and full sunlight. Specific features contributing to duckweed’s shade tolerance included a foliar pigment composition indicative of large peripheral light-harvesting complexes. Conversely, features contributing to duckweed’s tolerance of high light included the ability to convert a large fraction of the xanthophyll cycle pool to zeaxanthin and dissipate a large fraction of absorbed light non-photochemically. Overall, duckweed exhibited a combination of traits of fast-growing annuals and slow-growing evergreens with foliar pigment features that represented an exaggerated version of that of terrestrial perennials combined with an unusually high growth rate. Duckweed’s ability to thrive under a wide range of light intensities can support success in a dynamic light environment with periodic cycles of rapid expansion.
Keywords: antioxidants; carotenoids; chlorophyll fluorescence; photochemical efficiency; protein; tocopherol; xanthophyll cycle; zeaxanthin antioxidants; carotenoids; chlorophyll fluorescence; photochemical efficiency; protein; tocopherol; xanthophyll cycle; zeaxanthin

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Stewart, J.J.; Adams, W.W., III; López-Pozo, M.; Doherty Garcia, N.; McNamara, M.; Escobar, C.M.; Demmig-Adams, B. Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity. Cells 2021, 10, 1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481

AMA Style

Stewart JJ, Adams WW III, López-Pozo M, Doherty Garcia N, McNamara M, Escobar CM, Demmig-Adams B. Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity. Cells. 2021; 10(6):1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stewart, Jared J., William W. Adams, III, Marina López-Pozo, Naiara Doherty Garcia, Maureen McNamara, Christine M. Escobar, and Barbara Demmig-Adams. 2021. "Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity" Cells 10, no. 6: 1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481

APA Style

Stewart, J. J., Adams, W. W., III, López-Pozo, M., Doherty Garcia, N., McNamara, M., Escobar, C. M., & Demmig-Adams, B. (2021). Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity. Cells, 10(6), 1481. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop