Unveiling the hidden reserves: allocation strategies associated with underground organs of Cerrado legumes in fire-prone savannas

Author(s)

Cozin, Bruno Bonadio ; Ferreira, Tassia Caroline ; Daibes, L. Felipe ; de Carvalho, Isabella Fiorini ; dos Santos, Beatriz Silverio ; de Souza, Roberta Possas ; de Camargos, Liliane Santos ; Martins, Aline Redondo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY; v. 51, n. 9, p. 11-pg., 2024-01-01.

Abstract

The synthesis and differential allocation of reserve compounds is an important adaptive mechanism that enables species to resprout in fire-prone ecosystems. The analysis of compound allocation dynamics (differential accumulation of compounds between plant organs) provides insights into plant responses to disturbances. The aim was to quantify reserves in eight legume species from Cerrado open savannas with high fire frequency in order to investigate the patterns of allocation and distribution of compounds between leaves and underground organs, drawing ecophysiological inferences. The species were collected in 'campo sujo' areas of the Cerrado. Leaves and underground organs (xylopodium, taproot tubers) were subjected to physiological analyses. Overall, underground organs were characterised by greater deposits of carbohydrates, mainly soluble sugars, and also with the accumulation of proteins and amino acids. This suggests that nitrogen reserves, as well as carbohydrates, may have an ecophysiological function in response to fire, being allocated to the underground organs. Phenols were mainly evident in leaves, but a morphophysiological pattern was identified, where the two species with taproot tubers tended to concentrate more phenols in the underground portion compared to species with xylopodium, possibly due to functional differences between these organs. Such data allow inferring relevant ecophysiological dynamics in legumes from open savannas. In this paper, we explore the intricate world of savanna plant dynamics. Studying reserve allocation in these plants is crucial for understanding their response to disturbances. Our research quantifies reserves in savanna legumes, examining compound distribution between leaves and underground organs. Discoveries reveal the role of underground organs as carbohydrate depots and nitrogen reserves, shedding light on the diverse accumulation patterns across different organ types. These insights offer invaluable knowledge for understanding species survival in fire-prone savannas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06743-0 - How does fire season affect Cerrado vegetation?
• Grantee: Alessandra Tomaselli Fidelis
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/01560-9 - Seed rain and limitation to plant recruitment in fragments of northeastern Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Luís Felipe Daibes de Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/02745-7 - How does xylopodium development occurs in some leguminous from Cerrado?
• Grantee: Bruno Bonadio Cozin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation