Colour shifts and photoprotection: how the common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) adapts to sun and shade
Hiromitsu Nakajima
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Abstract
Polytrichum commune exhibits distinct green and yellow-green colouration in shaded and sunny environments, respectively. This study investigates the physiological adaptations underlying this colour shift, focusing on pigment composition and photoprotection. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, carotenoid:chlorophyll ratios (CAR/CHL), electron transport rates (ETR), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were analysed in samples collected from shaded and sunny conditions, along with a shade-to-sun experiment. Results revealed higher CAR/CHL ratios in sunny samples, facilitating enhanced NPQ and photoprotection. Changing light conditions of the moss from shade to sun increased CAR/CHL (by 1.2 times) and NPQ (by 2.2 times), while reducing chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. These physiological changes correlated with the observed colour shift to yellow-green. The study confirmed that light intensity, not temperature or humidity, drives this response. Additionally, the lamellae structure of P. commune leaves supports efficient gas exchange and photosynthesis under varying light conditions. These findings highlight the adaptive strategies of bryophytes to environmental stress, enhancing our understanding of plant resilience mechanisms. Insights from this research may contribute to broader ecological and physiological studies on light adaptations in plants.
Keywords: carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio, lamella, light condition, moss, non-photochemical quenching, photoprotection, Polytrichum commune, shade-to-sun adaptation.
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