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Na SJ, Kim YK, Park JM. Nectar Characteristics and Honey Production Potential of Five Rapeseed Cultivars and Two Wildflower Species in South Korea. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:419. [PMID: 38337952 PMCID: PMC10856812 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The growing beekeeping industry in South Korea has led to the establishment of new honey plant complexes. However, studies on honey production from each species are limited. This study aimed to assess the honey production potential of various Brassica napus cultivars and two wildflower species. The nectar characteristics of B. napus varied significantly among the cultivars. Absolute sugar concentrations differed among the cultivars, but sugar composition ratios were similar. In contrast, the amino acid content remained relatively uniform regarding percentage values, irrespective of the absolute concentrations. Estimations of honey potential production per hectare (kg/ha) resulted in the following ranking among cultivars: 'JM7003' (107.1) > 'YS' (73.0) > 'JM7001' (63.7) > 'TL' (52.7) > 'TM' (42.4). The nectar volume of Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum and Leonurus japonicus increased during the flowering stage. P. rotundum var. subintegrum was sucrose-rich and L. japonicus was sucrose-dominant. Both species predominantly contained phenylalanine, P. rotundum var. subintegrum had glutamine as the second most abundant amino acid, and L. japonicus had tyrosine. The honey production potential was 152.4 kg/ha for P. rotundum var. subintegrum and 151.3 kg/ha for L. japonicus. These findings provide a basis for identifying food resources for pollinators and selecting plant species to establish honey plant complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Joon Na
- Department of Forest Bioresources, National Institute of Forest Science, Suwon 16631, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.K.); (J.-M.P.)
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Bogo G, Fisogni A, Rabassa‐Juvanteny J, Bortolotti L, Nepi M, Guarnieri M, Conte L, Galloni M. Nectar chemistry is not only a plant's affair: floral visitors affect nectar sugar and amino acid composition. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gherardo Bogo
- Grupo de Ecología de la Polinización, INIBIOMA (Univ. Nacional del Comahue‐CONICET) San Carlos de Bariloche Argentina
| | - Alessandro Fisogni
- Dept of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Univ. of California, Riverside Riverside CA USA
- Dept of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | | | - Laura Bortolotti
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment Bologna Italy
| | - Massimo Nepi
- Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Siena Siena Italy
| | | | - Lucia Conte
- Dept of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Marta Galloni
- Dept of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Bologna Bologna Italy
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3
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Diversity of Floral Glands and Their Secretions in Pollinator Attraction. REFERENCE SERIES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-96397-6_48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Hou C, Saunders RMK, Deng N, Wan T, Su Y. Pollination Drop Proteome and Reproductive Organ Transcriptome Comparison in Gnetum Reveals Entomophilous Adaptation. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E800. [PMID: 31614866 PMCID: PMC6826882 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gnetum possesses morphologically bisexual but functionally unisexual reproductive structures that exude sugary pollination drops to attract insects. Previous studies have revealed that the arborescent species (G. gnemon L.) and the lianoid species (G. luofuense C.Y.Cheng) possess different pollination syndromes. This study compared the proteome in the pollination drops of these two species using label-free quantitative techniques. The transcriptomes of fertile reproductive units (FRUs) and sterile reproductive units (SRUs) for each species were furthermore compared using Illumina Hiseq sequencing, and integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were subsequently performed. Our results show that the differentially expressed proteins between FRUs and SRUs were involved in carbohydrate metabolism, the biosynthesis of amino acids and ovule defense. In addition, the differentially expressed genes between the FRUs and SRUs (e.g., MADS-box genes) were engaged in reproductive development and the formation of pollination drops. The integrated protein-transcript analyses revealed that FRUs and their exudates were relatively conservative while the SRUs and their exudates were more diverse, probably functioning as pollinator attractants. The evolution of reproductive organs appears to be synchronized with changes in the pollination drop proteome of Gnetum, suggesting that insect-pollinated adaptations are not restricted to angiosperms but also occur in gymnosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingangxi Road No. 135, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Richard M K Saunders
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Nan Deng
- Institute of Ecology, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Shaoshannan Road, No. 6581, Changsha 410004, China.
- Hunan Cili Forest Ecosystem State Research Station, Cili 427200, China.
| | - Tao Wan
- Key Laboratory of Southern Subtropical Plant Diversity, Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Science, Liantangxianhu Road, No. 160, Shenzhen 518004, China.
