Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations
High-altitude tree populations are exposed to severe natural environmental conditions. Among abiotic factors, variable temperatures, early frosts, and high radiation are the factors affecting tree growth at high altitudes. <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L. exhibits a variety of physiological and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/5/529 |
| _version_ | 1797536363357143040 |
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| author | Wojciech Kraj Marcin Zarek |
| author_facet | Wojciech Kraj Marcin Zarek |
| author_sort | Wojciech Kraj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High-altitude tree populations are exposed to severe natural environmental conditions. Among abiotic factors, variable temperatures, early frosts, and high radiation are the factors affecting tree growth at high altitudes. <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L. exhibits a variety of physiological and genetic traits that allow it to adapt to different forest habitats. This study examines the differences in the biochemical properties of senescing beech leaves between populations originating from different altitudes using a common-garden experiment. Leaves were collected from five-year-old plants from the beginning of August to the end of October for two years. Based on the changes in senescence marker levels the genetic differences and significant correlations between populations’ altitude origin and their biochemical characteristics were identified. According to the free radical theory of leaf senescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence markers were highly correlated. In this study, populations from higher altitudes were characterized by earlier and greater increases in ROS content and oxidative stress, which resulted in higher antioxidative system activity. Increases in ROS in high-altitude populations play a controlling role to initiate earlier senescence processes that allow the trees to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. Earlier senescence allows beech trees to maintain a balance between nitrogen metabolism and photosynthetic activity. It allows for remobilization of nitrogen compounds more efficiently and protects the trees from nitrogen loss and prepares them for winter dormancy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:58:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c83e969837944328c130cd54cd25ffd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:58:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c83e969837944328c130cd54cd25ffd2023-11-21T17:05:18ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-04-0112552910.3390/f12050529Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech PopulationsWojciech Kraj0Marcin Zarek1Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29-Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29-Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, PolandHigh-altitude tree populations are exposed to severe natural environmental conditions. Among abiotic factors, variable temperatures, early frosts, and high radiation are the factors affecting tree growth at high altitudes. <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L. exhibits a variety of physiological and genetic traits that allow it to adapt to different forest habitats. This study examines the differences in the biochemical properties of senescing beech leaves between populations originating from different altitudes using a common-garden experiment. Leaves were collected from five-year-old plants from the beginning of August to the end of October for two years. Based on the changes in senescence marker levels the genetic differences and significant correlations between populations’ altitude origin and their biochemical characteristics were identified. According to the free radical theory of leaf senescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence markers were highly correlated. In this study, populations from higher altitudes were characterized by earlier and greater increases in ROS content and oxidative stress, which resulted in higher antioxidative system activity. Increases in ROS in high-altitude populations play a controlling role to initiate earlier senescence processes that allow the trees to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. Earlier senescence allows beech trees to maintain a balance between nitrogen metabolism and photosynthetic activity. It allows for remobilization of nitrogen compounds more efficiently and protects the trees from nitrogen loss and prepares them for winter dormancy.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/5/529<i>Fagus sylvatica</i>leaf senescenceROSaltitude adaptabilityremobilization |
| spellingShingle | Wojciech Kraj Marcin Zarek Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations Forests <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> leaf senescence ROS altitude adaptability remobilization |
| title | Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations |
| title_full | Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations |
| title_fullStr | Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations |
| title_short | Biochemical Basis of Altitude Adaptation and Antioxidant System Activity during Autumn Leaf Senescence in Beech Populations |
| title_sort | biochemical basis of altitude adaptation and antioxidant system activity during autumn leaf senescence in beech populations |
| topic | <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> leaf senescence ROS altitude adaptability remobilization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/5/529 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wojciechkraj biochemicalbasisofaltitudeadaptationandantioxidantsystemactivityduringautumnleafsenescenceinbeechpopulations AT marcinzarek biochemicalbasisofaltitudeadaptationandantioxidantsystemactivityduringautumnleafsenescenceinbeechpopulations |