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Gargiulo S, Boscutti F, Carrer M, Prendin AL, Unterholzner L, Dibona R, Casolo V. Snowpack permanence shapes the growth and dynamic of non-structural carbohydrates in Juniperus communis in alpine tundra. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174891. [PMID: 39047817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Climate warming is altering snowpack permanence in alpine tundra, modifying shrub growth and distribution. Plant acclimation to snowpack changes depends on the capability to guarantee growth and carbon storage, suggesting that the content of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in plant organs can be a key trait to depict the plant response under different snow regimes. To test this hypothesis, we designed a 3-years long manipulative experiment aimed at evaluating the effect of snow melt timing (i.e., early, control, and late) on NSC content in needles, bark and wood of Juniperus communis L. growing at high elevation in the Alps. Starch evidenced a general decrease from late spring to summer in control and early melting, while starch was low but stable in plants subjected to a late snow melt. Leaves, bark and wood have different level of soluble NSC changing during growing season: in bark, sugars content decreased significantly in late summer, while there was no seasonal effect in needles and wood. Soluble NSC and starch were differently related with the plant growth, when considering different tissues and snow treatment. In leaf and bark we observed a starch depletion in control and early melting plants, consistently to a higher growth (i.e., twig elongation), while in late snow melt, we did not find any significant relationship between growth and NSC concentration. Our findings confirmed that snowpack duration affects the onset of the growing season promoting a change in carbon allocation in plant organs and, between bark and wood in twigs. Finally, our results suggest that plants, at this elevation, could take advantage from an early snow melt caused by climate warming, most likely due to photosynthetic activity by maintaining the level of reserves and enhancing the carbon investment for growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gargiulo
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Carrer
- Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Angela Luisa Prendin
- Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua, Italy; Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lucrezia Unterholzner
- Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Raffaela Dibona
- Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Cassola F, Pinheiro GP, Alves MF, Alves DM, Sawaya ACHF, Silva AAR, Koch I, Antunes ERM, Sartoratto A, Porcari AM, Mayer JLS. Secretory structures in Baccharis platypoda DC. inflorescences (Asteraceae) and characterization of the chemical composition of its secretion. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024. [PMID: 38837312 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Rocky outcrop environments at high altitudes have nutrient-poor soil, where species are exposed to water scarcity and high solar radiation. Baccharis platypoda DC. occurs in such an environment and has a rigid and transparent secretion that covers the entire inflorescence. We analysed and compared the secretory structures and their chemical composition in female and male inflorescences of B. platypoda, a dioecious species, to explore chemodiversity within this species and assess potential differences between individuals. Our investigation also aims to understand the occurrence of these substances in the genus Baccharis L. Chemical compounds and secretory structures were similar in female and male inflorescences. There are glandular trichomes on the epidermis of the abaxial surface of bracts, and secretory ducts in the axis of the inflorescence, as well as in sepals, petals, and bracts. Histochemical tests were positive for phenolic compounds, flavonoids, proteins, pectin, and lipids, but not for mucilage. Flavonoid content varied between 6.24% and 9.81%, being higher in female inflorescences. Chromatography revealed the presence of several phenolic compounds, some terpenes, and other less frequent classes in both female and male inflorescences. We highlight that trichomes found on these surfaces produce abundant phenolic compounds. These act as natural defence agents, absorbing UV radiation and minimizing oxidative stress to plant cells. The chemical composition of the secretion covering the inflorescences may reflect adaptation and survival mechanisms of these organisms under extreme sun exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cassola
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
- Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Paulínia, Brasil
| | - G P Pinheiro
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
| | - M F Alves
- Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Diretoria de Pesquisa Científica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - D M Alves
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
| | - A C H F Sawaya
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
| | - A A R Silva
- Laboratório de Espectrometria de Massa MS4Life, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brasil
| | - I Koch
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
| | - E R M Antunes
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
| | - A Sartoratto
- Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Paulínia, Brasil
| | - A M Porcari
- Laboratório de Espectrometria de Massa MS4Life, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brasil
| | - J L S Mayer
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil
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González‐Ramírez I, López‐Gómez V, Cano‐Santana Z, Romero Pérez A, Hernández Cumplido J. Host-plant sex and phenology of Buddleja cordata Kunth interact to influence arthropod communities. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11555. [PMID: 38895571 PMCID: PMC11183185 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in plants is expected to have profound impacts on the arthropod communities associated with them. Because sexual dimorphism in plants is expected to provide consistent variation among individuals of the same species, researchers have often studied the effect it has on associated arthropods. Nevertheless, most studies have focused on the effect of sexual dimorphism in a single or a few herbivores, thus overlooking the potential effects on the whole arthropod community. Our main objective was to evaluate effects of Buddleja cordata's plant-sex on its associated arthropod community. We surveyed 13 pairs of male and female plants every 2 months during a year (June 2010 to April 2011). Every sampling date, we measured plant traits (water content and leaf thickness), herbivory, and the arthropod community. We did not find differences in herbivory between plant sex or through time. However, we found differences in water content through time, with leaf water-content matching the environmental seasonality. For arthropod richness, we found 68 morphospecies associated with female and 72 with male plants, from which 53 were shared by both sexes. We did not observe differences in morphospecies richness; however, we found sex-associated differences in the diversity of all species and differences on the diversity of the most abundant species with an interesting temporal component. During peak flowering season, male plants showed higher values on both parameters, but during the peak fructification season female plants showed the higher values on both diversity parameters. Our research exemplifies the interaction between plant-phenology and plant-sex as drivers of arthropod communities' diversity, even when plant sexual-dimorphism is inconspicuous, and highlighting the importance of accounting for seasonal variation. We stress the need of conducting more studies that test this time-dependent framework in other dioecious systems, as it has the potential to reconcile previous contrasting observations reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. González‐Ramírez
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of California BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - V. López‐Gómez
- Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio ClimáticoCoordinación General de Contaminación y Salud AmbientalCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - Z. Cano‐Santana
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - A. Romero Pérez
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - J. Hernández Cumplido
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
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Scheuerell RP, LeRoy CJ. Plant sex influences on riparian communities and ecosystems. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10308. [PMID: 37449021 PMCID: PMC10337289 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past several decades, we have increased our understanding of the influences of plant genetics on associated communities and ecosystem functions. These influences have been shown at both broad spatial scales and across many plant families, creating an active subdiscipline of ecology research focused on genes-to-ecosystems connections. One complex aspect of plant genetics is the distinction between males and females in dioecious plants. The genetic determinants of plant sex are poorly understood for most plants, but the influences of plant sex on morphological, physiological, and chemical plant traits are well-studied. We argue that these plant traits, controlled by plant sex, may have wide-reaching influences on both terrestrial and aquatic communities and ecosystem processes, particularly for riparian plants. Here we systematically review the influences of plant sex on plant traits, influences of plant traits on terrestrial community members, and how interactions between plant traits and terrestrial community members can influence terrestrial ecosystem functions in riparian forests. We then extend these influences into adjacent aquatic ecosystem functions and aquatic communities to explore how plant sex might influence linked terrestrial-aquatic systems as well as the physical structure of riparian systems. This review highlights data gaps in empirical studies exploring the direct influences of plant sex on communities and ecosystems but draws inference from community and ecosystem genetics. Overall, this review highlights how variation by plant sex has implications for climate change adaptations in riparian habitats, the evolution and range shifts of riparian species and the methods used for conserving and restoring riparian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- River P. Scheuerell
- Environmental Studies ProgramThe Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaWashingtonUSA
| | - Carri J. LeRoy
- Environmental Studies ProgramThe Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaWashingtonUSA
