Measuring Freezing Tolerance of Leaves and Rosettes: Electrolyte Leakage and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Assays

Anja Thalhammer, Majken Pagter, Dirk K. Hincha, Ellen Zuther*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of freezing tolerance is essential to unravel plant adaptations to cold temperatures. Not only the survival of whole plants, but also impairment of detached leaves or small rosettes after a freeze–thaw cycle can be used to accurately quantify plant freezing tolerance in terms of LT50 values. Here we describe two methods to determine the freezing tolerance of detached leaves or rosettes using a full or selected set of freezing temperatures and an additional method using chlorophyll fluorescence as a different physiological parameter. Firstly, we illustrate how to assess the integrity of (predominantly) the plasma membrane during freezing using an electrolyte leakage assay. Secondly, we provide a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging protocol to determine the freezing tolerance of the photosynthetic apparatus.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
EditorsDirk K. Hincha, Ellen Zuther
Number of pages13
Volume2156
PublisherHumana Press, Inc.
Publication date1 Jan 2020
Edition2
Pages9-21
ISBN (Print)978-1-0716-0659-9
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-0716-0660-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020
SeriesMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2156
ISSN1064-3745

Keywords

  • Chlorophyll fluorescence
  • Electrolyte leakage
  • F/F
  • Freezing tolerance
  • LT

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