Supplementary Calcium Restores Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Growth and Photosynthetic Capacity Under Low Nocturnal Temperature

Abstract

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally important oil crop, which often experiences poor growth and seedling necrosis under low nocturnal temperatures (LNT). This study assessed the effects of supplementary calcium (Ca2+) and a calmodulin inhibitor on peanut growth and photosynthetic characteristics of plants exposed to LNT, followed by recovery at a higher temperature. We monitored key growth and photosynthetic parameters in a climate-controlled chamber in pots containing soil. LNT reduced peanut growth and dry matter accumulation, enhanced leaf nonstructural carbohydrates concentrations and non-photochemical quenching, decreased the electron transport rate, increased the transmembrane proton gradient, and decreased gas exchange rates. In peanuts subjected to LNT, foliar application of Ca2+ restored growth, dry matter production and leaf photosynthetic capacity. In particular, the foliar Ca2+ application restored temperature-dependent photosynthesis feedback inhibition due to improved growth/sink demand. Foliar sprays of a calmodulin inhibitor further deteriorated the effects of LNT which validated the protective role of Ca2+ in facilitating LNT tolerance of peanuts.

Keywords

peanut; low nocturnal temperature; growth; calcium; photosynthesis

Published in

Frontiers in Plant Science
2020, volume: 10, article number: 1637

SLU Authors

• Yong, Jean W.H

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Western Australia

UKÄ Subject classification

Botany
Horticulture
Soil Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01637

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/102698