Proteomic analysis of residual proteins in blades and petioles of fallen leaves of Brassica napus

Brassica napus L. is an important crop plant, characterised by high nitrogen (N) levels in fallen leaves, leading to a significant restitution of this element to the soil, with important consequences at the economic and environmental levels. It is now well established that the N in fallen leaves is due to weak N remobilisation that is especially related to incomplete degradation of foliar proteins during leaf senescence. Identification of residual proteins in a fallen leaf (i.e. incompletely degraded in the last step of the N remobilisation process) constitutes important information for improving nutrient use efficiency. Proteome analysis of the vascular system (petioles) and blades from fallen leaves of Brassica napus was performed, and the 30 most abundant residual proteins in each tissue were identified. Among them, several proteins involved in N recycling remain in the leaf after abscission. Moreover, this study reveals that some residual proteins are associated with energy metabolism, protection against oxidative stress, and more surprisingly, photosynthesis. Finally, comparison of blade and petiole proteomes show that, despite their different physiological roles in the non‐senescing leaf, both organs redirect their metabolism in order to ensure catabolic reactions. Taken together, the results suggest that a better degradation of these leaf proteins during the senescence process could enable improvements in the N use efficiency of Brassica napus.