Carbohydrate Dynamics Research Articles

Quantitative dynamics of stem water soluble carbohydrates in wheat can be monitored in the field using hyperspectral reflectance

The capacity of wheat to store water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the stem is regarded as a promising trait to buffer yield in environments with limited water availability. A high throughput, field-applicable, phenotyping technique would not only benefit agronomy/physiology applications but also help its quantification in wheat breeding programmes. The aim of this study was to evaluate if it was possible to estimate the concentration (WSCc, mgg−1) and amount (WSCa, gm−2) of stem WSC non-destructively and in situ using hyperspectral data obtained in wheat canopies, as opposed to currently available labour intensive laboratory methods. Hyperspectral reflectance data were obtained proximally at varying developmental stages from the canopy of wheat trials with a limited number of related genotypes growing under a range of management treatments, in two successive years. Data were calibrated, firstly independently for each year and then jointly, to provide a measure of stem WSC using partial least squares regression on wavelengths in the range of 350–1290nm. Pre-treated spectra (second derivative) enabled calibrations for the combined years with concentration (WSCc, mgg−1) (r2=0.90) and amount (WSCa, gm−2) (r2=0.88) of water soluble carbohydrate in the stems. In addition, from the same measurement, other canopy properties, leaf area index and canopy water content, could be simultaneously predicted. This study has shown that calibration models from canopy level data can robustly predict the dynamics of stem WSC throughout crop stages and treatments, while at the same time including variation in indices diagnostic of crop water and cover status, such as the Water Index and Enhanced Vegetation Index. Promising WSC prediction using spectral data below 1000nm needs to be investigated further, in order to harness the potential for impact using low cost silicon detectors.

Robust carbohydrate dynamics based on sucrose resynthesis in developing Norway spruce somatic embryos at variable sugar supply

Growth regulators and carbohydrates are key regulatory factors that affect somatic embryogenesis. Carbohydrates serve as energy and carbon sources, osmotica and osmoprotectants and are important signal molecules. Most information about the role of carbohydrates in somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce has been obtained with embryos grown on semi-solid media. The aim of the present study was to gain a better understanding of the effects of exogenous carbohydrates through modification of medium components (sugars) and physical state (liquid and semi-solid media). Rafts, floating on liquid medium, were used to allow precise manipulation of carbohydrate availability, though it did not result in the highest embryo yields. Our results indicate the following for Norway spruce somatic embryo development: (1) overall carbohydrate dynamics in somatic embryos cultivated on liquid or semi-solid media were similar; (2) the total carbohydrate content, however, was higher in somatic embryos cultivated on liquid media; (3) sucrose was present in somatic embryos even when they matured on sucrose-free media; (4) sucrose content in liquid sucrose-supplemented maturation media decreased sharply during a 1-wk subculture interval; (5) the accumulation of the raffinose family oligosaccharides during desiccation was determined independently of previous sugar supply; and (6) a decrease of sucrose and an increase of hexoses contents accompanied somatic embryo germination.

Compound‐specific δ13C analysis of monosaccharides from soil extracts by high‐performance liquid chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Carbohydrates represent up to 25% of soil organic matter and derive from fresh plant input or organic matter transformation within the soil. Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of monosaccharides (sugars) extracted from soil provides a powerful tool to disentangle the dynamics of different carbohydrate pools of soils. The use of high-performance liquid chromatography/oxidation/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HPLC/o/IRMS) allows isotope measurements without the need for derivatisation and thus increasing accuracy and precision of the isotopic measurement, compared with gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/c/IRMS). The CSIA of soil carbohydrates was performed using a HPLC/o/IRMS system. The chromatographic and mass spectrometric subunits were coupled with a LC-Isolink interface. Soil sugars were extracted after mild hydrolysis using 4 M trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Chromatographic separation of the sugars was achieved using a low strength 0.25 mM NaOH solution as mobile phase at a flow rate of 250 μL min-1 at 10 °C. The chromatographic conditions allowed the baseline separation of the seven most abundant sugars in soil. Complete removal of TFA from the soil hydrolysate ensured chromatographic stability. The accuracy was better than 0.66 ‰ for amounts of >2.5 nM sugar on column. The sugars extracted from an agricultural soil appeared to be more enriched in 13 C than the soil organic carbon, and to have a similar isotopic signature to the soil microbial biomass. The proposed method proved to be suitable for the analysis of the common sugars in soil extracts and represents a precise tool for the study of carbohydrate dynamics. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Carbohydrate reserve status of Malbec grapevines after several years of regulated deficit irrigation and crop load regulation

