Sensitivity of the Photosynthetic Apparatus in Maize and Sorghum under Different Drought Levels

Drought is one of the main environmental stress factors affecting plant growth and yield. The impact of different PEG concentrations on the photosynthetic performance of maize (Zea mays L. Mayflower) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Foehn) was investigated. The activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was assessed using chlorophyll fluorescence (PAM and JIP test) and photooxidation of P(700). The data revealed that water deficiency decreased the photochemical quenching (qP), the ratio of photochemical to nonphotochemical processes (Fv/Fo), the effective quantum yield of the photochemical energy conversion in PSII (Φ(PSII)), the rate of the electron transport (ETR), and the performance indexes PI(total) and PI(ABS), as the impact was stronger in sorghum than in maize and depended on drought level. The PSI photochemistry (P(700) photooxidation) in sorghum was inhibited after the application of all studied drought levels, while in maize, it was registered only after treatment with higher PEG concentrations (30% and 40%). Enhanced regulated energy losses (Φ(NPQ)) and activation of the state transition under drought were also observed in maize, while in sorghum, an increase mainly in nonregulated energy losses (Φ(NO)). A decrease in pigment content and relative water content and an increase in membrane damage were also registered after PEG treatment. The experimental results showed better drought tolerance of maize than sorghum. This study provides new information about the role of regulated energy losses and state transition for the protection of the photosynthetic apparatus under drought and might be a practical approach to the determination of the drought tolerance of plants.