Phospholipids as Plant Growth Regulators

Abstract

In this paper the potential to use phospholipids and lysophospholipids as plant growth regulators is discussed. Recent evidence shows that phospholipids and phospholipases play an important signalling role in the normal course of plant development and in the response of plants to abiotic and biotic stress. It is apparent that phospholipase A (PLA), C (PLC) and D (PLD), lysophospholipids, and phosphatidic acid (PA) are key components of plant lipid signalling pathways. By comparison, there is very little information available on the effect of exogenously applied phospholipids on plant growth and development. This paper serves to introduce phospholipids as a novel class of plant growth regulator for use in commercial plant production. The biochemistry and physiology of phospholipids is discussed in relation to studies in which phospholipids and lysophospholipids have been applied to plants and plant parts. Implicit in the observations is that phospholipids impact the hypersensitive response and systemic acquired resistance in plants to improve crop performance and product quality. Based on published data, a scheme outlining a possible mode of action of exogenously applied phospholipids is proposed.

A practical protocol for particle bombardment-mediated transformation of Phyllostachys bamboo suspension cells

“…Furthermore, 680 mg l Ϫ1 KH 2 PO 4 , was quite effective for proliferation of the bamboo cells. Phosphate sources were well known as essential constituents for the regulation of cell growth and/or metabolic activities in plant species (Cowan 2006;Hagimori et al 1982;Sugiyama et al 1986). MSp680 medium condition allows the supply of homogenous bamboo cells within 14 d. Furthermore, histological observation using LSM clearly indicated that the cells have active proliferation capacity during days 8-14 of the culture period.…”

Nitric Oxide Triggers Phosphatidic Acid Accumulation via Phospholipase D during Auxin-Induced Adventitious Root Formation in Cucumber

“…Accordingly, exogenously applied PA stimulated those enzyme activities . The use of exogenous PLs as regulators of plant growth is in its infancy (Cowan, 2006). Exogenous PA can couple to intracellular agents to initiate signaling systems.…”

“…Exogenous PA can couple to intracellular agents to initiate signaling systems. The understanding of the effect of exogenous PL on endogenous PL homeostasis and coupling to endogenous lipid-signaling networks needs further investigation (Cowan, 2006). Because PA applied directly to the medium may be metabolized in the medium or during entry into cells , we checked the quality of the exogenously applied PA after treating cucumber explants for 1 h at 25°C and found that it remained unaltered throughout the experiment (Supplemental Fig.…”

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) Improves Fruit Size, Color, Quality and Phytochemical Contents of Sweet Cherry c.v. ‘0900 Ziraat’

“…It is now evident that lipids and their metabolites play important role in other critical cellular functions particularly as mediators in cell activation, signal transduction, and cell proliferation (Cowan, 2006;Divecha and Irvine, 1995;Ryu et al, 1997). Lysophosphatidy-lethanolamine (LPE) is a natural product of membrane phospholipid metabolism and is formed from phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by action of phospholipase A 2 and remains in the lipid phase because LPE has a hydrophobic group such as fatty acid.…”