Plant-environment Interactions Research Articles

Non-linear response of plant caloric value to N addition and mowing treatments in a meadow steppe

BackgroundCaloric value is an important indicator of grassland ecosystem function, but the response of caloric value to nitrogen (N) addition and mowing is still unclear. We explored the adaptive changes of plant caloric value and energy standing crop along a N addition gradient after six-year NH4NO3 addition and mowing treatments in an Inner Mongolian temperate meadow steppe in northern China.ResultsWe found that the response of plant caloric value to N addition at different organizational levels was diverse. The caloric value of legumes increased linearly with N addition rates. The caloric value of grasses exhibited a non-linear response trend, initially increasing followed by saturation or decrease, with a N response threshold present. Due to the dominance of grass species, the caloric value at the community level followed a similar pattern to that of the grasses along the N addition gradient. Under mowing, the caloric value of plants at each organizational level increased and usually mowing enhanced the N response threshold. Amongst these, the N response threshold of Leymus chinensis increased from 3.302 to 5.443 g N m−2 yr−1, grasses increased from 4.414 to 5.746 g N m−2 yr−1, and community increased from 5.373 to 9.216 g N m−2 yr−1. Under non-mowing treatment, the N response thresholds of the most dominant species, Leymus chinensis, and community energy standing crop were 10.001 and 15.119 g N m−2 yr−1, respectively. Under mowing, the energy standing crops showed a linear increasing trend.ConclusionsN response thresholds of plant caloric value and energy standing crop vary at different organizational levels (community > functional group > species). The results reveal varying regulatory capabilities of plants on the ecological environment at different organizational levels. These findings enhance our understanding of plant-environment interactions in grassland ecosystems under N deposition from an energy perspective, which is of great significance to clarify the response mechanism of grassland ecosystem structure and function to N deposition.

Evaluation of Mediterranean perennials for extensive green roofs in water-limited regions: A two-year experiment

Extensive green roofs (EGRs) play a crucial role in urban environments, offering numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. However, their performance largely depends on plant selection and adaptation to local climatic conditions. This study investigates the suitability of six perennial Euro-Mediterranean species for EGRs in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, under different water regimes. A two-year experimental analysis was conducted in Rome (Italy) assessing flowering and mortality rates. Results revealed species-specific responses to irrigation levels, with notable performances observed in Thymus serpyllum, Saponaria ocymoides, and Teucrium chamaedrys, showcasing resilience to water stress. Conversely, Lavandula stoechas and Cerastium tomentosum exhibited sensitivity to water availability, emphasizing the importance of species selection for EGRs. No species completely adhered to the expected flowering period, but showed a general tendency of anticipation, and sometimes an extended flowering period, with some differences between the species. The study underscores the complexity of plant-environment interactions and highlights the need for diversified species composition to enhance EGR functionality and resilience.

Artificial intelligence can regulate light and climate systems to reduce energy use in plant factories and support sustainable food production.

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) can boost food production per unit area but require resources such as carbon dioxide and energy to maintain optimal plant growth conditions. Here we use computational modelling and artificial intelligence (AI) to examine plant-environment interactions across ten diverse global locations with distinct climates. AI reduces energy use by optimizing lighting and climate regulation systems, with energy use in PFALs ranging from 6.42 kWh kg-1 in cooler climates to 7.26 kWh kg-1 in warmer climates, compared to 9.5-10.5 kWh kg-1 in PFALs using existing, non-AI-based technology. Outdoor temperatures between 0 °C and 25 °C favour ventilation-related energy use reduction, with outdoor humidity showing no clear pattern or effect on energy use. Ventilation-related energy savings negatively impact other resource utilization such as carbon dioxide use. AI can substantially enhance energy savings in PFALs and support sustainable food production.

Multi-class plant hormone HILIC-MS/MS analysis coupled with high-throughput phenotyping to investigate plant-environment interactions.