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Science, Moshan, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Yingjuan Su
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingangxi Road No. 135, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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Nepi M, Grasso DA, Mancuso S. Nectar in Plant-Insect Mutualistic Relationships: From Food Reward to Partner Manipulation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1063. [PMID: 30073014 PMCID: PMC6060274 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
It has been known for centuries that floral and extra-floral nectar secreted by plants attracts and rewards animals. Extra-floral nectar is involved in so-called indirect defense by attracting animals (generally ants) that prey on herbivores, or by discouraging herbivores from feeding on the plant. Floral nectar is presented inside the flower close to the reproductive organs and rewards animals that perform pollination while visiting the flower. In both cases nectar is a source of carbon and nitrogen compounds that feed animals, the most abundant solutes being sugars and amino acids. Plant-animal relationships involving the two types of nectar have therefore been used for a long time as text-book examples of symmetric mutualism: services provided by animals to plants in exchange for food provided by plants to animals. Cheating (or deception or exploitation), namely obtaining the reward/service without returning any counterpart, is however, well-known in mutualistic relationships, since the interacting partners have conflicting interests and selection may favor cheating strategies. A more subtle way of exploiting mutualism was recently highlighted. It implies the evolution of strategies to maximize the benefits obtained by one partner while still providing the reward/service to the other partner. Several substances other than sugars and amino acids have been found in nectar and some affect the foraging behavior of insects and potentially increase the benefits to the plant. Such substances can be considered plant cues to exploit mutualism. Recent evidence motivated some authors to use the term "manipulation" of animals by plants in nectar-mediated mutualistic relationships. This review highlights the recent background of the "manipulation" hypothesis, discussing it in the framework of new ecological and evolutionary scenarios in plant-animal interactions, as a stimulus for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Nepi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Donato A. Grasso
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Mancuso
- Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Sobhy IS, Baets D, Goelen T, Herrera-Malaver B, Bosmans L, Van den Ende W, Verstrepen KJ, Wäckers F, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Sweet Scents: Nectar Specialist Yeasts Enhance Nectar Attraction of a Generalist Aphid Parasitoid Without Affecting Survival. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1009. [PMID: 30061909 PMCID: PMC6055026 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Floral nectar is commonly inhabited by microorganisms, mostly yeasts and bacteria, which can have a strong impact on nectar chemistry and scent. Yet, little is known about the effects of nectar microbes on the behavior and survival of insects belonging to the third trophic level such as parasitoids. Here, we used five nectar-inhabiting yeast species to test the hypothesis that yeast species that almost solely occur in nectar, and therefore substantially rely on floral visitors for dispersal, produce volatile compounds that enhance insect attraction without compromising insect life history parameters, such as survival. Experiments were performed using two nectar specialist yeasts (Metschnikowia gruessii and M. reukaufii) and three generalist species (Aureobasidium pullulans, Hanseniaspora uvarum, and Sporobolomyces roseus). Saccharomyces cerevisiae was included as a reference yeast. We compared olfactory responses of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) when exposed to these microorganisms inoculated in synthetic nectar. Nectar-inhabiting yeasts had a significant impact on nectar chemistry and produced distinct volatile blends, some of which were attractive, while others were neutral or repellent. Among the different yeast species tested, the nectar specialists M. gruessii and M. reukaufii were the only species that produced a highly attractive nectar to parasitoid females, which simultaneously had no adverse effects on longevity and survival of adults. By contrast, parasitoids that fed on nectars fermented with the reference strain, A. pullulans, H. uvarum or S. roseus showed shortest longevity and lowest survival. Additionally, nectars fermented by A. pullulans or S. roseus were consumed significantly less, suggesting a lack of important nutrients or undesirable changes in the nectar chemical profiles. Altogether our results indicate that nectar-inhabiting yeasts play an important, but so far largely overlooked, role in plant-insect interactions by modulating the chemical composition of nectar, and may have important ecological consequences for plant pollination and biological control of herbivorous insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islam S. Sobhy
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, Belgium
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Dieter Baets
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, Belgium
| | - Tim Goelen
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, Belgium
| | - Beatriz Herrera-Malaver
- VIB Lab for Systems Biology and Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics Lab for Genetics and Genomics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Bosmans
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, Belgium
| | - Wim Van den Ende
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kevin J. Verstrepen
- VIB Lab for Systems Biology and Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics Lab for Genetics and Genomics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Felix Wäckers
- Biobest, Westerlo, Belgium
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Laboratory of Plant Conversation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Sint-Katelijne Waver, Belgium
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7
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Bertazzini M, Forlani G. Intraspecific Variability of Floral Nectar Volume and Composition in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:288. [PMID: 27014311 PMCID: PMC4792878 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous angiosperms rely on pollinators to ensure efficient flower fertilization, offering a reward consisting of nourishing nectars produced by specialized floral cells, known as nectaries. Nectar components are believed to derive from phloem sap that is enzymatically processed and transformed within nectaries. An increasing body of evidence suggests that nectar composition, mainly amino acids, may influence pollinator attraction and fidelity. This notwithstanding, little is known about the range of natural variability in nectar content for crop species. Sugar and amino acid composition of nectar harvested from field-grown plants at the 63-65 phenological stage was determined for a set of 44 winter genotypes of rapeseed, a bee-pollinated crop. Significant differences were found for solute concentrations, and an even higher variability was evident for nectar volumes, resulting in striking differences when results were expressed on a single flower basis. The comparison of nectar and phloem sap from a subset of eight varieties pointed out qualitative and quantitative diversities with respect to both sugars and amino acids. Notably, amino acid concentration in phloem sap was up to 100 times higher than in nectar. Phloem sap showed a much more uniform composition, suggesting that nectar variability depends mainly on nectary metabolism. A better understanding of the basis of nectar production would allow an improvement of seed set efficiency, as well as hive management and honey production.