Background and Aims Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and bunch thinning are two viticultural practices applied worldwide. There is limited knowledge, however, about their combined effects on carbohydrate dynamics and accumulation. We evaluated during year 3 and 4 of the experiment the effect of 4 consecutive years of RDI and bunch thinning on carbohydrate status, vegetative and reproductive variables. Methods and Results From 2006/07 to 2009/10, we imposed four levels of water supply [100, 60, 38 and 25% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo)] and two crop loads (100 and 50% of the bunches). We compared shoot length, flowers per inflorescence and yield in 2009/10. We also measured pruning mass and the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates in dormant wood in the winters of 2009 and 2010. Starch concentration in the trunk was reduced by severe water deficit (25 and 38% ETo) and improved by bunch thinning. Pruning mass, shoot length, flowers per inflorescence and yield were affected in vines with water applied at 25 and 38% of ETo. Conclusions Severe water stress and high crop load reduced trunk starch concentration with no interaction between both factors, whereas the concentration of total non-structural carbohydrate was not affected. Vegetative growth and yield were reduced after 4 years of severe water stress. Significance of the Study We provide evidence that starch concentration and carbon partitioning can be manipulated through common viticultural practices, such as irrigation and crop load.

Evaluating theories of drought‐induced vegetation mortality using a multimodel–experiment framework

Model-data comparisons of plant physiological processes provide an understanding of mechanisms underlying vegetation responses to climate. We simulated the physiology of a piñon pine-juniper woodland (Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma) that experienced mortality during a 5yr precipitation-reduction experiment, allowing a framework with which to examine our knowledge of drought-induced tree mortality. We used six models designed for scales ranging from individual plants to a global level, all containing state-of-the-art representations of the internal hydraulic and carbohydrate dynamics of woody plants. Despite the large range of model structures, tuning, and parameterization employed, all simulations predicted hydraulic failure and carbon starvation processes co-occurring in dying trees of both species, with the time spent with severe hydraulic failure and carbon starvation, rather than absolute thresholds per se, being a better predictor of impending mortality. Model and empirical data suggest that limited carbon and water exchanges at stomatal, phloem, and below-ground interfaces were associated with mortality of both species. The model-data comparison suggests that the introduction of a mechanistic process into physiology-based models provides equal or improved predictive power over traditional process-model or empirical thresholds. Both biophysical and empirical modeling approaches are useful in understanding processes, particularly when the models fail, because they reveal mechanisms that are likely to underlie mortality. We suggest that for some ecosystems, integration of mechanistic pathogen models into current vegetation models, and evaluation against observations, could result in a breakthrough capability to simulate vegetation dynamics.

Intra-annual dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates in the cambium of mature conifer trees reflects radial growth demands

The presence of soluble carbohydrates in the cambial zone, either from sugars recently produced during photosynthesis or from starch remobilized from storage organs, is necessary for radial tree growth. However, considerable uncertainties on carbohydrate dynamics and the consequences on tree productivity exist. This study aims to better understand the variation in different carbon pools at intra-annual resolution by quantifying how cambial zone sugar and starch concentrations fluctuate over the season and in relation to cambial phenology. A comparison between two physiologically different species growing at the same site, i.e., the evergreen Picea abies Karst. and the deciduous Larix decidua Mill., and between L. decidua from two contrasting elevations, is presented to identify mechanisms of growth limitation. Results indicate that the annual cycle of sugar concentration within the cambial zone is coupled to the process of wood formation. The highest sugar concentration is observed when the number of cells in secondary wall formation and lignification stages is at a maximum, subsequent to most radial growth. Starch disappears in winter, while other freeze-resistant non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) increase. Slight differences in NSC concentration between species are consistent with the differing climate sensitivity of the evergreen and deciduous species investigated. The general absence of differences between elevations suggests that the cambial activity of trees growing at the treeline was not limited by the availability of carbohydrates at the cambial zone but instead by environmental controls on the growing season duration.

