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Water Stress Increases Alkaloid Concentrations in Threadleaf Groundsel (Senecio longilobus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

David D. Briske  and
Bennie J. Camp
David D. Briske
Affiliation:
Dep. Range Sci. and Vet. Physiol. and Pharmacol., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843
Bennie J. Camp
Affiliation:
Dep. Range Sci. and Vet. Physiol. and Pharmacol., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843
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Abstract

The influence of water stress on toxic alkaloid concentrations in threadleaf groundsel (Senecio longilobus Benth.) was investigated in a controlled environment by monitoring leaf xylem water potential during a 32-day period, and then analyzing for alkaloid concentration by plant part. Total plant alkaloid concentration increased with increasing severity of water stress. The most severe water stress (−2.0 MPa) for the 32-day period increased alkaloid concentration by 4.6 times, compared to the least stress imposition (−1.0 MPa). Averaged across watering regimes, alkaloid concentrations (percent dry weight) were highest in threadleaf groundsel roots (0.088%) and occurred in similar concentrations in stems (0.046%) and leaves (0.050%). These results indicate the importance of considering the influence of plant water stress when investigating secondary plant compounds.

Keywords

Drought effectssecondary plant compoundstoxic plants
Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 1982 , pp. 106 - 108
Copyright
Copyright © 1982 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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