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Biancucci M, Mattioli R, Forlani G, Funck D, Costantino P, Trovato M. Role of proline and GABA in sexual reproduction of angiosperms. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:680. [PMID: 26388884 PMCID: PMC4559642 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Two glutamate derivatives, proline and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), appear to play pivotal roles in different aspects of sexual reproduction in angiosperms, although their precise function in plant reproduction and the molecular basis of their action are not yet fully understood. Proline and GABA have long been regarded as pivotal amino acids in pollen vitality and fertility. Proline may constitute up to 70% of the free amino acid pool in pollen grains and it has been recently shown that Arabidopsis mutants affected in the first and rate-limiting step in proline synthesis produce aberrant and infertile pollen grains, indicating that proline synthesis is required for pollen development and fertility. Concerning GABA, a large body of evidence points to this glutamate derivative as a key determinant of post-pollination fertilization. Intriguingly, proline has also been associated with pollination, another aspect of sexual reproduction, since honeybees were reported to show a strong preference for proline-enriched nectars. In this review, we survey current knowledge on the roles of proline and GABA in plant fertility, and discuss future perspectives potentially capable to improve our understanding on the functions of these amino acids in pollen development, pollination, and pollen tube guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Biancucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of RomeRoma, Italy
| | - Roberto Mattioli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of RomeRoma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Forlani
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of FerraraFerrara, Italy
| | - Dietmar Funck
- Department of Biology, University of KonstanzKonstanz, Germany
| | - Paolo Costantino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of RomeRoma, Italy
| | - Maurizio Trovato
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of RomeRoma, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maurizio Trovato, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Escalante-Pérez M, Jaborsky M, Lautner S, Fromm J, Müller T, Dittrich M, Kunert M, Boland W, Hedrich R, Ache P. Poplar extrafloral nectaries: two types, two strategies of indirect defenses against herbivores. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 159:1176-91. [PMID: 22573802 PMCID: PMC3387703 DOI: 10.1104/pp.112.196014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Many plant species grow extrafloral nectaries and produce nectar to attract carnivore arthropods as defenders against herbivores. Two nectary types that evolved with Populus trichocarpa (Ptr) and Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides (Ptt) were studied from their ecology down to the genes and molecules. Both nectary types strongly differ in morphology, nectar composition and mode of secretion, and defense strategy. In Ptt, nectaries represent constitutive organs with continuous merocrine nectar flow, nectary appearance, nectar production, and flow. In contrast, Ptr nectaries were found to be holocrine and inducible. Neither mechanical wounding nor the application of jasmonic acid, but infestation by sucking insects, induced Ptr nectar secretion. Thus, nectaries of Ptr and Ptt seem to answer the same threat by the use of different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Silke Lautner
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Jörg Fromm
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Tobias Müller
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Maritta Kunert
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Wilhelm Boland
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- University Würzburg, Biozentrum, Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, D–97082 Wuerzburg, Germany (M.E.-P., M.J., R.H., P.A.)
- University Hamburg, Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, D–21031 Hamburg, Germany (S.L., J.F.)
- University Würzburg, Bioinformatics Department, Am Hubland/Biozentrum, D–97074 Wuerzburg, Germany (T.M., M.D.)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany (M.K., W.B.); and
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (R.H.)