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Rakocevic M, Maia ADHN, de Liz MV, Imoski R, Helm CV, Cardozo Junior EL, Wendling I. Stability of Leaf Yerba Mate ( Ilex paraguariensis) Metabolite Concentrations over the Time from the Prism of Secondary Sexual Dimorphism. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12112199. [PMID: 37299178 DOI: 10.3390/plants12112199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The yerba mate leaf metabolic composition depends mainly on genetics, sex, plant and leaf age, light intensity, harvest time, climate, and fertilization. In yerba mate, the secondary sexual dimorphism (SSD), the leaf metabolic SSD association with the frequency of leaf harvests, and the stability of the metabolites in the two genders over the years is not known. It was hypothesized that (1) the SSD in the metabolite segregation would differ among the winter and summer growth pauses, (2) females would show lower metabolite concentrations, and (3) the metabolic concentrations would show stability over the years on the same plants, not obligatorily associated with the SSD stability expression. Variations in theobromine, caffeine, chlorogenic and caffeic acids were correlated to the increasing time since the previous harvest, especially in females. However, the frequency of the metabolic SSD were associated with the studied growth pauses, rejecting the first hypothesis. No regular gender superiority was expressed in the yerba mate leaf secondary metabolites, rejecting our second hypothesis, even though more cases of superior female metabolite accumulation were identified. The stability of the leaf protein was preserved over the four years, with no SSD cases observed. The leaf methylxanthines were time stable, while the decrease in the phenolic content occurred with tree aging, which was not associated with the SSD expression, partially proving our third hypothesis. The novelty was related to the time stability of the leaf metabolic SSD observed over the winter and summer growth pauses, and over the four consecutive years without a regular expression of the male- or female-biased concentrations in the studied metabolites. To demystify the random metabolic gender responses in yerba mate, gender-orientated experiments with a high number of tree repetitions must be conducted, including clonal plants grown in various environments, such as monoculture and agroforestry, or on plantations in different climates and altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Rakocevic
- Department of Research and Development, Embrapa Florestas, Colombo 83411-000, PR, Brazil
- Statistical Research Group, Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Jaguariúna 13918-110, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Vinicius de Liz
- Research Group on Water and Wastewater Advanced Treatment Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Curitiba 81280-340, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Imoski
- Research Group on Water and Wastewater Advanced Treatment Technologies, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Curitiba 81280-340, PR, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Vieira Helm
- Department of Research and Development, Embrapa Florestas, Colombo 83411-000, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Ivar Wendling
- Department of Research and Development, Embrapa Florestas, Colombo 83411-000, PR, Brazil
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Jocienė L, Krokaitė E, Rekašius T, Vilčinskas R, Judžentienė A, Marozas V, Kupčinskienė E. Ionomic Parameters of Populations of Common Juniper ( Juniperus communis L.) Depending on the Habitat Type. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:961. [PMID: 36840309 PMCID: PMC9963431 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
For the study of the ionomic parameters of Juniperus communis needles, fourteen sites covering most of the territory of Lithuania and belonging to distinct habitats (coastal brown dunes covered with natural Scots pine forests (G), Juniperus communis scrubs (F), transition mires and quaking bogs (D), subcontinental moss Scots pine forests (G), and xero-thermophile fringes) were selected. Concentrations of macro-, micro-, and non-essential elements were analyzed in current-year needles, sampled in September. According to the concentrations of elements in J. communis needles, the differences between the most contrasting populations were as follows: up to 2-fold for Mg, N, K, Ca, and Zn; 2- to 7-fold for P, Na, Fe, Cu, Al, Cr, Ni, and Pb; and 26- to 31-fold for Mn and Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni in needles of J. communis did not reach levels harmful for conifers. When compared to all other habitats (B, F, G, and E), the populations from transition mires and quaking bogs (D) had significantly lower concentrations of main nutritional elements N (12176 µg/g d. m.), P (1054 µg/g d. m.), and K (2916 µg/g d. m.). In Juniperus communis scrubs (F), a habitat protected by EUNIS, the concentration of K in the needles was highest, while Zn and Cu concentrations were the lowest. Principal component (PC) analyses using concentrations of 15 elements as variables for the discrimination of populations or habitats allowed authors to distinguish F and B habitats from the E habitat (PC1) and F and D habitats from the G habitat (PC2). Discriminating between populations, the most important variables were concentrations of P, N, Mg, Ca, Cu, and K. Discriminating between habitats, the important variables were concentrations of N and P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Jocienė
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Edvina Krokaitė
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Rekašius
