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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Seasonal changes in photosynthetic rate and pigment content in two populations of the monotypic Balkan serpentine endemic Halacsya sendtneri

Dražen D. Vicić A D , Milovan M. Stoiljković B , Marko S. Sabovljević C and Branka M. Stevanović C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Union – “Nikola Tesla” University, Cara Dušana 62-64, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

B Department of Physical Chemistry, “Vinča” Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P. O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.

C Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Takovska 43, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

D Corresponding author. Email: vicicdra@gmail.com

Australian Journal of Botany 63(2) 167-171 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT14273
Submitted: 16 October 2014  Accepted: 23 January 2015   Published: 17 April 2015

Abstract

Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss.) Dörfl. is an obligate serpentine palaeoendemic of the Balkan Peninsula. It is able to maintain a favourable magnesium : calcium (Mg : Ca) ratio throughout its root and shoot, and grow in serpentine habitats with different microclimate conditions. Seasonal variation of leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents showed a steep decline right after the spring period, which was most probably caused by the drought imposed on the plants on the shallow serpentine soil. However, the in situ photosynthetic rate remained stable throughout the spring and summer period. Prolonged photosynthetic activity enables this species an investment into root development and sustainable survival in the harsh soils of the habitats it occupies.

Additional keywords: adaptation, chlorophyll, light regime, ultramafic soil.


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