Differences in the relationship between metabolomic and ionomic traits of Quercus variabilis growing at contrasting geologic-phosphorus sites in subtropics

Roles of metabolic regulation in developing Quercus variabilis acorns at contrasting geologically-derived phosphorus sites in subtropical China

“…This suggested that these types of sugars and organic acids were involved in the responses of in situ plant seeds to the variable supplies of soil nutrients due to geologically-derived environments. This had been proved by Ji et al [16], who found that sugars and organic acids of Q. variabilis leaves played predominant roles in clearly discriminating Q. variabilis trees at the contrasting geologic-P sites. The vital functions of sugars and organic acids were also showed in other studies on the response of plant leaves and seeds under different nutritional conditions.…”

“…In ecological and physiological studies, metabolomics is primarily employed to explore the physiological status of organisms in response to variable environments [ 13 – 15 ]. To date, non-target metabolomics has been applied in many field experiments to elucidate the effects of environmental changes on the composition of metabolites [ 16 – 18 ].…”

Roles of metabolic regulation in developing Quercus variabilis acorns at contrasting geologically-derived phosphorus sites in subtropical China

“…In previous studies, there were distinct stoichiometry characteristics in both the leaves and seeds of Q. variabilis populations growing at P-rich and P-de cient sites [3,39]. Moreover, strong correlations between metabolites and stoichiometry characteristics of leaves were exhibited in Q. variabilis populations at the two sites [16]. Therefore, for this study, using developing Q. variabilis seeds as samples, the questions we aimed to address were: 1) How do the metabolite pro les of developing plant seeds differ between P-rich and P-de cient sites?…”

“…The chemical compositions of the soil from P-rich sites at Kunming and P-de cient sites at Mouding have been revealed by Wen et al [8] and Ji et al [80]. The pH of the soils at the two sites was ~5.22, with the soil C, N, P, K, Mg, and Mn concentration being much higher at the P-rich sites, in contrast to the Pde cient sites [16,80]. Contingent on the location and extent of the Q. variabilis stands, six P-rich sites (20 m × 20 m) and six P-de cient sites (20 m × 20 m) were established in July.…”

“…To date, non-target metabolomics has been applied in many eld experiments to elucidate the effects of environmental changes on the composition of metabolites [16][17][18].…”