Ginori Julian, Nguyen Chi D, Wilson Sandra, Deng Zhanao, Huo Heqiang
Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, IFAS-University of Florida, Apopka, FL 32703, USA.
Department of Horticulture, IFAS-University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 9;26(8):3514. doi: 10.3390/ijms26083514.
, or wax begonias, are popular ornamental plants often challenged by heat and high light stress in subtropical and tropical regions. This study examined the responses of two stress-tolerant genotypes (FB08-059 and OPGC 5104) and two stress-susceptible genotypes (Cocktail Vodka and Sprint White) under elevated temperature and light conditions. The results revealed significant genotype-dependent differences in stress responses. Stress-tolerant genotypes demonstrated distinct adaptive traits, including thicker cuticles, acute leaf folding, and elevated anthocyanin accumulation, which collectively contributed to enhanced photoprotection and mitigation of cellular damage. Notably, FB08-059 exhibited the most robust stress-adaptive responses, characterized by a 25.83% increase in cuticle thickness and a threefold increase in anthocyanin content under stress conditions. These adaptations effectively limited ROS accumulation and maintained higher Fv/Fm values, thereby sustaining photosynthetic efficiency relative to the other genotypes. In contrast, stress-susceptible genotypes exhibited increased ion leakage, reduced chlorophyll content, and impaired gas exchange rates, reflecting greater oxidative stress and cellular damage. These findings highlight cuticle thickness, anthocyanin accumulation, and leaf folding as key indicators of heat and light stress resilience. This research provides critical insights for breeding programs focused on improving the resilience of wax begonias, supporting the development of heat- and light-tolerant cultivars for sustainable production in stress-prone environments.
海棠，即四季海棠，是常见的观赏植物，在亚热带和热带地区常面临高温和高光胁迫。本研究考察了两种耐胁迫基因型（FB08 - 059和OPGC 5104）以及两种胁迫敏感基因型（鸡尾酒伏特加和斯普林特白）在温度和光照升高条件下的反应。结果显示，胁迫反应存在显著的基因型依赖性差异。耐胁迫基因型表现出独特的适应性特征，包括更厚的角质层、叶片急剧折叠以及花青素积累增加，这些共同有助于增强光保护作用并减轻细胞损伤。值得注意的是，FB08 - 059表现出最强的胁迫适应性反应，在胁迫条件下，其角质层厚度增加25.83%，花青素含量增加三倍。这些适应性有效地限制了活性氧的积累，并维持了较高的Fv/Fm值，从而相对于其他基因型维持了光合效率。相比之下，胁迫敏感基因型表现出离子渗漏增加、叶绿素含量降低和气体交换速率受损，反映出更大的氧化应激和细胞损伤。这些发现突出了角质层厚度、花青素积累和叶片折叠是耐热和耐光胁迫的关键指标。本研究为旨在提高四季海棠抗逆性的育种计划提供了关键见解，支持开发耐热和耐光品种，以便在易受胁迫的环境中实现可持续生产。
