Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms

Drought and heat stress significantly threaten forage crop development and photosynthetic activity in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the physiological responses and photosynthetic activity of two Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and F83005.5 (F83), to single and combined heat and...

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Main Authors: N. Ressaissi, W. MNAFGUI, N. MAIZA, F. ZRIBI, W. ZORRIG, N. LUDIDI, M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA, M. BADRI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Experimental Botany 2025-07-01
Series:Photosynthetica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ps.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/phs-202502-0008_synergistic-effects-of-drought-and-heat-stress-on-medicago-truncatula-understanding-growth-response-and-photos.php
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author N. Ressaissi
W. MNAFGUI
N. MAIZA
F. ZRIBI
W. ZORRIG
N. LUDIDI
M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA
M. BADRI
author_facet N. Ressaissi
W. MNAFGUI
N. MAIZA
F. ZRIBI
W. ZORRIG
N. LUDIDI
M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA
M. BADRI
author_sort N. Ressaissi
collection DOAJ
description Drought and heat stress significantly threaten forage crop development and photosynthetic activity in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the physiological responses and photosynthetic activity of two Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and F83005.5 (F83), to single and combined heat and drought stress treatments. Biomass traits, leaf gas exchange, and photosystem activities were evaluated. Our findings indicate a reduction in biomass parameters under heat, drought, and combined stress on both lines, particularly in F83. The stomatal conductance and photosynthetic parameters exhibited differential responses, with F83 reducing its stomatal conductance under drought stress, while TN6.18 was adapted by opening its stomata. Moreover, in TN6.18, combined stress enhanced protection mechanisms in PSI, while F83 showed changes in PSII efficiency. These insights deepen our understanding of plant responses to abiotic stresses and offer strategies for improving tolerance and resilience in changing environmental conditions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0300-3604
1573-9058
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Experimental Botany
record_format Article
series Photosynthetica
spelling doaj-art-0accef1ce0aa4ab2b95e4a640b1a0c7c2025-08-20T03:28:51ZengAcademy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Experimental BotanyPhotosynthetica0300-36041573-90582025-07-0163215116110.32615/ps.2025.008phs-202502-0008Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanismsN. Ressaissi0W. MNAFGUI1N. MAIZA2F. ZRIBI3W. ZORRIG4N. LUDIDI5M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA6M. BADRI7Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaLaboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaLaboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaLaboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaLaboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaPlant Stress Tolerance Laboratory, University of Mpumalanga, Private Bag X112831, Mbombela 1200, South AfricaLaboratory of Biotechnology and Postharvest Quality, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Jose Antonio Novais 6, 28040 Madrid, SpainLaboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, P.O. Box 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, TunisiaDrought and heat stress significantly threaten forage crop development and photosynthetic activity in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the physiological responses and photosynthetic activity of two Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and F83005.5 (F83), to single and combined heat and drought stress treatments. Biomass traits, leaf gas exchange, and photosystem activities were evaluated. Our findings indicate a reduction in biomass parameters under heat, drought, and combined stress on both lines, particularly in F83. The stomatal conductance and photosynthetic parameters exhibited differential responses, with F83 reducing its stomatal conductance under drought stress, while TN6.18 was adapted by opening its stomata. Moreover, in TN6.18, combined stress enhanced protection mechanisms in PSI, while F83 showed changes in PSII efficiency. These insights deepen our understanding of plant responses to abiotic stresses and offer strategies for improving tolerance and resilience in changing environmental conditions.https://ps.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/phs-202502-0008_synergistic-effects-of-drought-and-heat-stress-on-medicago-truncatula-understanding-growth-response-and-photos.phpcombined stressdroughtfodder legumegrowthphotosynthetic parameters
spellingShingle N. Ressaissi
W. MNAFGUI
N. MAIZA
F. ZRIBI
W. ZORRIG
N. LUDIDI
M.T. SANCHEZ-BALLESTA
M. BADRI
Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
Photosynthetica
combined stress
drought
fodder legume
growth
photosynthetic parameters
title Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
title_full Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
title_fullStr Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
title_short Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
title_sort synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on medicago truncatula understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
topic combined stress
drought
fodder legume
growth
photosynthetic parameters
url https://ps.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/phs-202502-0008_synergistic-effects-of-drought-and-heat-stress-on-medicago-truncatula-understanding-growth-response-and-photos.php
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