Genetic variation in alkaloid accumulation in leaves of Nicotiana

Alkaloids are plant secondary metabolites that are widely distributed in Nicotiana species and contribute greatly to the quality of tobacco leaves. Some alkaloids, such as nornicotine and myosmine, have adverse effects on human health. To reduce the content of harmful alkaloids in tobacco leaves thr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science 2013-12, Vol.14 (12), p.1100-1109
Main Authors: Sun, Bo, Zhang, Fen, Zhou, Guo-jun, Chu, Guo-hai, Huang, Fang-fang, Wang, Qiao-mei, Jin, Li-feng, Lin, Fu-cheng, Yang, Jun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkaloids - biosynthesis
Alkaloids - genetics
Alkaloids - metabolism
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Biotechnology
Genetic Variation - genetics
Nicotiana - physiology
Nicotiana tabacum
Plant Leaves - physiology
Tissue Distribution
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Summary:Alkaloids are plant secondary metabolites that are widely distributed in Nicotiana species and contribute greatly to the quality of tobacco leaves. Some alkaloids, such as nornicotine and myosmine, have adverse effects on human health. To reduce the content of harmful alkaloids in tobacco leaves through conventional breeding, a genetic study of the alkaloid variation among different genotypes is required. In this study, alkaloid profiles in leaves of five Nicotiana tabacum cultivars and Nicotiana tomentosiformis were investigated. Six alkaloids were identified from al six genotypes via gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. Significant differences in alkaloid content were ob-served both among different leaf positions and among cultivars. The contents of nornicotine and myosmine were positively and significantly correlated （R2=0.881）, and were also separated from those of other alkaloids by clustering. Thus, the genotype plays a major role in alkaloid accumulation, indicating a high potential for manipulation of alkaloid content through traditional breeding.
ISSN:1673-1581
1862-1783
DOI:10.1631/jzus.B1300130