Leaf‐herbivore attack reduces carbon reserves and regrowth from the roots via jasmonate and auxin signaling

Herbivore attack leads to resource conflicts between plant defensive strategies. Photoassimilates are required for defensive compounds and carbon storage below ground and may therefore be depleted or enriched in the roots of herbivore-defoliated plants. The potential role of belowground tissues as mediators of induced tolerance-defense trade-offs is unknown. We evaluated signaling and carbohydrate dynamics in the roots of Nicotiana attenuata following Manduca sexta attack. Experimental and natural genetic variability was exploited to link the observed metabolite patterns to plant tolerance and resistance. Leaf-herbivore attack decreased sugar and starch concentrations in the roots and reduced regrowth from the rootstock and flower production in the glasshouse and the field. Leaf-derived jasmonates were identified as major regulators of this root-mediated resource-based trade-off: lower jasmonate levels were associated with decreased defense, increased carbohydrate levels and improved regrowth from the rootstock. Application and transport inhibition experiments, in combination with silencing of the sucrose non-fermenting (SNF) -related kinase GAL83, indicated that auxins may act as additional signals that regulate regrowth patterns. In conclusion, our study shows that the ability to mobilize defenses has a hidden resource-based cost below ground that constrains defoliation tolerance. Jasmonate- and auxin-dependent mechanisms may lead to divergent defensive plant strategies against herbivores in nature.

Dynamics of nonstructural carbohydrates in seagrass Thalassia hemprichii and its response to shading

A field survey was performed to examine nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) dynamics in seagrass Thalassia hemprichii at the Xincun Bay in southern China. An indoor experiment to investigate the response of NSC in T. hemprichii to shade was conducted. Belowground tissue of T. hemprichii was the dominant site of NSC reserves, and soluble sugar was the primary storage compound. The starch content of belowground tissue was lower in high intertidal areas than in low intertidal areas, indicating that the longer air exposure in high intertidal areas resulted in less NSC synthesis and less accumulation of NSC in T. hemprichii. The lowest level of soluble sugar and its proportion to NSC in belowground tissue were observed near the cage culture area, where the nutrient concentration in water and sediment was the highest; while the highest level of that was observed near the coastal shrimp farm, Where salinity was the lowest. Soluble sugar in belowground tissue showed the following trend: summer > spring > winter > autumn. This corresponded to seasonal changes in the intensity of light. Leaf sugar accumulated during the autumn-winter period, providing a carbon and energy source for flower bud formation and seed germination. Short-term shading decreased NSC accumulation. Collectively, these results suggest that nutrient enrichment, freshwater discharge and exposure to air affect NSC dynamics in T. hemprichii. Light intensity, flower bud formation, and seed germination were all found to induce seasonal variations in NSC in T. hemprichii.

Profile distribution and seasonal dynamics of water-extractable carbohydrate in soils under mixed broad-leaved Korean pine forest on Changbai Mountain

Carbohydrate represents an important part of the soil labile organic carbon pool. Water soluble carbohydrate drives the C cycle in forest soil by affecting microbial activity and hot water extractable carbohydrate is thought related to soil carbon sequestration due to the association with soil aggregation. In a temperate forest region of northeast China, Changbai Mountain, we investigated the abundance, spacial distribution, and seasonal dynamics of cool and hot-water extractable carbohydrate in soils under mixed broad-leaved Korean pine forest. The concentrations of cool-water extractable carbohydrate (CWECH) in three soil layers (0–5, 5–10, 10–20 cm) ranged from 4.1 to 193.3 g·kg−1 dry soil, decreasing rapidly with soil depth. On an annual average, the CWECH concentrations in soils at depths of 5–10 and 10–20 cm were 54.2% and 24.0%, respectively, of that in the 0–5 cm soil layer. CWECH showed distinct seasonal dynamics with the highest concentrations in early spring, lowest in summer, and increasing concentrations in autumn. Hot-water extractable carbohydrate (HWECH) concentrations in three soil layers ranged from 121.4 to 2026.2 g·kg−1 dry soil, which were about one order of magnitude higher than CWECH. The abundance of HWECH was even more profile-dependent than CWECH, and decreased more rapidly with soil depth. On an annual average, the HWECH concentration in soils 10–20 cm deep was about one order of magnitude lower than that in the top 0–5 cm soil. The seasonality of HWECH roughly tracked that of CWECH but with seasonal fluctuations of smaller amplitude. The carbohydrate concentrations in cool/hot water extracts of soil were positively correlated with UV254 and UV280 of the same solution, which has implications for predicting the leaching loss of water soluble organic carbon.

