Strong relationship between elemental stoichiometry and metabolome in plants

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1116092109
• Publication Date: 2012-02-28T05:25:32Z
• Authors: Albert Rivas-Ubach; Jordi Sardans; Miriam Pérez-Truj...; Marc Estiarte; Josep Peñuelas
• Keywords: Metabolome; Stoichiometry; Ecological stoichiometry; Plant Physiology; Ecophysiology

Shifts in the elemental stoichiometry of organisms response to their ontogeny and changing environmental conditions should be related metabolomic changes because elements operate mostly as parts molecular compounds. Here we show this relationship leaves Erica multiflora throughout seasonal development moderate experimental field drought warming. The N/P ratio decreased metabolically active growing seasons, coinciding with an increase content primary metabolites. These results support growth-rate hypothesis that states rapidly present low ratios allocation P RNA. foliar N/K P/K were lower summer treatment, accordance role K osmotic protection, coincided compounds avoidance water stress. provide strong evidence between C/N/P/K leaf's metabolome during plant growth Thus these represent a step understanding relationships organism's lifestyle.