Plant hormones are chemical signals governing almost every aspect of a plant's life cycle and responses to environmental cues. They are enmeshed within complex signaling networks that can only be deciphered by using broad-scale analytical methods to capture information about several plant hormone classes simultaneously. Methods used for this purpose are all based on reversed-phase (RP) liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric detection. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) is an alternative chromatographic method that performs well in analyses of biological samples. We therefore developed and validated a HILIC method for broad-scale plant hormone analysis including a rapid sample preparation procedure; moreover, derivatization or fractionation is not required. The method enables plant hormone screening focused on polar and moderately polar analytes including cytokinins, auxins, jasmonates, abscisic acid and its metabolites, salicylates, indoleamines (melatonin), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), for a total of 45 analytes. Importantly, the major pitfalls of ACC analysis have been addressed. Furthermore, HILIC provides orthogonal selectivity to conventional RP methods and displays greater sensitivity, resulting in lower limits of quantification. However, it is less robust, so procedures to increase its reproducibility were established. The method's potential is demonstrated in a case study by employing an approach combining hormonal analysis with phenomics to examine responses of three Arabidopsis ecotypes toward three abiotic stress treatments: salinity, low nutrient availability, and their combination. The case study showcases the value of the simultaneous determination of several plant hormone classes coupled with phenomics data when unraveling processes involving complex cross-talk under diverse plant-environment interactions.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) induced protection: A plant immunity perspective.

Plant-environment interactions, particularly biotic stress, are increasingly essential for global food security due to crop losses in the dynamic environment. Therefore, understanding plant responses to biotic stress is vital to mitigate damage. Beneficial microorganisms and their association with plants can reduce the damage associated with plant pathogens. One such group is PGPR (Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria), which influences plant immunity significantly by interacting with biotic stress factors and plant signalling compounds. This review explores the types, metabolism, and mechanisms of action of PGPR, including their enzyme pathways and the signalling compounds secreted by PGPR that modulate gene and protein expression during plant defence. Furthermore, the review will delve into the crosstalk between PGPR and other plant growth regulators and signalling compounds, elucidating the physiological, biochemical, and molecular insights into PGPR's impact on plants under multiple biotic stresses, including interactions with fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Overall, the review comprehensively adds to our knowledge about PGPR's role in plant immunity and its application for agricultural resilience and food security.

Functional characterization of a novel terpene synthase GaTPS1 involved in (E)-α-bergamotene biosynthesis in Gossypium arboreum

Terpenoids in plants are mainly synthesized by terpene synthases (TPSs), which play an important role in plant-environment interactions. Gossypium arboreum is one of the important cotton cultivars with excellent pest resistance, however, the biosynthesis of most terpenoids in this plant remains unknown. In this study, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of leaves from intact and Helicoverpa armigera-infested cotton plants. The results showed that the H. armigera infestation mainly induced the JA signaling pathway, ten TPS genes were differentially expressed in G. arboreum leaves. Among them, a novel terpene synthase, GaTPS1, was heterologously expressed and functionally characterized in vitro. The enzymatic reaction indicated that recombinant GaTPS1 was primarily responsible for the production of (E)-α-bergamotene. Moreover, molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis analysis demonstrated that two amino acid residues, A412L and Y535F, distinctly influenced the catalytic activities and product specificity of GaTPS1. The mutants GaTPS1-A412L and GaTPS1-Y535F resulted in a decrease in the proportion of products (E)-α-bergamotene and of d-limonene, while an increase in the proportion of products (E)-β-farnesene, α-pinene and β-myrcene. Our findings provide valuable insights into understanding the molecular basis of terpenoid diversity in G. arboreum, with potential applications in plant metabolism regulation and the improvement of resistant cotton cultivars.

The genetic architecture of the pepper metabolome and the biosynthesis of its signature capsianoside metabolites

Capsicum (pepper) is among the most economically important species worldwide, and its fruits accumulate specialized metabolites with essential roles in plant environmental interaction and human health benefits as well as in conferring their unique taste. However, the genetics underlying differences in metabolite presence/absence and/or accumulation remain largely unknown. In this study, we carried out a genome-wide association study as well as generating and characterizing a novel backcross inbred line mapping population to determine the genetic architecture of the pepper metabolome. This genetic analysis provided over 1,000 metabolic quantitative trait loci (mQTL) for over 250 annotated metabolites. We identified 92 candidate genes involved in various mQTLs. Among the identified loci, we described and validated a gene cluster of eleven UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) involved in monomeric capsianoside biosynthesis. We additionally constructed the gene-by-gene-based biosynthetic pathway of pepper capsianoside biosynthesis, including both core and decorative reactions. Given that one of these decorative pathways, namely the glycosylation of acyclic diterpenoid glycosides, contributes to plant resistance, these data provide new insights and breeding resources for pepper. They additionally provide a blueprint for the better understanding of the biosynthesis of species-specific natural compounds in general.

