Effects of elevated CO2 on the nutrient compositions and enzymes activities of Nilaparvata lugens nymphs fed on rice plants

Yunyun Zeng,Hongxia Hua,Yanfei Xiong,Wenkun Huang,Gang Wu,Wanyun Zhao,Nengwen Xiao,Junsheng Li,Li Su,Jing Zhuang

doi:10.1007/s11427-012-4378-8

Abstract

Elevated CO(2) may reduce the tolerance of Nilaparvata lugen (N. lugens) to adverse environmental factors through the biological and physiological degeneration of N. lugens. In an artificial climate box, under 375 and 750 μL L(-1) CO(2) levels, the rice stems nutrient content, the nutrient content and enzyme activities of N. lugens nymph fed on rice seedlings exposed to ambient and elevated CO(2) were studied. The results showed that rice stems had significantly higher protein and total amino acid levels under ambient than elevated CO(2) levels. Nymphs had significantly higher protein levels in the ambient CO(2) treatment, while their glucose levels were significantly lower under ambient CO(2) conditions. Significantly higher trypsin activity was observed in nymphs grown in elevated CO(2). Significantly lower activities of the protective enzymes total superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed in the nymphs under ambient CO(2). Meanwhile, the activity of the detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase was significantly higher in the ambient CO(2) treatment. Measuring how energy and resources were allocated to enzymes in N. lugens nymphs under elevated CO(2) conditions can provide a more meaningful evaluation of their metabolic tolerances to adverse climatic conditions.

Highlights

ZENG YunYun1, HUANG WenKun2, SU Li3, WU Gang1*, ZHUANG Jing1, ZHAO WanYun1, HUA HongXia1, LI JunSheng4, XIAO NengWen4 & XIONG YanFei5
Protein levels were significantly higher in rice stems under ambient CO2 treatment compared with elevated CO2 treatment (|t|=5.15, df=15, P=0.0001; Figure 1A)
Rice stems grown in ambient CO2 concentration had significantly more total amino acids than those grown in elevated CO2 (|t|=4.71, df=6, P=0.0033; Figure 1C)

Summary

Introduction

The results showed that rice stems had significantly higher protein and total amino acid levels under ambient than elevated CO2 levels. The levels of atmospheric CO2 are anticipated to double by the end of this century [2] These changes are likely to have a direct influence on plant chemicals and metabolic enzymes of herbivorous insects. Wu et al [11] reported that CO2 level significantly influenced foliar total amino acids in cotton plants, and foliar protein content significantly decreased under elevated CO2 compared with ambient CO2. These studies proved that elevated atmospheric CO2 can alter plant growth and chemistry

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion