Characterization of Cuticular Wax in Tea Plant and Its Modification in Response to Low Temperature

Abstract

Cuticular wax ubiquitously covers the outer layer of plants and protects them against various abiotic and biotic stresses. Nevertheless, the characteristics of cuticular wax and its role in cold resistance in tea plants remain unclear. In our study, cuticular wax from different tissues, cultivars, and leaves during different spatio-temporal growth stages were characterized and compared in tea plants. The composition, distribution pattern, and structural profile of cuticular wax showed considerable tissue specificity, particularly in petals and seeds. During the spatial development of tea leaves, total wax content increased from the first to fifth leaf in June, while a decreasing pattern was observed in September. Additionally, the total wax content and number of wax compounds were enhanced, and the wax composition significantly varied with leaf growth from June to September. Ten cultivars showed considerable differences in total wax content and composition, such as the predominance of saturated fatty acids and primary alcohols in SYH and HJY cultivars, respectively. Correlation analysis suggested that n-hexadecanoic acid is positively related to cold resistance in tea plants. Further transcriptome analysis from cold-sensitive AJBC, cold-tolerant CYQ, and EC 12 cultivars indicated that the inducible expression of wax-related genes was associated with the cold tolerance of different cultivars in response to cold stress. Our results revealed the characterization of cuticular wax in tea plants and provided new insights into its modification in cold tolerance.

Genome-wide identification of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) BAHD acyltransferases reveals their role in response to herbivorous pests

“…The Clade 2 currently has only three characterized members (AtCER2, ZmGlossy2 and ZmGlossy2-like), all of which are associated with epicuticular waxes synthesis [ 3 ]. Epicuticular waxes are essential for plants to cope with environmental stresses [ 53 ]. Herein, we identified five members of the tea plant genome whose functions deserve further exploration.…”

Identification of resistance to black spot disease and potential defense mechanisms in Chrysanthemum-related genera

“…For example, research revealed that trichome density and stomata density were possible contributors to willow rust resistance (Crowell et al, 2020). Wax was a class of secondary metabolites that evolved during the long-term ecological adaptation of plants and was widely involved in plant responses to biotic stress and abiotic physiological processes Zhu et al, 2022). Plant secondary metabolites were the chemical defense factors of plants against pathogen infection and there were many types of them.…”

Germination and First Stages of Growth in Drought, Salinity, and Cold Stress Conditions of Plasma-Treated Barley Seeds

“…For this purpose, we have determined the concentration of biochemical markers such as photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b , carotenoids) and proline phytohormone. These pigments are relevant to adjust the response of plants toward stress environments and their relative concentration in leaves may vary in response to drought, salinity, or warm conditions. ,– The amino acid proline is an endogenous phytohormone known for its functions as osmotic regulator and membrane protection factor, functions that are of much relevance when seed germination and plant growth occur in drought and salinity conditions. – Herein, the analysis of these biomarkers in the leaves of young plants has served to prove that plasma metabolic changes are responsible for the improvement of germination rate and the state of plants in their initial stages of growth. In addition, using a luminescent reagent, we have determined the differences in ROS concentration existing in the control and plasma-treated seeds.…”

“…These pigments are relevant to adjust the response of plants toward stress environments and their relative concentration in leaves may vary in response to drought, salinity, or warm conditions. 28 , 42 – 50 The amino acid proline is an endogenous phytohormone known for its functions as osmotic regulator and membrane protection factor, functions that are of much relevance when seed germination and plant growth occur in drought and salinity conditions. 51 – 57 Herein, the analysis of these biomarkers in the leaves of young plants has served to prove that plasma metabolic changes are responsible for the improvement of germination rate and the state of plants in their initial stages of growth.…”