The relationship between some perennial desert plants originated in different phytogeographical regions and proline concentration

A. Golan-Goldhirsh, N. Samish, M. Agami, H. Lips

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proline accumulates in plants under osmotic stress. This study considers whether or not plants from the arid Saharo-Arabian phytogeographical region, contain more proline than those that originated in the more humid Irano-Turanian region, based on the assumption that, under drier conditions, overproduction of proline has been selected in some species as a mechanism for osmoregulation. In a comparison between 2 summer semideciduous species that have a Saharo-Arabian (Zygophyllum dumosum) or Irano-Turanian (Artemisia herba-alba) chorotype, the former had significantly more leaf proline. Comparison between 2 summer deciduous half-shrub species, Helianthemum ventosum (Saharo-Arabian) and H. vesicarium (Irano-Turanian) showed a higher proline concentration in the former. Only Z. dumosum showed a high proline concentration throughout the year; hence, it is possible that, in this species, proline may play a more important role in osmoregulation than in the others. -Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-333
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Arid Environments
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

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