Physiological and biochemical plasticity of Lepidium latifolium as ' XXXX ' in Western Himalayas.

@entity7693 @entity2041 @entity16464 @entity3630 @entity6656 @entity25 @entity8665
UNASSIGNED: To understand the spread of native populations of Lepidium latifolium growing in different altitudes in Ladakh region of Western Himalayas, photosynthetic and fluorescence characteristics were evaluated in relation to their micro-environment. Three sites representing @entity16464 ( @entity16464 ), moderately populated (MPS) and @entity3630 ( @entity3630 ) were selected. Results showed that the @entity3630 had higher photosynthetic accumulation than MPS and @entity16464 . The higher transpiration rate at @entity3630 despite lower vapor pressure deficit and higher relative humidity suggest the regulation of its leaf temperature by evaporative cooling. Intrinsic soil parameters such as water holding capacity and nutrient availability also play crucial role in higher biomass here. The quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv /Fm , non-photochemical quenching (NPQ),   PSII ) and light curve at various PPFDs suggests better light harvesting potential and light compensation point at @entity3630 than the other two sites. Concomitantly, plants at @entity16464 had significantly higher lipid peroxidation, suggesting a stressful environment, and higher induction of antioxidative enzymes. Metabolic content of reduced @entity2041 also suggests an efficient mechanism in @entity3630 and MPS than @entity16464 . High light intensities at MPS are managed by specialized contrive of carotenoid pigments and PsbS gene product. Large pool of @entity7693 and @entity8665 plays an important role in this response. It is suggested that L. latifolium is present as ' @entity25 ' that has inherent biochemical plasticity involving multiple processes in Western Himalayas. Its potential spread is linked to site-specific micro-environment, whereby, it prefers flat @entity6656 with alluvial fills having high water availability, and has little or no altitudinal effect.
