Synergistic adaptations: Freezing tolerance is associated with desiccation tolerance and activation of violaxanthin de-epoxidase in wintergreen ferns

Department(s)

Natural Science

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2-2021

Keywords

Desiccation tolerance, embolism, F /F v m, fern, freezing tolerance, wintergreen, xanthophyll, xylem

Abstract

Some ferns can survive substantial abiotic stress. In this issue, Fernández-Marín et al. (2021a) identify an overlap between two seemingly disparate stressors: freezing and near-complete desiccation. The authors determine that three desiccation-tolerant (DT) fern species are also tolerant to freezing at-7 °C, analyzing several traits that may confer both freezing tolerance and desiccation tolerance. In particular, the authors discovered that DT ferns exhibit freezing-induced activation of violaxanthin de-epoxidase in the absence of light. This study complements previous studies finding overlap between desiccation tolerance and freezing tolerance in angiosperms and lichens, providing evidence for a broader trend across the phylogeny.

Publication Title

Journal of Experimental Botany

ISSN

00220957

E-ISSN

14602431

Volume

72

Issue

8

First Page

2814

Last Page

2817

DOI

10.1093/jxb/erab068

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