Observations placeholder
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Chemical Defence: Effects of Colonisation on Aboveground and Belowground Metabolomes
Identifier
029111
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
One of the principle mechanisms by which Ragwort may be working is as an anti-fungal, and may be the root that is key to this effect
A description of the experience
J Chem Ecol. 2018 Feb;44(2):198-208. doi: 10.1007/s10886-017-0921-1. Epub 2018 Feb 2.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Chemical Defence: Effects of Colonisation on Aboveground and Belowground Metabolomes.
Hill EM1, Robinson LA1,2, Abdul-Sada A1, Vanbergen AJ2, Hodge A3, Hartley SE4,5.
Author information
1 School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK.
2Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK.
3Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
4Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK. sue.hartley@york.ac.uk.
5York Environment and Sustainability Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK. sue.hartley@york.ac.uk.
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonisation of plant roots is one of the most ancient and widespread interactions in ecology, yet the systemic consequences for plant secondary chemistry remain unclear. We performed the first metabolomic investigation into the impact of AMF colonisation by Rhizophagus irregularis on the chemical defences, spanning above- and below-ground tissues, in its host-plant ragwort (Senecio jacobaea).
We used a non-targeted metabolomics approach to profile, and where possible identify, compounds induced by AMF colonisation in both roots and shoots. Metabolomics analyses revealed that 33 compounds were significantly increased in the root tissue of AMF colonised plants, including seven blumenols, plant-derived compounds known to be associated with AMF colonisation. One of these was a novel structure conjugated with a malonyl-sugar and uronic acid moiety, hitherto an unreported combination.
Such structural modifications of blumenols could be significant for their previously reported functional roles associated with the establishment and maintenance of AM colonisation.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), key anti-herbivore defence compounds in ragwort, dominated the metabolomic profiles of root and shoot extracts. Analyses of the metabolomic profiles revealed an increase in four PAs in roots (but not shoots) of AMF colonised plants, with the potential to protect colonised plants from below-ground organisms.
KEYWORDS:
Above-belowground interactions; Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis; Blumenols; Metabolomics; Microbiome; Phytobiome; Pyrrolizidine alkaloids; Rhizophagus irregularis; Senecio jacobaea
PMID:
29392532