Deciphering the mechanisms involved in Portulaca oleracea (C4) response to drought: metabolic changes including crassulacean acid‐like metabolism induction and reversal upon re‐watering

Portulaca oleracea is a C₄ plant; however, under drought it can change its carbon fixation metabolism into a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)‐like one. While the C₃‐CAM shift is well known, the C₄‐CAM transition has only been described in Portulaca. Here, a CAM‐like metabolism was induced in P. oleracea by drought and then reversed by re‐watering. Physiological and biochemical approaches were undertaken to evaluate the drought and recovery responses. In CAM‐like plants, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were transitory affected and non‐radiative energy dissipation mechanisms were induced. Induction of flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant machinery may be involved in photosynthetic machinery protection. Metabolic analysis highlights a clear metabolic shift, when a CAM‐like metabolism is induced and then reversed. Increases in nitrogenous compounds like free amino acids and urea, and of pinitol could contribute to withstand drought. Reciprocal variations in arginase and urease in drought‐stressed and in re‐watered plants suggest urea synthesis is strictly regulated. Recovery of C₄ metabolism was accounted by CO₂ assimilation pattern and malate levels. Increases in glycerol and in polyamines would be of importance of re‐watered plants. Collectively, in P. oleracea multiple strategies, from induction of several metabolites to the transitory development of a CAM‐like metabolism, participate to enhance its adaptation to drought.