Partial replacement of K by Na in Eucalyptus genotypes under water restriction: characterization of biochemical, physiological and morpho-anatomical tolerance mechanisms of osmotic-induced stress

• Grant number: 19/16168-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2020
• End date: September 01, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forestry
• Principal Investigator: José Lavres Junior
• Grantee: Nikolas de Souza Mateus
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/14162-9 - Partial K replacement by Na: strengthener or attenuator of xylem embolism vulnerability in Eucalyptus during drought stress?, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Potassium (K) is the most limiting nutrient for Eucalyptus growth, especially in regions with low availability of water and nutrients in soils. The K supply can be partially replaced by sodium (Na) in the osmotic control, activation of enzymes, stomatal complex, and maintenance of cell turgor among other non-specific functions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the partial replacement of K by Na and the mechanisms (biochemistry, physiological and morpho-anatomical) involved in the response of two eucalyptus genotypes with contrasting drought sensitivity. Growth, gas exchange (A, gs, E and WUE), leaf water potential (¨w), relative content of leaf water, concentration and nutrient accumulation in roots, stems and leaves, as well as its leaves remobilization by analysis in ¼-XRF, the leaf area, leaf isotopic composition of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) (´13C and ´15N 0), the C / N leaf ratio, the K and Na use efficiency, and metabolomics. We will also analyze the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA), quantification of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activity. Morpho-anatomical aspects also will be evaluated such as the leaf tissues thickness (epidermis, leaf limb, palisade parenchyma, ultrastructural alterations of chloroplasts and starch grains, intercellular spaces), the stomatal density (SD) and total area of stomatal pores (SS) and the root and stem aspects (root diameter and stem morphology). It is expected the understanding of biochemical, physiological and morphoanatomical mechanisms to water deficit attenuation, as well as higher growth and gas exchange of plants supplied with K and Na. We stand out the low molecular solutes accumulation (sugars or amino acids), optimizing the osmoregulation during water stress, the increase of ABA levels, enzymatic activities and metabolic pathways associated with the elimination of ROS, which allows the faster stomatal closure and the relative water leaf content maintenance in contrasting Eucalyptus genotypes to drought. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MATEUS, NIKOLAS SOUZA; FLORENTINO, ANTONIO LEITE; OLIVEIRA, JESSICA BEZERRA; SANTOS, ELCIO FERREIRA; GAZIOLA, SALETE APARECIDA; ROSSI, MONICA LANZONI; LINHARES, FRANCISCO SCAGLIA; BENDASSOLLI, JOSE ALBERTINO; AZEVEDO, RICARDO ANTUNES; LAVRES, JOSE. Leaf C-13 and N-15 composition shedding light on easing drought stress through partial K substitution by Na in eucalyptus species (vol 11, 20158, 2021). SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 12, n. 1, p. 1-pg., 2022-05-20. (17/24410-4, 19/16168-4)