Correlation between leaf structural traits and cold resistance in Saccharum officinarum L.
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Graphical Abstract
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Abstract
In this study, we measured the predawn maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem Ⅱ (Fv/Fm) in the leaves of 60 sugarcane breeding materials during an extreme low-temperature period. We also measured leaf anatomical structure, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf resistance to punch (Fp), and analyzed the correlation between structural traits and cold tolerance. Results showed that during the coldest period in winter, 55 of the 60 samples showed cold damage (Fv/Fm < 0.7), including 35 cultivars with Fv/Fm < 0.6. Fv/Fm was negatively correlated with the lowest temperature in the coldest month and average temperature in the cold season of the source site of the breeding material. Fv/Fm was positively correlated with mesophyll thickness (MT) and leaf resistance to punch (Fp). We found that sugarcane cultivars with stronger cold tolerance had larger MT and Fp. Thus, Fp could be used as an important index for screening cold tolerance in sugarcane cultivars.
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