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Abstract
Poplar (Populus spp.) trees are widely distributed and play an important role in ecological communities and in forestry. Moreover, by releasing high amounts of isoprene, these trees impact global atmospheric chemistry. One of the most devastating diseases for poplar is leaf rust, caused by fungi of the genus Melampsora. Despite the wide distribution of these biotrophic pathogens, very little is known about their effects on isoprene biosynthesis and emission. We therefore infected black poplar (P. nigra) trees with the rust fungus M. larici-populina and monitored isoprene emission and other physiological parameters over the course of infection to determine the underlying mechanisms. We found an immediate and persistent decrease in photosynthesis during infection, presumably caused by decreased stomatal conductance mediated by increased ABA levels. At the same time, isoprene emission remained stable during the time course of infection, consistent with the stability of its biosynthesis. There was no detectable change in the levels of intermediates or gene transcripts of the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway in infected compared to control leaves. Rust infection thus does not affect isoprene emission, but may still influence the atmosphere via decreased fixation of CO2.
Highlights
Poplar (Populus spp.) trees are deciduous, woody plants that are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere (Stanton et al, 2010; Isebrands and Richardson, 2014)
In order to investigate the influence of fungal infection on photosynthesis in black poplar, we measured photosynthetic parameters at various times during the development of rust infection in the leaves
We investigated the effect of rust infection (M. larici-populina) on photosynthesis and the emission of isoprene in black poplar (P. nigra)
Summary
Poplar (Populus spp.) trees are deciduous, woody plants that are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere (Stanton et al, 2010; Isebrands and Richardson, 2014). In their natural habitat, which consists of floodplain forests and riverbanks, they are of significant ecological importance as host plants for an enormous diversity of microbes, insects, and other organisms. Isoprene in Rust-Infected Poplars an excellent model organism for woody plant research. Poplar trees emit large amounts of isoprene (C5) This small volatile hydrocarbon is emitted by a number of plant species, most of them woody. Isoprene is hypothesized to increase the thermotolerance of plants, protect against ozone and oxygen radicals, and act as a “safety valve” for dissipating energy under high light conditions (Loreto and Velikova, 2001; Sharkey et al, 2008; Laothawornkitkul et al, 2009)
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