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Terpenoids are transported in the xylem sap of Norway spruce
  • Qiuxiao Duan,
  • Boris Bonn,
  • Juergen Kreuzwieser
Qiuxiao Duan
Institute of Forest sciences

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Boris Bonn
Chair of Ecosystem Physiology
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Juergen Kreuzwieser
University of Freiburg
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Abstract

Norway spruce is a conifer storing large amounts of terpenoids in resin ducts of various tissues. Parts of the terpenoids stored in needles can be emitted together with de novo synthesized terpenoids. Since previous studies provided hints on xylem transported terpenoids as a third emission source, we tested if terpenoids are transported in xylem sap of Norway spruce. We further aimed at understanding if they might contribute to terpenoid emission from needles. We determined terpenoid content and composition in xylem sap, needles, bark, wood and roots of field grown trees, as well as terpenoid emissions from needles. We found considerable amounts of terpenoids – mainly oxygenated compounds - in xylem sap. The terpenoid concentration in xylem sap was relatively low compared to the content in other tissues where terpenoids are stored in resin ducts. Importantly, the terpenoid composition in the xylem sap greatly differed from the composition in wood, bark or roots suggesting that an internal transport of terpenoids takes place at the sites of xylem loading. Our work gives hints that plant internal transport of terpenoids exists within conifers; studies on their functions should be a focus of future research.
24 Feb 2020Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
26 Feb 2020Submission Checks Completed
26 Feb 2020Assigned to Editor
02 Mar 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Mar 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Mar 2020Editorial Decision: Accept