University of Tasmania
Browse
PES69858 2010 PLoS ONE Lee et al.pdf (488.04 kB)

Plants Modify Biological Processes to Ensure Survival following Carbon Depletion: A Lolium perenne Model

Download (488.04 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 06:12 authored by Lee, JM, Sathish, P, Donaghy, DJ, Roach, J
Background: Plants, due to their immobility, have evolved mechanisms allowing them to adapt to multiple environmentaland management conditions. Short-term undesirable conditions (e.g. moisture deficit, cold temperatures) generally reduce photosynthetic carbon supply while increasing soluble carbohydrate accumulation. It is not known, however, what strategies plants may use in the long-term to adapt to situations resulting in net carbon depletion (i.e. reduced photosynthetic carbon supply and carbohydrate accumulation). In addition, many transcriptomic experiments have typically been undertaken under laboratory conditions; therefore, long-term acclimation strategies that plants use in natural environments are not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was used as a model plant to define whether plants adapt to repetitive carbon depletion and to further elucidate their long-term acclimation mechanisms. Transcriptome changes in both lamina and stubble tissues of field-grown plants with depleted carbon reserves were characterised using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The RT-qPCR data for select key genes indicated that plants reduced fructan degradation, and increased photosynthesis and fructan synthesis capacities following carbon depletion. This acclimatory response was not sufficient to prevent a reduction (P,0.001) in net biomass accumulation, but ensured that the plant survived. Conclusions: Adaptations of plants with depleted carbon reserves resulted in reduced post-defoliation carbon mobilization and earlier replenishment of carbon reserves, thereby ensuring survival and continued growth. These findings will help pave the way to improve plant biomass production, for either grazing livestock or biofuel purposes.

History

Publication title

PL o S One

Volume

5

Issue

8

Pagination

EJ

ISSN

1932-6203

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Public Library of Science

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright © 2010 Lee, JM et al.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Other animal production and animal primary products not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Categories

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC