Solar UV-B radiation modifies the proportion of volatile organic compounds in flowers of field-grown grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Malbec

Ultraviolet-B solar radiation (UV-B) is an environmental signal with biological effects in different plant tissues. Recent investigations reported dramatic changes of terpenes with a protective role in plant tissues submitted to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study examined the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile in flowers of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Malbec under filtered UV-B (or not). Gas chromatography–electron impact mass spectrometry analysis of flowers resulted in the identification of 12 VOCs, including eight sesquiterpenes, two aldehydes, and two ketones, being the oxygenated sesquiterpene farnesol the most abundant. The total amount of VOCs in flowers did not change irrespective UV-B had been filtered or not, suggesting those compounds have a protective role that is constitutive of the reproductive tissues. However UV-B increases the proportion of valencene, β-farnesene, α-panasinsene and hepatriacontanedione which would require further investigation.     

Temperature regimes and aphid density interactions differentially influence VOC emissions in Arabidopsis

The effects of volatile emissions from plants exposed to individual abiotic and biotic stresses are well documented. However, the influence of multiple stresses on plant photosynthesis and defense responses, resulting in a variety of volatile profiles has received little attention. In this study, we investigated how temperature regimes in the presence and absence of the sucking insect Myzus persicae affected volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in Arabidopsis over three time periods (0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h). Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to evaluate Arabidopsis VOCs. The results showed that under laboratory conditions, eight volatile classes [alcohols (mainly 2-ethyl-hexan-1-ol), ketone (6-methyl hept-5-en-2-one), esters (mainly (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate), aldehydes (mainly phenylacetaldehyde), isothiocyanates (mainly 4-methylpentyl isothiocyanate), terpenes (mainly (E,E)-α-farnesene), nitrile (5-(methylthio) pentanenitrile), and sulfide (dimethyl trisulfide)] were observed on plants exposed to stress combinations, whereas emissions of six volatile classes were observed during temperature stress treatments alone (with the exception of nitriles and sulfides). Aphid density at high temperature combinations resulted in significantly higher isothiocyanate, ester, nitrile, and sulfide proportions. The results of the present study provide an insight into the effects of temperature–aphid interactions on plant volatile emissions.     

Developing stress tolerant plants through in vitro selection—An overview of the recent progress

Biotic and abiotic stresses impose a major threat to agriculture. Therefore, the efforts to develop stress-tolerant plants are of immense importance to increase crop productivity. In recent years, tissue culture based in vitro selection has emerged as a feasible and cost-effective tool for developing stress-tolerant plants. Plants tolerant to both the biotic and the abiotic stresses can be acquired by applying the selecting agents such as NaCl (for salt tolerance), PEG or mannitol (for drought tolerance) and pathogen culture filtrate, phytotoxin or pathogen itself (for disease resistance) in the culture media. Only the explants capable of sustaining such environments survive in the long run and are selected. In vitro selection is based on the induction of genetic variation among cells, tissues and/or organs in cultured and regenerated plants. The selection of somaclonal variations appearing in the regenerated plants may be genetically stable and useful in crop improvement. This review focuses on the progress made towards the development of stress-tolerant lines through tissue culture based in vitro selection. Plants have evolved many biochemical and molecular mechanisms to survive under stress conditions. The mechanisms of ROS (reaction oxygen species) generation and removal in plants under biotic and abiotic stress conditions have also been reviewed.     

A laboratory high‐throughput glass chamber using dynamic headspace TD‐GC/MS method for the analysis of whole Brassica napus L. plantlet volatiles under cadmium‐related abiotic stress

Introduction

The dynamic headspace sampling technique using thermal desorption, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (TD‐GC/MS) is a powerful method for analysing plant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and experiments performed in sterile and controlled conditions can be useful for VOC metabolism investigations.

Objective

The main purpose of this study was to set up a laboratory high‐throughput glass chamber for whole plant volatiles analysis. Brassica napus L. plantlets were tested with the developed system to better understand the relationship between low emission of induced terpene and cadmium (Cd)‐related abiotic stress.

Methodology

VOCs emitted by 28‐day‐old Brassica napus L. plantlets cultivated in vitro were trapped with our device using adsorbent cartridges that were desorbed with a thermal desorption unit before cryofocusing with a cooled injection system and programmable temperature vaporising inlet into an HP‐5 ms GC column. Terpene detection and quantitation from chromatogram profiles were acquired using selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode during full scan analysis and mass spectra were obtained with a quadrupole‐type mass spectrometer.

Results

The new trapping method produced reliable qualitative profiles of oilseed rape VOCs. Typical emissions of monoterpenes (myrcene, limonene) and sesquiterpenes (β‐elemene, (E,E)‐α‐farnesene) were found for the different concentrations tested. One‐way analysis of variance for quantitative results of (E,E)‐α‐farnesene emission rates showed a Cd concentration effect.

Conclusion

This inexpensive glass chamber has potential for wide application in laboratory sterile approach and replicated research. Moreover, the non‐invasive dynamic sampling technique could also be used to analyse volatiles under both abiotic and biotic stresses.     