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Bertazzini M, Medrzycki P, Bortolotti L, Maistrello L, Forlani G. Amino acid content and nectar choice by forager honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Amino Acids 2010; 39:315-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0474-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Nepi M, von Aderkas P, Wagner R, Mugnaini S, Coulter A, Pacini E. Nectar and pollination drops: how different are they? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2009; 104:205-19. [PMID: 19477895 PMCID: PMC2710891 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcp124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Revised: 03/05/2009] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollination drops and nectars (floral nectars) are secretions related to plant reproduction. The pollination drop is the landing site for the majority of gymnosperm pollen, whereas nectar of angiosperm flowers represents a common nutritional resource for a large variety of pollinators. Extrafloral nectars also are known from all vascular plants, although among the gymnosperms they are restricted to the Gnetales. Extrafloral nectars are not generally involved in reproduction but serve as 'reward' for ants defending plants against herbivores (indirect defence). SCOPE Although very different in their task, nectars and pollination drops share some features, e.g. basic chemical composition and eventual consumption by animals. This has led some authors to call these secretions collectively nectar. Modern techniques that permit chemical analysis and protein characterization have very recently added important information about these sugary secretions that appear to be much more than a 'reward' for pollinating (floral nectar) and defending animals (extrafloral nectar) or a landing site for pollen (pollination drop). CONCLUSIONS Nectar and pollination drops contain sugars as the main components, but the total concentration and the relative proportions are different. They also contain amino acids, of which proline is frequently the most abundant. Proteomic studies have revealed the presence of common functional classes of proteins such as invertases and defence-related proteins in nectar (floral and extrafloral) and pollination drops. Invertases allow for dynamic rearrangement of sugar composition following secretion. Defence-related proteins provide protection from invasion by fungi and bacteria. Currently, only few species have been studied in any depth. The chemical composition of the pollination drop must be investigated in a larger number of species if eventual phylogenetic relationships are to be revealed. Much more information can be provided from further proteomic studies of both nectar and pollination drop that will contribute to the study of plant reproduction and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Nepi
- Department of Environmental Sciences G. Sarfatti, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena, Italy.
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Movafeghi A, Abedini M, Fathiazad F, Aliasgharpour M, Omidi Y. Floral nectar composition of Peganum harmala L. Nat Prod Res 2009; 23:301-8. [PMID: 19235031 DOI: 10.1080/14786410802076291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemical composition of the floral nectar of Peganum harmala, a herbaceous medicinal perennial of the family Zygophyllaceae, was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography technique. The nectar sugar detection experiments resulted in 33.1, 39.8 and 27.4%, respectively, for fructose, glucose and sucrose, upon which the nectar was classified as hexose rich. In addition, 11 proteinaceous amino acids were recognised and quantified in the nectar. Concentration of the insects' favoured amino acid, prolin, was markedly high. Furthermore, among four detected alkaloids, harmalol and harmine as the two beta-carboline derivatives were identified. These findings may confer a better understanding upon outcrossing processes and favour the plant-pollinator relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Movafeghi
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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Carter C, Shafir S, Yehonatan L, Palmer RG, Thornburg R. A novel role for proline in plant floral nectars. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2006; 93:72-9. [PMID: 16365739 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-005-0062-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2005] [Accepted: 11/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Plants offer metabolically rich floral nectar to attract visiting pollinators. The composition of nectar includes not only sugars, but also amino acids. We have examined the amino acid content of the nectar of ornamental tobacco and found that it is extremely rich (2 mM) in proline. Because insect pollinators preferentially utilize proline during the initial phases of insect flight and can reportedly taste proline, we determined whether honeybees showed a preference for synthetic nectars rich in proline. We therefore established an insect preference test and found that honeybees indeed prefer nectars rich in the amino acid proline. To determine whether this was a general phenomenon, we also examined the nectars of two insect-pollinated wild perennial species of soybean. These species also showed high levels of proline in their nectars demonstrating that plants often produce proline-rich floral nectar. Because insects such as honeybees prefer proline-rich nectars, we hypothesize that some plants offer proline-rich nectars as a mechanism to attract visiting pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clay Carter
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology 2212 Molecular Biology Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA
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Abstract
Gustatory receptors associated with feeding in phytophagous insects are broadly categorized as phagostimulatory or deterrent. No phytophagous insect is known that tastes all its essential nutrients, and the ability to discriminate between nutrients is limited. The insects acquire a nutritional balance largely "adventitiously" because leaves have an appropriate chemical composition. Sugars are the most important phagostimulants. Plant secondary compounds are most often deterrent but stimulate phagostimulatory cells if they serve as host-indicating sign stimuli, or if they are sequestered for defense or used as pheromone precursors. The stimulating effects of chemicals are greatly affected by other chemicals in mixtures like those to which the sensilla are normally exposed. Host plant selection depends on the balance of phagostimulatory and deterrent inputs with, in some oligophagous and monophagous species, a dominating role of a host-related chemical. Evolution of phytophagy has probably involved a change in emphasis in the gustatory system, not fundamentally new developments. The precise role of the gustatory systems remains unclear. In grasshoppers, it probably governs food selection and the amounts eaten, but in caterpillars there is some evidence that central feedbacks are also involved in regulating the amount eaten.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Chapman
- ARL Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
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