Effects of SO₂ on the concentrations of carbohydrates and secondary compounds in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings

Abstract

SUMMARYScots pine {Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce {Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings of open-pollinated progenies and clonal cuttings were exposed to various concentrations of SOj (50-155 nl T') in several growth chamber experiments. No visible foliar injury was observed in any SO.^ exposure. The total sulphur concentrations of the exposed needles were significantly greater than in the control needles. Exposure to SO.^ (100 and 155 nll"^) reduced concentrations of glucose and fructose and increased concentrations of sucrose in pine needles. By contrast, one spruce clone had more glucose and fructose and less sucrose in needles exposed to SO^ (100 nl T^), but in other spruces of clonal or open-pollinated progenies no changes in sugar concentrations were detected in different SO^ exposures (50-155 nl T^). Exposure to SOj had no effects on concentrations of individual or total monoterpenes in pine or spruce needles. Concentration of total resin acids was significantly smaller in needles exposed to the greatest concentration of SO^ (155 nlT^), but no changes were detected in other exposures (50-150 nl r^) in either tree species. Concentrations of minor individual resin acids, palustric and neoabietic acids, were also affected by SOg in needles of pine (155 nl 1"' SO2) and clonal spruces (100 nl T^ SO^). Exposure to SO.d id not affect foliar concentration of total phenolics in pine and spruce seedlings. In exposure to 0, 50, 100 and 150 nir' SOj, total phenolic concentration of spruce roots was increased linearly with elevated SO.^ exposure level. By contrast one spruce clone had decreased concentrations of phenolics in roots after exposure to 155 nl r' SO^. The present results suggest that in conifers the response of carbohydrate and secondary metabolism to SO2 varies with the origin of tested seedlings and the SOj concentration. Therefore, generalizations about the SOj efTects on suitability of food quality for folivorous herbivores are difficult to draw, except that a better supply of sulphur will be available from SO^ exposed seedlings.

Epicuticular wax of subarctic Scots pine needles: response to sulphur and heavy metal deposition

“…This is probably because wax esters are only abietic acid might be largely infiuenced by phenotype hydrolysed at extreme acidities (pH < 3). Such (Kainulainen, Holopainen & Oksanen, 1995), since conditions are probably restricted to localized areas the subarctic Scots pines exposed to H2SO4, CuSO^ on the needle surface, e.g. as a result of repeated and NiSO4 at pH 3 (4-4 g S m"^ 0-04 g Cu m^^ wetting-evaporation cycles (Milne, g Ni m"^^) for two and a half growing seasons did Henderson, 1990;Percy et al, 1994).…”

Shoot growth processes, assessed by bud development types, reflect Norway spruce vitality and sink prioritization

“…Phenolic compounds including lignin are one of the groups of carbon-based protective chemical compounds, which contribute to resistance against herbivores (Honkanen et al, 1999). Changes in deposition of soluble phenolics and lignin are documented as a response to various stresses, including herbivores (Tuomi et al, 1989) and atmospheric pollution (Kainulainen et al, 1995).…”

Leaf contents of nitrogen and phenolic compounds and their bearing with the herbivore damage to Tibouchina pulchra Cogn. (Melastomataceae), under the influence of air pollutants from industries of Cubatão, São Paulo

“…Katoh et al (1989b) showed decreased concentrations of soluble phenols in Cryptomeria japonica exposed to ozone, which was correlated with lower levels of glucose and shikimic acid. Kainulainen et al (1995) observed a decrease of glucose, frutose and soluble phenols in needles of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies when exposed to SO 2 . The lower photosynthetic capacity of the young plants of T. pulchra exposed to the air of VM, found by Pradella (1997) and Moraes (unpublished data), may indicate a possible correlation between alterations on photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and decreased concentrations of total soluble phenols and tannins.…”