Journal article
Divergent responses of above- and below-ground chemical defence to nitrogen and phosphorus supply in waratahs (Telopea speciosissima)
Functional Plant Biology, Vol.46(12), pp.1134-1145
2019
Abstract
Plant nutrition can affect the allocation of resources to plant chemical defences, yet little is known about how phosphorus (P) supply, and relative nitrogen (N) and P supply, affect chemical defences, especially in species with intrinsically conservative nutrient use adapted to P-impoverished soils. Waratah (Telopea speciosissima (Sm.) R.Br.), like other Proteaceae, is adapted nutrient-poor soils. It was identified as having cyanogenic glycosides (CNglycs) throughout the plant. T. speciosissima seedlings were grown for 15 weeks under two N and P concentrations. CNglycs (N-based defence) and nutrients were quantified in above- and below-ground organs; foliar carbon (C)-based phenolics and tannins were also quantified. CNglyc concentrations in roots were on average 51-fold higher than in above-ground tissues and were affected by both N and P supply, whereas foliar CNglyc concentrations only responded to N supply. Leaves had high concentrations of C-based defences, which increased under low N, and were not correlated with N-based defences. Greater root chemical defence against herbivores and pathogens may be important in a non-mycorrhizal species that relies on basal resprouting following disturbance. The differing responses of secondary chemistry in above- and below-ground organs to P and N demonstrate the importance of broadening the predominantly foliar focus of plant defence studies.
Details
- Title
- Divergent responses of above- and below-ground chemical defence to nitrogen and phosphorus supply in waratahs (Telopea speciosissima)
- Authors/Creators
- E. Ritmejerytė (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneB.A. Boughton (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneM.J. Bayly (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneR.E. Miller (Author/Creator) - The University of Melbourne
- Publication Details
- Functional Plant Biology, Vol.46(12), pp.1134-1145
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005545022407891
- Copyright
- © 2020 CSIRO
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.180 Microbial Biotechnology
- 3.180.1812 Cyanide Biodegradation
- Web Of Science research areas
- Plant Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science