Trichomes and photosynthetic pigment composition changes: responses of Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. and Quercus coccifera L. to Mediterranean stress conditions

Sun and shade leaves of two Mediterranean Quercus species, Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. and Quercus coccifera L., were compared by measuring leaf optical properties, photosynthetic pigment composition and photosystem II efficiency. The presence of trichomes in the adaxial (upper) leaf surface of Q. ilex subsp. ballota seems to constitute an important morphological mechanism that allows this species to maintain a good photosystem II efficiency during the summer. Q. coccifera has almost no trichomes and seems instead to develop other physiological responses, including a smaller light-harvesting antenna size, higher concentrations of violaxanthin cycle pigments and a higher (zeaxanthin + antheraxanthin)/(violaxanthin + antheraxanthin + zeaxanthin) ratio. Q. coccifera was not able to maintain a good photosystem II efficiency up to the end of the summer. In Q. ilex subsp. ballota leaves, natural loss or mechanical removal of adaxial-face leaf trichomes induced short-term decreases in photosystem II efficiency. These changes were accompanied by deepoxidation of violaxanthin cycle pigments, suggesting that the absence of trichomes would trigger physiological responses in this species. Our data have revealed different patterns of response of Q. ilex subsp. ballota and Q. coccifera facing the stress conditions prevailing in the Mediterranean area.