Volatile organic compounds of some Trichoderma spp. increase growth and induce salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Many beneficial effects of Trichoderma spp. on plant growth and/or resistance to biotic/abiotic stresses can result from the production of bioactive compounds including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We evaluated the effects of the volatile mixtures from 13 strains of different Trichoderma species on induction of tolerance to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) as well as growth promotion of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants responded differently due to the presence of VOCs from various Trichoderma species ranging from both growth promotion and induction of salt tolerance to no significant changes under any of the conditions tested. In plants exposed for 2 weeks to VOCs of the selected strain, i.e. Trichoderma koningii, there was less H₂O₂ accumulation under salt stress compared to that in control plants. This result may reflect the possible role of VOCs of this strain in plant protection against oxidative damage under salt stress. Together, induction of salt tolerance using VOCs should be added to the known mechanisms of plant vigor enhancement by Trichoderma spp.     

环境因子对植物释放挥发性化合物的影响

对近年来有关环境因子与植物释放挥发性化合物关系的研究进展进行了综合和概括。本文主要包括3类挥发性化合物。⑴异戊二烯是由叶绿体产生并且直接释放到大气中的C5化合物。⑵单萜类化合物是一类环状或非环状的C10化合物,它在植物体内合成后首先贮存于体内的特殊结构中（如树脂道、油腺）,然后由此通过气孔向大气中释放。⑶含氧挥发性化合物以各种形式释放大大气中。它包括醇、醛、酮、酯和有机酸。本文的重点是前两者,主要阐述了二方面内容：⑴植物军发性化合物的生物合成和释放机理。⑵环境因子（如温度、光照、水分胁迫、营养、CO2浓度、空气湿度）及植物的发育阶段、机械损伤和昆虫取食等对植物挥发性化合物合成与释放的影响机制。     

ERECTA family genes regulate development of cotyledons during embryogenesis

Receptor-like kinases are important regulators of plant growth. Often a single receptor is involved in regulation of multiple developmental processes in a variety of tissues. ERECTA family (ERf) receptors have previously been linked with stomata development, above-ground organ elongation, shoot apical meristem function, flower differentiation and biotic/abiotic stresses. Here we explore the role of these genes during embryogenesis. ERfs are expressed in the developing embryo, where their expression is progressively limited to the upper half of the embryo. During embryogenesis ERfs redundantly stimulate the growth of cotyledons by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting premature stomata differentiation.     

Isolation and Characterization of a Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene, FvCDPK1, Responsive to Abiotic Stress in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Plant calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play vital roles in calcium signal transduction during various developmental processes and during responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we isolated and characterized a CDPK gene designated FvCDPK1 from a wild diploid strawberry accession Heilongjiang-3 (Fragaria vesca L.). The FvCDPK1 gene contains 12 exons and 11 introns, and the sequences of most exons are highly conserved in higher plants. The full-length cDNA of FvCDPK1 contains 1,825 nucleotides with an open reading frame of 1,653 bp encoding a polypeptide of 550 amino acids. The deduced FvCDPK1 protein contains the basic features of typical plant CDPKs: a catalytic kinase domain and a regulatory calmodulin-like domain containing four EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that FvCDPK1 belongs to the plant CDPK family. When transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells, the FvCDPK1-GFP fusion protein was found to be localized in the nucleus. Expression analysis indicated that FvCDPK1 was expressed in fruits at different developmental and ripening stages, as well as in several tissues such as roots, runners, flowers, leaves, and meristems. Moreover, expression levels of FvCDPK1 were higher in meristems than in other vegetative tissues. Under abiotic stress conditions, however, FvCDPK1 was found to be upregulated upon abscisic acid, NaCl, cold-, or high-temperature treatments. Taken together, our data suggest that FvCDPK1 might play a role in various responses to abiotic stresses in strawberry.     

Copper and herbivory lead to priming and synergism in phytohormones and plant volatiles in the absence of salicylate-jasmonate antagonism

Abiotic stress factors can interfere with the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and thus disrupt chemical communication channels between plants and other organisms. We investigated whether copper (Cu) stress alone or in conjunction with insect damage modifies the kinetics of (1) VOCs, (2) the VOC-inducing phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) and (3) its putative antagonist salicylic acid (SA). Hydroponically grown Zea mays exposed to 10 and 80 µM of Cu showed no increases in JA or VOC levels in the absence of herbivory. However when challenged by herbivores, Cu (80 µM) caused ROS generation in root tissues and primed for increased JA accumulation and VOC emission in leaves. SA synthesis was equally primed but higher concentrations were also apparent before insects started feeding. In contrast, plants grown at 10 µM Cu did not differ from controls. These results show that abiotic and biotic stresses result in concentration-dependent, non-additive defense responses. Further support is given to the notion that JA-SA antagonism is absent in Z. mays.     

