This paper reports effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on leaf anatomy and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, as well as photosynthetic parameters, in young sporophytes of Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsd. & Fisch. (Polypodiopsida, Pteridaceae) exposed to UV radiation treatments for 1 h daily for six weeks. The leaves showed large aerenchyma and present chloroplasts in both epidermises. After cultivation under PAR + UVA + UVB, leaves showed curling and malformed stomata on the abaxial face. After the UV treatment, chloroplasts in leaves were arranged against the inner wall of the epidermal cells. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed some dilated thylakoids and plastoglobuli in chloroplasts and vesicles containing phenolic compounds in the cytoplasm. Differences were not observed between control and UV-treated plants in their contents of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and photosynthetic parameters. A. danaeifolium grown in sunny mangrove environment seems to have mechanisms preventing photosystem damage., A. M. Fonini, J. B. Barufi, É. C. Schmidt, A. C. Rodrigues, Á. M. Randi., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Among various epiphytic ferns found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, we studied Vittaria lineata (L.) Smith (Polypodiopsida, Pteridaceae). Anatomical characterization of the leaf was carried out by light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. V. lineata possesses succulent leaves with two longitudinal furrows on the abaxial surface. We observed abundant stomata inside the furrows, glandular trichomes, paraphises, and sporangia. We examined malate concentrations in leaves, relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence in control, water-deficient, and abscisic acid (ABA)-treated plants. Plants subjected to drought stress (DS) and treated by exogenous ABA showed significant increase in the malate concentration, demonstrating nocturnal acidification. These findings suggest that V. lineata could change its mode of carbon fixation from C3 to the CAM pathway in response to drought. No significant changes in RWC were observed among treatments. Moreover, although plants subjected to stress treatments showed a significant decline in the contents of Chl a and b, the concentrations of carotenoids were stable. Photosynthetic parameters obtained from rapid light curves showed a significant decrease after DS and ABA treatments., B. D. Minardi, A. P. L. Voytena, M. Santos, Á. M. Randi., and Obsahuje bibliografii