Genotype-Dependent Jasmonic Acid Effect on Pinus sylvestris L. Growth and Induced Systemic Resistance Indicators

Abstract

Due to temperature changes, forests are expected to encounter more stress than before, both in terms of biotic factors, such as increased insect attacks, and abiotic factors, such as more frequent droughts. Priming trees to respond to these changes faster and more effectively would be beneficial. Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is a mechanism that is turned on when plants encounter unfavorable conditions. Certain elicitors, such as jasmonic acid (JA) are known to induce plants’ metabolic response. However, even though studies on ISR in herbaceous species are common and varied ISR elicitors can be used in agriculture, the same cannot be said about trees and forestry enterprises. We aimed to investigate whether JA used in different concentrations could induce metabolic changes (total phenol content, total flavonoid content, photosynthesis pigment content, antioxidant enzyme activity) in Pinus sylvestris seedlings and how this varies between different pine half-sib families (genotypes). After six weeks with a single application of JA, pine seedlings in several pine genetic families exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activity, total phenol content and carotenoid content that correlated positively with JA concentrations used. Results from other genetic families were varied, but in many cases, there was a significant response to JA, with a noticeable increase as compared to the unaffected group. The impact on chlorophyll content and flavonoids was less noticeable overall. A positive effect on seedling growth parameters was not observed in any of the test cases. We conclude that JA can induce systemic resistance after a single application exogenously in P. sylvestris seedlings and recommend that the use of JA needs to be optimized by selecting appropriate concentrations.

Phenolic and Antioxidant Compound Accumulation of Quercus robur Bark Diverges Based on Tree Genotype, Phenology and Extraction Method

“…can produce different amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and photosynthesis pigments [ 31 ]. Furthermore, we observed the same tendencies in ash, spruce, and pine trees as well as blueberries and lingonberries [ 32 , 43 , 47 , 53 , 54 ]. All these examples align perfectly with the findings of this study, whereby we observed statistically significant differences in the amounts of TPC, TFC and antioxidant scavenging capacity diverging in different half-sib families grown in the same site and belonging to the same population.…”

“…During this test, differences are determined by comparing the mean ranks of groups. A post hoc Dunn’s test was performed to indicate differences between individual pairs [ 32 , 45 , 46 ].…”

“…It has been observed that the amount of varied compounds within plant tissues are potentially determined by a multitude of factors, such as genotype [ 31 , 32 ], species [ 4 , 33 ], leaf age and seasonal variations [ 34 , 35 ], growth site [ 35 ], stress [ 36 ], and extraction methodology [ 13 , 14 , 20 , 37 ].…”

Physiological and Gene Expression Response of Interspecific Hybrids of Fraxinus mandshurica × Fraxinus americana to MJ or SNP under Drought

“…Plants can produce a large number of free amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) because the decomposition rate of proteins and lipids is greater than the synthesis rate in arid environments, and a large number of metabolites produced by the oxidation of PUFA are collectively called oxidized lipids (such as jasmonic acid, JA). Many of them are bioactive compounds that may directly participate in plant defense, communication with other organisms or signal transduction in plant development, defense responses and stress adaptation [22][23][24]. The substrate of lipoxygenase is a free polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with increased content under stress conditions.…”

Seed Treatment with Electromagnetic Field Induces Different Effects on Emergence, Growth and Profiles of Biochemical Compounds in Seven Half-Sib Families of Silver Birch

“…Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is a protective strategy of plants, through which plants can protect themselves from infections caused by pathogens, pests, etc. [26]. ISR can modify and enhance positive plant responses to stress by leveraging natural defenses, such as increased polyphenol levels, heightened antioxidant enzyme activity and improved photosynthetic pigments [26][27][28][29][30][31].…”