Do elevations in temperature, CO2, and nutrient availability modify belowground carbon gain and root morphology in artificially defoliated silver birch seedlings?

Climate warming increases the risk of insect defoliation in boreal forests. Losses in photosynthetically active surfaces cause reduction in net primary productivity and often compromise carbon reserves of trees. The concurrent effects of climate change and removal of foliage on root growth responses and carbohydrate dynamics are poorly understood, especially in tree seedlings. We investigated if exposures to different combinations of elevated temperature, CO2, and nutrient availability modify belowground carbon gain and root morphology in artificially defoliated 1-year-old silver birches (Betula pendula). We quantified nonstructural carbohydrates (insoluble starch as a storage compound; soluble sucrose, fructose, and glucose) singly and in combination in fine roots of plants under winter dormancy. Also the total mass, fine root proportion, water content, and length of roots were defined. We hypothesized that the measured properties are lower in defoliated birch seedlings that grow with ample resources than with scarce resources. On average, fertilization markedly decreased both the proportion and the carbohydrate concentrations of fine roots in all seedlings, whereas the effect of fertilization on root water content and dry mass was the opposite. However, defoliation mitigated the effect of fertilization on the root water content, as well as on the proportion of fine roots and their carbohydrate concentrations by reversing the outcomes. Elevation in temperature decreased and elevation in CO2 increased the absolute contents of total nonstructural carbohydrates, whereas fertilization alleviated both these effects. Also the root length and mass increased by CO2 elevation. This confirms that surplus carbon in birch tissues is used as a substrate for storage compounds and for cell wall synthesis. To conclude, our results indicate that some, but not all elements of climate change alter belowground carbon gain and root morphology in defoliated silver birch seedlings.

English

Pruning is an essential agronomic practice and it has been shown to be the most important operation, next to plucking, which directly determines the productivity and quality of tea bushes. In tea, pruning helps stimulate vegetative growth and prevent reproductive growth phase. In addition, pruning leads to enhanced branching and hence it rejuvenates the tea plants resulting in a greater number of tender leaves for healthier and better quality tea plants. This review illustrates the effects of pruning on yield and quality of herbal teas. Through the review, it is worthy investigating the effect of pruning and pruning time on yield and chemical compositions. It will also shed light on the effects of resting period before pruning. Lastly the review focuses on the effect of different pruning intervals on productivity of tea. Key words: Carbohydrate dynamics, bush tea, productivity, pruning, quality.

Seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of growth, non-structural carbohydrates and C stable isotopes in a Mediterranean beech forest

Seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of growth, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and carbon isotope composition (δ(13)C) of NSC were studied in a beech forest of Central Italy over a 2-year period characterized by different environmental conditions. The net C assimilated by forest trees was mainly used to sustain growth early in the season and to accumulate storage carbohydrates in trunk and root wood in the later part of the season, before leaf shedding. Growth and NSC concentration dynamics were only slightly affected by the reduced soil water content (SWC) during the drier year. Conversely, the carbon isotope analysis on NSC revealed seasonal and inter-annual variations of photosynthetic and post-carboxylation fractionation processes, with a significant increase in δ(13)C of wood and leaf soluble sugars in the drier summer year than in the wetter one. The highly significant correlation between δ(13)C of leaf soluble sugars and SWC suggests a decrease of the canopy C isotope discrimination and, hence, an increased water-use efficiency with decreasing soil water availability. This may be a relevant trait for maintaining an acceptable plant water status and a relatively high C sink capacity during dry seasonal periods. Our results suggest a short- to medium-term homeostatic response of the Collelongo beech stand to variations in water availability and solar radiation, indicating that this Mediterranean forest was able to adjust carbon-water balance in order to prevent C depletion and to sustain plant growth and reserve accumulation during relatively dry seasons.

