Do polyamines alter the sensitivity of lichens to nitrogen stress?

The sensitivity of lichens measuring photosynthetic efficiency and polyamines as modulator of nitrogen stress tolerance was investigated. Two lichen species with a markedly different tolerance to nitrogen compounds, namely Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr., were incubat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2009-07, Vol.72 (5), p.1331-1336
Main Authors: Pirintsos, S.A., Munzi, S., Loppi, S., Kotzabasis, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological
Ammonium Sulfate - metabolism
Chlorophyll - metabolism
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Pollutants - metabolism
Evernia prunastri
Lichen sensitivity/tolerance
Lichens - metabolism
Light
Light intensity
Nitrates - metabolism
Nitrogen
Nitrogen - metabolism
Photosynthesis
Photosynthetic efficiency
Photosystem II Protein Complex - metabolism
Polyamines
Polyamines - metabolism
Potassium Compounds - metabolism
Stress, Physiological
Time Factors
Xanthoria parietina
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Summary:The sensitivity of lichens measuring photosynthetic efficiency and polyamines as modulator of nitrogen stress tolerance was investigated. Two lichen species with a markedly different tolerance to nitrogen compounds, namely Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr., were incubated with deionized water (control) and solutions of KNO 3, NH 4NO 3 and (NH 4) 2SO 4 and then exposed to different light conditions. The F v/ F m parameter (maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II) was used as stress indicator. The results showed that F v/ F m values, in the produced experimental conditions, were independent from the light gradient. Photosynthetic efficiency of E. prunastri was impaired by high ammonium concentrations, while nitrate had no effect; X. parietina was hardly influenced by nitrogen compounds. External supply of polyamines reduced the sensitivity of E. prunastri, while polyamine inhibitors reduced the tolerance of X. parietina to NH 4 +, suggesting that polyamines play an important role in modulating the sensitivity/tolerance to nitrogen stress.
ISSN:0147-6513
1090-2414
DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.03.001