Profiles of leaf senescence during reproductive growth of sunflower and maize

Abstract

We investigated the effect of reproductive growth on the profiles of leaf senescence in maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Leaf senescence after flowering was assessed using both structural (leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen and dry matter) and functional (photosynthesis) variables in undisturbed plants (+G) and in plants in which grain set was prevented (-G). Two weeks after flowering, lack of grain accelerated senescence in maize and delayed senescence in sunflower as indicated by leaf chlorophyll; leaf nitrogen and dry matter were less sensitive response variables. Lack of interaction between reproductive treatment and leaf position indicates that the senescence signal, whatever its nature, was equally effective throughout the plant in both species. In both species, feedback inhibition of photosynthesis was first detected 30-35 d after flowering; excess carbohydrate in the leaves was therefore an unlikely trigger of accelerated senescence in maize. As reproductive development progressed, differences between +G and -G plants were more marked in sunflower, and tended to disappear or reverse in maize. In sunflower, interactions between leaf position and reproductive treatment - attributable to the local effect of grain - were detected around 20-27 d after flowering.