Flavonoids and Derived Anthocyanin Pigments in Plants-Structure, Distribution, Function, and Methods for Quantification and Characterization.

Flavonoids represent a large class of phenolic specialized metabolites and play crucial roles in plant-environment interactions, including responses to biotic and abiotic factors. While the core flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is well known in several plant species, enzymes involved in modifying core flavonoid structures, furnishing them with distinct biological activities, continue to be identified. Anthocyanins, a specific type of flavonoid pigment, serve various functions, including attracting pollinators and seed-dispersing organisms when accumulated in flowers and seeds. Anthocyanins also accumulate in vegetative tissues of many plants, especially under unfavorable conditions. In this review, we present an overview of the diverse structures, various distributions, and multiple functions of flavonoids in plants.

SISTEME VERTICALE HIDROPONICE: INTENSIFICAREA REZISTENȚEI LA CLIMĂ, EFICIENȚEI APEI ȘI AGRICULTURII URBANE

This paper explores hydroponic vertical systems as a sustainable solution to modern agricultural challenges, particularly those posed by climate change. Hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions, offers significant advantages over traditional farming. Vertical systems maximize space efficiency by growing plants in stacked layers, making them ideal for urban environments with limited space. These systems provide a controlled environment that mitigates the impacts of extreme weather, ensuring consistent crop production. The paper reviews various hydroponic techniques, including deep water culture, nutrient film technique, flood and drain, and drip irrigation. It highlights the efficiency of water use in hydroponics, crucial for areas facing water scarcity. Advanced technologies, such as sensors, automated nutrient delivery, and LED lighting, are employed to optimize growing conditions, enhance resource use efficiency, and improve crop yields. LED lights, in particular, offer energy efficiency, customizable spectra, and low heat output. Mathematical models are used to maximize plant development and resource efficiency, providing a framework for understanding plant-environment interactions. Despite high initial setup costs and the need for technical expertise, hydroponic systems present long-term economic and environmental benefits. This paper underscores hydroponic vertical systems' potential to revolutionize urban agriculture, ensuring food security and sustainability amidst climate change challenges.

Seeing the invisible: tools to teach and study plant transcriptional responses.

Reporter gene-expressing plants show promoter activity, the stability of transgene expression, and are suitable tools to teach students about plant biotechnology and plant–environment interaction.

How does the life cycle of Clinodiplosis profusa (Cecidomyiidae) adjust to phenological variations of the host plant Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) in sun and shade?

Galls are plant neoformations induced by specialized parasites. Since gall inducers rely on reactive plant sites for gall development, variations in abiotic factors that affect plant phenology are expected to impact the life cycle of gall inducers. To test the hypothesis that different light conditions affect both host plant and gall inducer life cycles, we studied the system Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) - Clinodiplosis profusa (Cecidomyiidae), comparing plants occurring in sunny and shaded environments. We mapped phenological differences among individuals of E. uniflora occurring in the two environments and related them to the influence of luminosity on the life cycle of the gall inducer. Shade plants showed lower intensity of leaf sprouting throughout the year compared to sun-exposed plants, especially during the rainy season. Young and mature galls are synchronized with the peak of leaf sprouting at the beginning of the rainy season, lasting longer in sun-exposed plants - approximately two months longer compared to shade plants. The greater light intensity positively impacts the formation and growth of leaves and galls, with an extended period available for their induction and growth. Thus, light is an important factor for the development of gallers, considering that variations in luminosity influenced not only the phenology of the host plant, but also determined the life cycle of gall inducers. Furthermore, changes in plant-environment interactions are expected to affect the life cycle and richness of other host plant-gall inducer systems.

Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy reveals environment specific phenotypes in clonal Japanese knotweed

BackgroundJapanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var. japonica), a problematic invasive species, has a wide geographical distribution. We have previously shown the potential for attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and chemometrics to segregate regional differentiation between Japanese knotweed plants. However, the contribution of environment to spectral differences remains unclear. Herein, the response of Japanese knotweed to varied environmental habitats has been studied. Eight unique growth environments were created by manipulation of the red: far-red light ratio (R: FR), water availability, nitrogen, and micronutrients. Their impacts on plant growth, photosynthetic parameters, and ATR-FTIR spectral profiles, were explored using chemometric techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis, support vector machines (SVM) and partial least squares regression. Key wavenumbers responsible for spectral differences were identified with PCA loadings, and molecular biomarkers were assigned. Partial least squared regression (PLSR) of spectral absorbance and root water potential (RWP) data was used to create a predictive model for RWP.ResultsSpectra from plants grown in different environments were differentiated using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with SVM. Biomarkers highlighted through PCA loadings corresponded to several molecules, most commonly cell wall carbohydrates, suggesting that these wavenumbers could be consistent indicators of plant stress across species. R: FR most affected the ATR-FTIR spectra of intact dried leaf material. PLSR prediction of root water potential achieved an R2 of 0.8, supporting the potential use of ATR-FTIR spectrometers as sensors for prediction of plant physiological parameters.ConclusionsJapanese knotweed exhibits environmentally induced phenotypes, indicated by measurable differences in their ATR-FTIR spectra. This high environmental plasticity reflected by key biomolecular changes may contribute to its success as an invasive species. Light quality (R: FR) appears critical in defining the growth and spectral response to environment. Cross-species conservation of biomarkers suggest that they could function as indicators of plant-environment interactions including abiotic stress responses and plant health.

Discovery of bifunctional diterpene cyclases/synthases in bacteria supports a bacterial origin for the plant terpene synthase gene family

Abstract Land plants are well known producers of terpenoids that play diverse roles in plant-environment interactions. The vast chemical diversity of terpenoids is initiated by terpene synthases. Plants contain a distinct mid-sized terpene synthase gene family termed TPS, which appears to have an ancient origin in a fused bacterial class I (di)terpene synthase (TS) and class II diterpene cyclase (DTC), corresponding to the catalytically relevant α-domain and βγ-didomains, respectively. However, while such fused tridomain bifunctional (class I/II) diterpene cyclases-synthases (DCSs) have been found in plants (and fungi), no examples have been reported from bacteria, leaving the origin of the fusion event initiating the TPS gene family opaque. Here, discovery of such tridomain bifunctional DCSs in bacteria is reported. Extensive genome mining unearthed five putative bacterial DCSs, with biochemical characterization revealing the expected bifunctional activity for three. Most intriguing was CseDCS, which produces ent-kaurene, an intermediate in plant hormone biosynthesis, as this is the hypothesized activity for the ancestral TPS. Unlike the extant functionally equivalent TPSs, it was possible to split CseDCS into separate, independently acting DTC and TS, with the first producing the expected ent-copalyl diphosphate (CPP), serving as a CPP synthase (CPS), while the second converts this to ent-kaurene, serving as a kaurene synthase (KS). Nevertheless, sequence alignment and mutation analysis revealed intriguing similarities between this cyanobacterial fused CPS-KS and the functionally equivalent TPSs. Regardless of exact relationship, discovery of fused bifunctional DCSs in bacteria supports the hypothesized origin of the plant TPS family from such a bacterial gene.

Bridging the Gap: From Photoperception to the Transcription Control of Genes Related to the Production of Phenolic Compounds.

Phenolic compounds are a group of secondary metabolites responsible for several processes in plants-these compounds are involved in plant-environment interactions (attraction of pollinators, repelling of herbivores, or chemotaxis of microbiota in soil), but also have antioxidative properties and are capable of binding heavy metals or screening ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the accumulation of these compounds has to be precisely driven, which is ensured on several levels, but the most important aspect seems to be the control of the gene expression. Such transcriptional control requires the presence and activity of transcription factors (TFs) that are driven based on the current requirements of the plant. Two environmental factors mainly affect the accumulation of phenolic compounds-light and temperature. Because it is known that light perception occurs via the specialized sensors (photoreceptors) we decided to combine the biophysical knowledge about light perception in plants with the molecular biology-based knowledge about the transcription control of specific genes to bridge the gap between them. Our review offers insights into the regulation of genes related to phenolic compound production, strengthens understanding of plant responses to environmental cues, and opens avenues for manipulation of the total content and profile of phenolic compounds with potential applications in horticulture and food production.

A data-driven genome annotation approach for cassava.

