Back to Search
Start Over
Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity
- Source :
- Cells, Vol 10, Iss 6, p 1481 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2021.
-
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.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20734409
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Cells
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.0006b0dcd44fcc8891c3d5eff4b422
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061481