Cited by 20Forest Insect Ecology and ManagementForest ecology and managementEcology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Climate and Competitive Status Modulate the Variation in Secondary Metabolites More in Leaves Than in Fine Roots of Betula pendula

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Tullus, Arvo, Rusalepp, Linda, Lutter, Reimo, Rosenvald, Katrin, Kaasik, Ants, Rytter, Lars, Kontunen-Soppela, Sari, Oksanen, Elina·2021·Frontiers in Plant Science

Abstract

Plant secondary metabolites have many important functions; they also determine the productivity and resilience of trees under climate change. The effects of environmental factors on secondary metabolites are much better understood in above-ground than in below-ground part of the tree. Competition is a crucial biotic stress factor, but little is known about the interaction effect of climate and competition on the secondary chemistry of trees. Moreover, competition effect is usually overlooked when analyzing the sources of variation in the secondary chemistry. Our aim was to clarify the effects of competitive status, within-crown light environment, and climate on the secondary chemistry of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). We sampled leaves (from upper and lower crown) and fine roots from competitively dominant and suppressed B. pendula trees in plantations along a latitudinal gradient (56–67° N) in Fennoscandia, with mean annual temperature (MAT) range: −1 to 8°C. Secondary metabolites in leaves (SM L) and fine roots (SM FR) were determined with an HPLC-qTOF mass spectrometer. We found that SM L content increased significantly with MAT. The effect of competitive stress on SM L strengthened in colder climates (MAT<4°C). Competition and shade initiated a few similar responses in SM L. SM FR varied less with MAT. Suppressed trees allocated relatively more resources to SM L in warmer climates and to SM FR in colder ones. Our study revealed that the content and profile of secondary metabolites (mostly phenolic defense compounds and growth regulators) in leaves of B. pendula varied with climate and reflected the trees’ defense requirements against herbivory, exposure to irradiance, and competitive status (resource supply). The metabolic profile of fine roots reflected, besides defense requirements, also different below-ground competition strategies in warmer and colder climates. An increase in carbon assimilation to secondary compounds can be expected at northern latitudes due to climate change.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fpls.2021.746165

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  • The concentration of these metabolites can vary significantly due to environmental factors such as climate, soil type, and stressors specific to the region.

    “However, the concentration of these metabolites can vary significantly due to environmental factors such as climate, soil type, and stressors specific to the region, underscoring the need for localized phytochemical studies [12].”

    From Comparative Analysis of Infusions and Ethanolic Extracts of Annona muricata Leaves from Colima, Mexico: Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity (2024) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports significant variation in birch secondary-metabolite profiles with mean annual temperature and competition, and states that soil type can affect tree secondary chemistry. The Introduction links metabolite content to plant stress. However, the study’s soils were relatively uniform, so it did not demonstrate an effect of soil type or identify stressors specific to a region. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Authors
Tullus, A., Rusalepp, L., Lutter, R., Rosenvald, K., Kaasik, A., Rytter, L., Kontunen-Soppela, S., & Oksanen, E.
Affiliations
  • University of Tartu (EE)
  • Estonian University of Life Sciences (EE)
  • University of Eastern Finland (FI)
Corresponding author
Tullus, Arvo
Venue
Frontiers in Plant Science
Published
2021-11-25
Volume
12
Pages
746165-746165
ISSN
1664-462X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3217233975
Cited by
20
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Plant Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • UEF eRepo (University of Eastern Finland) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Estonian Research Council (PSG7, PSG600)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Forest Insect Ecology and Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Forest ecology and management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Keywords
Betula pendula, secondary metabolites, climate change, competition (biology), fine roots, leaves, growth regulators, latitudinal gradient, mean annual temperature, resource allocation, carbon allocation

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