Genome annotation files play a critical role in dictating the quality of downstream analyses by providing essential predictions for gene positions and structures. These files are pivotal in decoding the complex information encoded within DNA sequences. Here, we generated experimental data resolving RNA 5'- and 3'-ends as well as full-length RNAs for cassava TME12 sticklings in ambient temperature and cold. We used these data to generate genome annotation files using the TranscriptomeReconstructoR (TR) tool. A careful comparison to high-quality genome annotations suggests that our new TR genome annotations identified additional genes, resolved the transcript boundaries more accurately and identified additional RNA isoforms. We enhanced existing cassava genome annotation files with the information from TR that maintained the different transcript models as RNA isoforms. The resultant merged annotation was subsequently utilized for comprehensive analysis. To examine the effects of genome annotation files on gene expression studies, we compared the detection of differentially expressed genes during cold using the same RNA-seq data but alternative genome annotation files. We found that our merged genome annotation that included cold-specific TR gene models identified about twice as many cold-induced genes. These data indicate that environmentally induced genes may be missing in off-the-shelf genome annotation files. In conclusion, TR offers the opportunity to enhance crop genome annotations with implications for the discovery of differentially expressed candidate genes during plant-environment interactions.

Intraspecific Trait Variation Regulates Biodiversity and Community Productivity of Shrublands in Drylands

Intraspecific variation (Intra-V) has played an important role in determining the responses of ecosystem functions to climate change. However, its specific role in the regulation of ecosystem functions during community assembly is less investigated. In this study, we conducted a transect survey in northwest China and determined different plant functional types, namely resource-conservative, medium, and resource-acquisitive strategies, which describe resource-use strategies of plants in multi-functional dimensions. Plant functional traits including canopy, wood density (WD), height, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were determined. Ecological filters, including external filtering (assembly processes at the regional scale), internal filtering (assembly processes within a certain community), and functional redundancy, were employed to examine plant environment interactions. We found that with the decrease in environmental pressure, dominant shrub plants changed from conservative to acquisition species in drylands. Specifically, a benign environment (such as stable and adequate precipitation, loose soil, and increased acid deposition) significantly increased plant mean traits, such as SLA and WD of shrubs, especially for conservative strategy plants. In addition, a benign environment mainly reduced the functional redundancy of SLA (FRedSLA) by strengthening internal filtering and, ultimately, increased aboveground biomass but decreased species richness. Our results suggest that conservative strategy plants with stronger adaptability to the external environment may exhibit more competitive advantages and play a more important role in community construction under future climate scenarios of gradual warming and wetting in northwest China. Our results also revealed that trait-based Intra-V may be a more reasonable ecological filter than plant mean traits for predicting the structure and function of dryland ecosystems.

PIF transcription factors-versatile plant epigenome landscapers

Plants are exquisitely responsive to their local light and temperature environment utilizing these environmental cues to modulate their developmental pathways and adjust growth patterns. This responsiveness is primarily achieved by the intricate interplay between the photoreceptor phyB (phytochrome B) and PIF (PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs) transcription factors (TFs), forming a pivotal signaling nexus. phyB and PIFs co-associate in photobodies (PBs) and depending on environmental conditions, PIFs can dissociate from PBs to orchestrate gene expression. Until recently, the mechanisms governing epigenome modifications subsequent to PIF binding to target genes remained elusive. This mini review sheds light on the emerging role of PIFs in mediating epigenome reprogramming by recruiting chromatin regulators (CRs). The formation of numerous different PIF-CR complexes enables precise temporal and spatial control over the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) governing plant-environment interactions. We refer to PIFs as epigenome landscapers, as while they do not directly reprogram the epigenome, they act as critical sequence-specific recruitment platforms for CRs. Intriguingly, in the absence of PIFs, the efficacy of epigenome reprogramming is largely compromised in light and temperature-controlled processes. We have thoroughly examined the composition and function of known PIF-CR complexes and will explore also unanswered questions regarding the precise of locations PIF-mediated epigenome reprogramming within genes, nuclei, and plants.

