RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evaluation of chlorophyll fluorescence as an indicator of dehydration stress in American chestnut seedlings JF Native Plants Journal JO NATIVE PLANTS JOURNAL FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 27 OP 32 DO 10.2979/NPJ.2010.11.1.27 VO 11 IS 1 A1 Woolery, Phillip O A1 Schmal, Justin L A1 Davis, Anthony S YR 2010 UL http://npj.uwpress.org/content/11/1/27.abstract AB American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh. [Fagaceae]) was an important species for timber and wildlife in the eastern US, but it was decimated by chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr [Valsaceae]). Recent advances in breeding for resistance to chestnut blight have increased interest in the silviculture and management of this species for deployment in afforestation programs. Three-mo-old American chestnut seedlings grown in containers were allocated to 4 treatments (0, 24, 48, or 72 h without irrigation) and subsequently evaluated for chlorophyll fluorescence, measured as maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm). Maximum quantum yield was constant until seedlings had irrigation withheld for 48 h, after which Fv/Fm plummeted and leaves became permanently wilted. Our results showed that dehydration affected chlorophyll fluorescence in American chestnut seedlings. Unfortunately, the abruptness at which Fv/Fm transitions from turgor to permanent wilting point suggests a lack of resolution and that chlorophyll fluorescence is not presently a viable method for assessing seedling dehydration stress.