Temperature determines the occurrence of CAM or C₃ photosynthesis in pineapple plantlets grown in vitro

Authors: Nievola, C.; Kraus, J.; Freschi, L.; Souza, B.; Mercier, H.

Source: In Vitro Cellular and Development Biology - Plant, Volume 41, Number 6, November 2005 , pp. 832-837(6)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. var. Smooth Cayenne plants when grown in vitro under different temperature regimes developed as CAM or as C₃ plants. The plants used in this study were developed from the lateral buds of the nodal etiolated stem explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium for 3 mo. The cultures were maintained under a 16-h photoperiod for different thermoperiods. With 28°C light/15°C dark thermoperiod, as compared with constant 28°C light and dark, pineapple plants had a succulence index two times greater, and also a greater nocturnal titratable acidity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity, indicating CAM-type photosynthesis. The highest abscisic acid (ABA) level occurred during the light period, 8 h prior to maximum PEPCase activity, while the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) peak was found during the dark period, coinciding with the time of highest PEPCase activity. These plants were also smaller with thicker leaves and fewer roots, but had greater dry weight. Their leaves showed histological characteristics of CAM plants, such as the presence of greater quantities of chlorenchyma and hypoderm. In addition, their vascular system was more conspicuous. In contrast, under constant temperature (28°C light/dark) plants showed little succulence in the leaves. There was no significant acid oscillation and diurnal variation in PEPCase activity in these plants, suggesting the occurrence of C₃ photosynthesis. Also, no diurnal variation in ABA and IAA contents was observed. The results of this study clearly indicate a role for temperature in determining the type of carbon fixation pathway in in vitro grown pineapple. Evidence that ABA and IAA participate in CAM signaling is provided.

Keywords: Ananas comosus; Bromeliaceae; thermoperiod; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase; abscisic acid; auxin; leaf histology

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/IVP2005694

Affiliations: 1: Email: hmercier@usp.br

Publication date: 2005-11-01