Dehydration induced loss of photosynthesis in Arabidopsis leaves during senescence is accompanied by the reversible enhancement in the activity of cell wall β-glucosidase

The precise mechanism of stress adaptation of senescing leaves is yet to be known. A significant accumulation of anthocyanin and flavonoids may be an indicator of stress adaptation of senescing leaves. In addition, stress induced enhancement of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), a stress protection provision in green plants, also suggests the potential of the leaves to develop adaptational mechanism to counter the dehydration stress.