Effects of dormancy progression and low-temperature response on changes in the sorbitol concentration in xylem sap of Japanese pear during winter season

In order to elucidate which physiological event(s) are involved in the seasonal changes of carbohydrate dynamics during winter, we examined the effects of different low temperatures on the carbohydrate concentrations of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai). For four winter seasons, large increases in the sorbitol concentration of shoot xylem sap occurred during mid- to late December, possibly due to the endodormancy completion and low-temperature responses. When trees were kept at 15 °C from 3 November to 3 December in order to postpone the initiation and completion of chilling accumulation that would break endodormancy, sorbitol accumulation in xylem sap was always higher from trees with sufficient chilling accumulation than from trees that received insufficient chilling. However, an additional increase in xylem sap sorbitol occurred around late December in trees regardless of whether their chilling accumulation naturally progressed or was postponed. To examine different temperature effects more closely, we compared the carbohydrate concentrations of trees subjected to either 6 or 0 °C treatment. The sorbitol concentration in xylem sap tremendously increased at 0 °C treatment compared with 6 °C treatment. However, an additional increase in xylem sap sorbitol occurred at both the temperatures when sufficient chilling accumulated with a peak coinciding with the peak expression in shoots of the sorbitol transporter gene (PpSOT2). Interestingly, the total carbohydrate concentration of shoots tremendously increased with exposure to 0 °C compared with exposure to 6 °C, but was not affected by the amount of accumulated chilling. Instead, as chilling accumulated the ratio of sorbitol to total soluble sugars in shoots increased. We presumed that carbohydrates in the shoot tissues may be converted to sorbitol and loaded into the xylem sap so that the sorbitol accumulation patterns were synchronized with the progression of dormancy, whereas the total carbohydrate transported into shoots from other storage organs may be related to freezing tolerance acquisition independent of dormancy progression. We thus propose that there are different effects of dormancy progression and low-temperature responses on carbohydrate dynamics in Japanese pear.

Nonstructural leaf carbohydrate dynamics of Pinus edulis during drought‐induced tree mortality reveal role for carbon metabolism in mortality mechanism

Vegetation change is expected with global climate change, potentially altering ecosystem function and climate feedbacks. However, causes of plant mortality, which are central to vegetation change, are understudied, and physiological mechanisms remain unclear, particularly the roles of carbon metabolism and xylem function. We report analysis of foliar nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) and associated physiology from a previous experiment where earlier drought-induced mortality of Pinus edulis at elevated temperatures was associated with greater cumulative respiration. Here, we predicted faster NSC decline for warmed trees than for ambient-temperature trees. Foliar NSC in droughted trees declined by 30% through mortality and was lower than in watered controls. NSC decline resulted primarily from decreased sugar concentrations. Starch initially declined, and then increased above pre-drought concentrations before mortality. Although temperature did not affect NSC and sugar, starch concentrations ceased declining and increased earlier with higher temperatures. Reduced foliar NSC during lethal drought indicates a carbon metabolism role in mortality mechanism. Although carbohydrates were not completely exhausted at mortality, temperature differences in starch accumulation timing suggest that carbon metabolism changes are associated with time to death. Drought mortality appears to be related to temperature-dependent carbon dynamics concurrent with increasing hydraulic stress in P. edulis and potentially other similar species.

Dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates in three Mediterranean woody species following long-term experimental drought

Stored non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) have been proposed as a key determinant of drought resistance in plants. However, the evidence for this role is controversial, as it comes mostly from observational, short-term studies. Here, we take advantage of a long-term experimental throughfall reduction to elucidate the response of NSC to increased drought 14 years after the beginning of the treatment in three Mediterranean resprouter trees (Quercus ilex L., Arbutus unedo L. and Phillyrea latifolia L.). In addition, we selected 20 Q. ilex individuals outside the experimental plots to directly assess the relationship between defoliation and NSC at the individual level. We measured the seasonal course of NSC concentrations in leaves, branches and lignotuber in late winter, late spring, summer, and autumn 2012. Total concentrations of NSC were highest in the lignotuber for all species. In the long-term drought experiment we found significant depletion in concentrations of total NSC in treatment plots only in the lignotuber of A. unedo. At the same time, A. unedo was the only species showing a significant reduction in BAI under the drought treatment during the 14 years of the experiment. By contrast, Q. ilex just reduced stem growth only during the first 4 years of treatment and P. latifolia remained unaffected over the whole study period. However, we found a clear association between the concentrations of NSC and defoliation in Q. ilex individuals sampled outside the experimental plots, with lower total concentrations of NSC and lower proportion of starch in defoliated individuals. Taken together, our results suggest that stabilizing processes, probably at the stand level, may have been operating in the long-term to mitigate any impact of drought on NSC levels, and highlight the necessity to incorporate long-term experimental studies of plant responses to drought.

Manninotriose is a major carbohydrate in red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum, Lamiaceae).

There is a great need to search for natural compounds with superior prebiotic, antioxidant and immunostimulatory properties for use in (food) applications. Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) show such properties. Moreover, they contribute to stress tolerance in plants, acting as putative membrane stabilizers, antioxidants and signalling agents. A large-scale soluble carbohydrate screening was performed within the plant kingdom. An unknown compound accumulated to a high extent in early-spring red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) but not in other RFO plants. The compound was purified and its structure was unravelled with NMR. Organs and organ parts of red deadnettle were carefully dissected and analysed for soluble sugars. Phloem sap content was analysed by a common EDTA-based method. Early-spring red deadnettle stems and roots accumulate high concentrations of the reducing trisaccharide manninotriose (Galα1,6Galα1,6Glc), a derivative of the non-reducing RFO stachyose (Galα1,6Galα1,6Glcα1,2βFru). Detailed soluble carbohydrate analyses on dissected stem and leaf sections, together with phloem sap analyses, strongly suggest that stachyose is the main transport compound, but extensive hydrolysis of stachyose to manninotriose seems to occur along the transport path. Based on the specificities of the observed carbohydrate dynamics, the putative physiological roles of manninotriose in red deadnettle are discussed. It is demonstrated for the first time that manninotriose is a novel and important player in the RFO metabolism of red dead deadnettle. It is proposed that manninotriose represents a temporary storage carbohydrate in early-spring deadnettle, at the same time perhaps functioning as a membrane protector and/or as an antioxidant in the vicinity of membranes, as recently suggested for other RFOs and fructans. This novel finding urges further research on this peculiar carbohydrate on a broader array of RFO accumulators.

Drought response strategies define the relative contributions of hydraulic dysfunction and carbohydrate depletion during tree mortality

Plant survival during drought requires adequate hydration in living tissues and carbohydrate reserves for maintenance and recovery. We hypothesized that tree growth and hydraulic strategy determines the intensity and duration of the 'physiological drought', thereby affecting the relative contributions of loss of hydraulic function and carbohydrate depletion during mortality. We compared patterns in growth rate, water relations, gas exchange and carbohydrate dynamics in three tree species subjected to prolonged drought. Two Eucalyptus species (E.globulus, E.smithii) exhibited high growth rates and water-use resulting in rapid declines in water status and hydraulic conductance. In contrast, conservative growth and water relations in Pinus radiata resulted in longer periods of negative carbon balance and significant depletion of stored carbohydrates in all organs. The ongoing demand for carbohydrates from sustained respiration highlighted the role that duration of drought plays in facilitating carbohydrate consumption. Two drought strategies were revealed, differentiated by plant regulation of water status: plants maximized gas exchange, but were exposed to low water potentials and rapid hydraulic dysfunction; and tight regulation of gas exchange at the cost of carbohydrate depletion. These findings provide evidence for a relationship between hydraulic regulation of water status and carbohydrate depletion during terminal drought.

