Panigada, Cinzia; and Jacquemoud, Stéphane, "Optimizing spectral indices and chemometric analysis of leaf chemical properties using radiative transfer modeling" (2011). Papers in Natural Resources. 311.

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This work investigated the importance of the ability of leaf mesophyll cells to control K(+) flux across the plasma membrane as a trait conferring tissue tolerance mechanism in plants grown under saline conditions. Four wheat (Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum) and four barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes contrasting in their salinity tolerance were grown under glasshouse conditions. Seven to 10-day-old leaves were excised, and net K(+) and H(+) fluxes were measured from either epidermal or mesophyll cells upon acute 100 mM treatment (mimicking plant failure to restrict Na(+) delivery to the shoot) using non-invasive microelectrode ion flux estimation (the MIFE) system. To enable net ion flux measurements from leaf epidermal cells, removal of epicuticular waxes was trialed with organic solvents. A series of methodological experiments was conducted to test the efficiency of different methods of wax removal, and the impact of experimental procedures on cell viability, in order to optimize the method. A strong positive correlation was found between plants' ability to retain K(+) in salt-treated leaves and their salinity tolerance, in both wheat and especially barley. The observed effects were related to the ionic but not osmotic component of salt stress. Pharmacological experiments have suggested that voltage-gated K(+) -permeable channels mediate K(+) retention in leaf mesophyll upon elevated NaCl levels in the apoplast. It is concluded that MIFE measurements of NaCl-induced K(+) fluxes from leaf mesophyll may be used as an efficient screening tool for breeding in cereals for salinity tissue tolerance.

The effect of heartwood extracts from Acacia mangium (heartrot-susceptible) and A. auriculiformis (heartrot-resistant) was examined on the growth of wood rotting fungi with in vitro assays. A. auriculiformis heartwood extracts had higher antifungal activity than A. mangium. The compounds 3,4',7,8-tetrahydroxyflavanone and teracacidin (the most abundant flavonoids in both species) showed antifungal activity. A. auriculiformis contained higher levels of these flavonoids (3.5- and 43-fold higher, respectively) than A. mangium. This suggests that higher levels of these compounds may contribute to heartrot resistance. Furthermore, both flavonoids had strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and laccase inhibition. This suggests that the antifungal mechanism of these compounds may involve inhibition of fungal growth by quenching of free radicals produced by the extracellular fungal enzyme laccase.

Pot‐grown and plantation‐grown Eucalyptus nitens trees (approximately 2 and 3 years old, respect‐ively) were experimentally wounded and inoculated with different fungi and in different seasons. Decay lesion development and defence zones were assessed. Two zones were described, a narrow brown decay interface (interface reaction zone, IRZ) and a diffuse zone beyond this being either pale brown or purple (reaction zone, RZ). The total phenol levels in the reaction zone were determined. Selected phenolics (pedunculagin, tellimagrandin 1, tetragalloylglucose, pentagalloylglucose and catechin) were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). A range of fungi (mainly decay‐causing) were used to inoculate wounds and the results indicated that more extensive decay lesions were generally associated with greater production of soluble phenols in response. Sterile inoculations and weakly aggressive fungi were associated with no or little xylem discoloration, whereas aggressive fungi elicited more discoloration and phenolic accumulation in advance of infection. This indicates that phenol accumulation is not a generalized response to wounding, but a variable response due to the interaction between microorganisms and sapwood. In plantation‐grown trees examined 6 months after wounding, purple reaction zones were commonly associated with large decay lesions. Seasonal differences in decay column area caused by Ganoderma applanatum were not significant 1 month after wounding and inoculation.