Changes in Maize Xylem Sap During Drought
February 22, 2008| |
The plant xylem serves as the main conduit for water and mineral from root to shoots. A wide array of compound, including amino acids, organic acids, plant hormones and other metabolites, are transported via the xylem sap. These compounds have been implicated in plant stress signaling. Using mass spectrometry, scientists from the Donald Danforth Science Center studied the changes in xylem sap constituents during drought stress.
The phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and cytokinin were found to be present in higher concentrations during drought stress. The high levels of these hormones will be necessary for the regulation of stomatal aperture (minimizing water loss). Several phenylpropanoids (ferulic acid, coumaric, etc.) were also found in the sap. Phenylpropanoids normally protect the plants against herbivore and microbial attack. During drought stress, however, increased levels of these compounds may lead to reduction in lignin synthesis in the xylem (cell wall modification) and may induce wall stiffening.
Subscribers to the journal Plant, Cell and Environment can access the full paper at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/action/showPdf?submitPDF=Full+Text+PDF&doi=10.1111%2Fj.1365-3040.2007.01770.x Non subscribers can read the abstract at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01770.x
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