Abstract Detail

Ecophysiology

Reicholf, Rebecca [1], Sanchez Alvarez, Ana [2], Matesanz, Silvia [2], Mascotti, David [3], Drenovsky, Rebecca [4].

Glucosinolate accumulation in response to water availability in wildland mustard species.

Although gypsum soils occur worldwide, plant life in these environments has been understudied compared to other environments with unique soil chemistry. Gypsum soils are characterized by high amounts of calcium sulfate dihydrate due to low solubility of gypsum in arid and semi-arid environments. It is hypothesized that plants growing on these soils have mechanisms that allow them to survive in these harsh conditions. Members of the Brassicaceae, or the mustard family, are known to produce glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are sulfated secondary metabolites, which may serve as a sink for excess sulfur in this group of plants. It is well known that glucosinolates play a role in herbivore defense, but it has also been hypothesized that this compound may also play a role in drought tolerance. Our objective is to grow two members of the Brassicaceae, Lepidium subulatum and Alyssum simplex, in the greenhouse under well-watered and drought conditions. To complement the greenhouse study, we will also sample from a long-term drought field study in Spain as well as a common garden drought experiment in Spain. We will measure plant growth, biomass allocation, and glucosinolate production in the greenhouse experiment, and glucosinolate content in the field and common garden experiments. We hypothesize plants experiencing drought will have less total biomass, invest more biomass in their roots, and produce more glucosinolates than plants grown under the well-watered treatments. Additionally, we expect that Lepidium subulatum will have a higher concentration of glucosinolates in its tissues compared to Alyssum simplex, since Lepidium subulatum is a perennial drought avoider and Alyssum simplex is an annual drought escaper. Gypsum environments hold a great amount of biodiversity and are especially vulnerable to climate change, so understanding how gypsum endemics survive in these environments is important for conservation.

1 - John Carroll University, Biology, 1 John Carroll Blvd., University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
2 - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos , Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
3 - John Carroll University, Chemistry, 1 John Carroll Blvd. , University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
4 - John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Blvd, 1 John Carroll Blvd, University Heights, OH, 44118, United States

Keywords:
glucosinolates
Gypsum.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P2, Ecophysiology Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P2PE005
Abstract ID:627
Candidate for Awards:Physiological Section Physiological Section Li-COR Prize,Phytochemical Best Poster Award