The JIP test: a tool to screen the capacity of plant adaptation to climate change

Abstract

Adaptation and acclimation are strategies that forests enact to cope with climate change. They consist of genotypic and phenotypic adjustments that allow plants to grow and reproduce successfully in a stressful environment. Both these aspects can be actively promoted by reforestation programmes. The key phases are: (1) selection of the most suitable provenances and genotypes; (2) adoption of adequate cultural techniques in nursery; and (3) monitoring of the plantations. Physiological techniques may be useful to assist all the phases of this process. Among these, chlorophyll fluorescence-based techniques, such as the JIP test, are relevant to monitor the stress conditions and the effectiveness of the cultural practices. JIP test is a non-destructive, non-invasive, informative, very fast and inexpensive technique, and can be used to support the cultural decision.

Keywords:

• acclimation
• adaptation
• chlorophyll a fluorescence
• climate change
• JIP test
• hardening
• water use efficiency

Acknowledgement

This paper represents a reconsideration of different past experiences. The authors are grateful to Prof. Reto Strasser for having introduced themselves to the DIP-test mysteries.