Differential responses between mature and young leaves of sunflower plants to oxidative stress caused by water deficit

The effects of water stress and rehydration on leaf gas exchange characteristics along with changes in lipid peroxidation and pirogalol peroxidase (PG-POD) were studied in mature and in young leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), which were grown in a greenhouse. Water stress reduced photosynthesis (P-n), stomatal conductance (g(s)), and transpiration (E) in both young and mature leaves. However, the amplitude of the reduction was dependent on leaf age. The intercellular CO2 concentration (C-i) was increased in mature leaves but it was not altered in young leaves. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) in mature stressed leaves was reduced when compared to control leaves while in young stressed leaves it was maintained to the same level as the control. After 24h of rehydration, most of the parameters related to gas exchange recovered to the same level as the unstressed plants except g(s) and E in mature leaves. Water stress did not activated PG-POD independently of leaf age. However, after rehydration the enzyme activity was increased in mature leaves and remained to the same as the control in young leaves. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased by water stress in both mature and young leaves. The results suggest that young leaves are more susceptible to water stress in terms of gas exchange characteristics than mature leaves although both went through oxidative estresse.