Seasonal below-ground metabolism in switchgrass
Nathan A Palmer1,2, Aaron J Saathoff1,2, Erin D Scully3
1Wheat, Sorghum, and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology
|October 15, 2017
Summary
Switchgrass rhizomes undergo significant metabolic and transcriptomic changes during dormancy to ensure winter survival. Understanding these processes, including abscisic acid response and energy recalibration, can improve biomass crop resilience.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Plant Science
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a key biomass crop for biofuels.
- Rhizome health is critical for perennial plant productivity.
- Limited data exists on seasonal transcriptomic and metabolic changes during switchgrass rhizome dormancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate global transcriptomic and metabolic shifts in switchgrass rhizomes during dormancy.
- Identify cellular processes contributing to dormancy.
- Model metabolic pathways in dormant rhizomes to enhance winter survival.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transcriptomes and metabolites from field-grown switchgrass rhizomes over two growing seasons.
- Global expression profiling and metabolite profiling.
Main Results:
- Dormancy involves abscisic acid response, leading to dehydration and increased osmolytes.
- Energy transduction recalibrates with reduced oxidative phosphorylation and increased ATP generation.
- Cold-related signaling and autophagic processes are upregulated.
Conclusions:
- Rhizome dormancy is a complex, regulated metabolic state.
- Understanding dormancy pathways can improve switchgrass winter survival.
- This research provides a foundation for enhancing biomass crop resilience.
Keywords:
Panicum virgatumAccession numbers: SRX1601466abscisic acidautophagydormancymetabolitesrhizomesswitchgrasstarget of rapamycin kinasetranscriptomesMore Related Videos
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