Abstract
As climate change is the main cause of environmental stresses which has become more severe in recent decades, affecting
plant growth attributes to the major extent. In plants, disturbed ionic constituents induce oxidative stress which interrupts the
cellular physio-chemical attributes leading to impairment of a variety of processes. A two-years (2018 and 2019) field study
wa executed with the aim to estimate changes in photosynthetic pigments, ionic contents, and antioxidant potential in a desert
plant species sisal (Agave sisalana) under spatial and temporal variations of five ecologically distinct zones, including
Faisalabad, Layyah, Chakwal, Khushab, and Rawalpindi with three replications. Leaf traits such as nitrate (NO3
-
), phosphate
(PO4
3-
), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids), as well as
antioxidants i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate (ASC) were determined in the
collected samples to assess the requisite information. Results exposed higher accumulation of chlorophyll a and b contents in
Chakwal region during the spring season while in the same season, the carotenoids content was higher in Khushab during both
studied years. Moreover, autumn season was identified for having higher antioxidants activity in sisal. However, activities of
superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate were noted significantly higher in Layyah, Rawalpindi, and Chakwal.
Antioxidants were recorded in higher concentration during 2019 as compared to 2018 and more pronounced in spring and
autumn with minor fluctuations. For spring season of the studied years, collected leaves of sisal exposed higher concentrations
of ionic contents (K+
, Ca2+ Na+
, PO4
3-
, NO3
-
) as compared to other seasons. Temporal and spatial variations were proved
changing and leaving significant impact on photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant potential and nutrient uptake hence, have
antagonism with environmental factors of aridity and temperature.
Keywords: Nutrient, chakwal, ascorbate, catalase, sodium, aridity, temperature.
Sobia Shahzad, hassan munir. (2022) Spatial and temporal responses of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, and ionic contents in a desert plant Agave sisalana, Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume 59, Issue 3.
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