Green leaf volatiles: hydroperoxide lyase pathway of oxylipin metabolism

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are C(6) aldehydes, alcohols, and their esters formed through the hydroperoxide lyase pathway of oxylipin metabolism. Plants start to form GLVs after disruption of their tissues and after suffering biotic or abiotic stresses. GLV formation is thought to be regulated at the step of lipid-hydrolysis, which provides free fatty acids to the pathway. Recently, studies dissecting the physiological significance of GLVs in plants have emerged, and it has been postulated that GLVs are important molecules both for signaling within and between plants and for allowing plants and other organisms surrounding them to recognize or compete with each other.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">GhDRIN</Emphasis>1, a novel drought-induced gene of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) confers abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco

A novel stress tolerance cDNA fragment encoding GhDRIN1 protein was identified and its regulation was studied in cotton boll tissues and seedlings subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Phylogenetic and conserved domain prediction indicated that GhDRIN1 was annotated with a hypothetical protein of unknown function. Subcellular localization showed that GhDRIN1 is localized in the chloroplasts. The promoter sequence was isolated and subjected to in silico study. Various cis-acting elements responsive to biotic and abiotic stresses and hormones were found. Transgenic tobacco seedlings exhibited better growth on amended MS medium and showed minimal leaf damage in insect bioassays carried out with Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Transgenic tobacco showed better tolerance to water-deficit and fast recovered upon rewatering. Present work demonstrated that GhDRIN1, a novel stress tolerance gene of cotton, positively regulates the response to biotic and abiotic stresses in transgenic tobacco.     

Volatile terpenes – mediators of plant-to-plant communication

Plants interact with other organisms employing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The largest group of plant-released VOCs are terpenes, comprised of isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Mono- and sesquiterpenes are well-known communication compounds in plant–insect interactions, whereas the smallest, most commonly emitted terpene, isoprene, is rather assigned a function in combating abiotic stresses. Recently, it has become evident that different volatile terpenes also act as plant-to-plant signaling cues. Upon being perceived, specific volatile terpenes can sensitize distinct signaling pathways in receiver plant cells, which in turn trigger plant innate immune responses. This vastly extends the range of action of volatile terpenes, which not only protect plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses, but also convey information about environmental constraints within and between plants. As a result, plant–insect and plant–pathogen interactions, which are believed to influence each other through phytohormone crosstalk, are likely equally sensitive to reciprocal regulation via volatile terpene cues. Here, we review the current knowledge of terpenes as volatile semiochemicals and discuss why and how volatile terpenes make good signaling cues. We discuss how volatile terpenes may be perceived by plants, what are possible downstream signaling events in receiver plants, and how responses to different terpene cues might interact to orchestrate the net plant response to multiple stresses. Finally, we discuss how the signal can be further transmitted to the community level leading to a mutually beneficial community-scale response or distinct signaling with near kin.     

Genetic transformation and genes for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in Citrus and its related genera

Citrus is the most important tree fruit crop in the world. However, citrus production is affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, extreme temperature, salinity, citrus canker, citrus tristeza virus, and Huanglongbing (or citrus greening), among others. These stresses can severely influence growth and development of both rootstocks and/or scions of citrus trees, thus reducing both fruit production and fruit quality. Modern advances in the tools of plant biotechnology and advances in genomics play important roles in understanding how citrus crops can cope with diseases and adverse environmental conditions. Within the last decades, much progress has been made in identifying and cloning of genes involved in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well in genetic transformation of Citrus and its related genera, such as Poncirus trifoliata and Fortunella spp. In this review, we will provide information on advances and insights on genetic transformation protocols as well as availability of characterized genes involved in resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This will be followed with a discussion on perspectives of future developments in this field.     

Herbivory by the insect diaphorina citri?induces greater change in citrus plant volatile profile than does infection by the bacterium,Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus

The volatile organic compound (VOC) profile in plant leaves often changes after biotic and abiotic stresses. Monitoring changes in VOCs in plant leaves could provide valuable information about multitrophic interactions. In the current study, we investigated the effect of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) infestation, citrus greening pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus [CLas]) infection, and simultaneous attack by ACP and CLas on the VOC content of citrus leaves. Leaf volatiles were extracted using hexane and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Although ACP is a phloem-sucking insect that causes minimal damage to plant tissues, the relative amount of 21 out of the 27 VOCs increased 2- to 10-fold in ACP-infested plants. The relative amount of d-limonene, β-phelandrene, citronellal, and undecanal were increased 4- to 20- fold in CLas-infected plants. A principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed that VOC patterns of ACP-infested and CLas-infected plants were different from each other and were also different from the controls, while the VOC pattern of double-attacked plants was more like that of the controls than that of ACP-infested or CLas-infected plants. VOC amounts from leaves were compromised when plants were attacked by ACP and CLas. The results of this study showed that a simple direct extraction of citrus leaf volatiles could be successfully used to discriminate between healthy and CLas-infected plants. Information about the effects of insect and pathogen attack on the VOC content profile of plants might contribute to a better understanding of biotic stress.