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Canopy light cues affect emission of constitutive and methyl jasmonate‐induced volatile organic compounds in A rabidopsis thaliana
Author(s) -
Kegge Wouter,
Weldegergis Berhane T.,
Soler Roxina,
Eijk Marleen VergeerVan,
Dicke Marcel,
Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J.,
Pierik Ronald
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12407
Subject(s) - shading , methyl jasmonate , volatile organic compound , herbivore , botany , biology , chemistry , ecology , art , biochemistry , gene , visual arts
Summary The effects of plant competition for light on the emission of plant volatile organic compounds ( VOC s) were studied by investigating how different light qualities that occur in dense vegetation affect the emission of constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐induced VOC s. A rabidopsis thaliana Columbia ( C ol‐0) plants and P ieris brassicae caterpillars were used as a biological system to study the effects of light quality manipulations on VOC emissions and attraction of herbivores. VOC s were analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and the effects of light quality, notably the red : far red light ratio ( R : FR ), on expression of genes associated with VOC production were studied using reverse transcriptase–quantitative PCR . The emissions of both constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐induced green leaf volatiles and terpenoids were partially suppressed under low R : FR and severe shading conditions. Accordingly, the VOC ‐based preference of neonates of the specialist lepidopteran herbivore P . brassicae was significantly affected by the R : FR ratio. We conclude that VOC ‐mediated interactions among plants and between plants and organisms at higher trophic levels probably depend on light alterations caused by nearby vegetation. Studies on plant–plant and plant–insect interactions through VOC s should take into account the light quality within dense stands when extrapolating to natural and agricultural field conditions.