Lange, OL/ Pfanz, H/ Kilian, E/ Meyer, A 1990: Effect of low water potential on photosynthesis in intact lichens and their liberated algal components. - Planta182: 467-472. [RLL List # 142 / Rec.# 11040] Keywords: PHOTOSYNTHESIS/ ALGAE/ PHYCOBIONT/ DROUGHT STRESS/ DESICCATION/ PROTECTION/ MYCOBIONT
Abstract: 2 tables. 4 figures. ["We found no difference between the effects of low water potential on intact lichens and their liberated algal components (ground thallus material and isolated algae) and no indication that the fungal component of the lichen symbiosis protects the phycobiont from the adverse effects of desiccation once equilibrium conditions are reached. The photosynthetic apparatus of the phycobiont alone proved to be highly adapted to water stress as it possesses not only the capacity of functioning under extremely low degrees of hydration but also of becoming reactivated solely by water vapor uptake."]