Pre and post-severance effects of light quality on carbohydrate dynamics and microcutting adventitious rooting of two Eucalyptus species of contrasting recalcitrance

Adventitious rooting is a complex developmental response affected by genetic and environmental factors. Radiation quality effects on adventitious rooting depend on characteristics such as species, growth stage, irradiance, spectral quality, and time of exposure. Eucalyptus is an essential genus for the paper industry, and high yield plantations depend on adventitious rooting of selected genotypes. This work addressed two hypotheses: (1) radiation quality equally affects adventitious rooting in Eucalyptus species of different recalcitrance; (2) adventitious rooting outcome depends on both donor plant and cutting radiation quality treatments. To that end, the easy-to-root Eucalyptus grandis and the recalcitrant Eucalyptus globulus were evaluated. The effect of white, blue, red and far-red radiation enrichment on microcuttings and donor plants of both species was evaluated in relation to rooting. There was no effect of radiation quality on adventitious rooting of E. grandis or when radiation treatments were applied to E. globulus microcuttings. In contrast, donor plants of E. globulus, grown in medium devoid of sucrose and exposed to far-red radiation, yielded microcuttings showing higher rooting percentage, even in the absence of exogenous auxin in the rooting medium. Sucrose in donor plant medium abolished the positive effect of far-red radiation. An increase in endogenous soluble sugars and starch contents in basal microcuttings was associated with far-red radiation treatment of donor plants. These results underline the importance of appropriate carbohydrate partitioning in donor plants for adventitious rooting of cuttings and provide a basis for understanding and overcoming rooting recalcitrance in E. globulus clones.

Identification of a metabolic bottleneck for cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Central carbohydrate metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana is known to play a crucial role during cold acclimation and the acquisition of freezing tolerance. During cold exposure, many carbohydrates accumulate and a new metabolic homeostasis evolves. In the present study, we analyse the diurnal dynamics of carbohydrate homeostasis before and after cold exposure in three natural accessions showing distinct cold acclimation capacity. Diurnal dynamics of soluble carbohydrates were found to be significantly different in cold-sensitive and cold-tolerant accessions. Although experimentally determined maximum turnover rates for sucrose phosphate synthase in cold-acclimated leaves were higher for cold-tolerant accessions, model simulations of diurnal carbohydrate dynamics revealed similar fluxes. This implied a significantly higher capacity for sucrose synthesis in cold-tolerant than cold-sensitive accessions. Based on this implication resulting from mathematical model simulation, a critical temperature for sucrose synthesis was calculated using the Arrhenius equation and experimentally validated in the cold-sensitive accession C24. At the critical temperature suggested by model simulation, an imbalance in photosynthetic carbon fixation ultimately resulting in oxidative stress was observed. It is therefore concluded that metabolic capacities at least in part determine the ability of accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana to cope with changes in environmental conditions.

Using lectins to harvest the plasma/serum glycoproteome

Aberrant protein glycosylation has been shown to be associated with disease processes and identification of disease-specific glycoproteins and glycosylation changes may serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. However despite recent advances in proteomic-based biomarker discovery, this knowledge has not yet translated into an extensive mining of the glycoproteome for potential biomarkers. The major challenge for a comprehensive glycoproteomics analysis arises primarily from the enormous complexity and the large dynamic range in protein constituent in biological samples. Methods that specifically target glycoproteins are therefore necessary to facilitate their selective enrichment prior to their identification by MS-based analysis. The use of lectins, with selective affinities for specific carbohydrate epitopes, to enrich glycoprotein fractions coupled with modern MS, have greatly enhanced the identification of the glycoproteome. On account of their ability to specifically bind cell surface carbohydrates lectins have, during the recent past, found extensive applications in elucidation of the architecture and dynamics of cell surface carbohydrates, glycoconjugate purification, and structural characterization. Combined with complementary depletion and MS technologies, lectin affinity chromatography is becoming the most widely employed method of choice for biomarker discovery in cancer and other diseases.