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Informatics, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Mathematical Statistics, Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio Ave. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ramūnas Vilčinskas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Asta Judžentienė
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Ave. 7, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vitas Marozas
- Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Eugenija Kupčinskienė
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Feng J, Rana S, Liu Z, Wang Y, Cai Q, Geng X, Zhou H, Zhang T, Wang S, Xue X, Li M, Jemim RS, Li Z. Diversity Analysis of Leaf Nutrient Endophytes and Metabolites in Dioecious Idesia polycarpa Maxim Leaves during Reproductive Stages. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12122041. [PMID: 36556406 PMCID: PMC9785831 DOI: 10.3390/life12122041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Leaves are essential vegetative organs of plants. Studying the variations in leaf nutrient content and microbial communities of male and female plants at reproductive stages helps us understand allocation and adaptation strategies. This study aimed to determine the nutrient characteristics and microbial differences in the leaves of male and female Idesia polycarpa at reproductive stages. Seven-year-old female and male plants were used as test materials in this experiment. The samples were collected at three stages: flowering (May), fruit matter accumulation (July), and fruit ripening (October). The nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), potassium (TK), carbon (TC), and the pH of the female and male leaves were analyzed. In addition, the leaf microbial diversity and differential metabolites were determined using the Illumina high-throughput sequencing method and the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method at the reproductive developmental stages. This study found that male and female plant leaves had different TN and TK contents over time but no difference in TC and TP content. The significant differences in bacterial diversity between male and female plants and the richness of the fungi of male plants at the flowering and fruit maturity stages were observed. Proteobacteria, Pseudomonadaceae, Ascomycota, and Aspergillus were the dominant bacteria and fungi in the Idesia polycarpa leaves. The presence of microorganisms differed in the two sexes in different periods. Alphaproteobacteria and Sordariomycetes were the indicator groups for male leaves, and Pseudomonas and Sordariomycetes were the indicator groups for female leaves. Significant differences in phenolic acid were found between male and female leaves. A KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential metabolites were enriched in metabolic pathways, amino acid biosynthesis, and the nucleotide metabolism. According to a correlation analysis, leaf TK and TP were strongly correlated with endophytic bacteria abundance and differential metabolite composition. This study revealed the changes in substances and microorganisms in the leaves of male and female plants in their reproductive stages. It provides a theoretical basis for developing and utilizing the leaves of Idesia polycarpa and for field management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Feng
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Sohel Rana
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yanmei Wang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Qifei Cai
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiaodong Geng
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Huina Zhou
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Shasha Wang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xue
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Mingwan Li
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Razia Sultana Jemim
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Zhi Li
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-17752559889
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Consequences of the Reproductive Effort of Dioecious Taxus baccata L. Females in a Generative Bud Removal Experiment-Important Role of Nitrogen in Female Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214225. [PMID: 36430702 PMCID: PMC9695432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dioecious species differ in the pattern and intensity of male and female reproductive investments. We aimed to determine whether female shoots deprived of generative buds show biochemical features, indicating their less-pronounced reproductive effort. For this purpose, the same branches of mature Taxus baccata females were deprived of generative organs. In the second and third years of the experiment, measurements were made in every season from the control and bud-removed shoots of females and control males. Bud removal caused an increase in nitrogen concentration almost to the level detected in the needles of male specimens, but only in current-year needles. Moreover, differences between male and control female shoots were present in the C:N ratio and increment biomass, but they disappeared when bud removal was applied to females. Additionally, between-sex differences were observed for content of phenolic compounds, carbon and starch, and SLA, independent of the female shoot reproductive effort. The study revealed that nitrogen uptake in seeds and arils may explain the lower nitrogen level and consequently the lower growth rate of females compared to males. At the same time, reproduction did not disturb carbon level in adjacent tissues, and two hypotheses explaining this phenomenon have been put forward.
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Pers-Kamczyc E, Kamczyc J. Study of the Pollen Grain Metabolome under Deposition of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Taxus baccata L. and Juniperus communis L. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214105. [PMID: 36430583 PMCID: PMC9692909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen plays an important role in both quantitative and qualitative aspects of plant reproduction, including pollen grain compounds and seed production. Recent studies have pointed out that pollen grains produced by male plants of T. baccata and J. communis subjected to a long period of fertilizer supplementation have lower in vitro germination ability and higher nitrogen content. To gain molecular insights into these observations, we conducted GC-MS analysis of both species to characterize the metabolomes of dry, mature pollen grains, which allowed for the identification and quantification of more than 200 metabolites. The results demonstrated that fertilizer supplementation impacts the relative content of 14 metabolites in J. communis (9 downregulated and 5 upregulated) and 21 in T. baccata (6 downregulated and 15 upregulated). Although plants showed little similarity in patterns, in metabolite profiles, both up and down fold-changes were observed. This is the first report on the gymnosperm pollen grain metabolomic profile and changes induced by long-term nitrogen and phosphorus supplementation. Pollen grains produced by fertilizer-supplemented male individuals had significantly lower relative content of linolenic acid, 5,6-dihydrouracil, maltotriose, galactonic acid, D-xylulose, and glycerol-α-phosphate but higher content of sorbitol, glucosamine, and 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol as well as n-acetyl-d-hexosamine, dimethyl phthalate, glycine, galactose-6-phosphate, D-fructose-6-phosphate, pyroglutamic acid, and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid. Thus, in pollen grain samples earlier shown to have different germination abilities, the presence of different metabolites indicates a significant environmental impact on the quality of gymnosperm pollen grains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Pers-Kamczyc
- Department of Genetics and Environmental Interactions, Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Parkowa Str., 62-035 Kórnik, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Jacek Kamczyc
- Department of Game Management and Forest Protection, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 71 Wojska Polskiego Str., 60-625 Poznań, Poland
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Unterholzner L, Prendin AL, Dibona R, Menardi R, Casolo V, Gargiulo S, Boscutti F, Carrer M. Transient Effects of Snow Cover Duration on Primary Growth and Leaf Traits in a Tundra Shrub. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:822901. [PMID: 35481143 PMCID: PMC9037292 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.822901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the recent climate warming, tundra ecotones are facing a progressive acceleration of spring snowpack melting and extension of the growing season, with evident consequences to vegetation. Along with summer temperature, winter precipitation has been recently recognised as a crucial factor for tundra shrub growth and physiology. However, gaps of knowledge still exist on long-living plant responses to different snowpack duration, especially on how intra-specific and year-to-year variability together with multiple functional trait adjustments could influence the long-term responses. To fill this gap, we conducted a 3 years snow manipulation experiment above the Alpine treeline on the typical tundra species Juniperus communis, the conifer with the widest distributional range in the north emisphere. We tested shoot elongation, leaf area, stomatal density, leaf dry weight and leaf non-structural carbohydrate content of plants subjected to anticipated, natural and postponed snowpack duration. Anticipated snowpack melting enhanced new shoot elongation and increased stomatal density. However, plants under prolonged snow cover seemed to compensate for the shorter growing period, likely increasing carbon allocation to growth. In fact, these latter showed larger needles and low starch content at the beginning of the growing season. Variability between treatments slightly decreased over time, suggesting a progressive acclimation of juniper to new conditions. In the context of future warming scenarios, our results support the hypothesis of shrub biomass increase within the tundra biome. Yet, the picture is still far from being complete and further research should focus on transient and fading effects of changing conditions in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Unterholzner
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Angela Luisa Prendin
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
- Department of Biology, Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Raffaella Dibona
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Roberto Menardi
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Sara Gargiulo
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Department of Agricultural Food Environmental Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Carrer
- Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
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Seed Quantity or Quality?-Reproductive Responses of Females of Two Dioecious Woody Species to Long-Term Fertilisation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063187. [PMID: 35328608 PMCID: PMC8948795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although seed quality and quantity, as well as reproductive performance are important life history stages of plants, little is known about the reproductive responses of trees to environmental changes such as increased anthropogenic deposition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Dioecious plants are good models with which to test the environmental impact on female or male reproductive responses individually. We analysed effects of different long-term nutritional availability on the reproductive performance of two dioecious species (Taxus baccata L. and Juniperus communis L.) characterised by different life histories. By using pot experiments with vegetatively propagated plants grown in different fertilisation conditions, we observed an increase in plant growth and strobili production but a decrease in seed efficiency. Seeds produced by fertilised plants had greater seed mass. Fertiliser addition did not change C or N content nor the C/N ratio of T. baccata seeds, but increased N content and the N/P ratio; however, it did lower the C/N ratio in J. communis. Fertilisation did not change the metabolite profile in T. baccata but 18 metabolites were changed in J. communis. The study revealed new links between species life history, environmental changes, and reproduction. The findings imply that future environmental conditions may alter both seed productivity, and quality, as well as plant reproductive behaviour.
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Łukowski A, Jagiełło R, Robakowski P, Adamczyk D, Karolewski P. Adaptation of a simple method to determine the total terpenoid content in needles of coniferous trees. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 314:111090. [PMID: 34895553 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.111090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In ecological research, quantitative methods are often used to measure the total content of metabolites groups (i.e., phenols, carbohydrates). Until recently, there has been no simple and effective method to determine the total terpenoid content with satisfactory repeatability and sensitivity. The procedure proposed by Ghorai et al. (2012) requires the use of fresh plant material. That may be problematic when experimental units are located far from a laboratory. Our goals were to optimize the procedure, and to find the threshold of misestimation using the procedure adjusted to work with dried material. Needles of Pinus sylvestris were used to test the effect of changes in drying, grinding, storage, and extraction on determined total terpenoid content. All applied changes in material storage and grinding decreased the quantity of the terpenoids in needles. Only air-dried and ball-milled material produced similar results to those obtained with fresh material - can be recommended if the fresh material unattainable. Air-dried material may be stored for up to three months, but it resulted in greater variation and then greater sample size is needed. Lower sample mass and solvent volume have no impact on accuracy. Shorter extraction time, oven-drying or microwaving leads to unreliability of measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Łukowski
- Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035, Kórnik, Poland; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71c, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Radosław Jagiełło
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71c, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Robakowski
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71c, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dawid Adamczyk
- Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035, Kórnik, Poland
| | - Piotr Karolewski
- Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035, Kórnik, Poland
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13
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Abstract
Female individuals of dioecious plants invest their resources more in storage and defence, and the males have higher nitrogen content invested in the production of pollen grains. An unresolved problem is whether this strategy occurs only in sexually mature plants or can also occur in juvenile plants. To answer this, Taxus baccata (L.) needles from the mature plants and rooted cuttings (juveniles) in a pot experiment were compared for the content of carbon, nitrogen, starch, total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), and total phenolic compounds (TPhC). The results indicate that the differences between sexes occurred mainly in sexually mature plants, where the starch content was higher in females and nitrogen in males. However, the novelty of the results is that TPhC was generally higher in females than males in both adults and juveniles, suggesting that defence is a priority for females from an early age. We do not know if this is an innate trait because the strobili production (albeit at a very low level) of juveniles was observed in all individuals after the autumn of the first year. We found no effect of fertilization on sex-specific response in the pot experiment, which may be related to the lower reproductive effort of juveniles.
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