Diurnal variations in physiological aspects of desert rose under different light intensities

Authors

  • Antonio Gideilson Correia da Silva Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6403-5507
  • João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1937-0066
  • John Victor Lucas Lima Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2071-0122
  • Elania Freire da Silva Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7176-3609
  • Ester dos Santos Coêlho Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5541-1937
  • Gisele Lopes dos Santos Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1134-4672
  • Pablo Henrique de Almeida Oliveira Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9128-6179
  • Aurélio Paes Barros Júnior Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6983-8245

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3915248rc

Keywords:

Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. Photosynthesis. Gas exchange. Abiotic stresses. Photon density.

Abstract

Among the environmental factors influencing plant development, light is one of the most critical, directly affecting growth and physiological processes. Fluctuations in light intensity can significantly alter plant physiological mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different photosynthetically active radiation flux densities (PPFD) on the physiological responses of desert rose throughout the day. The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments consisting of 18 photosynthetic photon flux densities (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, 1,600, 1,800, and   2,000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and three evaluations throughout the day (8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m.). Variations in gas exchange were analyzed, as were the flux densities that promote greater chlorophyll fluorescence and electron transport rate in desert rose plants. The results showed that physiological processes varied significantly with PPFD throughout the day. At 12 p.m., a PPFD between 1800 and 2000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ favored the highest rates of CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration. Chlorophyll fluorescence, especially maximum and variable, was also increased under high irradiance, while initial fluorescence was higher under low light availability. The results highlighted the influence of photon flux on photosynthetic efficiency, gas exchange and fluorescence parameters, demonstrating the importance of times of the day in CO₂ assimilation and stomatal opening.

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Published

15-07-2026

Issue

Vol. 39 (2026)

Section

Scientific Article

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