Janus-Faced Nature of Light in the Cold Acclimation Processes of Maize.

ABSTRACT: Exposure of plants to low temperature in the light may induce photoinhibitory stress symptoms, including oxidative damage. However, it is also known that light is a critical factor for the development of frost hardiness in cold tolerant plants. In the present work the effects of light during the cold acclimation period were studied in chilling-sensitive maize plants. Before exposure to chilling temperature at 5°C, plants were cold acclimated at non-lethal temperature (15°C) under different light conditions. Although exposure to relatively high light intensities during cold acclimation caused various stress symptoms, it also enhanced the effectiveness of acclimation processes to a subsequent severe cold stress. It seems that the photoinhibition induced by low temperature is a necessary evil

SUBMITTER: Szalai G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6018404 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature