| 1. |
- Papazian, Stefano, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Herbivore-Induced Metabolic Responses in Brassica nigra are Shaped by Leaf Ontogeny
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order to defend, plants rely on quick metabolic reconfigurations. Here weinvestigated plant herbivore-induced responses asking: 1) how exposure to methyljasmonate(MeJA) and herbivory alter plant defence and growth metabolism, and 2)are herbivore-induced responses concentrated in tissues with higher fitness value, aspredicted by the optimal defence (OD) theory? We analysed the leaf metabolome of black mustard (B. nigra) in response to MeJAand/or feeding by specialist caterpillars of the large white cabbage butterfly (Pierisbrassicae). Shifts in defence-related (secondary) and growth-related (primary)metabolites were initially evaluated on fully expanded mature leaves and thenfollowed across leaf ontogeny. MeJA enhanced herbivore induced-responses and increased the plant resistanceagainst sequential herbivory. Responses were focused in young leaves andcharacterized by changes in defence- (glucosinolates, phenolics) and growth- (aminoacids, sugars, organic acids) metabolism, including asymmetric accumulation ofcentral tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates. MeJA application enhanced the plant resistance towards herbivory and, consistentlywith the OD theory, herbivore-induced responses were prioritized in young leaves.However, shifts in the plant were not limited to higher defences but affected growthmetabolism including regulation of energy pathways and increased leaf senescence.These effects deserve attention by future ecological and applied research on plantinsectinteractions.
|
|