Return of the organism? The concept in plant biology, now and then

This essay argues for the importance of an organismic perspective in plant biology and considers some of its implications. These include an increased attention to plant-environment interaction and an emphasis on integrated approaches. Furthermore, this essay contextualizes the increased emphasis on the concept of organism in recent years and places the concept in a longer history. Recent developments in biology and worsening environmental crises have led researchers to study plant responses to changing environments with whole plant approaches that situate plants in their environments, emphasizing the intricate and dynamic interaction between them. This renewed attention to the organism recalls the debates of the early twentieth century, when organicism was one of the three main frameworks in biology (along with vitalism and mechanism). Some scholars see this renewed importance today as a “return” of this earlier period. This essay argues that including insights from plant biology will benefit philosophy of biology research that examines the concept of organism and organicism now and in earlier periods. A comprehensive account of the concept of organism should involve a botanical conception of the organism as well as a zoological one (which is more frequently considered). Although this essay does not aim to present a conceptual analysis, it presents examples of how an organismic perspective can be useful for understanding concepts (such as phenotype, stress, etc.) and research processes (such as experiment set-ups, data processes, etc.) in plant biology. Philosophy of biology investigations that aim at a comprehensive understanding of the concept of organism can benefit greatly from examinations of cases in plant biology, both now and in the past.

Allometric relationships and trade-offs in 11 common Mediterranean-climate grasses.

Biomass allocation in plants is the foundation for understanding dynamics in ecosystem carbon balance, species competition, and plant-environment interactions. However, existing work on plant allometry has mainly focused on trees, with fewer studies having developed allometric equations for grasses. Grasses with different life histories can vary in their carbon investment by prioritizing the growth of specific organs to survive, outcompete co-occurring plants, and ensure population persistence. Further, because grasses are important fuels for wildfire, the lack of grass allocation data adds uncertainty to process-based models that relate plant physiology to wildfire dynamics. To fill this gap, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with 11 common California grasses varying in photosynthetic pathway and growth form. We measured plant sizes and harvested above- and belowground biomass throughout the life cycle of annual species, while for the establishment stage of perennial grasses to quantify allometric relationships for leaf, stem, and root biomass, as well as plant height and canopy area. We used basal diameter as a reference measure of plant size. Overall, basal diameter is the best predictor for leaf and stem biomass, height, and canopy area. Including height as another predictor can improve model accuracy in predicting leaf and stem biomass and canopy area. Fine root biomass is a function of leaf biomass alone. Species vary in their allometric relationships, with most variation occurring for plant height, canopy area, and stem biomass. We further explored potential trade-offs in biomass allocation across species between leaf and fine root, leaf and stem, and allocation to reproduction. Consistent with our expectation, we found that fast-growing plants allocated a greater fraction to reproduction. Additionally, plant height and specific leaf area negatively influenced the leaf-to-stem ratio. However, contrary to our hypothesis, there were no differences in root-to-leaf ratio between perennial and annual or C4 and C3 plants. Our study provides species-specific and functional-type-specific allometry equations for both above- and belowground organs of 11 common California grass species, enabling nondestructive biomass assessment in California grasslands. These allometric relationships and trade-offs in carbon allocation across species can improve ecosystem model predictions of grassland species interactions and environmental responses through differences in morphology.

Polyphenols of the Inuleae-Inulinae and Their Biological Activities: A Review.

Polyphenols are ubiquitous plant metabolites that demonstrate biological activities essential to plant-environment interactions. They are of interest to plant food consumers, as well as to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The class of the plant metabolites comprises both widespread (chlorogenic acids, luteolin, quercetin) and unique compounds of diverse chemical structures but of the common biosynthetic origin. Polyphenols next to sesquiterpenoids are regarded as the major class of the Inuleae-Inulinae metabolites responsible for the pharmacological activity of medicinal plants from the subtribe (Blumea spp., Dittrichia spp., Inula spp., Pulicaria spp. and others). Recent decades have brought a rapid development of molecular and analytical techniques which resulted in better understanding of the taxonomic relationships within the Inuleae tribe and in a plethora of data concerning the chemical constituents of the Inuleae-Inulinae. The current taxonomical classification has introduced changes in the well-established botanical names and rearranged the genera based on molecular plant genetic studies. The newly created chemical data together with the earlier phytochemical studies may provide some complementary information on biochemical relationships within the subtribe. Moreover, they may at least partly explain pharmacological activities of the plant preparations traditionally used in therapy. The current review aimed to systematize the knowledge on the polyphenols of the Inulae-Inulinae.