The inhibition of photosynthesis of Angelica dahurica caused by early bolting

Abstract

Background Ealy bolting affects the photosynthesis of plants. However, there are positive or negative impacts in different plants. The mechanism of photosynthesis pathway respond to early bolting is still a mystery. Angelica dahurica is a traditional Chinese medical plant that has been used as the raw material of medicine and food. Early bolting of Angelica dahurica occurring in the field production, which decreases quality and yield of A. dahurica. Results In this research, we firstly revealed the damage of early bolting on the photosynthesis of A. dahurica. The photosynthetic capacity significantly decreased after bolting. The metabonomic analysis showed that the chlorophyll synthesis metabolism was repressed and the accumulation of saturated fatty acid increased after early bolting. Meanwhile, transcriptomic analysis indicated a down-regulation of photosynthetic electron transport and up-regulation of saturated fatty acid synthesis. Interestedly, an unexpected raise in Rubisco and PEPC activities of the leaves of early bolting plants was found in our research. Conclusion The photosynthesis is repressed by early bolting in transcriptomics and metabonomics. Meanwhile, early bolting induced accumulation of saturated fatty acid and increased the activities of PEPC and Rubisco. It suggested a special mediated way responds to the inhibition of photosynthesis of A. dahurica by early bolting.