Reserve mobilization and the role of primary metabolites during the germination and initial seedling growth of rubber tree genotypes

• Published in: Acta physiologiae plantarum 2022-08, Vol.44 (8), Article 80
• Main Authors: de Carvalho, Josiane C., de Carvalho Gonçalves, José Francisco, Fernandes, Andreia V., da Costa, Karen C. P., de Lima e Borges, Eduardo Euclydes, Araújo, Wagner L., Nunes-Nesi, Adriano, Ramos, Márcio V., Rathinasabapathi, Bala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biochemical markers; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbohydrates; Enzymatic activity; Genotypes; Germination; Latex; Life Sciences; Lipids; Metabolism; Metabolites; Nitrogen; Nitrogen metabolism; Original Article; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant Biochemistry; Plant breeding; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Proteins; Rubber; Rubber trees; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seeds
• ISSN: 0137-5881; 1861-1664
• DOI: 10.1007/s11738-022-03415-5

During seed germination until photoautotrophic establishment, the mobilization of seed-stored reserves represents the main source of carbon structures and energy that all plants need. We report organic and mineral changes coupled with germination and post-germination functional traits of different rubber tree genotypes (wild and PB 260, a clonal variant selected for high latex productivity). By analyzing seeds for their protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents and the mobilization of these compounds during germination and initial seedling growth, differential mobilization of primary stocks, differences in the enzymatic activities, and changes in mineral nutrient contents were observed between the two genotypes. Furthermore, differential protein profiles were found. Proteins with apparent molecular weights ranging from 7 to 30 kDa and 7 to 40 kDa were observed for wild and clone PB 260 seeds, respectively. Higher mobilization of nitrogen-related compounds indicates that nitrogen metabolism seems to play an essential role in the germination and post-germination processes of H. brasiliensis . The results revealed differences in the primary metabolism between the genotypes studied: our findings provide an integrated understanding of the germination and early post-germination events that could assist rubber tree breeding programs via the creation of histophysiological and biochemical markers.