![]() ![]() Photoinhibition and recovery of photosystem II (PSII) was followed by fluorescence, CO2 exchange, and immunoblotting analyses. Both ecotypes were exposed to cold induced photoinhibitory treatment (PhT). Therefore, the Antarctic ecotype (cold hardiest) should be less photoinhibited and have better recovery from low-temperature-induced photoinhibition than the Andean ecotype. We propose that cold acclimation increases resistance to low-temperature-induced photoinhibition, limiting photodamage and promoting recovery under cold. Photoinhibition depends on the extent of photodamage and recovery capability. "Abstract Background: Ecotypes of Colobanthus quitensis Kunt Bartl (Cariophyllaceae) from Andes Mountains and Maritime Antarctic grow under contrasting photoinhibitory conditions, reaching differential cold tolerance upon cold acclimation. It is suggested that the biochemical plasticity of this species, highlighted by the development of these different strategies, is essential to cope successfully with these particular environments. It resembles a well full light acclimated plant, probably due to higher excitation pressure imposed by lower temperature even at moderate irradiance. On the other hand, the Antarctic ecotype which has developed under a shorter growing season, with lower total irradiance and continuous low temperatures, maximizes photochemical process even at low temperatures and it has a lower light-harvesting/core complex ratio and higher level of photoprotection supplied by an unusually high β-carotene and xanthophylls cycle pool. It also enhances the dissipation of the excess of absorbed energy by higher level of de-epoxidation of xanthophylls pool. The Andean ecotype that has a longer growing season and a higher light integral reduces light absorption by the development of smaller chloroplasts with lower stacking granum area and down-regulation of Lhcb2. ![]() We study whether acclimation to each environment relies on different photoprotective mechanisms. Both places may experience high irradiance during sunny days (reaching up to 2,000 μmol photons m−2 s−1) however, the frequency of sunny days in the Maritime Antarctica is significantly lower (less than 20% of the whole growing season). Mediterranean Andes is characterized by a wider oscillation of diurnal and seasonal temperature, while the Maritime Antarctic is characterized by permanent low temperatures. It grows forming inconspicuous populations in humid and cold sites along high elevations in the Andes Mountains. (Cariophyllaceae) is distributed from Mexico to the Maritime Antarctic. ![]()
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