Drought-induced in vivo synthesis of camptothecin in Camptotheca acuminata seedlings

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2000

Abstract

Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites may be affected by environmental stimuli. In the present work, the effect of drought on the levels of an indole alkaloid (camptothecin [CPT]) in Camptotheca acuminata seedlings was investigated. Three seed sources, one from its native habitat in China and two from earlier introductions to the United States, in Texas and South Carolina, were used to compare response patterns. Progressive drought stress significantly reduced biomass production in the 3 seed sources of C. acuminata. Stomatal conductance closely followed the drought cycles, indicating the stress levels experienced by the plants. Leaf CPT concentrations showed a strong increase in the initial drought cycle in all seed sources except Texas, but they deviated in the second drought cycle, in which the South Carolina source continued to increase, whereas the Chinese and Texas seed sources decreased. CPT was inducible by drought, but the sustainability of the drought effect on leaf CPT concentrations was low and varied among seed sources.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Physiologia Plantarum

First Page

483

Last Page

488

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